"We've been waiting, Heidi... We've always been waiting. "
The Lords of Salem (2012), is Rob Zombie's return to independent horror filmmaking. In present day Salem, Massachusetts recovering-addict Heidi works as a DJ at a local radio station. One day a strange record is sent to the radio station with Heidi's name on it, this record has no information with it except that it's by the "Lords" and Heidi's co-workers decide it'd be fun to play it on the radio. But this bizarre music has a strange affect on Heidi and the women of Salem.
The best thing about this movie is the originality. Yes these are themes we've seen over and over: a witches curse affecting someone in present day, creepy satanic imagery, a cult group raising the next anti-Christ... but somehow this movie does it all and makes it all feel fresh and original. This film is part horror and part "art film." Which is something I don't see too often, but works very well.
The Lords of Salem is Great at showing and not telling. The film doesn't tell you outright that Heidi's a recovering addict, but you can figure it out from the early scenes in her apartment. Same goes for Heidi & Whiteys relationship too, I can't tell you how refreshing this is in a world where every single movie feels the need to have characters explain every little detail of a relationship for us.
All of this, combined with so much very beautiful and original imagery of the film makes for some very memorable scenes. Oh hey, and not a single CG effect in the whole movie! I can't remember the last time I've seen that in a recent movie!!
Mostly nitpicks here but I'm not sure I love the ending of this film, but it's alright. I kind of wish Rob Zombie just went full on art film and didn't feel the needed to explain anything in the end. Because as it currently, the film is it feels very open ended intentionally for a sequel. Hell, House of 1000 Corpses (2003) seemed less open-ended than this and it got a sequel!
And what was with the design of the Satan-dwarf-twiggy-tumor-guy? Can't say it wasn't original.
This movie has some of the best and most "real" feeling characters I've seen in a movie all year! And that's really saying something. They all seem like real people nobody's character is tied to any kind of a stereotype or outline of a stock character we've seen on the big screen so many times before. It's amazing how when you put real characters and experiences into a movie it feels so fresh and real!
The Lords of Salem has some really beautiful cinematography. Every shot in the movie is dark adding so much to the mood. And most of the film is still but when the camera does move it has those beautiful, slow, sweeping long shots, not a single handheld shot in the movie. You can tell Rob Zombie's been studying some master filmmakers.
And then the great original soundtrack (composed by Zombie's bandmate, John 5) on top of this sweeping dark cinematography just creates such a beautiful mood. Bravo Mr. Zombie, bravo.
4.5/5 Stars.
Happy watching!
The 31 Nights of Macabre Movies continue tomorrow with Brian de Palma's Telekinetic classic, Carrie (1967).
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Won't go out of my way to see this, but if I stumble across it, I'll give it a go.
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