By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

‘Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale’

Directed by Jalmari Helander

Rated R, 84 minutes

“Rare Exports” offers a chilling and scary twist on the original story of Old Saint Nick. The story focuses on Pietari (Onni Tommita), who lives with his father, Rauno (Jorma Tommila), in the hills of northern Finland. Daily life is an ongoing struggle, but their biggest problem is being dug up from the earth, as nearby scientists have discovered the tomb of Santa Claus. That’s right — Santa Claus isn’t some jolly fat man delivering presents; he’s a homicidal maniac capturing kids and stealing their spirit. After Pietari, his father and some of his friends catch Santa, they demand payment from the scientists. But before they can get it, hundreds of deranged elves show up to set their leader free. “Rare Exports” is truly a unique Christmas tale that mixes the perfect amount of terror and humor to keep even the biggest Scrooge entertained. CV

‘Scrooged’

Directed by Richard Donner

1988, Rated PG-13, 101 minutes

“Scrooged” is the perfect holiday film as it brings plenty of laughs with just enough heart to keep traditionalists captivated. We’ve all known a self-centered asshole like Frank Cross (Bill Murray) — a man who would fire someone on Christmas Eve, doesn’t spend the holidays with his family and drinks Tab and Vodka! But when the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present visit Frank, he sees his wrongs and tries to make them right. “Scrooged” features a star-studded cast including John Forsythe, Robert Mitchum, Buddy Hackett and Carol Kane, but it’s Murray who carries the film. It wouldn’t work without Murray’s self-deprecating charm, and viewers love seeing the most awful man in the building transform into one the most loving. If you haven’t seen “Scrooged,” you’re missing out on one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. CV