The tried and true Charles Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol," which has been produced thousands of times on stage, film, and television, gets another treatment courtesy of writer/director Richard Chandler. Scrooge is a gangsta pimp played by George Raynor, who fails to take advantage of his Redd Foxx-style delivery. In addition to the three ghosts (an okay Seregon O'Dassey, a less-than-okay Todd Thierren, and director/writer Richard Chandler) who take Scrooge through his past, present, and future, Scrooge is also being hunted by the Jewish Mafia, who play on both Jewish and Italian stereotypes.
The film is foul-mouthed, appealing to the lowest humor denominator it can muster. It is also shockingly violent, with gunshots to the head and tongues being cut out. That is all well and good, the Dickens story needs a good edgy treatment since the treacly "Scrooged" wasn't exactly hard satirical fare. However, "Scrooge in the Hood" cannot seem to decide what it wants to be. A grindhouse throwback? An old Lisa Lampanelli stand-up routine come to life? Some men play women's roles without any explanation. The sets are obviously actual apartments and basements. The video effects are okay considering the budget. Actors trip over each other's lines, the editing is a little spotty, and once it blows its wad over its own dangerousness, it bogs down thanks to the overly familiar story. I wanted to like "Scrooge in the Hood." From the preview, I was ready to laugh out loud. Instead, I was bored. There is a great comedy that should be made from this germ of an idea, but this film is not it. Also known as "Silent Night Dead Night."