anthonyinaction

"Mesmerized" follows the story of a young woman Victoria (Jodie Foster) in New Zealand 1880 who is put on trial for killing her husband Oliver (John Lithgow). Victoria is virtually forced into marrying Oliver, who just shows up wanting to marry her.

The story is very intriguing and, at times, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Unfortunately, the story also appears "broken" (e.g. why does Oliver suddenly show up out of the blue wanting to marry Victoria?) and the cinematography is sloppy and the acting extremely poor. If you want a film with entertainment, this is not the film to watch.

1 star - don't bother.

"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" was made 30 years ago under a low budget. Considering these factors, I would have to say that Tobe Hooper has done a fantastic job! This movie is very professional - and, as all horror movies should be, very scary - and even scarier that it's based on a true story.

However, I feel the need to comment on a couple of weaknesses. When Sally discovers that the old guy at the servo is a baddie, there is not enough terror conveyed on screen. The guy comes in with a rope and a sack, and Sally freaks out. Then the guy says "take it easy, everything will be okay", then he starts attacking Sally with the rope. How can anyone be frightened to death of that? Also, some shots of "Leatherface" are not scary enough. In many shots, he looks extremely confronting and sadistic, but there are times that he just looks like a "mean old man whose mother has just died", that is to say, a wimp.

But, all in all, the movie was very good, and I recommend it to any horror movie fan out there.