News
Late to the Party: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
When Tobe Hooper tragically passed away, I was devastated. Poltergeist is one of my favorite horror movies, and it’s actually the film that got me into the genre to begin with. So did I feel like a fraud for having not seen the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre? Yes. But, I knew I had this article planned out, so I waited. For the sake of journalism. You’re welcome.
When it was finally time for me to watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, I lapped it up like a dehydrated dog after a long and sun scorched day.
I loved this movie. Normally, when a film has been hyped up for so long, it can be a bit of a disappointment when it comes time to finally watch it. It doesn’t always live up to the widespread cultural praise. But let me tell you, friends, this one did.
Whether intentional or not, the film makes a strong statement about the meat industry. The jobs that were once occupied by Leatherface’s family are rendered obsolete by technological advancements. Humans are given the same brutal and inhumane treatment as any animal that may find its way into a slaughterhouse – posing the idea that, deep down, we’re all just a bunch of meat sacks.
There’s a dichotomy between the earlier scenes of camaraderie between the characters as they blast down the highway in their crowded van, waxing on about Astrology (that pointedly acts as foreshadowing for the terrors to come), versus the manhandling of the victims as they fall prey to Leatherface. Their humanity is disregarded; they are simply hunks of flesh to be torn and consumed.
Even though the brutality takes place off-screen, it’s still noted as one of the most horrific films of all time. By casting relatively unknown actors, Hooper ensured that the horror felt real. We connect with Sally because, to us, she is that character. We’re not watching some starlet scream as she feigns fear – we’re connecting with a terrified and exhausted stranger who frantically fights for her life.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre brought the idea of the hulking masked maniac to the forefront of the horror genre, dragging the modern scream queen along in his wake. It also gave us one of the rare instances of a paraplegic character who was not used for a plot gimmick. Franklin’s narrative is included because he’s a focal character, which is not a perspective we often see in horror films.
There are stories about the hellish experience of making the film (overwhelming temperatures mixed with unwashable costumes and decomposing animal carcasses really don’t mix), and now that I’ve seen it, I totally believe it. But there’s something so genuine about litetrally putting your blood, sweat, and tears into a movie. Everyone was fueled by passion – or likely, in some cases, misery – and it makes the final product so incredibly visceral and sincere.
This movie really stuck with me. I’ve somehow watched most of the sequels, and I had seen the remake, but going back to the roots of the whole thing with that informed history made me appreciate it even more, I think. The ending, in particular, is intense and chilling perfection. The pure desperation and manic terror is palpable. It makes me shiver, I love it so.
If you also have yet to see this incredible classic of a film, please, don’t wait any longer.
(As a side note, I’m a huge fan of True Detective (season one, of course), and I hadn’t realized how much of the Childress household is an homage to the farmhouse in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. But now I know. And I want to re-watch that series for the 10th time. So… I’m going to do that.)
To reach about how Ed Gein inspired The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, click here!
Stay tuned for next week’s Late to the Party with Jacob Davison!
Header image by Chris Fischer
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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News
Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed
Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.
This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.
The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.
The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.
Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.
Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.
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