Eaten Alive (1977)

aka Death Trap

Tobe's follow-up to Chainsaw Massacre (1974) isn't as good, but that's to be expected because Chainsaw was amazing. However, Eaten Alive has a similar kind of frighteningly real violence, showing how Tobe's time spent as a documentary cameraman was clearly still an influence on his style.
Hotel owner Judd (Neville Brand) keeps a crocodile out the back of his establishment. The croc isn't the only predator in the story. Judd, a man with a dysfunctional conscience, is just as savage a killer. When the latter predator needs to dispose of his handiwork he feeds it to the former.
The blood-red nights are made even more eerie by an unusual musical score that by turns resembles some kind of alarm, screams, underwater groans, a machine or a metal fence under stress. music box chimes, and more.
The tension rises and falls as the story goes on, occasionally wearing thin, but when it's at its peak it's a truly menacing experience for the viewer.

3 scythe swings out of 5

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE [1974]

I've seen A LOT of shocking and disturbing films over the years but none has ever really left the lasting impression that Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre did.
It's grainy camera work and choppy edits would usually turn me off the film but in Chainsaw's case it enhances the horror of the film by 100%. One terrifying scene is topped by the next with a fascinating use of extreme violence using next to no blood.
The nightmarish psychedelic music, the bizarre sound effects mixed well into the foreground, the distorted radio broadcasts and the effective use of disturbing day shots makes Chainsaw a one of a kind.
It's only weakness is it's lack of character developments. The only character that really stands out is the one you just can't wait to bite the dust.
With that, I can easily say Chainsaw is one of my top 10 favorite horror films of all time.

4½ John Larroquette's out of 5