I might be wrong now, but I can almost feel that The Lords of Salem will be Rob Zombie's last horror movie. No, not because it's bad, but because it's personal. This might be the first personal fucking movie Mr Zombie have directed. While not perfect, I would dare to say this is the best horror film of 2013. Just be prepared for something very low-key, very... cheap (I would say) and very, very uncommercial.I never been a fan of the horror director Rob Zombie, but I've always liked the drama director Rob Zombie. I mean, the best thing with both Halloween 1 and Halloween 2 was the white trash drama leading up to Michael Myers killing spree. Zombie always handled the horror parts very sloppy and without passion.
I'm pretty sure because he's not been sure how to do it until now. So instead of doing it correctly he just tossed together something, quick and dirty, and called it horror. Now he's learned. There's several things I LOVE about this film: characters, yes. These are characters. Some a bit more shallow than others, but never boring. story, always important - but in this movie it's extra important because Zombie finally understands what he wants to tell. Actors, like Tarantino, Zombie has always been good casting his productions.
Not just because he casts old horror actors or other cult figures, but that he casts them into roles that fits them so good it's scary. Sure, Sheri Moon Zombie is not actually bad here. She's okay and believable. Always good Bruce Davison have a big part. He's awesome. The big acting heroes in this movie is the fantastic quartet of witches: Judy Geeson (Inseminoid), Dee Wallace (The Hills Have Eyes), Patricia Quinn (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Meg Foster (They Live )! I mean, here we have elderly stateswomen of the genre cinema and they're given real parts. It's not glorifed, gimmicky cameos, instead they're getting a chance to give themselves totally to the parts.
It's character acting magic in motion, and it's poetry watching it.
Oh, the story. A ex-alcoholic radio host, Heidi, recieves a strange vinyl record that triggers an old witches cult to raise from the dead again (being reborn into future relatives). Heidi is slowely, not that unlike Polanski's Repulsion, decending into madness... or is it the horrifying reality?
Zombie is out to once and for all make a modern, "real" grindhouse movie. It's doesn't look old, it's shot very visibly with some kind of HD digital camera - but it's shot like a semi-expensive horror film from the late 70's, early 80's. Imagine a lot of John Carpenter-esqe editing/rythm, locations like from Fulci's City of the Living Dead or The Beyond and far-out, surrealistic sequences directly from Kubrick's 2001. Zombie is not out to scare the shit out of us, he's out to creep us out. To build something, an atmosphere. Maybe plant something in our minds before we go to sleep and dreams?
The Lords of Salem is a lot more like a slow, poetic film by Jean Rollin, but with a nice dose of white trash (and great supporting parts of Ken Foree and Jeff Daniel Phillips) and the visual quality's of the directions mentioned above, but still in heart just a typical satan/witchsploitation from the golden age of cinema. I like it. Actually, I adore it. I love it. Finally a horror movie for adults. It took a while since the last one (sorry, I have no title). This will disappoint a lot of hyperactive teenagers who think it's something like Mr Zombie's music, but adults, film fans, with open eyes and a wish to see something, will be pleasantly surprised.
It boarders to cheesy, but it's because Zombie uses cheap (but effective) solutions and practical effects, and much of it look a bit... unreal. But much of it is also correct, because he's trying to make a movie from a time when horror was more seriou. There's a psychedelic sequence later on in the movie which is so fucking silly, but so fucking cool. You know that thing that only hardrockers can succeed in. Almost every sequence ends anyway in a beatiful shot, a stunning image or just something ultra-realistic and simple. It makes you forget the bad things easily. So sorry if you're thinking this is a horror film that will change your life. It's not. But it's a good one.
Rob Zombie, welcome out from the "I've been hiding my real talent because I'm not sure how to handle producers"-closet. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You've done it. You have made your movie. You can finally rest your redneck metal-body against your black leather sofa and be proud of yourself.
"This might be the first personal fucking movie Mr Zombie have directed."
I haven´t seen that much from him, only House of 1000 Corpses(2003)which didn´t leave an lasting impression.
"While not perfect, I would dare to say this is the best horror film of 2013."
Isn´t a bit early to make those predictions Fred......?
We´re only halfway.....
"Always good Bruce Davison have a big part. He's awesome."
Fantastic guy, great character actor.
"Zombie is not out to scare the shit out of us, he's out to creep us out. To build something, an atmosphere. Maybe plant something in our minds before we go to sleep and dreams?"
Sounds good to me.
"I like it. Actually, I adore it. I love it. Finally a horror movie for adults. It took a while since the last one (sorry, I have no title). This will disappoint a lot of hyperactive teenagers who think it's something like Mr Zombie's music, but adults, film fans, with open eyes and a wish to see something, will be pleasantly surprised."
Yeah, I think horror should be made for adults.
"Rob Zombie, welcome out from the "I've been hiding my real talent because I'm not sure how to handle producers"-closet. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You've done it. You have made your movie. You can finally rest your redneck metal-body against your black leather sofa and be proud of yourself."
Damn, Fred.......big praise coming out of you for this film.
I´m hoping I get to see it one day.
Good review and thanks Fred.
Posted by: Megatron | May 01, 2013 at 13:26
No no, I know when I see one. This is - for me - one of the best this year :)
I'm very sure most people will be very disappointed by it. It's just not especially commercial or similar to any of his earlier films.
Posted by: Fred Anderson | May 01, 2013 at 14:35
Fred: Well.....if you are that sure....hahahhah...I´m not going to argue with you.
Yeah....judging from your description, he is heading in an another direction then in his previous films.
Posted by: Megatron | May 01, 2013 at 18:15