Rest in Peace Tobe Hooper: ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ Director Dead at 74
Legendary and influential horror film director Tobe Hooper passed away over the weekend. He was 74. Hooper rocketed to fame (and infamy) in 1974 upon the release of the landmark work of horror cinema, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Though reviled by critics at first glance, the film’s status grew over the years and inspired generations of filmmakers with its brilliantly executed, DIY philosophy. Made for just $300,000, the work has come to be regarded as essential viewing for the study of film, and is often regarded as the scariest movie ever made. Hooper later helmed the Steven Spielberg penned Poltergeist, cementing his status as one of the preeminent voices in cinematic horror. Though nothing he made ever reached the heights of greatness of Chain Saw or Poltergeist, nothing ever needed to. His work there was more than enough to solidify his legacy, and while fans still enjoy works like The Mangler and Salem’s Lot (both adaptations of Stephen King works), his later works were little more than the icing on the cake. Hooper was a true visionary, pulling horror into the modern age and scaring us in ways we’d never before dreamed. He will be long remembered.
Steven Spielberg’s Pentagon Papers Film Gets Official Title
Steven Spielberg’s next work, detailing the Washington Post’s role in uncovering The Pentagon Papers, has finally been given a title. Previously known as The Papers, the film has been untitled for some time now as Spielberg began work on the project, which stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham. The Post, as it’s now officially titled, is set to be another work of journalistic intrigue in the vein of All the President’s Men and Spotlight, and may prove to be another front runner for awards season. The Post co-stars Alison Brie, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Zach Woods, and Bradley Whitford, and opens in limited release on December 22.
(Deadline)
‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ Leads Worst Box Office Weekend in 16 Years
Lacking any major new releases, the box office plummeted to levels not seen in over a decade this weekend. Not since the post-9/11 weeks has there been such a significant falling of box office totals for a single weekend, and while the absence of any major releases certainly didn’t help, the hype surrounding the fight between Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, on top of a devastating hurricane in Texas, both played an impact on keeping people away from the theater. This week’s top earner, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, took in a measly $10 million in its second week of release, while Annabelle: Creation brought home $7.3 million. Family-friendly newcomer, Leap!, brought in just $5 million, while Wind River and Logan Lucky rounded out the top five with $4.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
