A trio of film buffs are hoping to spread their love for the big screen by resurrecting some of Hollywood’s most impactful movies of the past.
Keith Brown, Josh Ingram, and Jamie MacDonald recently joined forces to create “The Reel Film Forum” — a new pop-up movie screening group that will invite the public to enjoy old comedies, thrillers, and cult classics at local theatres and venues.
For their first event, The Reel Film Forum will appeal to horror fans in October when they show a special 50th anniversary screening of Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Brown, a film studies graduate who moved up north in 2015, believes it’s the first time that the original Texas Chainsaw has ever hit the big screen in Sault Ste. Marie.
“I’m guessing it wasn’t screened upon its release, and I’m willing to guess it hasn’t been screened since,” he said. “We wanted to take advantage of spooky season, but we weren’t quite sure what film to do. Once we realized it was the 50th anniversary, we knew this had to be our first.”
“If you’re a horror fan, or a film fan, this should be on your must-see list,” he added.
Aiming to provide screenings every two to three months, The Reel Film Forum is already eyeing shows in December and February, and they’ve even talked about showing Jaws next summer — also for its 50th anniversary.
While residents could always choose to stream movies from the comfort of their living room, Brown explained there’s something special about the experience of sitting in a live theatre and watching a film that hasn’t been played on the big screen in decades.
“It’s a totally different experience seeing a film on the big screen as opposed to your television, no matter how big the screen is at home,” he said. “There’s something to be said about seeing films with people who are just as passionate about movies as you are.”
“Horror films in particular, and seeing horror films with a group of people, is on a whole other level as well,” he added.
The Reel Film Forum will be showing Texas Chainsaw at the Ranger Theatre, a 63-seat capacity space inside the Bushplane, on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Organizers are hoping to provide future showings in other small venues around town like The Grand Theatre and The Loft, and perhaps eventually expand into larger spaces like the Sault Community Theatre Centre.
“We’re doing them in these smaller places for now — it’s small, it’s intimate,” Brown said. “We want to build this small film community in the Sault with this small group of people that likes to see these strange and unique films.”
Limited tickets for Texas Chainsaw, priced at $17 plus fees, are available for purchase online.
“We want to keep ticket prices as low as possible, and we’re hoping for future screenings we can lower the ticket price even more,” Brown said. “For Texas Chainsaw, we had to pay for the screening rights. We’re just charging enough to pay for the venue and the screening rights for the films.”
"We'd like to thank MPI Media Group, which owns the rights to the film, for allowing us to do a Sault Ste. Marie screening and Chris Tarvudd, Event and Promotion Manager with the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, for hosting our first screening," he added.
A full release from The Reel Film Forum is below:
The Reel Film Forum Presents: A Special 50th Anniversary Screening of Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Join The Reel Film Forum for a special one-night-only 50th Anniversary screening of Tobe Hooper’s iconic 1974 slasher masterpiece, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre’s Ranger Theatre.
About the Film:
When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather’s grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family’s old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. The group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin. As the group is hunted, they must do everything they can to escape the nightmare.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, October 4th, 2024
- Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; film starts at 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre Ranger Theatre
- Tickets: $17 plus fees (limited number available)
- Admission: General admission. Please arrive prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for refreshments
- Concessions: Drinks and snacks available for purchase. No outside food, drink, or chainsaws permitted
Features:
- 4K Restoration: See The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in unprecedented clarity
- Rated 18A: Suitable for persons 18 years of age or older. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- Runtime: 83 minutes
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a film that changed the landscape of cinema forever and ushered in the modern horror movie,” says Keith Brown of The Reel Film Forum. “It’s not just about shock and gore; it’s a haunting reflection of society’s darkest fears and the power of low-budget filmmaking to deliver a visceral, unforgettable experience. This screening is a celebration of a film that remains as terrifying and relevant today as it was 50 years ago.”
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Tobe Hooper’s terrifying masterpiece in Sault Ste. Marie! To purchase tickets, visit https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/reelfilm-forum/texas-in-ssm.
About The Reel Film Forum:
Josh Ingram, Keith Brown, and Jamie MacDonald are the people behind The Reel Film Forum, Sault Ste. Marie’s pop-up movie screenings. They’ll be resurrecting the glamorous, the grotesque, and the downright glorious films of yesteryear. From the dazzling 20s to the gnarly 90s, they’ll be screening the cult classics, outrageous comedies, spine-tingling horrors, and electrifying thrillers that defined generations and defied the mainstream. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact:
The Reel Film Forum
Josh Ingram, Keith Brown, Jamie MacDonald
thereelfilmforum@gmail.com