See Saw!

This is my second screening of "Saw" and it never fails to creep me out! It is one of the most clever thriller I've seen that came out of Hollywood these days! And frankly, there are not much during the recent times so they are now trying to adapt screenplays from different countries, particularly Asians.

The premise of "Saw" is this: you wake up in a room with one of your leg chained to a pipe. You received a saw that isn't strong enough to cut through the chains but could cut through your bones. You have two choices: a. kill the man you are with in the room who is also locked in chains, or b. stay in the room to rot and die. Galing, di ba? Of course, the story doesn't just revolve with that. There are other predicament that the character has to bear in order to survive. There are also other stories that would let you tie in the loose ends. However, just when you thought you had things figured out, it turns itself around and leaves you clueless! Right till the end!

"Saw" is one of those movies that one has to see to be able to get the real feel in it. A must-see for thriller freaks like me!

Some interesting facts about the 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.
• Film's pre-production was only five days.
• Film was shot and cut at the same time.
• Sundance showed the NC-17 uncut version. The actual theatrical R-rated version is cut and more finessed, and the sound and colors were evened.
• The whole film was essentially shot in one location, a converted warehouse, where the bathroom set was built. All the other locations were made from existing rooms and dressed them.
• Was the closing film for the Toronto Film Festival.
• Originally intended for a straight-to-video release. After positive screenings, it was given the nod to become a premier movie. (Thank goodness!)
• Director James Wan took a gamble and took no "up front" salary for the movie and opted for a percentage instead.

More trivia here.