Revisiting A Classic

Tobe Hooper's grisly 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre shocked audiences around the world. It left an echo in the horror world that kept people talking. Based after the sadistic real life Ed Gein, Hooper's story exaggerates the things Gein did and turns them up a notch.

Though some critics said it was one of the goriest movies ever, the film hardly had any blood in it. And although the movie terrified audiences everywhere, I wasn't didn't get all the talk. I wasn't impressed with this movie at all. It just went right over my head, I didn't get what I was expecting.

Maybe it was because I was already about 17-years-old when I first saw it, and that by that time I had already seen some hardcore horror flicks? When I first watched this movie for the first time I was expecting brutality and things I'd need to turn my head away from. It didn't live up to the hype for me and I think that's what killed this movie to me. Of course, soon after I saw the remake and loved it. The remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes are the best remakes to date.

I'm pretty sure it's because I was expecting the brutality from it that I've gotten from newer movies, but the kills and effects in this movie didn't do anything for me. I guess it's stupid to expect that, but with movies like The Evil Dead and Cannibal Holocaust I was expecting something much more maniacal and disturbing.

As the movie replayed in my head a few times, I broke down and re-watched it. Same end result. I didn't like it. Now, I completely agree that it's a classic and I respect the hell out of this film and the people who made it. What this movie stands for and what it did for horror movies is groundbreaking. I just can't seem to see it from the popular consensus. 

I've decided after about 3 years to give this movie a shot again tonight. Maybe some of that hype that's died down will help me to like it more this time around? Anything is possible. I know there's something there, something that draws me to the movie and I don't know what. I think it's time to give it a third opinion. As soon as The Walking Dead ends tonight I'll be watching this movie again. Hoping to see something different in it than before. 

I have no idea if I'll like it or hate it, we'll see...

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The Howling VI: The Freaks (Video 1991)

***S  P  O  I  L  E  R  S***

"Vampire vs. Werewolf

The Ultimate Clash of the Forces of Evil"

RATED- R

RUN TIME- 102 MINS

WRITER(S)- GARY BRANDNER AND KEVIN ROCK

STARRING- BRENDAN HUGHES, MICHELE MATHESON AND SEAN SULLIVAN

DIRECTOR- HOPE PERELLO

Synopsis taken from IMDb

A villainous carnival owner traps a young werewolf to include in his growing menagerie of inhuman exhibits.

STORY: I'm back with another round of abuse for myself. I'm a glutton for punishment, as I said before. I've seen all of the Howling films except V and VI, up until recently. I should have called it quits after the 3rd film and I wanted to, but my OCD wouldn't allow me to not finish the series. Christ, almighty.

This film focuses on a drifter named Ian who stops in a small town and takes up a job working on rebuilding the town church. He's known to the town instantly as a good worker and has everyone's attention since he's the mysterious new guy in town. One night when the full moon arises we see Ian change into a werewolf and my God is it awful looking. It doesn't look like a werewolf at all, I don't know what the hell it looks like but it's absolutely terrible. While out roaming, a freak from the circus sees Ian as a wolfman and reports it to his boss, R.B. Harker.

Harker imprisons Ian and uses him as a freak in his hideous display for his carnival business. While locked up, Ian is abused and mentally tortured and picked on. Of course, we all knew that he was going to escape and have his big battle to freedom. It's completely predictable and tasteless. I knew from the go that Harker was a vampire and I think they made it very obvious, even if they didn't mean to.

Ian and Harker battle it out for superiority and dominance. With a stake and a heavy, lethal dose of direct sunlight Ian pulls off the victory. Now he's off on the road again traveling. Until he passes the next town worth stopping in.

Possibly...probably the worst werewolf design I have ever seen

ACTING/PERFORMANCES: The acting in this movie was dry and boring. It wasn't convincing at all. I guess all the actors knew this movie was such a piece of crap, they just signed on for the paycheck. Ian is made out to be sympathized with but to be honest, I couldn't care less what happened to anyone in this movie.

KILLS/GORE: The gore was sparse and the kills were generic as well as the ridiculous fight scene at the end. I really don't know what went through the people making this film's minds. There wasn't a single scene that stood out to me. 

OVERALL: This movie is a dare to watch. A dare to see if you'll fall asleep or turn it off before it's over. I somehow survived but I will never watch this again. I haven't seen a movie this bad in a while so I'm pissed it ruined my good movie streak. I'm going to wash this bad taste out of my mouth with a viewing of An American Werewolf in London. Beware of this movie, it bites.

THIS FILM GETS 1 1/2 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5

Justice League: Doom (Video 2012)

***S  P  O  I  L  E  R  S***

"The end of justice"

 
RATED- PG-13
RUN TIME- 90 MINS
WRITER(S)- DWAYNE McDUFFIE AND MARK WAID
STARRING- KEVIN CONROY, TIM DALY AND SUSAN EISENBERG
DIRECTOR- LAUREN MONTGOMERY 



Synopsis taken from IMDb
Vandal Savage steals confidential files Batman has compiled on the members of the Justice League, and learns all their weaknesses.




STORY: I usually don't like The Justice League. Batman is no doubt my favorite superhero, but I'm not a fan of the rest of the gang. Superman is alright but I don't care for Wonderwoman and The Green Lantern too much. Martian Man Hunter is one that I'm not too familiar with due to me having no interest in him. So, I was apprehensive about watching this one. I like Batman solo with maybe the company of Robin rarely.

The head villain in this film is Vandal Savage, and he gets Mirror Master to sneak into Wayne manor's lower level (Batcave) and download something off of Batman's computer system. What did he download? All the files Batman had on all of his teammates. Unknowingly to them, Batman shows his true genius and has come up with ways to stop any and all Justice League members who may possibly use their powers for the worse of humanity. This isn't a means to kill them, just neutralize them should they ever need it. However, Vandal Savage adds in a way to kill them all on his own.

Vandal Savage hires Bane, Ma'alefa'ak, Cheetah, Mirror Master, Star Sapphire and Metallo to take out the Justice League. One villain to match each hero and use Batman's scheme against them. Things get pretty bad when the villains show up. Bane actually digs up Bruce Wayne's parents and buries Bruce alive with them. Things look bad for the Justice League as their worst fears are exploited and used against them.

Eventually the Justice League preservers and win the war against them. Even the villains learn that Vandal Savage is a monster when they learn he plans to destroy the world. When Batman comes clean about the plans used against them being his he leaves the team on his own accord. Stating that he'd do it all over again if he had to, because their power is too great to risk not having his plans to neutralize them. Batman becomes a loner, which he's best at. Only Superman truly agrees with him and understands him.

The Justice League takes a stand

ANIMATION: The animation in this film is perhaps a bit too much like anime for my liking. It is well done though. The voice-over's are on point and I really enjoyed how they made Bane have a Latin accent. They kept it pretty close to the comics. The overall look and design of the characters is well achieved.



ACTION: This movie is very dark for an animation film and there's a lot of fighting and over-the-top violence. It's definitely meant for a more mature audience, but can be enjoyed by any comic book nerd like myself.



OVERALL: This movie is fresh and original. It's gritty and enjoyable. It's all you can want and expect from an animated film. And it sure as hell beats a real Justice League movie. It sickens me that they're rebooting the Batman film series in 2017. Because they want a "Green Lantern friendly" Batman so they can go ahead with a Justice League movie. Hollywood can never just let a good thing go. I'm convinced that all other Batman films will pale in comparison to Nolan's epic trilogy.

Especially if they want a friendlier Batman...

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5