PopHorror Let's Get Scared
On what would have been the legendary late horror Director Tobe Hooper’s 82 birthday, we are here to recommend 5 things you can either watch, read, or play celebrate him! Born January 25th, 1943, Hooper sadly passed, August 26th, 2017. However, his legacy has left a mark on many horror fans. Not just in film, but through books and even video games!
Check out our recommendations below!
1: Read his very meta horror novel, Midnight Movie!
Official Synopsis
“The good news: Director Tobe Hooper has been invited to speak at a screening of Destiny Express, a movie he wrote and directed as a teenager, but that hasn’t seen the light of day in decades. And Hooper’s fans are ecstatic.
The bad news: Destiny Express proves to be a killer . . . literally.As the death toll mounts, Tobe embarks on a desperate journey to understand the film’s thirty-year-old origins—and put an end to the strange epidemic his creation has set in motion.
Featuring the terror, humor, and sly documentary style Hooper devotees remember from such classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Midnight Movie is vintage Tobe Hooper, again demonstrating the director’s place as one of the godfathers of modern horror.”
Hooper along with Alan Goldsher wrote the book in 2011! A fantastic read for any die hard or new fan! I personally was very excited to find out about this because I had no idea! it serves as a fun reminder of how meta Tobe could be!
2: Watch Lifeforce!
Official Synopsis
A race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, beginning an apocalyptic descent into chaos.
Okay, so I have to credit my good friend Derek Bourgeois, for this recommendation. He described it as “The most grand movie Hooper has ever done, unfortunately, failed at the box office. For those interested, it plays out like an EPIC movie about space and vampires with a phenomenal use of color, effects, and score.” If you don’t want to watch a movie with vampires in space directed by Hooper… Have you really lived?
3. Watch the Dancing with Myself Billy Idol Music Video!
If you didn’t know, Tobe Hooper directed Billy Idol’s music video for Dancing with Myself…Now you do! Talk about some major versatility! What a better way to celebrate him then to do a little dancing!
4: Watch The Funhouse!
Official Synopsis
“Teenage Amy Harper, her boyfriend Buzz Dawson, and their friends Richie Atterbury and Liz Duncan visit a local carnival for a night of innocent amusement but soon witness a fortune teller’s murder and find that the exits are locked.”
Personally, my favorite film of his! For me, if I had to watch only one of his films to celebrate him today, it would be this one. What more fun then to go through Tobe Hooper’s fun house! Filled with wild, sleezy, and unique characters, you are sure to have a fun ride! One of the best locations to set a horror movie. Hooper delivers every step of the way. You feel like you are part of the attraction!
5: Watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre and then play The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Video Game!
We all know if you are celebrating today, you are probably going to watch his genre defying film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you do I have a little twist for you. Watch the film and the immediately go play the video game. There is so much love and detail that went into this if you are a fan you will have an absolute blast. The amount of detail that went into some of these maps you can play on like “The Family House” is so accurate, you’ll feel like you are taking a virtual tour. You can play as the family members or (random victims to escape). The Saw is family.
It’s way more fun to tear someone up with Leatherface, hitting someone with The Cook, or chasing someone with Hitchhiker’s funny run! Amazing to see Tobe Hooper’s legacy is going to continue in many variations of entertainment for old and new fans to enjoy!
Happy Birthday Tobe Hooper! You, sir, are dearly missed.
