Damien Riley HQ

Roger Ebert wrote in his review that most viewers would find this film unwatchable. I agree with him. I hung in there to the end. It’s pure chaos until the most graphic rape scene I’ve ever seen. Is that the best place to find clarity?

Irreversible (2002)
Irréversible (original title)
Not Rated | 1h 37min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | 22 May 2002 (France)

Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass.
Director: Gaspar Noé
Writer: Gaspar Noé
Stars: Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel

Gaspar Noé, our director here, has done something cool with the film structure. Everything else about the film feels like torture. I won’t tell you the sordid details, those who are curious will find the film and check it out. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Besides the gut wrenching rape scene, there is an equally disturbing segment in a gay bar of a man bludgeoning another mans face to a pulp. It looks so lifelike I am curious how they did it. In a twisted sense, it is a sort of accomplishment. The director shows you scenes in reverse order. In other words, if someone dies, you will see them later. It’s a bit confusing but some people who like figuring out puzzles may life the effect. For me, this film left me empty. I didn’t think it was a marvel of a film as some critics say. I don’t think you should see it since there are at least 2 things you cannot unsee. It is clever in technique and structure but that’s not enough for why I go to the movies. 4/10.

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Watching Leatherface run after a victim is like American Pie for horror lovers. He’s a truly chilling character concept that I am glad we didn’t have to say goodbye to after the first movie. This movie is a lot more campy than the first one but it still has a charm all its own that works to entertain and scare the viewer.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
Unrated | 1h 41min | Comedy, Horror | 22 August 1986 (USA)

A radio host is victimized by the cannibal family as a former Texas Marshall hunts them.
Director: Tobe Hooper
Writers: L.M. Kit Carson, Tobe Hooper (film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”)
Stars: Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Jim Siedow

The director Tobe Hooper has lightened up a lot and become and movie rock star since the first film. I’ll never forget seeing his “Funhouse” as a kid in the 70’s and not being able to sleep for weeks afterward. This one is more fun than scare but some of the old conventions are still there like whacking the girl over the head and feeding the blood to grandpa. Tobe Hooper is a legend, he brought evil to the daily papers and made it seem like it dwelled among us.

Dennis Hopper is in this and he really brings the camp to a high point with his “holster chainsaws.” There’s a pretty young lady Caroline Williams who shines on-screen and the brother of Leatherface with a visible plate in his head. The whole thing is wacky but it works as a horror movie. I was a little disappointed the way they portrayed Leatherface as a buffoon in love. Did they think he’d never had a woman try to woo him before? Dennis Hopper, the girl, and the overall lunatic comedy of the thing made it well worth my time. I give it an 8/10..

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