The Age of Commercialism

How sad is this?

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

3615 code Père Noël is basically a horror/action movie revolving around a young boy who needs to defend his home against an ongoing home invasion. The movie features very graphic violence and due to its over-the-top presentation of action scenes and suspenseful moments, it is not recommended for children. However, the premise is greatly constructed and believably executed, making this movie a highlight of seasonal horror/action movies. Overall 7/10 Full review on movie-discourse.blogspot.de

Looked everywhere for this film before finding it on YouTube. No sub-titles, and my french is rusty (Maritime Canadian french, at that), but it's not very dialogue heavy. I also found a Spanish dub on YouTube, since the video cut off before the very, very end. There was only 30 seconds left and then the credits, accompanied by "Christmas" by Bonnie Tyler. (Best known for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and apparently very popular in France.)The hair, fashion and technology seen in the film is quite dated, the last of which is most notable since it is a key element to the character of "Thomas". The miniatures used for the mansion were lacking, and some of the set pieces were a little weak or odd. But the direction and cinematography was very good, as were the performances by the boy, grandfather and "Santa". In fact, I don't recall a middling performance by anyone in the film.This is a good example of a film that would be perfect for a remake due to the dated look and weak set pieces. The most difficult thing to replicate, however, would be how believable the characters acting and dialogue is, even in such an unlikely scenario. Despite trying to be as gung-ho as his movie idol "John Rambo" while trying to protect "Papi" and himself, the film gives us a wonderful look at how truly afraid he really is. Which makes him all the more brave as he stays proactive throughout the ordeal.The only thing I'm really disappointed about, aside from the fact that this film has never been given a DVD release, is that that the IMDb cast list in incomplete. As listed in the end credits, the dog (listed as "J.R." I believe) was played by Canaillou. Oh! And this film, despite being more of a thriller and some characters actually meeting their end, is actually much less violent than HOME ALONE.Anyhoo...

I remember seeing stills of this movie as a kid in a French horror magazine. It was rather puzzling to see this kid with war paint on among the usually gore-filled pages. I saw it for the first time a few years later, I was maybe 13 or 14, and found it entertaining. Just that.Now in my 30s, seeing it for the 2nd time, I appreciated it a lot more. Of course, it's now flawless. It's rather dated, mostly because of the supposedly innovative technology proudly displayed, like the infamous minitel (French pride!).Yet it's good. What surprised me the most was the actors' performances. They were all rather convincing, especially the kid and the psycho. Then I also found the direction and photography to be really polished. More than once I ended up telling myself "this looks genuinely good".It's not really horror - don't expect blood and gore - but rather a thriller and it succeeds quite well in creating tension.What I also liked was the story itself, how the kid in parts remains a kid despite being confronted to a dreadful situation and being forced to act as a grown-up. I also liked the fact that his relation with his granddad is touching without being soppy or overemotional.I'm not saying this is a masterpiece but being one the very few efforts at thriller/horror from France in the 80s, it's worth tracking down. It still hasn't be released on DVD, not even in France. Shame.

It's been awhile I have seen this film but from what I can remember when I saw it as a kid: I liked it. A small boy is left (with or without babysitter? I don't remember) alone at home (huge mansion) while his parents attend a dinner party on christmas eve. The boy named Thomas thinks he is safe until a burglar dressed in Santa Claus decides to drop in and do some christmas shopping. So now begins this cat & mouse game as Thomas is determined to defend himself and his home. Think more in the lines of "Rambo kid Home Alone without that Culkin brat". Good film from what I can remember and I'm still trying to find a copy of this french film. Perhaps I liked it because I was about the same age as the hero of the film who had these self-made weapons, cool gadgets and was fighting against this psycho santa claus dressed burglar.For those who wonder what 36.15 is: it's not the code for "Pere Noel" (Santa Claus) but in France it's like a "teletext" or "internet/bbs" function back in the 80's/early 90's. Basically you type in 36.15 and then a "name/word" (e.g. 36.15 CINEMA) and you can find info. Sort of like an electronic yellow pages server.