"Saw": Horror and Psycological Thrills

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:36am

Come on people, let's talk about Saw. I just watched it last night. It is a gory, but very disturbing movie. I thought it was excellent.

Did anyone find any plot holes, or disagree with me?

(PS- I used the search function and couldn't find a thread about this film. If there's one already, my apologies.)

[Jamie Hat]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:39am

I thought if they had tweaked the script a tad, and cast the three leads better it could have been a fantastic movie.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:42am

Well we will see cos they are about to start shooting SawII here next month>

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:44am

It did have a rather open ending. Though it would have been better left as an ellipsis.

Cary Elwes was pretty bad until the very end.

[Craig]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:45am

I think it was an interesting concept - but the execution left a lot of plot holes - especially since the (no spoilers) killer assumed that everyone will act exactly has he wanted leaving no room for chance.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:50am

But the "challenges" were designed in a way that constrained the "players", such that their options were very limited.

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 10:56am

I hated this film. Plot-holes were the least of the film's issues. Those I could almost overlook (although the "surprise" was more than preposterous); but Gary Elwes' performance was so bad, so lousy, that it just was too much for the remainder of the film to overcome. What's up with someone so horrible being allowed to be in a film?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:13am

The only plot holes that I noticed involved the lead police officer's journey. They skipped over a bunch of his subplot.

Was there more?
I really enjoyed it. Had a whole lot of fun hiding in the closet to scare my wife, who didn't want to go to bed after seeing it.

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:31am

Oh geez. Can anyone say gore fest? Throughout this entire film, I felt sick to my stomach. In no way was the film entertaining or even thought provoking (although I do admit, the twist came as a surprise to me). And the acting? Blah.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:39am

The acting = Beyond Horrible

The story = interesting

The gore = abundant

The execution = pretty bad

Did I like it? While I was watching it I was kept saying to myself, "This is one HORRIBLE movie" but after it was over I realized that I kind of liked it. Granted, I more than likely won't see it again but it was so cheesy and stupid it actually made me kind of like it.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:40am

Apparently I have awful taste. I liked most of it.
For a comparable movie that is really, actually, bad...
Check out "Cabin Fever".

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:43am

Yeah, Cabin Fever was pretty bad. To tell you the truth, every horror movie I have seen in the last couple of years have really dissapointed me. The only one I like was Freddy vs. Jason and it was supposed to be that cheesy.

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:46am

I ADORED the Final Destination films. Just plain FUN!!!!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 11:49am

Oh yeah...I forgot about those. The first one was good but the second one scared THE CRAP out of me. I still won't drive behind a log truck.

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 1:16pm

Contrary to popular belief, there have been some quality horror films recently (that statement will no doubt depend on taste). Here's a couple that I favor:

May (Angela Bettis. Remember the name.)
28 Days Later
Dawn of the Dead
The Ring
House of 100 Corpses (Shutup! I liked it...)
Final Destination
The Cell
The Others
Jeepers Creepers
Joy Ride
Frailty
What Lies Beneath
The Mothman Prophecies (this movie followed me home)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (MUCH better than the overrated original)
Identity
Wrong Turn

Back on-topic, I enjoyed "Saw". Cary Elwes and Leigh Wannell were horrible, and the script had some HUGE plot holes. Ironically, the two best actors in the movie were Monica Potter and Mackenzie Vega (who played the daughter).

But there are some horrific scenes that I stil haven't forgotten about. Those who have seen it should know what they are.
Updated On: 4/5/05 at 01:16 PM

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 1:23pm

Ugh. I think so. The girl's flashback...*shudders* I still can't sleep thinking about that.

[beacon1]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:06pm

And be sure to put "Hard Candy" on your must see list for later this year. It's being distributed by Lion's Gate and has been put in their "horror" section. It's a psychological horror/drama that created intense buzz at Sundance last January.

Here are some links:

http://www.vulcanproductions.com/film.asp?fid=24&catid=1&cid=1

http://forums.lgf.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=80

http://lionsgatepublicity.com/epk/hardcandy/

http://www.movietome.com/movietome/servlet/MovieMain/movieid-130718/Hard_Candy/

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0424136/

[matthius202]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:13pm

Okay...this is how I felt about this movie.
I think that is a really interesting and different idea. It had potential (in the READING ROOM) to be a GREAT psychological/horror/suspense flick. BUT!!! The scriptwriter should be shot. Completely unrealistic dialogue. SO bad. And then, on top of that...let's cast Cary Ewles...good idea! He was so good in The Princess Bride and Robin Hood: Men in Tights!! ........BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he was awful. Absolutely terrible. I was so depressed.And the other guy cuffed to the pole across the room...not so great either. The ONLY thing that saved this movie for me...was the beautiful Ms. Monica Potter who never ceases to amaze me. I enjoy her so much. She is SOOOO underused. Okay, that's all. haha..bye

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:40pm

May (Angela Bettis. Remember the name.) Didn't See It
28 Days Later - Yes
Dawn of the Dead - Sure, although the original was smarter.
The Ring - Ehhh ... maybe
House of 100 Corpses (Shutup! I liked it...) NO
Final Destination NO
The Cell NO
The Others YES
Jeepers Creepers NO
Joy Ride NO
Frailty GOD NO
What Lies Beneath NO
The Mothman Prophecies (this movie followed me home) Well it's not like there was anyone else in the theater it could have followed. NO
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (MUCH better than the overrated original) Piss NO and you're ruining your credibility by even suggesting it.
Identity NO
Wrong Turn NO

And Beaverhausen is right, there hasn't been a movie in the ballpark of 'Audition' in terms of being disturbing psychological horror.

These American flicks are Disney compared to the horror coming out of Japan.

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:44pm

Have yet to see all of "Audition," but the clips I HAVE seen scared the CRAP out of me. Ditto clips of "Ju-on" (The Grudge) and "Ringu" (The Ring).

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:46pm

'Audition' is just ... MESSED. UP.

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:47pm

I don't find the Japanese films particularly scary. They're different; but there structure is strange, and doesn't make much sense.

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:01pm

JohnPopa-

Thank you for voicing your opinions on my personal choices. You're obviously welcome to do so, but where that ends is when you start suggesting that my "credibility" is being ruined. I know that I'm not the only person on this board who enjoyed the new "Texas Chainsaw".

Speaking of which, I believe you're in the minority of people who do not like some of those movies.

[beacon1]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:16pm

Beaverhausen,

The upcoming "Hard Candy" has created conversation about whether it will be like "Audition."

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 4:18pm

Gee, I suppose I should apologize to the legions of 'Wrong Turn' fans for my boorish behavior.