'Living Fireplace: Volume 2': An Epochal Event, Just In Time For The Holidays

Hotly anticipated by fans of the burgeoning fireplace genre, Living Fireplace: Volume 2 has finally been released to home video this week on both DVD and Blu-ray. Superior to the original in every way, this stunning sequel in an unqualified cinematic triumph — and nothing short of an epochal event in the world of fake fireplace videos.

The film begins — languidly, serenely — with an extreme close-up of a popping and crackling fire. Almost Lynchian in its dreamlike ambiance, the scene slowly unfolds. Blue flames lick the underside of the foreground birch log. Smoke swirls in soft focus at the edges of the flue. It's a devastating mise en scene, evoking the aching nostalgia of hearth and home, but with malevolent, stygian menace.

The plot thickens, after the jump.

 

Subtly but inexorably, the scene shifts. Candles appear, nearly spectral, in the corners of the frame. What appears to be a wreath above the hearth offers a devastating counterpoint to the dying branches below. Beyond the crackling flames we hear a melody — haunting, insistent. As the lyrics become intelligible, the viewer is left to ponder: Who is this 'Santa Claus'? And why ... why is he coming to town?

To reveal any more would be to spoil the experience of this remarkable film.

Reclusive filmmaker Stephen Spivak, founder and president of Screen Dreams Publishing Inc., released a short statement upon the film's release:

"Our new and improved Living Fireplace: Volume 2 is the perfect holiday gift and offers more features and scenes than ever before," Spivak said. "Since launching Living Fireplace four years ago, we continue to be the leader in fireplace DVDs with our unparalleled variety of unique scenes, crisp HD picture, calming sound effects, and gorgeous music tracks that allow Living Fireplace: Volume 2 to instantly transform any HDTV into a vibrant window of warmth."

Indeed.