Kozy Krampus is a fabulous collection of relaxing horror stories perfect for any fright fan desiring a casual read. According to publisher Underland Press this anthology “contains 29 stories of the nocturnal monstrosities that slither down our chimneys while the coals cool and quiet, of the awkward terrors that lurk within pretty boxes with prettier bows, of the doom that creeps into our bowels as we cram yet another slice of sticky, gummy, oh-what-the-hell-is-this? fruitcake into our mouths… These are the horrors visited upon us by family, festivities, and futility.”

​It's an amazing assortment of unhinged horror that turns the ordinary nightmares associated with the holiday season into cosmic dread. Enjoy a pantheon of familiar and lesser seen monstrosities who prowl the yuletide calendar as well as cults you never imagined turning that time of the year into scares aplenty. Yet, all the while, there’s a charm to these tales that makes them ideal for a read beside the fireplace.

Kozy Krampus includes my own tale “The Cheshire’s Killer Cousin”. It’s a delightful bit of madness that feels like a Hallmark movie if they allowed a pint or two of blood alongside grim frights. The story centers around a bed and breakfast stalked by a creature from folklore that most people are unfamiliar with. So, if you’re searching for something fresh this Halloween season, or a fireside read to make the winter months more sinister, grab a copy of Kozy Krampus!

John Candy: I Like Me should come with a flood warning. There is a definite possibility of audiences experiencing a biblical deluge of tears. Though the name may not mean much to folks under the age of 24, witnessing the iconic comedian’s story is still likely to pull heartstrings opening flood gates in the process. Yet, just as many laughs lie along this soggy road which makes it worth however many watery eyes I Like Me produces.
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This documentary from Colin Hanks takes a look at the life of a legend. Granted, every biographer wants audiences to believe their subject is iconic, worthy of note, or at the very least an unknown pinnacle whom more people need to know about it. In a strange way, John Candy fits all of that. Having passed away at the age of forty-three roughly thirty years ago in 1994, there is hypothetically an entire generation that never got to enjoy his humor. 

That makes this exploration of his career not simply a celebration of his accomplishments, but an opportunity to highlight his contribution to the art of laughter. Even lifelong fans such as myself can easily begin to spot the way his style has permeated the landscape of contemporary comedy. Editors Shane Reid and Darrin Roberts deftly assist such illuminating moments by occasionally juxtaposing snippets of Candy alongside performers who have been inspired by him. Perhaps that’s why one of the executive producers is Ryan Reynolds; his comedic stylings clearly colored by Candy’s clowning.

​For the most part, the story sticks to a common formula. Though I Like Me starts with a heartbreaking eulogy by Dan Aykroyd, it soon follows the standard route of birth, beginnings, career rise, and his unfortunate demise. However, having begun the documentary with Candy’s funeral puts a strange spin on everything. The movie becomes a peculiar countdown to that instant echoing a sentiment that haunted the man his whole life.

Since his father died at 35 from complications due to heart disease when Candy was only five, he held a perpetual belief his own time would be short. As such, he aspired to live the most and do the most with whatever seconds he was afforded. The looming end in ’94 is a constant reminder of how he reached the stars with only a few short years before leaving this world. 

It’s that kind of peripheral melancholy which turns the documentary into a powerfully bittersweet experience. This isn’t simply a story about a beloved performer who died rather young. John Candy: I Like Me is a call to anyone watching that life is dreadfully short, with no warning regarding the end. One must make the most of that time.

In that respect, the film does an admirable job of recounting the comedian’s career in delightful detail. From his early days in Canadian improv to SCTV then finally on to Hollywood, there’s a genuine sense of watching someone find their creative footing. At the same time, it isn’t simply the story of one person. I Like Me casually highlights the people who helped Candy grow in confidence as well as occasionally shoved him into the limelight when he hesitated. It’s a great reminder that no artist takes flight alone.
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That community which helped raise him up provides many of the accounts. Famous faces mingle with family to share stories about John Candy most have never heard. During a Q&A following the screening at the Chicago Theater, his son Chris Candy reiterated something suggested in the documentary; that he was discovering new things about his father, finishing a portrait that has long remained incomplete. It’s a touching image of a person battling the stress of fame, the fear of mortality, certain insecurities, and all the while doing his best to be kind to everyone around him, bringing smiles whenever possible.

All of this is accentuated by archival footage alongside behind the scenes moments from movies and television, not to mention family films. One of the problems with someone as grand as John Candy is almost having too much material to choose from. Fortunately, this isn’t the first documentary from Colin Hanks.

​In 2015 he released All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records. Later he delivered Eagles of Death Metal: No Amis (Our Friends). The skills he’s accrued are plainly on display. I Like Me is devoid of wasted moments. It cuts to the heart of the subject without ever losing sight of Candy’s humanity. This is about the man behind the legend as well as the persona fans adored. And the presentation makes a case for the two being not too far apart—the classic double-edge sword of a performer being so honest onscreen it’s hard to get a break from expectations.

I’ve always said one shouldn’t trust any biography or memoir that is too flattering, and although this doesn’t dwell on darker elements, they are presented. That isn’t to suggest in any way some nightmarish revelation awaits. Rather, the film acknowledges Candy was prone to excessive alcohol consumption while never dwelling on it. Still, unlike Disney’s excessively sanitized doc The Beach Boys, there are acknowledgements of certain stones that paved the way to an early end. Then the film respectfully moves on once the points are marked. Sad as they may be, fortunately, there’s nothing horrific, simply the acknowledgement that things weren’t always pure golden sunshine. 

Overall, John Candy: I Like Me is a lovely celebration of a comedy legend. It highlights the hilarious points in a stellar career that spanned the improv stage, television, and film. Fans of his will delight in observing beloved gems from works like SCTV, Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Those less familiar with the icon will likely find themselves on the verge of an enviable joy: getting to experience him for the first time. Though it may cause tears due to its overwhelming humanity, John Candy: I Like Me is full of laughter. More than anything, he sounds like a rare human being well worth getting to know, and sadly, this is the only way left. Yet, it's still a delight even when it stings the heart.