Yeah, I know it’s been on DVD forevers, but for those of you who were waiting to see the TCM remake on cable, Starz is running the hell out of it now, and it’s also available 24-7 through OnDemand. I just watched it over lunch yesterday.

Not bad at all. The stuff I’d read about Leatherface being abused as a kid is only partially accurate, which was a relief. While having him kill people as revenge for getting picked on by other children as an origin story is an unnecessary horror cliché, it’s such a stupid, minor point that doesn’t get in the way of some truly awe inspiring blood and gore.

As an added incentive for the straight men and not-straight chicks in the audience, the director was obviously in love with Biels’ boobs constant challenge of straining to burst free of her tank top. The movie features plenty of shots focusing on this ongoing battle as Biel walks towards and through the camera. I was rooting for the breasts, but the tank top wins, ultimately. Sorry to spoil that for ya…

Overall, the first hour is a pretty successful gorefest, followed by an odd 15 minutes or so that just don’t quite fit in with the rest of the flick. The movie gets back on track for the final 15 minutes, though, once again bringing to mayhem and violence with a passion. I’m not sure why they felt the need to insert a kid into the movie, and the blatant set-up for a sequel is well done, yet still annoying. Ultimately, it’s enjoyable for what it is - Ultimate Texas Chainsaw Massacre, to use the comic book parlance. Respectful of the original, yet very much it’s own animal, it’s totally worth watching on a lazy afternoon or evening. Even better if you want to get your in-laws out of your house, STAT. I’ll grab it on DVD eventually, once I see it on sale for about ten bucks.

On DVD, On the TV