Texas Chainsaw Nostalgia

Tonight in Nashville, there is a screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at a crazy awesome place called Cult Fiction Underground. Cult Fiction Underground is a tiny theater in the basement of an even crazier place called Logue's Black Raven Emporium. I hesitate to label this place as a vintage shop only because it has a vibe that cant really be labeled. Anyway, if any of you are ever in Nashville this is a place to check out without a doubt.

With that all being said, a special opportunity presents itself tonight alongside the screening. John Dugan, Grandpa himself will be in attendance telling stories about production and such before the screening. The opportunity in question is the chance to ask this gentleman anything I want to know about TCM. To be honest, all the questions I have had have all been answered at some point. I honestly can't think of anything I'd want to ask him.

Either way, it will be cool to see the film in such a crazy environment. But to prep myself, I watched the movie again last night for the first time in a year or so. I used to watch this movie at least once a week for the longest time. Many nights, it was what I put on to go to sleep to. So, I know it well.

But, on this particular viewing I had a more than usual critical eye. I started to think that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is less of a horror film, than it is a surrealistic visual and audio nightmare. Its focused more on disturbing imagery and disorienting sound effects than it is on gore and jump scares.

This movie has always played better to me with my eyes closed drifting off to sleep than it has with an attentive eye. I love this movie. Don't get it twisted as they say. Maybe it's just me, but Ive always though that Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 surpasses the original in concept and execution as a horror film. Bill Moseley alone makes this movie 100 times more entertaining. And need I remind you...

Oh my achin bananna!

And I know, its a different kind of movie. You probably shouldn't stack them up against each other. So on and so forth, TCM is a classic, its a trendsetter, slow burn....whatever. I get it. I love it, remember? I'm the guy who used to use it as a lullaby, But, to reiterate what I'm saying. Maybe, just maybe its not a horror movie. Maybe its more along the lines of E. Elias Merhige's Begotten with just a slice of Slasher film snuck in. Or maybe I'm over thinking it. Maybe Texas Chainsaw is just a slasher film. Thats what everyone says.

I'm sure Dugan wouldn't say anything different if I asked him, "Hey Grandpa! Was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre originally intended to be an esoteric, surrealistic dream set against an angst-y counter cultural landscape that was meant to lull the viewer into a apathetic state of disillusion concerning the counter culture of the late 60s/early 70s?"

Maybe I should be that guy.