The Top 10 Films that inspired The Chainsaw Diaries.

Every chef should be willing to share his recipes. If you watch the following films, drink a whole helluva lot of coffee, and sit down to write a "slasher" film, you just might come up with The Chainsaw Diaries.

1. Totally Fucked Up
Gregg Araki's homosexual, Jim Jarmusch, video and film wrought nineties opus proved a wonderful inspiration towards the minimalist visuals in my film.

2. Shotgun Stories
A movie built almost entirely on the tension between acts of violence. Michael Shannon's slow burn performance inspired the characters of Eddie and Reno.

3. Chungking Express
It's kind of hard to believe that a movie this sweet could have inspired something so nihilistic as The Chainsaw Diaries. But it's shifting protagonists and witheld affections are both beautiful and frustrating.

4.Drive
Like shotgun stories, it thrives on the tension between acts of violence. The main difference here being that the gratuitous violence is on display, as it will be in The Chainsaw Diaries. It is also a sweet love story and a wonderful character piece. You've probably seen it but see it again.

5. The Thin Red Line
A perfect example of a subtle genre invented by Terrence Malick himself, the film collage. The narration shifts at will. The visuals are rich and the movie amazes and astounds.

6. The Ghosts
This short film by Eddie O' Keefe is about as perfect as a film can get. I've probably stolen a few of it's visuals for my film. Check it out on Vimeo.

7. Blue Velvet
I've lived in suburbia my whole life. This is one of the few films that take that general uneasiness just under the surface of suburban living and ramps it up to the point of nightmare.

8. Gummo
This movie is not very good. But I liked the idea of setting it in a town ravaged by a tornado. Being a Florida film, mine takes place in a town recovering from a hurricane. Harmony Korine is an interesting filmmaker who has yet to make a good film.

9. Cowards Bend the Knee
Well before The Artist, Guy Maddin was making wonderful neo silent films. And this is one of his best. The movie has a recurring theme of hands and eyes, which I stole for my film. I can't find any clips.
10. Trust
Hal Hartley's film is a hilarious and sad film, following a pregnant teenager who hooks up with a violent outsider. Hard to find, but worth it.

Next week, I'll list ten novels that inspired my film.

-Chris Krider