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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 – Still Running 31 years later
Well it’s time to dust off the old, rusty, blood-caked chainsaw and rev it up! Because we’re taking another trip to Texas… This time it’s not hippies getting torn apart, it’s the yuppies hitting the chainsaw!
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
In this grisly and bizarre sequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Radio DJ Stretch (Caroline Williams) is victimized by the chainsaw family as former Texas Marshall (Dennis Hopper) is hunting them down. Crafting a sequel to a film is no easy task, this can be even more difficult if it’s a sequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. An iconic horror film that basically restructured and established modern horror for a new generation.
Enter Tobe Hooper who had a three picture deal with the Cannon film group. This would conclude his third part of his “Cannon Trilogy”. The first was Lifeforce (1985) followed by Invaders from Mars, a remake of the 1953 film of the same title. Both of these efforts would under perform at the box office and would force Hooper into directing the long-awaited sequel horror fans were dying to see. It’s hard to believe now since The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has gone on to produce multiple sequels, remakes and prequels to those remakes. However, Hooper held back on the project for over ten years. Since he had a contractual obligation to Cannon it was time to fulfill it and pay his dues. If Hooper was going to make a sequel he didn’t want to just remake the original, he wanted to deconstruct it.
Even though The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 follows some of the same story beats of original film, Hooper and screenwriter L.M. Kit Carson take out all of the reality and ramp up the twisted perverse humor tenfold, compete with sinister three stooges. Not wanting to re-create the documentary atmosphere of the original film, Hooper instead put together a Gore-house opera that doubles up the chainsaw mayhem. Who doesn’t love an epic chainsaw battle between Leatherface and Dennis Hopper?
What the Hell’s goin’ on here? That the American way of enterin’ a man’s home, singin’ like that? – Drayton
Gore
In a response to the bloodsoaked 1980s, Hooper employed the master himself Tom Savini to take over the special fx makeup, which would prove so ghastly that the film would be rated “X” and banned in some countries! The special makeup effects in this film are something to behold. They are just so disgustingly beautiful, and upon re-watching this film I truly miss Tom Savini’s work in the field.
It’s the Devil’s playground.- Lefty
The Cast
The strong performances in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is what holds the entire macabre piece together. Bill Moseley definitely stands out as the bizarre and deranged character Chop Top. Leatherface is relegated to a more sympathetic and non-threatening role. It seems no one will ever live up to Gunnar Hansen portrayal of the chainsaw wielding character we all know and love. Rest in peace, Gunnar Hansen. Dennis Hopper also delivers a great and over-the-top performance that completely keeps within the movie’s tone. However, can we expect anything less from the late and great actor? Jim Siedow reprised his role as Drayton the Cook and is still awesome, and Caroline Williams (Stretch) also gives an equally good performance, not to mention a memorable scream.
Lick my plate, you dog dick! – Chop Top
Final Thoughts
It’s interesting to look back at this film. Upon its initial release the die hard fans of the original absolutely hated it. It wouldn’t be until years later when this little film would gain a cult audience on VHS, and this is where much of the sequel’s appreciation grew. I’ve been a long-standing defender of this film and have even gotten into more than a few arguments over it. Some of which believe it or not almost resulted in fistfights! It appears Tobe Hooper had nothing to lose when making this much awaited sequel, so he let loose! The result is a film that’s very much in tune with the characters. In addition, this movie has such an infectious twisted energy. It may not be the iconic classic that the original was, but The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is still a classic in its own right.
Exit. E-X-I-T. – Chop Top
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Movies
‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt
Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.
In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.
This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.
Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.
“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”
The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”
The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.
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Movies
‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time
It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?
It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.
Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.
Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.
The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.
The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.
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News
Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween
Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.
The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.
This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.
This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.
“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”
But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.
This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.
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