This year marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary horror flick, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Variety also recently crowned the movie as the best horror film of all time on their website. On Halloween night with a bucket of candy and nothing better to do, I decided to sit down and watch the slasher classic. While the film was well made and clearly an influence for later horror classics, I found myself disappointed overall. The plot, characters, and actual horror of the film were all underwhelming in my opinion. The film follows an uninteresting group of friends, as they travel to visit an abandoned property. Based off the title, you can probably guess what happens from there. While I was not satisfied with the first viewing, after having some time to think, I started appreciating how this film founded tropes still seen five decades later.

I went into the film with what I would consider reasonable expectations. I kept in mind the movie was made fifty years ago and didn’t expect it to have the same scare factor as modern movies with hundreds of millions to spend. I did expect the film to compensate with a disturbing atmosphere, where I felt unsafe and unsure of what would happen next. The first couple of minutes led me to believe this might be the case, starting with mysterious reports on the radio of grave robbings and imagery of the dead. The film then cuts to a group of traveling friends who decide to pick up a hitchhiker, and that scene also had me feeling uneasy. The man they picked up is clearly unstable and ends up attacking one of the main characters.

However, this early tension only set me up for disappointment as the plot became comedically predictable. After the first major kill happens, the movie repeats the set up and reveal again and again. Once we see a man walk into a house and get murdered, it’s easy to guess what’s going to happen for the guy that walks in looking for him. Sure, horror movies are notoriously known for characters making the worst possible decisions. In this film, the characters don’t just make dumb choices, they’re also boring and unlikeable. I didn’t care about the wellbeing of a majority of the characters, because I never got to know them. I can live with boring characters, the film’s focus seems to be more on the antagonist and his family. Unfortunately, the antagonist of the movie was also a big let down.

To be fair, I find this to be the case with many classic horror films. I feel like this had to do with my preconceived notions about Leatherface, the chainsaw wielding murderer. I grouped him in with the other major horror icons like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers, only to be disappointed with his actual portrayal. He can be intimidating at times, but as the plot progresses you start laughing at this bumbling idiot and his family of unstable freaks. I know the villains are supposed to be disturbing and intimidating, but the acting is so hammy I could not help but laugh at some scenes. One scene in particular has Leatherface’s father laugh maniacally as he attacks a woman with a broom. It could have been an intimidating scene fifty years ago. Today it feels more like a Looney Tunes bit.
With all these complaints about the film being formulaic, I realize the reason for this might just be because this film was the basis for the formula. Every horror film I’ve seen that has led me to being able to predict each twist and turn was inspired by this film. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a solid production, even if I thought overall it was lacking. It is well directed and the props (such as the various furniture seemingly made out of bones and skin) are disturbing and amazingly crafted. It is clear how this movie impacted the horror genre, and created a new era focusing on creepy mascots. However, just this year this film was acknowledged as the BEST in its field and I cannot agree with that.

While Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees might not exist without Leatherface, they are exponentially more interesting. I appreciate this movie for everything it pioneered and normalized. I would recommend it to anyone interested in horror movies, as it is one of the essential classics. Purely because you can see the foundation for the greatest horror movies of all time. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre feels more like a test trial than the definitive greatest. The film has solid ideas and does a good job at creating disturbing imagery, but the uninteresting plot had me wanting more. It is not that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a bad film, it just is not as good as I thought it would be.

Last year Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT) announced an official Esports team, offering students the chance to represent the university through competitive video games. Since then teams have formed, an arena has been built, and students have battled in digital battlegrounds as the program kicked into full swing. The program covers a variety of popular video games, including Overwatch 2, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2. And with many Esports programs popping up in nearby high schools, developing an Esports team became a clear opportunity for the university to boost recruitment. So how have students engaged with this new venture into virtual competition?

One student involved with the program, Wes Shaw, competes in iRacing, a realistic driving simulator that has been around since 2008. Shaw is a freshman at TAMUT but says he’s been practicing his game of choice for nearly a decade. While the simulation might not be as physical as other athletic departments he has experience in, Shaw has the same mindset. “The mental pressure and the pressure to do better and keep improving to win is there 1,000,000%,” he says. And in playing iRacing competitively, Shaw says his real life racing skills have improved. He says “iRacing is the best way to get some seat time and track experience without burning gas and tires and other resources visiting the actual tracks.”

Sykora Guy transferred to TAMUT to help develop the esports program, or as she puts it “retired from competing.” She shares Shaw’s sentiments on the pressure of competing and the skills that develop through playing. Guy emphasizes the program helps students in other ways. She points to the fact that since Esports are a part of the athletic department, students who wish to compete end up raising their GPA. Furthermore, she explains how the program is a safe space for students. “Esports provides a community for those who typically don’t attend school related functions. Many gamers tend to be shy and not very social, here they can open up and make friendships.” Guy explains.

Amaurie Strickland does not play for the team but says his job is “making sure that everything is okay and working.” He likes his position to that of a “committee chair” and has a positive outlook on the program. “I love it, I really enjoy being on the team.” Strickland also makes a valid point as to how the program began. He says, “Students [are] always playing video games, so why not have an Esports program?” Which is true, a recent report said 85% of teens surveyed said they play video games daily. The development of an Esports scene on campus gives these gamers the opportunity to do what they love and also benefit the university.

While the program already covers a wide variety of games, there is still room to grow. Strickland is a huge fan of music rhythm games, which are not yet represented by the university. Of course with so many genres of video games it is impossible for the program to cover everything, and the largest games like Overwatch 2 and Rocket League are already being supported. However more games could not hurt and would only engage student engagement. With so many gamers out there with their own favorite genres, the reach of the program could be limitless.

Overall, the program has done its job of finding competitive students to represent the university in the digital realm. While the obvious benefits are better recruitment and more student engagement, the program on campus has done much more than that. It has given students a reason to do what they already love, and created a friendly environment for its members. Every student interviewed recommended the program. And not just for the opportunity to play video games, but because the team and their coach, Rick Allen, are just fun to be around. Those interested in TAMUT’s Esports organization can check out the program’s Facebook page.

Every semester, students struggle to figure out where they are in their academic journey and what courses to pursue. That is where academic advisors like Katie Hixson come in to put students on the right track. As an advisor, her role at Texas A&M University – Texarkana is to assist all undergraduates in graduating through “timely academic planning,” she says. This includes meeting with students regularly to discuss where they are at in their academic career, and where they are going.

Hixson has 8 years of experience in academic advising, career academic counseling, recruitment, and retention planning as well. “I have provided, identified, analyzed, and solved problems and successfully handled conflict resolution in assigned areas,” she says. While it may sound like a stressful job, she says that being able to empower students to work toward their academic and career goals and being able to mentor them fuels her motivation.

One of her favorite parts of the job is witnessing students’ journeys. She says, “I enjoy helping and guiding students from their first step on campus and watching them walk across the stage at graduation.” She has found her career fulfilling, and as a result, strongly recommends any job in higher education. For those looking to pursue a future in education, she says “to connect with resources on campus to broaden their own connections and develop self-sufficiency.”

At the end of the day, Hixson just wants students to live their best lives. She says her message to every student would be, “Always remember to find your ‘Why’ and to begin with the end in mind. Look inside yourself and discover what your philosophy is and design your short- and long-term goals when tackling any new endeavors.”

Texas A&M University of Texarkana (TAMUT) student Christian Cuellar is in his second semester at the university. Besides working on his major in software engineering, Cuellar’s focus on campus has been finding ways to contribute to the community. “I’ve always wanted to just try and do good for the environment or others.” He participated in the university’s annual “Big Event” earlier this year where he helped paint houses. He’s also in the process of joining the Circle K International club on campus. He knows the school offers a lot of opportunities for students, and wants to take advantage of more this year.

Cuellar’s motivation to apply himself at TAMUT comes from a lackluster experience at University of Arkansas Hope / Texarkana. “I really didn’t like it there,” he says. Cuellar admits he did not try his best at UAHT, but also puts some blame on the college’s professors. He appreciates how he can better communicate and socialize with his professors at TAMUT. Socialization, according to Cuellar, is a “key aspect of college”. This, of course, extends beyond professors. His involvement in campus clubs and events has led to him making new friends and rekindling relationships with lost friends. He says this has made his college experience more enjoyable, and recommends new students to put themselves out there and create those connections. 

Aside from school, Cuellar also works a labor job at Fastenal. While the job is not comparable to his future in software engineering, he says it has improved his work ethic overall, and thinks the set schedule will be good for any future jobs. To balance having both a job and a full school schedule, Cuellar takes a majority of his classes online. This has helped him plan his schedule out easier. While Cuellar might not have too much free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching TV, and reading books. He hits the gym when he can and otherwise likes to stay home and “chill”.

As for the future, Cuellar is looking for a career he can be passionate about. He’s been enjoying his journey as a software engineer, and wants to use those skills to leave a mark on the world. He isn’t quite sure where he’ll end up settling down, but plans to head to Dallas or wherever there is more opportunity. All he knows for sure is, “I don’t really see myself being in Texarkana all my life.” For now, Cuellar plans to finish his major in software engineering at TAMUT and possibly get a bachelors in physics later down the line. He is also committed to helping out the community whenever possible.