Submitted by: kirkland on Saturday October 28th, 2006 at 11:11 PM EST

Reading tales of medieval punishments is haunting. Watching people being tortured is not. It’s just sick.

The first 20 minutes of ‘‘Saw III” is a bloodbath. Like trapped animals, the unfortunate people in serial torture-killer Jigsaw’s (Tobin Bell) grasp try to free themselves by breaking their limbs and ripping the flesh from their bodies.

Jigsaw is dying from a brain tumor, but continues his warped games through Amanda (Shawnee Smith, ‘‘Summer School”), a former torture victim who survived one of his horrific challenges.

Beneath the torture and gore is a story; whether it’s one you care to follow is another matter.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman made his directorial debut with ‘‘Saw II” and stayed on to direct this third installment. Keep in mind he was once a production assistant for Tara Reid, so clearly, he has no taste.

» Full story @ Boston Herald