MovieChat Forums > The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Discussion > Best horror film to come out of America?

Best horror film to come out of America?


Anyone else think this is the best horror film that America has produced thus far? I can't think of anything that tops it in terms of sheer terror and grittiness. Everything about it is so goddamned unnerving and feels so genuine; not only that, but there is so much artistic attention to detail in it. I truly think it's the best horror film to come out of the U.S., and I say that as a native.

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I like this movie.

However I think that it is not scary. At all.

Or that violent either.

But I still like this movie.

Granted I was in my early 20s when I first saw it so...

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No, in fact I would say that I think the analysis of this film has been largely pretentious and that film critics just love to listen to themselves talk and feel important.

Frankly, the movie pretty much sucks.

Sorry

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Yeah, because every critic was in such a hurry to wax lyrical about a low budget film with a title that has "Chain Saw Massacre" in it for no reason when hundreds of other sleazy films with similar premises get no mention. It's almost like they randomly selected it for praise for no reason. Right..

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Why?

I feel like taking the angle of "oh, this movie is not nearly as good as all the critics and historians want you to believe it is" is more pretentious than the alternative.

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not even close. The Shining is tops in my opinion

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It may be tops, but that doesn't mean this isn't close. I actually think people who don't think this movie is scary are people we should look out for in society because they must think like psychos. To me, most of the other movies with so and so chasing someone, those are all pretty boring, whereas this one had more psychological creepiness.

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The Exorcist is near the top in my opinion.

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It's certainly one of my favourites.

Some people say it's badly made, but they have no idea what they're talking about. It's CHEAPLY made, but the film makers made the most of what they had. I think it's an incredible film.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE EATING SAUSAGES!!

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It is my all time favorite but it isn't the best. Night of the LIving Dead, Frankenstein, or King Kong get that.

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I did sixty in five minutes once...

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Friday 13th (1980) , The Exorcist, Psycho (1960, Homicidal (1961, House Of Wax (1953), Carnival of Souls (1962)

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Not sure what I'd cite as the best American horror film, but this one would be a contender. It really is a work of high art. However, there are plenty of other amazing American horror films to consider, e.g. PSYCHO, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD, HALLOWEEN, THE EXORCIST, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE SHINING... The list is very big.

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Well, I've seen Jaws and Alien placed in the horror genre, so that's some tough competition.

But I'd have it in my top ten without question.

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