One of the best
Added 11/14/2009
Un classique instantané, un très grand film culte, toute la saveur des grandes années de l'horreur, un des tout premiers vrais films d'horreur moderne.
A déconseiller aux âmes sensibles, un film qui fascinera tout les fanas de films malsains et originaux.
L'image et le son respectent le format d'origine tout en y apportant un confort de vision absolument inégalable, oubliez tout simplement toutes les précédentes éditions, celle-ci est la meilleure.
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this 2-disc ultimate edition will be cherished by fans of the film
Added 11/11/2009
REVIEW OF: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (TWO-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION)
7.4 THE FILM ITSELF
7.7 VISUALS
8.2 SOUND
8.5 PACKAGING
9.0 EXTRAS
Let's get this out of the way immediately - I'm not a big fan of this film, the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But for this Ultimate Edition, fans will find alot to love here. The one major standout of the film is the atmosphere. There's always an odd, creepy, almost like someone is watching you at all times feel which creeps you out. Especially when you're in the middle of nowhere in Texas.
But, I won't review the film because so many other people have already done that. I'll simply say that I was impressed by the lack of gore or blood, which too many movies these days rely on, and the simple fact that this movie has no message or good-feeling story or ending makes me happy as well. Too many horror movies try to throw in a cheesy love story (like the 2003 remake) or make a point. The only point here is that some people are simply evil, deranged and want you dead. That's what Leatherface wants.
7.7 VISUALS
For being as old as it is (1979 I believe?) this film looks pretty damn good. It isn't perfect by any means, but I don't think it should. Filmed on a low budget, why would it look like a million dollar production? And besides, that would ruin the feel of the film.
8.2 SOUND
Not much in terms of music or a soundtrack, so this is mainly based off dialogue and how everything sounds. Aside from the absolutely annoying Franklin, this is impressive for the technology they were using.
8.5 PACKAGING
I personally love the cover of this two-disc steel booklet DVD. The inside picture is "iconic" to the film. My only major complaint is how the discs are placed on top of each other, and the annoying music on the main menus, but otherwise this is well presented.
9.0 EXTRAS
Disc one comes with two commentaries. One is members of the cast, while the second is Director Tobe Hooper, Leatherface himself Gunnar Hansen, along with the main writer of the film. Both commentaries are great for getting information about the film, the production and the backstories. Diehard fans will surely find alot to enjoy in these two commentaries.
Disc two starts off with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth" Documentary which is a greatly detailed look at the film, and talks with numerous individuals about the film and the legendary status it has now reached.
The next feature is the "Flesh Wounds" documentary which plays out alot like "The Shocking Truth", but covers some different ground in the history of the film. What's great about these documentaries is learning how Hooper ran out of money and had to sell rights of the film just to finish the film. Depressing realization, but it's these honest facts that I love. And learning about the money issues is refreshing compared to most bonus features where everything praises one another.
"A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen" was kind of a disappointment. I thought this would be done while the house was still all set up, but the walkthrough is while the house is used as some sort of a B&B. And all Hansen does is recount where certain items were in certain rooms.
"Blooper Reel" isn't even a damn blooper reel. It's a few minutes of characters wandering through the woods (if I remember correctly) and that's it. Odd, to say the least.
"Outtakes from the Shocking Truth" is about 3 minutes of a scene that was cut from the documentary. Why? Why not just leave it in? This is just a fluff piece to add to the bonus features. Obviously you didn't have a time limit since it's on here anyway, why not just leave it in? Extra features of extra features seem just wrong.
"Dr. W.E. Barnes presents 'Making Grandpa'" is a series of photos that show the makeup of grandpa. I was let down by this feature because I didn't think it was just going to be pictures, but still decent nonetheless.
"Still Gallery". This is probably the best still gallery I have ever seen. Great photos from the filming and posters promoting the picture (most are in French however) will take those old enough to remember when the film first came out on a nostalgia trip. Some great pics here.
IN CLOSING
I wasn't a huge fan of the film, but I respect what this set has to offer. Fans of the film will find two great commentaries along with two great 60-plus minute documentaries that tell a great deal about the making of the film and tons of shocking information. The rest of the features may be nothing great, but these alone and a film many hold high as a classic will make this a great addition to their personal collection.
8.5/10 "GREAT"
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Added 11/6/2009
One of the best Horror films ever! Also the one that began it all. This was one amazing movie that scared the living hell out of me and i loved how sick and twisted it was. The special features disc had an interesting documentary. I could not believe what theye went through to make this, but... they did it and they did it good. I would like to mention this masterpieces sequals as well in this review. The 2nt movie was also awesome and funny. The third movie (although i am confused as to how it could be connected) is really cool. the director in the special features should call a movie he made that good a mess, He should be happy with it. the fourth movie was...wierd. Very wierd but not as bad as people say (seriously). It was somewhat funny. and as for the third movie, i think the people in it are like...maybe...leatherface's relatives who are..like....also cannibals and they take him in or something after chop-top and the cook died. Thats my theory,anyway. but anyway, this the original was one of the best and gory horror films ever.GO TCM, GO LEATHERFACE ,AHHHHHHH!!!end-
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The film that brought bloody, violent horror to the mainstream.
Added 10/23/2009
Many people have said that the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre was influential to later horror movies and it has been called "the movie that redefined horror". All of this is true, of course, but there were so-called 'B movies' in the 60s that were shown mainly at drive-in theaters, which were also very bloody. However, TCSM was the film that brought this bloody style to the mainstream, having been shown at regular theaters nationwide. It also introduced the first real horror-movie icon. Leatherface, the star of this movie, came years before the likes of Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, and Michael Myers. This movie also invented the now-cliched theme of 'young people being chased by a murderer' that can be found in more recent movies like Scream, and while TCSM might seem tame by today's standards, in 1974 it was the most shocking movie anyone had ever seen. It was called "grisly, sick, and perverse" and was attacked by churches and even banned by certain governments, but never-the-less became a horror classic. TCSM is a short but sweet movie that wastes no time getting into the action. The opening scene shows the discovery of a shocking crime in rural Texas, where the local graveyard has been disturbed. Corpses have been exhumed and mutilated and certain body parts have been stolen. But that's just the beginning. Soon, a group of five young men and women drive to this town because a relative was buried there. But when their van runs out of gas they find themselves stuck in the middle of nowhere and one by one they meet their fate at the hands of a literally crazy family that kills for fun and decorates their house with human flesh and bone, which is what real-life serial killer Ed Gein did. The main killer in the family (the one who uses a chainsaw), even wears a mask made of dead flesh, and is therefore known as Leatherface. This idea of a dead skin mask was used in The Silence Of The Lambs and in 1990 Slayer wrote a song called Dead Skin Mask, which was inspired by both Ed Gein and TCSM. Clearly, this movie has had a huge impact and according to Entertainment Weekly it's "even more terrifying 35 years later". The only reason I give TCSM 4 stars is because it could have been more bloody and graphic, but I still appreciate it for laying the blueprint for future horror flicks and I'm not forgetting that it was made in 1974. This 2-disc Ultimate Edition contains too many bonus features to mention, but I must say that the feature film is beautifully restored and remastered, which is most noticeable when you compare the movie to the theatrical trailers. This DVD is essential to any horror fan's collection.
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Why such a price cut?
Added 10/15/2009
I really love the ultimate edition, i remember when i was 13 (now 26) i watched this as a rental VHS over at a Halloween party, i picked this new edition from dark sky films up at Wal mart during the Month of October for only 5 dollars, i am happy and shocked they cut the price about 15 dollars off, is it only for the month of October or forever? Anyways i am happy with my purchase. (Spoiler: Also glad to see the house is still intact after all these years.) Anyone that is a fan of horror and doesnt have this in there collection hurry up and get it now before its gone at this great deal.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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One of the best
Added 11/14/2009
Un classique instantané, un très grand film culte, toute la saveur des grandes années de l'horreur, un des tout premiers vrais films d'horreur moderne.
A déconseiller aux âmes sensibles, un film qui fascinera tout les fanas de films malsains et originaux.
L'image et le son respectent le format d'origine tout en y apportant un confort de vision absolument inégalable, oubliez tout simplement toutes les précédentes éditions, celle-ci est la meilleure.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
this 2-disc ultimate edition will be cherished by fans of the film
Added 11/11/2009
REVIEW OF: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (TWO-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION)
7.4 THE FILM ITSELF
7.7 VISUALS
8.2 SOUND
8.5 PACKAGING
9.0 EXTRAS
Let's get this out of the way immediately - I'm not a big fan of this film, the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But for this Ultimate Edition, fans will find alot to love here. The one major standout of the film is the atmosphere. There's always an odd, creepy, almost like someone is watching you at all times feel which creeps you out. Especially when you're in the middle of nowhere in Texas.
But, I won't review the film because so many other people have already done that. I'll simply say that I was impressed by the lack of gore or blood, which too many movies these days rely on, and the simple fact that this movie has no message or good-feeling story or ending makes me happy as well. Too many horror movies try to throw in a cheesy love story (like the 2003 remake) or make a point. The only point here is that some people are simply evil, deranged and want you dead. That's what Leatherface wants.
7.7 VISUALS
For being as old as it is (1979 I believe?) this film looks pretty damn good. It isn't perfect by any means, but I don't think it should. Filmed on a low budget, why would it look like a million dollar production? And besides, that would ruin the feel of the film.
8.2 SOUND
Not much in terms of music or a soundtrack, so this is mainly based off dialogue and how everything sounds. Aside from the absolutely annoying Franklin, this is impressive for the technology they were using.
8.5 PACKAGING
I personally love the cover of this two-disc steel booklet DVD. The inside picture is "iconic" to the film. My only major complaint is how the discs are placed on top of each other, and the annoying music on the main menus, but otherwise this is well presented.
9.0 EXTRAS
Disc one comes with two commentaries. One is members of the cast, while the second is Director Tobe Hooper, Leatherface himself Gunnar Hansen, along with the main writer of the film. Both commentaries are great for getting information about the film, the production and the backstories. Diehard fans will surely find alot to enjoy in these two commentaries.
Disc two starts off with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth" Documentary which is a greatly detailed look at the film, and talks with numerous individuals about the film and the legendary status it has now reached.
The next feature is the "Flesh Wounds" documentary which plays out alot like "The Shocking Truth", but covers some different ground in the history of the film. What's great about these documentaries is learning how Hooper ran out of money and had to sell rights of the film just to finish the film. Depressing realization, but it's these honest facts that I love. And learning about the money issues is refreshing compared to most bonus features where everything praises one another.
"A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen" was kind of a disappointment. I thought this would be done while the house was still all set up, but the walkthrough is while the house is used as some sort of a B&B. And all Hansen does is recount where certain items were in certain rooms.
"Blooper Reel" isn't even a damn blooper reel. It's a few minutes of characters wandering through the woods (if I remember correctly) and that's it. Odd, to say the least.
"Outtakes from the Shocking Truth" is about 3 minutes of a scene that was cut from the documentary. Why? Why not just leave it in? This is just a fluff piece to add to the bonus features. Obviously you didn't have a time limit since it's on here anyway, why not just leave it in? Extra features of extra features seem just wrong.
"Dr. W.E. Barnes presents 'Making Grandpa'" is a series of photos that show the makeup of grandpa. I was let down by this feature because I didn't think it was just going to be pictures, but still decent nonetheless.
"Still Gallery". This is probably the best still gallery I have ever seen. Great photos from the filming and posters promoting the picture (most are in French however) will take those old enough to remember when the film first came out on a nostalgia trip. Some great pics here.
IN CLOSING
I wasn't a huge fan of the film, but I respect what this set has to offer. Fans of the film will find two great commentaries along with two great 60-plus minute documentaries that tell a great deal about the making of the film and tons of shocking information. The rest of the features may be nothing great, but these alone and a film many hold high as a classic will make this a great addition to their personal collection.
8.5/10 "GREAT"
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Added 11/6/2009
One of the best Horror films ever! Also the one that began it all. This was one amazing movie that scared the living hell out of me and i loved how sick and twisted it was. The special features disc had an interesting documentary. I could not believe what theye went through to make this, but... they did it and they did it good. I would like to mention this masterpieces sequals as well in this review. The 2nt movie was also awesome and funny. The third movie (although i am confused as to how it could be connected) is really cool. the director in the special features should call a movie he made that good a mess, He should be happy with it. the fourth movie was...wierd. Very wierd but not as bad as people say (seriously). It was somewhat funny. and as for the third movie, i think the people in it are like...maybe...leatherface's relatives who are..like....also cannibals and they take him in or something after chop-top and the cook died. Thats my theory,anyway. but anyway, this the original was one of the best and gory horror films ever.GO TCM, GO LEATHERFACE ,AHHHHHHH!!!end-
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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