Toolbox Murders (2004)

Just what I expected

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Im gonna say this, if you are hoping for a nice supernatural horror movie with suspense, good writing, so-so acting and a decent plot? Turn away now, this is not decent in any way, shape or form.I've watched a lot of Horror. Supernatural, monster, sci-fi, psychological and have had my share of bad eggs so to say. This, takes the cake, eats it, shits it out and then tries to feed it to you, the one watching. All the while being real proud over itself for its run-down building atmosphere. Sure, it had one moment where it even made me slightly interested in how this storm of plot-holes and bad writing would need. Problem is, just as they really try to do something good with this piece of garbage, the writer makes it commit suicide, making you angry you even got your hopes up.Im gonna say this one more time, STAY ... AWAY. Not worth it.

A remake that is actually better than the original. Well that is probably a first (well that I can think of anyway).Directed by Tobe Hopper his best movie in years since his hey days (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Eaten Alive & Funhouse). For a start I wouldn't really call this a remake, as it's in name only, the story is almost completely different and as a movie in its own right I'd say that this is a pretty decent movie. The Plot = A young teacher Nell moves into an old apartment complex with her husband Steven, a building with a mysterious past. After Nell's friend disappears and several tenants start getting murdered, Nell decides to investigate the building's sordid past and who's behind these murders.The tone of this movie takes a completely different turn to the original, not that it's a bad thing, in fact it features some pretty decent performances (something the original lacked), especially Angela Bettis who plays the young teacher, turns in a solid and well rounded performance I also enjoyed her in one of her earlier horror movies "May", a radically different role to this one, as she's more straight forward in this one. As for this film, Tobe Hooper proves that he's still got that magic touch, with its generally creepy atmosphere, solid set pieces and fast paced, which is always a bonus. Okay this movie is the general standard Slasher movie fare. But it keeps you hooked from beginning to end with some decent kills and has that old school feel to it.Okay there are some low points, like none of the other cast are fleshed out, they're just cardboard cut outs, apart from Angela Bettis, none of them are remotely memorable, but that often happens in these types of movies. And some of the plot scenes doesn't really go anywhere, like the mysterious symbols and curses that are found, but this part of the story falls flat and certain things aren't explained very well leaving massive plot holes, like towards the end seems rushed and left a lot of questions unanswered.All in all "Toolbox Murders" definitely improves on the original version, Tobe Hooper shows us that he's still got what it takes, but this doesn't quite reach the heights of some of the classic and won't be as well remembered in years to come, but it's a pretty decent movie, with some effective deaths and a creepy killer.

Many people believe that Tobe Hooper hasn't made a good film since the funhouse. While i respect there opinion i honestly don't think there opinion is very true. Sure his stuff he's done has never been able to top TCM but to be perfectly frank not many films do.Anyway, toolbox murders is a very dark and very underrated horror film. its a better version than the original and is more horror prone than the old one. Tobe directs this film inch perfect acting is solid there some extremely well suspense filled moments and many jump scenes. one thing i really liked about this film was how unpredictable it was.Hooper remade a film that needed remaking and he did it remarkably well and it was from the writers who also worked with Tobe on his overly criticised crocodile. a must see for fans of Hooper and the horror genre in general.

A young woman (Angela Bettis) and her husband move into an apartment complex in Hollywood, but from day one things are not going well. People disappear, screams come from every corner and there is pounding in the night. What is the secret of the Lusman Building? This could be Tobe Hooper's return to form. Starting off strong with "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "The Funhouse", he took a nose dive for a while. He has always had a sense of blandness mixed in with his subversive side... and this film breaks that mold. No blandness here.Adam Gierasch, the film's writer, appears as the apartment manager Byron, with great voice modification. And I think Gierasch may have been this film's savior, writing Hooper a script that is well thought out, original, esoteric, and breathes new life into the dead slasher genre.Angela Bettis is one of today's best horror actresses... is she weirdly hot or just weird? The Julia character... not sure why, but she's the sexual object for Ned, the strange handyman and murder suspect. Even Sheri Moon shows up for some reason.