Film Review 1 - Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2013)

Brief Plot Outline:

Heather, the film's protagonist, travels to Texas to collect her grandmother's inheritance. Little does she know, this also includes her chainsaw wielding cousin- Leatherface.

Which two scenes impressed me the most and why?

The two scenes that most impressed me, were where both Darryl and Burt are murdered. Firstly where Dan Yeager's Leatherface cuts Darryl literally in half (through the use of prosthetic limbs (or a body!) and blood) and secondly the final scene where Leatherface get's his revenge on Burt by backing him up in fear, cutting his hands/wrists off as he's struggling to hold on, then slowly falling in the slaughter machine. I like both these scenes because they're brutal, not hiding away from what Leatherface is capable of, and the use of blood & special effects provides a sense of realism to the murders. 

How has watching this film helped you understand this genre of filmmaking? Which features on the genre checklist did you spot in the film? When? How?

I haven't really seen any other films directed by JL (John Luessenhop) so I'm unable to compare his style, however TCM (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) isn't afraid to show gore and violence (particularly in the scene where the Burt sends a cop into Leatherface's "lair", opens a fridge where he's storing the surviving girl, and shoots her in the head.) And most of it being shown on-screen (Darryl getting cut in half as another example). As character roles go, Leatherface is a fast moving monster/psychotic killer, whereas Heather is very badass in her approach and the way she deals with all her friends disappearing. Accompanying this, is the soundtrack. The opening sequence where Sheriff Hooper orders Drayton to send "the boy" out, and then Burt's hillbilly friends turning up and burning Drayton manor to the ground, is accompanied by a action type/ pleonastic music. And again, contrapuntal music is played when Darryl is being sawed in half, countered by Ryan upstairs playing pool. The music is very dark/stormy as Darryl investigates the downstairs, matched with upbeat, hip-hop where Ryan is playing pool and drinking with the rest of the group, two very different scenarios mixed into one sequence. 

Which aspects would you like to INCLUDE in your own trailer?  Why?

Gruesome murders - such as the Darryl sawed in half scene, or Burt getting forced into the slaughter machine, or even Heather's "remember me" before stabbing Gavin with a pitchfork. And to be able to recreate these and give viewers a thought of "Oh that's disgusting", which it is in my own trailer to an audience would have a further meaning, 

Which aspects would you like to AVOID in your own trailer?  Why?

Overuse of weapons/guns. In order to relate back to a murder/death being a slow and painful process, I wouldn't want quick and/or easy kills. Secondly, sex. Although common in gory type horrors, it would be easier to stick to what's on screen and create further dilemmas between characters, without usual breakups & such. Having said this, it might be difficult to further certain character roles if it wasn't included.

What was the best aspect/more enjoyable moment in the film? Why? Can you recreate this in your own film? How?

The shift between (at the start) and the extended opening from a follow-on of the 1973 original, and the film becoming almost 'full circle' in a way, with Heather/Edith knowing who she really is and knowing her true past & present role. Possibly through the use of flashbacks, the start of this 2013 sequel uses the flashback to set the scene for the rest of the film. 

How does the film reflect it's institutional or historical context? Analyse two scenes/events that reflect the time which the film was made.
> Burning down the Sawyer/Drayton farmhouse sets the scene for the sequel film, despite the original movie being over 40 years apart since release (outside of the film's context)

> Evidence box, from the original murders of the Drayton/Sawyer family at the start of the 2013 sequel, but contextually in time periods, set as a prequel era of 1973. Heather, the last surviving member of the family and also the final girl realizes the corruption between the rednecks, lead by the Mayor/Burt and the Police/Hooper who originally wanted to arrest Jed for the crimes he committed. 

> Sex & Taboo - Since censorship has really changed in the 40 years difference between the first TCM & sequel in 2013, the both on screen violence and sex has really changed. Not only this, but audiences too are less shocked at things they see than before. Post-1973 no major wars (on a scale that we're used to) had or were happening, compared to the context of 2013's film, where three wars had taken place including terrorist acts of 9/11 and 7/7. Acts that, we're used to seeing on both national television and real life, whereas when we see it in films, we're almost "used" to it, so it's less shocking. I think the film goes out to try and shock audiences, and that's the aim for all horror films to date, because once you're used to something it's very difficult to break that.