the audience applauded

Please don't spend money on this.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

"Season's Greetings" is a 4-minute animated cartoon from almost 20 years ago. Iit seems that writer and director Michael Dougherty already had a soft spot for Halloween back then as by today, his most famous work is of course "Trick 'r Treat" if you do not count the films he wrote without directing. Anyway, the action here is fairly uninteresting. It's neither scary, not funny, nor entertaining for any other reason unfortunately and the animation level is pretty bad for a 1990s movie. The only thing I can say in Dougherty's favor is that this little award winning movie is a student film and was done extremely early in his career and almost all the great names from directing have made weak films very early in their careers. Dougherty is no exception. The again, he is no great name either. Forgettable watch and I do not recommend it. Not even on Halloween.

Season's Greetings (1996) *** (out of 4) A decade before making TRICK 'R TREAT, writer-director Michael Dougherty made this four minute animated short that introduced the world to the Sam character. This film is pretty simple on plot as we see Sam getting his candy bag stolen and the aftermath. SEASON'S GREETINGS isn't the greatest thing around but there's no question that it's a nice little gem and it's really too bad, like the feature, that we don't have more of these. There are so many "fun" things centered around Halloween that it's really too bad we didn't get to see more cases played out like the one here. Having your candy bag stolen on Halloween is something most people have done, had done to them or at least have heard about so that adds to the entertainment factor here. The animation is quite nice and this is certainly an entertaining way to be introduced to the Sam character.

Lethal and mischievous, but still lovable and adorable demon Sam experiences all kinds of nifty misadventures while out trick or treating on Halloween night. Writer/director Michael Dougherty astutely pegs the infectiously fun'n'spooky ooga-booga midnight-in-the-graveyard spirit of the Halloween season complete with a black cat, a creepy old house, leering Jack O'Lantern pumpkins, an ominous hooting owl, and, best of all, a foolhardy would-be back alley mugger who gets more than he bargained for when he beats Sam up for his bag of Halloween candy. The bright, sharp, and colorful animation has a totally happening old school hand-drawn charm to it. Kudos are also in order for Evan T. Chen's superbly shivery score. Plus this short makes for a great introduction to the iconic character of Sam, who returns in a substantial part in the terrific horror anthology winner "Trick 'r Treat." A real enjoyable and on the money little delight.

Dougherty introduces the adorable but not-to-be-messed-with Sam in this little feature short. Twelve years later Sam will get his own feature film title 'Trick 'R Treat'. The story here is in support of the Halloween spirit and little Sam is out to collect candies when he encounters unexpected things. The animation is done by Dougherty himself and it is all beautifully hand drawn and coloured. This gives an authentic and nostalgic feel. Even though there is no dialogue, it's a story well told with a funny surprise in the end. Overall, it's a satisfying short movie that introduces Dougherty's potential. He might have a bright future as a filmmaker. He's already proved that with the spin off 'Trick 'R Treat'.