I listened to this on my way to work as Hooper's film was fresh in my mind (watched it during Scary Movie Month). While Hooper may not have nearly enough admirers, he is lucky to have such a champion. I absolutely think you have gotten people to watch some of his films that they surely would have skipped. Great listen.
Watched Chainsaw 2 and The Funhouse last year based on your recommendation, Patrick. Still need to see Lifeforce. I would likely have seen none of them if you hadn't championed them. (Btw, I had the same reaction you mentioned about 1000 Corpses, the aesthetic and tone of that movie definitely seems Chainsaw 2 inspired.)
Regarding the nightmare of trying to hide while out in the open. That touches a nerve with me. My childhood recurring nightmare was being chased by a vampire on a theater stage, and the only place to hide was under a large card table. Card tables, of course, offer no concealment whatsoever. Invariably the vampire would see me and pull me out from under the table. I would wake up terrified. What made it so scary was the hopelessness of the situation. I knew it was a feeble hiding place, but I had no other options. I would just crouch there feeling scared and helpless, waiting for the vampire to find me. Nightmares suck.
I had to pick up a Dr. Pepper while listening to this. Patrick, you mentioned how watching this movie is like having a conversation with Tobe; listening to this is like having a conversation with you, and it was great. Thank You.
My fave commentary so far. It's so good! Maybe in part I know this movie so well and more than the others you've done, but probably more because the passion behind every word about Hooper and his filmmaking come thru in every sentence, genuinely. Nice work! Great listen.
I mentioned two by name: the first is Shock Waves (my favorite show), which did a nice tribute after he passed. The other is called Wrong Reel, and they did a great discussion of his films about a year ago, before he even passed. Hope you check them out and dig them!
My history with this movie is very short, but the love is a powerful one. Putting the disc in tonight, I couldn't help but remember way back to Scary Movie Month 2016 (so long ago, lol), Patrick, you put a post out there or a tweet stating you were kicking the month off with this very movie, TCM2, and it brought back some great memories for me. I had so many things happening in my life at the time: I had just graduated college, I was about to get engaged, I was about to start my career, I was about to move out of my crummy studio apartment...but not yet. No, I was going to live it up for one last month and watch as many scary movies as I possibly could; and I did and it was glorious. When I saw your post I thought, 'hmm, maybe I'm missing out on something here.' I had it in my collection, but never put watched it. A travesty, I know, but man, I'll never forget putting on Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 for the first time and by the end just being completely blown away by it. Firstly, I remember being upset that this movie had never gotten talked up or given the respect it deserves. Growing up, I had always heard or known that the first Texas Chainsaw is a masterpiece and the rest weren't worth watching. It just pissed me off to think that Part 2 ever got lumped in with the rest of the 'series' that followed. I loved the way the movie made me feel. I can remember feeling so antsy and uncomfortable, yet entertained and on the edge of my seat. The movie just wouldn't let me go and once we get to Stretch dancing victoriously my heart was racing in a way that I'm not sure I had felt watching a movie before, honestly. I loved it so much, that I actually started it over and watched it again. Sadly, I'm not sure if I would have ever gotten around to watching it if it wasn't for F This Movie and you Patrick (Thank you for that). Maybe it's the medications talking, but listening to your commentary tonight was kind of a full circle moment for me. I've come a long way since my first viewing of TCM2 and listening to your commentary tonight has left me with a good feeling. This film was the highlight of SMM 2016 for me and it's the one I've showed all my friends and family the most since. Quick quote from my dad after I showed him the movie: 'God, I couldn't wait for it to be over!' Haha, I tried to prepare them for it and describe to them what Tobe Hooper was trying to do, but they just didn't get there. We watched it right after TCM1 which they preferred (eh, can't win 'em all).
Thank you Patrick for this insightful and entertaining, yet passionate and emotional commentary. I enjoyed it very much. I learned some new things about the film that I didn't know before (I'm a novice). I can't believe this was made in roughly 8 months, from script to screen, that is insane. Nightmare 5 always made the excuse that it was ridiculously rushed and made in a similar time-frame as this, but TCM2 out classes it in almost every way. Tobe Hooper pulled it off, somehow, someway and the result is remarkable when you think about it. It's no doubt ahead of it's time. It's amazing how things just came together, I mean discovering Caroline Williams and Bill Moseley (easily my favorite parts of the movie) is a victory in itself. He gets so much out of his actors and it really shows in this. Patrick, your commentary, if nothing else, has at least cured my depression from this long, ill week and for that I thank you. Can't wait to hear you talk over another great movie in the future. Tobe Hooper will forever be in our thoughts and hearts thanks to you.
I listened to this on my way to work as Hooper's film was fresh in my mind (watched it during Scary Movie Month). While Hooper may not have nearly enough admirers, he is lucky to have such a champion. I absolutely think you have gotten people to watch some of his films that they surely would have skipped. Great listen.
ReplyDeleteThis was on my SMM list to re-watch and I didn’t get to it! Shame on me. Guess I know what I’ll be watching tonight...
ReplyDeleteThanks Patrick! Hope recording this was as therapeutic for you, as it was enjoyable for me.
ReplyDeleteWatched Chainsaw 2 and The Funhouse last year based on your recommendation, Patrick. Still need to see Lifeforce. I would likely have seen none of them if you hadn't championed them. (Btw, I had the same reaction you mentioned about 1000 Corpses, the aesthetic and tone of that movie definitely seems Chainsaw 2 inspired.)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the nightmare of trying to hide while out in the open. That touches a nerve with me. My childhood recurring nightmare was being chased by a vampire on a theater stage, and the only place to hide was under a large card table. Card tables, of course, offer no concealment whatsoever. Invariably the vampire would see me and pull me out from under the table. I would wake up terrified. What made it so scary was the hopelessness of the situation. I knew it was a feeble hiding place, but I had no other options. I would just crouch there feeling scared and helpless, waiting for the vampire to find me. Nightmares suck.
#WriteThatBook
ReplyDeleteagreed!
DeleteYep.
DeleteI had to pick up a Dr. Pepper while listening to this. Patrick, you mentioned how watching this movie is like having a conversation with Tobe; listening to this is like having a conversation with you, and it was great. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteMy fave commentary so far. It's so good! Maybe in part I know this movie so well and more than the others you've done, but probably more because the passion behind every word about Hooper and his filmmaking come thru in every sentence, genuinely. Nice work! Great listen.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the name of the great Tobe Hopper podcast you mentioned? Something Wasteland? I really want to give it a listen.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned two by name: the first is Shock Waves (my favorite show), which did a nice tribute after he passed. The other is called Wrong Reel, and they did a great discussion of his films about a year ago, before he even passed. Hope you check them out and dig them!
DeleteThe Wrong Reel episode is spectacular.
DeleteWhat an awesome commentary! In fact, this might be the deepest profession of "MOVIE LOVE" I’ve ever experienced.
ReplyDeletePatrick, if you do a commentary of I'm Dangerous Tonight, I'll definitely be listening to it.
ReplyDeleteMy history with this movie is very short, but the love is a powerful one. Putting the disc in tonight, I couldn't help but remember way back to Scary Movie Month 2016 (so long ago, lol), Patrick, you put a post out there or a tweet stating you were kicking the month off with this very movie, TCM2, and it brought back some great memories for me. I had so many things happening in my life at the time: I had just graduated college, I was about to get engaged, I was about to start my career, I was about to move out of my crummy studio apartment...but not yet. No, I was going to live it up for one last month and watch as many scary movies as I possibly could; and I did and it was glorious. When I saw your post I thought, 'hmm, maybe I'm missing out on something here.' I had it in my collection, but never put watched it. A travesty, I know, but man, I'll never forget putting on Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 for the first time and by the end just being completely blown away by it. Firstly, I remember being upset that this movie had never gotten talked up or given the respect it deserves. Growing up, I had always heard or known that the first Texas Chainsaw is a masterpiece and the rest weren't worth watching. It just pissed me off to think that Part 2 ever got lumped in with the rest of the 'series' that followed. I loved the way the movie made me feel. I can remember feeling so antsy and uncomfortable, yet entertained and on the edge of my seat. The movie just wouldn't let me go and once we get to Stretch dancing victoriously my heart was racing in a way that I'm not sure I had felt watching a movie before, honestly. I loved it so much, that I actually started it over and watched it again. Sadly, I'm not sure if I would have ever gotten around to watching it if it wasn't for F This Movie and you Patrick (Thank you for that). Maybe it's the medications talking, but listening to your commentary tonight was kind of a full circle moment for me. I've come a long way since my first viewing of TCM2 and listening to your commentary tonight has left me with a good feeling. This film was the highlight of SMM 2016 for me and it's the one I've showed all my friends and family the most since. Quick quote from my dad after I showed him the movie: 'God, I couldn't wait for it to be over!' Haha, I tried to prepare them for it and describe to them what Tobe Hooper was trying to do, but they just didn't get there. We watched it right after TCM1 which they preferred (eh, can't win 'em all).
ReplyDeleteThank you Patrick for this insightful and entertaining, yet passionate and emotional commentary. I enjoyed it very much. I learned some new things about the film that I didn't know before (I'm a novice). I can't believe this was made in roughly 8 months, from script to screen, that is insane. Nightmare 5 always made the excuse that it was ridiculously rushed and made in a similar time-frame as this, but TCM2 out classes it in almost every way. Tobe Hooper pulled it off, somehow, someway and the result is remarkable when you think about it. It's no doubt ahead of it's time. It's amazing how things just came together, I mean discovering Caroline Williams and Bill Moseley (easily my favorite parts of the movie) is a victory in itself. He gets so much out of his actors and it really shows in this. Patrick, your commentary, if nothing else, has at least cured my depression from this long, ill week and for that I thank you. Can't wait to hear you talk over another great movie in the future. Tobe Hooper will forever be in our thoughts and hearts thanks to you.