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I absolutely loved “Saw” — the first one. (See my full review of the very first “Saw” movie below.)
Now, exactly one year later, Director Darren Lynn Bausman strives to play with our minds and our emotions again with the release of “Saw II” which opens today, November 28th.
I can only hope that “Saw II” lives up to the first one (a rarity, I know), but scary movie fans who enjoy mind-thrillers like me don’t want to be let down!
Here are some little-known facts about the movies “Saw” and “Saw II” that I found interesting…
Interactive Movie Websites
- The website for Saw itself was an amazing mind-trip… interactive… creepy… unpredictable… an online “game” of sorts.
- The Saw II website is just as cool. Sometimes you have to try different things and go back and start over just to “get” what it is you’re supposed to do to progress through this series of interactive actions. Still… it’s pretty deep.
- Originally intended for a straight-to-video release. After positive screenings, it was given the nod to become a premier movie.
- Shot in 18 days.
- All of the bathroom scenes were shot in six days.
- The actors had absolutely no rehearsals. The rehearsal takes were actual footage for the film.
- The Tobin Bell character lay on the bathroom floor, perfectly still, for six days. He was not replaced with a dummy because the filmmakers could not afford one.
- The sequel: “Saw 2” was approved for production the weekend this film opened.
Check out the “uncut” version and the “widescreen” version of the DVD — don’t miss the online reviews…
- It was shot in 25 days.
- The advertising posters for the film had to be recalled on orders from the MPAA because the two severed fingers forming the “II” in the posters did not meet guidelines for film advertising. The new poster makes it more obscure. Also, posters had listed the film as being rated R when at the time the film still hadn’t gone before the MPAA for a rating.
Before You See Saw II
…Know that it’s rated R for “grisly violence and gore, terror, language and drug content”. Saw I was only rated R for “grisly violence and language”. Could Saw II really BE more gory and more terror-filled than the first one?!
…Realize that the tagline for Saw II is: “Oh yes, there will be blood!”
….Despite a new director this go-around, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the director and writer of the original, are returning as executive producers for Saw II.
If it’s anything like Saw I, this movie will have a lot of raw gorey parts, loud sound effects, semi-torturous behavior, pitch-black scenes, and quick movie cuts all throughout the movie keep you on your toes and forever guessing what you’ve just seen, what it means, and what in the world could be coming next.
I can’t wait!
My Review Of The First Saw Movie
On Election night, we went to see the movie “Saw”, and what a TRIP it was!
We figured word must have gotten out that it was a pretty good movie, because the theater was fairly full for a Tuesday night — and usually we’re about the only ones in the theater!
I doubt any of our friends will actually go see this movie though, because we have yet to find anyone who enjoys a good scary movie as much as we do. (Except for maybe Suzie.)
And this one is even worse than most scary movies in that it’s got some pins & needles moments where the victims are actually “tortured” to their death.
But, believe it or not, this movie seems more realistic than not. Probably because it’s simply a mind-game… and you’re always second-guessing:
- The simplicity of the movie (almost the entire movie takes place in one dirty old bathroom)
- What it all means & how all these ‘clues’ really add up to anything meaningful
- Whodunit?
Despite being a low-budget flick, this one rates high on our list of faves. In fact, it’s one of the few movies that I actually think I’d be interested in OWNING! I’ll at least rent the DVD — if nothing else, than to be able to see the deleted scenes (it was obvious that there were a few), and to be able to watch it again while trying to pick up the “clues” laid throughout the movie’s storyline.
If you can take it… see “Saw”!
I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” ideas that most wouldn’t think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I’m truly passionate about. I’ve worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo — to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
