The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: w/ The Substance Podcast on Important American Cinema

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Philip Marinello of The Substance Podcast joins Mel to discuss one of their favorite movies; The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! There is a wealth to chew on in this cannibal-crazed horror film, and the two get into everything from its cultural criticism of the late-60s and early-70s, its stellar filmmaking craft, and so much more. Tune in now!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 30-minutes discussing “The 5 Biggest Box-Office Bombs of 2024 Ranked by How Many Millions They Lost” from Gillian Blum on Collidor, why we think each movie failed to succeed, and what it means for the industry at large. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Philip shares about how The Substance Podcast has changed over the years, his goal with curating voices, and much more.
• Philip, “[The Texas Chain Saw Massacre] feels like a cursed movie.”
• The film is pointedly upsetting, and Melvin thinks a lot of what turns people off is that they personally do not know how to feel “bad” emotions well.
• In short, the film is exhausting, sweaty, and violent.
• The two discuss the commonalities between the co-eds and the cannibals and what they believe it represents.
• The cultural shock of the Vietnam War for Suburbanites is present in the contextless violence throughout the movie.
• Discussing the absolutely perfect ending.

Recommendations:

• The Hills Have Eyes (1977) (Movie)
• Freaky Tales (2024) (Movie)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is Rated R. It features Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, and John Dugan. Directed by Tobe Hooper. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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