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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 – Still Running 31 years later

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Well it’s time to dust off the old, rusty, blood-caked chainsaw and rev it up! Because we’re taking another trip to Texas… This time it’s not hippies getting torn apart, it’s the yuppies hitting the chainsaw!

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

In this grisly and bizarre sequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Radio DJ Stretch (Caroline Williams) is victimized by the chainsaw family as former Texas Marshall (Dennis Hopper) is hunting them down.  Crafting a sequel to a film is no easy task, this can be even more difficult if it’s a sequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. An iconic horror film that basically restructured and established modern horror for a new generation.

Enter Tobe Hooper who had a three picture deal with the Cannon film group.  This would conclude his third part of his “Cannon Trilogy”. The first was Lifeforce (1985) followed by Invaders from Mars, a remake of the 1953 film of the same title. Both of these efforts would under perform at the box office and would force Hooper into directing the long-awaited sequel horror fans were dying to see. It’s hard to believe now since The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has gone on to produce multiple sequels, remakes and prequels to those remakes. However, Hooper held back on the project for over ten years. Since he had a contractual obligation to Cannon it was time to fulfill it and pay his dues. If Hooper was going to make a sequel he didn’t want to just remake the original, he wanted to deconstruct it.

Even though The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 follows some of the same story beats of original film, Hooper and screenwriter L.M. Kit Carson take out all of the reality and ramp up the twisted perverse humor tenfold, compete with sinister three stooges. Not wanting to re-create the documentary atmosphere of the original film, Hooper instead put together a Gore-house opera that doubles up the chainsaw mayhem. Who doesn’t love an epic chainsaw battle between Leatherface and Dennis Hopper?

What the Hell’s goin’ on here? That the American way of enterin’ a man’s home, singin’ like that? – Drayton

Gore

In a response to the bloodsoaked 1980s, Hooper employed the master himself Tom Savini to take over the special fx makeup, which would prove so ghastly that the film would be rated “X” and banned in some countries! The special makeup effects in this film are something to behold.  They are just so disgustingly beautiful, and upon re-watching this film I truly miss Tom Savini’s work in the field.

It’s the Devil’s playground.- Lefty

The Cast

The strong performances in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is what holds the entire macabre piece together. Bill Moseley definitely stands out as the bizarre and deranged character Chop Top. Leatherface is relegated to a more sympathetic and non-threatening role. It seems no one will ever live up to Gunnar Hansen portrayal of the chainsaw wielding character we all know and love. Rest in peace, Gunnar Hansen. Dennis Hopper also delivers a great and over-the-top performance that completely keeps within the movie’s tone.  However, can we expect anything less from the late and great actor? Jim Siedow reprised his role as Drayton the Cook and is still awesome, and Caroline Williams (Stretch) also gives an equally good performance, not to mention a memorable scream.

Lick my plate, you dog dick! – Chop Top

Final Thoughts

It’s interesting to look back at this film. Upon its initial release the die hard fans of the original absolutely hated it. It wouldn’t be until years later when this little film would gain a cult audience on VHS, and this is where much of the sequel’s appreciation grew.  I’ve been a long-standing defender of this film and have even gotten into more than a few arguments over it.  Some of which believe it or not almost resulted in fistfights!  It appears Tobe Hooper had nothing to lose when making this much awaited sequel, so he let loose!  The result is a film that’s very much in tune with the characters. In addition, this movie has such an infectious twisted energy.  It may not be the iconic classic that the original was, but The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is still a classic in its own right.

 Exit. E-X-I-T. – Chop Top

 

 

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The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location

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beetlejuice in Hawaii Movie

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.

In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:

“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”

Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.

Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”

Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.

“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted MansionBeetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”

Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows,  Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.

During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.

Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers  Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.

Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.

It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.

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Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel

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Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.

According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.

Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.

As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:

“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “

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New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie

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Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Movie Trailer

This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.

Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.

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