Tag: games and puzzles
“I want to play a game.”
-Saw (2004)
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Saw X (2023)
Saw X is the–as of time of writing–latest chapter of the sprawling Saw franchise, finally reaching double digits and joining the ranks of other horror behemoths like Halloween, Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, and Friday the 13th. And like most of those franchises, the sequels are not the best. You’re typically not saving your best ideas for the tenth entry of the franchise, right? …right? Let’s wrap up Saw-mhain and answer that question.
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Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Saw-mhain is starting to wind down, meaning we’re almost at the end of the Saw franchise. We’ve had the highs of the first Saw and the lows of Saw 3D, and everything in-between. So where does Spiral, AKA Spiral: From the Book of Saw–again, not to be confused with the queer horror movie Spiral from 2019–fit in? I’m contractually obligated to say it’s good. Thumbs up! This is definitely a genuine smile!
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Jigsaw (2017)
We’re officially done with Hostel movies, so it’s all Saw from here on out for Saw-mhain! Saw 3D was billed as “The Final Chapter,” and that was a laugh. I mean, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter is the fourth movie out of tenish, so it’s no surprise that another Saw entry was made. Granted there’s a 7 year gap between the movies, but still. Was a pause all it took to make these movies good again? I mean, not really, but improvements have been made!
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Saw 3D (2010)
I know I’m getting more and more exasperated with these Saw movies during Saw-mhain, but you guys, they’re getting so bad. Saw 3D was the worst one I’ve seen up to this point in the franchise, and that’s really saying something! This was supposed to be the end of an era, answering all the lingering questions viewers have had since the first Saw. But really all I’m left with is questions. Or, really, just one: why bother?
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Saw VI (2009)
Man, whoever would’ve guessed the sixth entry of a franchise where the main character died in the third movie would be lackluster? Saw VI continues beating a dead horse with rising stakes that aren’t engaging, some heavy handed–and bad–takes on morality, and continuing to idolize a fucking hypocrite. Having a lot of fun over here with Saw-mhain, for sure!
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Saw V (2008)
I’ve been reading up on the Saw franchise while working through Saw-mhain, and today we have a special treat: Saw V is generally regarded as one of the worst entries in the franchise, and… yeah, I can see that. I feel like we’ve lost the plot and I don’t like Hoffman, so there wasn’t much for me in this entry. I mean, besides Ms. Julie Benz in a terrible, terrible wig. Oh hai, Darla from Buffy and Angel!
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Saw IV (2007)
I think just about every major franchise reaches a point where the original creators are no longer directly involved in it. George Lucas sold Star Wars, Clive Barker absolutely hates most of the Hellraiser movies after his first two, and co-creators Mr. James Wan and Mr. Leigh Whannell were just producers for Saw IV. So how was it with them taking a backseat? Find out in the latest chapter of Saw-mhain!
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Saw III (2006)
After that brief interlude with Hostel, the main event of Saw-mhain returns with Saw III, a movie I may have seen before? Lot of half-formed memories, which means either I picked up details through osmosis or I had watched it and it just didn’t stick. And after watching/rewatching, it honestly could be either. This wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t super.
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Saw II (2005)
This year’s monthlong Halloween event, Saw-mhain, continues! Saw was incredibly successful, both in terms of cultural influence as well as profitability, so it makes sense that there’d be a sequel. But the very next year? That’s one hell of a turnaround, but this little franchise that could would continue doing that until the seventh film, confusingly titled Saw 3D. Also, this one is the first to be directed and co-written by Mr. Darren Lynn Bousman, who would return to the franchise several times. Hmmmm, why is that name familiar…?
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Saw (2004)
You didn’t think a little thing like a hiatus would stop me from celebrating the entire month of Halloween, did you? My tradition of a yearly October event lives on with Saw-mhain, a pun that works best if you know Irish /Gaeilge. Oh yes, the syllable break of Samhain (SAH-win) is Sa-mhain, because fuck you, that’s why. Gaeilge is a bastard language.
Chwineka Watches 