Tag: horror
“What’s your favorite scary movie?”
-Scream (1996)
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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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Hostel: Part III (2011)
The Hostel series may only be three movies (as of writing), but it too entered that stage franchises tend to fall into where the original creator leaves and has nothing to do with later movies. Mr. Eli Roth chose not to work on Hostel: Part III, but didn’t stop production or anything. Instead it’s a film that has elements of Hostel, but enough differences that the whole thing feels… off. Also it now takes place in Las Vegas, because sure, why not. Welcome back to Saw-mhain!
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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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Hostel: Part II (2007)
I’ve been reviewing the various Saw and Hostel movies more-or-less chronologically for Saw-mhain. Granted, Hostel came out before Saw II, but they were the same year and I didn’t want the second entry in a month focusing more on the Saw franchise to be something else. But we’re in the area of 2007, so it’s time for Hostel: Part II, a continuation of Mr. Eli Roth’s vision of decadence and ultraviolence. And like the first film, it was better than expected! Not a masterpiece, but still.
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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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Hostel (2005)
As it turns out, there aren’t enough Saw movies to have every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in October dedicated to them. I’m left with three extra days during Saw-mhain, and you know what torture porn franchise has only three films? House of 1000 Corpses! And also Hostel, which is what we’re actually talking about today. And the first of the trilogy is… good? Better than expected, at least!
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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…?