by Max Bosshart
I can't so much talk about this film as mumbled garbled words in a loud, angry manner. From the moment I pressed play to the moment it was over I cycled between maybe this will be good to oh nope. When the end finally came around I threw my hands in the air, looking confused and abruptly going “what?” It’s one of those films that has so much potential yet delivers nothing.
Rob Zombie's latest effort, Lords of Salem, is a movie about Satan worshipping witches in Salem. Yes, the Salem of the infamous witch trials of history. It revolves around Sheri Moon Zombie's character Heidi LaRoq, a radio personality, and her descent into satanic induced madness. All of this is triggered by a mysterious box containing a record given to Heidi by the "Lords" and is tied to movies version of the historical Salem witches.
I can't so much talk about this film as mumbled garbled words in a loud, angry manner. From the moment I pressed play to the moment it was over I cycled between maybe this will be good to oh nope. When the end finally came around I threw my hands in the air, looking confused and abruptly going “what?” It’s one of those films that has so much potential yet delivers nothing.
Rob Zombie's latest effort, Lords of Salem, is a movie about Satan worshipping witches in Salem. Yes, the Salem of the infamous witch trials of history. It revolves around Sheri Moon Zombie's character Heidi LaRoq, a radio personality, and her descent into satanic induced madness. All of this is triggered by a mysterious box containing a record given to Heidi by the "Lords" and is tied to movies version of the historical Salem witches.
At its core the film has a great story; movies about witches aren't a common sight. It’s refreshing to see a supernatural based movie that isn't ghosts or demonic possession. That's where the potential was, it was fresh and not just another repetitive horror movie that so often hits the screens.
Then we come to Jeff Daniel Phillips playing Herman Salvador, affectionately referred to as Whitey. Phillips was a stand out. He delivered the best performance of the film and created the only real character, you become emotionally attached to. This isn't to say that the other actors weren't good or at least proficient; I'll get to that later. Phillips created a believable individual within the movie and that’s talent, especially in horror movies.
Lastly, the design of Heidi's apartment is great. Not just the inside of her apartment, but the hallway outside, and the stairway and landing by the entrance of the building. Whether this was an actual building or set, or a combination of both but it was beautiful.
And this is where is goes from good to aggravating.
Then we come to Jeff Daniel Phillips playing Herman Salvador, affectionately referred to as Whitey. Phillips was a stand out. He delivered the best performance of the film and created the only real character, you become emotionally attached to. This isn't to say that the other actors weren't good or at least proficient; I'll get to that later. Phillips created a believable individual within the movie and that’s talent, especially in horror movies.
Lastly, the design of Heidi's apartment is great. Not just the inside of her apartment, but the hallway outside, and the stairway and landing by the entrance of the building. Whether this was an actual building or set, or a combination of both but it was beautiful.
And this is where is goes from good to aggravating.
Let’s get back to the acting, in particular, Sheri Moon Zombie. She may be Rob Zombie's wife and he probably loves her dearly, but there is a reason why, according to IMDB, she has been in only one film that was not directed by Rob Zombie. From Baby (Devil's Rejects) to Deborah Myers (Halloween) to Heidi there isn't much difference in acting, mostly just a little less crazy each time. The characters themselves are very different, but one can't tell with Sheri Moon Zombie playing them. She isn't horrible, but she is far from great and for once, Zombie should not cast her as the female lead.
Even though the set design was great in Heidi’s apartment, but unfortunately it wasn't all good. The movie gets towards the end and all of a sudden the scenes come across less of a movie and more of a music video for a wannabe satanic metal act. Rather than a side effect of budget, it iss more like no one cared how it looked. Hopefully that’s the point but it is one thing for me that can damage my opinion of a movie that is otherwise good and that is poor design, be it a set or a costume (like the demon in Insidious.)
Even though the set design was great in Heidi’s apartment, but unfortunately it wasn't all good. The movie gets towards the end and all of a sudden the scenes come across less of a movie and more of a music video for a wannabe satanic metal act. Rather than a side effect of budget, it iss more like no one cared how it looked. Hopefully that’s the point but it is one thing for me that can damage my opinion of a movie that is otherwise good and that is poor design, be it a set or a costume (like the demon in Insidious.)
Lastly, not only did Rob Zombie direct the film, he wrote it. The little seed that started the movie was good, filled with potential, but it grew into a disfigured beast of a movie. There's either too much or too little character development for some and none whatsoever for others. Take Heidi and Whitey, it is fairly obvious towards the beginning of the film that there is this unspoken thing between the two of them and it progress slightly, but then it just stops. My thoughts are that if you're going to put the effort into creating some form of relationship between the characters then have the decency to give the audience a sense of ending. Lords of Salem doesn't do this with Heidi and Whitey.
Also, when creating characters that are integral to the story, maybe we want a little more put into them. The three modern day witches that show up a quarter the way into the story are not fleshed out. Who are they? What's their story? I mean, yes, I know their role within the context of the film but I also knew the role Heidi played without having it fleshed out, and obviously they are just as important to the tale as Heidi so please give me something.
Lords of Salem is a dud. I came in with excitement and anticipation because of Rob Zombie. House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects were phenomenal and his Halloween films were well done, though I don't much care for remakes. With that in mind, I had high hopes for Lords of Salem. Rob Zombie is good with his own original ideas, or so I thought. The movie feels like a freshman effort. It’s heavily flawed. I don't want to say that it’s a waste of an hour and forty minutes, but its pretty close. The next time Zombie debuts a film, I will be far more hesitant and my expectations will be much lower.
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Also, when creating characters that are integral to the story, maybe we want a little more put into them. The three modern day witches that show up a quarter the way into the story are not fleshed out. Who are they? What's their story? I mean, yes, I know their role within the context of the film but I also knew the role Heidi played without having it fleshed out, and obviously they are just as important to the tale as Heidi so please give me something.
Lords of Salem is a dud. I came in with excitement and anticipation because of Rob Zombie. House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects were phenomenal and his Halloween films were well done, though I don't much care for remakes. With that in mind, I had high hopes for Lords of Salem. Rob Zombie is good with his own original ideas, or so I thought. The movie feels like a freshman effort. It’s heavily flawed. I don't want to say that it’s a waste of an hour and forty minutes, but its pretty close. The next time Zombie debuts a film, I will be far more hesitant and my expectations will be much lower.
Find Max on Twitter!
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