Bookmonkey Saw: Day 9

Let's take a moment to examine some of the effects the Saw franchise was having on popular culture in 2006 during the wait for Saw III.  

In April, Scary Movie 4 was released, including it's own version of the infamous banned poster for Saw II (pictured left), as well as featuring a scene where basketball star Shaquille O"Neal and daytime television star Dr. Phil McGraw awaken in a bathroom chained to the pipes.  Interesting side note - the comedic sequence in Scary Movie 4 is actually a little more graphic than the same sequence in Saw and the set used for the sequence was so close to the original used in Saw (2004), that the makers of Saw III actually asked the filmmakers if they could use the set for the next Saw film to be used in a flashback sequence.

In October, Spike TV created a new awards show, The Scream Awards, which focused on Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy texts, and featured awards such as Best Sequel (Saw II was nominated), Most Vile Villain (Tobin Bell was nominated as Jigsaw for Saw II), and Most Memorable Mutilation (Saw II was nominated, but as I'm trying to make this blog family friendly, you'll have to follow the link to see which scene was nominated).

Also - and honestly in one of the ways that I have to say the Saw franchise really impressed me at the time, Lionsgate films had it's third annual Give till It Hurts, blood drives, which included a partnership with the American Red Cross and worked to raise both blood and financial donations from fans.  For every release in the series a new promotional poster (The poster for the Saw III blood drive appears to the right) was sold, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.