Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film Horror Games Review

Compare at: $24.98 (New)
Buy Now: $22.49 (New)

You Save: $2.49 (10%)

Add to Cart

Title: Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film
Format: DVD
Score:
Publisher: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Hits: 46

Review of Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film

[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Game Reviews Index ]

HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.

Comments for Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film

• Posted on 2009-11-19
  A Genre Slashed and Dissected.
  
  "Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film" chronicles just that: the prestigious and respectable beginnings that quickly gave way to the cheap and lazy knock-offs that saturated and diluted the genre. Whether the films were attempting to create luminary icons such as Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger or cashing in on even the most trivial of holidays, they enjoyed their fair bit of success, made on a shoe-string budget and backed by major studios who treated them like red-headed step-children. The films were gory, gratuitous, often over the top and almost always a pleasure for genre fans, which of course means they were chastised by critics and the MPAA did all they could to neuter them.
  
  Featuring interviews with legendary directors such as John Carpenter and Wes Craven, as well as special effects heroes like Tom Savini and the late Stan Winston, "Going to Pieces" does a fair job of assessing the sub-genre as a whole while shedding some light on some more obscure fare that got overshadowed by the blockbusters that defined the era. It recalls a time when special effects were practical and suspense was key. You didn't need a star or a pretty face, just a relatable character and an unrelenting madman. Even the lesser films like Slumber Party Massacre or Sleepaway Camp were enjoyable despite their lack of originality, and the documentary acknowledges that. Sometimes it digs deeper, questioning the mindset of the parents who rallied against the biggest offenders, as well as big time critics like Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, who strip away much of their credibility in failing to realize the purpose of these films, and that is to viscerally entertain its audience, thus providing the ultimate escapism.
  
  "Going to Pieces" is nothing if not thorough. It leaves virtually no slasher film untouched and treats its subject with the utmost integrity. It manages to capture all of the nostalgia fans associate with these films, but at the same time, recognizes the downfalls of the genre and doesn't view everything at hand with rose-tinted glasses. Even still, if you remember the golden age of the slasher film and remember what it was like to be truly disgusted and yet entertained at the same time, "Going To Pieces" will go a long way in unearthing those old feelings as well as providing a substantial education in the genre. It's rare that these films are treated with respect and discussed in-depth, therefore, this is one documentary you won't want to overlook.
  
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-09-08
  Brillant documentary on the slaher genre!
  
  
  
  Here is an inside look at the history of the much malgined genre with such directors and stars like Rob Zombie, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Tom Savini, Sean S. Cunningham, Paul Lynch ("Prom Night" director), Betsy Palmer ("Friday The 13th 1980" fame), Felissa Rose ("Sleepaway Camp" fame) and more all discuss the history of the slasher genre that started well with Alfred Hitchcock's famed "Psycho" to the glorious 70's/80's slasher pics like "Halloween", "Friday The 13th", "Prom Night", "Sleepaway Camp", "The Burning", "Maniac", "Pieces", "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Black Christmas", "A Nightmare on Elm Street" etc. to the postmodern classics like "Scream", "Saw", "Hostel" and "House of 1000 Corpses/Devil's Rejects". This one shows backgrounds on these films, their successes, some of their controversies including a clip of Siskle and Ebert debating on the violence in these movies and of course how they created iconic characters such as Freddy, Jason, Michael, Jigsaw, Leatherface and others even on the rise of obscure actors to big stars.
  
  
  This DVD has some fine extras as it has trailer, audio commentary, a message from author Adam Rockoff before you watch the movie, bonus interviews, and Trivia game to test your slasher movie knowledge.
  
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-02-01
  In Pieces
  
  I had this show on dvr for a long time, it was a great film. I recently purchased the film on dvd and boy what a mess this film is! Everything is scattered and hard to follow. They should have started off with Pyscho and then went thru the 70's, starting with the slasher film Black Christmas. Halloween is an excellent film and most consider it the first slasher film, which is fine but Black Christmas cannot be ignored. They show lots of good clips but like I said, the story is all over the place and makes no sense. The end of the documentary was like every other documentary ive seen-starts strong and ends quickly. The 90's brought the death of many horror icons-Pinhead (who was omitted from the film for no reason), Freddy, Jason, Myers, and Leatherface. Then its revived for Scream and the genere is forever ruined. Now we have rappers and tv stars who are hot at the moment starring in horror films, pg-13 horror films that come out on dvd unrated, straight to dvd horror films that are sometimes good and most often bad. Friday The 13th is the most ripped off movie but there are some good movies based on it. I love horror but this is not the movie you want to see if you want a soild look at films. It has great clips and maybe some you want to check out for yourself.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-01-08
  Everything you wanted to know about the slasher films but was afraid to ask
  
  If you are a long time horror fan like myself, or if your new to this stuff
  and want to learn more the slasher films look no further. Going To Pieces, is one of the most interesting and most comprehensive documentaries you can ever see! This films covers just about everything you want to know about the slasher genre, it explains it's early beginnings, the key slasher films that the genre on the map and the s**tstorm of controversy that it caused with parents and critics alike. you hear from actors, producers and directors who made the films and was apart of the slasher phenomenon of the 1980's, it even the bets bits from each slasher films they talk about.
  
  There are so many good things I can say about this film, but in short all I can say about this film that it is worth watching, for any one who wants to relive the nostalgia of the good old days of slasher films, or for anyone who is new it is worth buying.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2008-12-04
  A wonderful documentary on the 80's Horror Films
  
  A documentary that took some time making and well done. It documents the 80's horror film scene and covers about every film that was important. The lighting is wonderful and the interviews are super. A fun watch. I had no idea the film was done by ARI LEHMAN (The first Jason) of the Friday the 13th movie PART ONE. NICE JOB ARI !!
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10