Texas Chainsaw Massacre (40 Years Later...)

Score: 9 Out Of 10

               This October will mark the fortieth anniversary of the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's" theatrical release and in the past forty years a lot has been said about this film. So what I did was sat down and watched this film again. I tried my best to forget about the stigma that surrounds this movie. I tried not to think about the two people I know who saw this movie in theaters when it was released and still can not bring themselves to watch it a second time and the friend I had in high school who bought in to the "based on a true story" element so much he once confided in me that he believes Leatherface "is still out there." This time I just sat down and watched a movie and took it for what it was, ONE OF THE CREEPIEST FUCKING THINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN!! "Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)" was directed by Tobe Hooper (who I believe never got the credit he deserved for directing "Poltergeist (1982)," by the way) and stars Marylin Burns, Edwin Neal and Gunnar Hansen. The plot is about group of teenagers who are terrorized by a family of grave robbing cannibals. If that plot sounds familiar it is because it has been redone a hundred times over in a hundred different movies.

       When compared to horror/suspense films that are being released today there is not a whole lot of what would appeal to the younger generations. There is hardly any blood actually shown, there is very little profanity and there is absolutely no nudity or reference to sexuality and regardless if we consider that a good thing or not, these elements shown to excess is what seems to appeal most to the younger generation of horror fans. But what this film does have going for it is an unbelievable atmosphere. This film is the very definition of gritty. Like I stated earlier, it is incredibly creepy and contains not one but three of the most tense and uncomfortable scenes I have ever viewed and that is what makes this film great. This is the perfect example of how to make a horror movie with no budget and no special effects.

Love,

   The B-Movie Guy

Twitter: @BMovieguy