La casa del diavolo

I just saw this film at a sneak preview screening in San Francisco. I had really loved Zombie's first film, HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES, and was looking forward to seeing how he was going to "re-create" the characters from that first film into this new one.

Stylistically, this film is exceptional. Zombie knows how to build tension and has a real gift for being able to pay homage to the horror flicks of the 70's without insulting or copying them. His choices in casting is genius and the performances in this film are quite good.

However, gone is the camp-value he infused into CORPSES. This film takes itself much more seriously and this does not help. In fact, the fact that Zombie focuses more on horror and torture without the same level of dark humor makes the film come off as somewhat cruel. Are we to actually enjoy seeing the victims tortured? Somehow, the fun of his first film is absent.

However, for those of us who have an appreciation for the films of the original 70's renegade film makers such as Tobe Hooper -- you can't help but enjoy Zombie's style of filming. This film also enjoys have some of the best southern rock ever created to serve as its soundtrack.

The three lead actors stand out and give great performances, but one wishes Zombie would have allowed them to go a bit more over the top. Karen Black did not return to play Moma Firefly which is too bad, but the actress who takes over the role does a great job.

In the end -- I think this is an interesting and valid second film from Rob Zombie, but I hope that he allows his cast and his audience to have a bit more fun. The world has enough torture and violence -- if we are to see it in a film it needs to give us a bit of a scare and a bit of a laugh. If only he had utilized that dark/twisted since of humor a bit more.

Still, it is worth a look -- but not for those of you who get upset by violence. And, please, this is not a movie for children. There was a child at last night's screening. That poor baby is going to be scarred for life!

Reasons to watch this film (one or more may apply):

• If you love Rob Zombie's work
• If you have seen House of 1000 Corpses
• If you like, love, or at least can tolerate mindless, brutal, sadistic violence, sometimes in a sexual manner
• You are not judgmental of Rob Zombie's personal character at all
• You are in a morbid mood
• You have yet to see it and feel like you're so desensitized to graphic cinema
• You hate roadies
• You like dark, dark, DARK comedy
• You love the F-word
• You're a fan of the actors
• You're not yet sick of Free Bird
• Sheri Moon Zombie turns you on (just don't tell Rob!)
• The constant depiction of how horrible people can act towards another, with a complete lack of empathy or good will, does not bother you

Reasons NOT to watch this film:

• If graphic violence upsets you
• If you hate clowns on any level
• If you have seen other live-action works by Rob Zombie and absolutely hated it
• If you can't handle (and seriously, no shame if you can't) profanity, anti-religious acts by fictional characters, a cinematic void of anything uplifting and good, and the theme that no one is pure and that all mankind is inherently downright evil.

• If suggested necrophilia is a deal-breaker
• If you cannot understand that the actors, along with Rob Zombie, are actually normal people who are pretty cool to their fans
• If depictions of physical AND mental torture just isn't your thing
• If the slightest bit of violence gives you nightmares (seriously, if you can't handle a character suffering from a paper cut, you haven't a chance to handle this movie)

This movie has some classic ingredients for a great horror movie. Interesting characters, some really vile gore scenes, bad language, unnecessary nudity, and some familiar faces; Leslie Easterbrook (from the Police Academy movies), Ken Foree (the original Dawn Of The Dead), 80's pop singer/actress E.G. Daily and Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) provide more than enough nostalgia for retro junkies, like myself.

The story isn't overly fast paced but the gore can be thick and pretty relentless and is at times implied rather than shown which I think adds to the experience. I really enjoyed Leslie Easterbrook as Mother Firefly (replacing Karen Black who was in the first movie, House Of 1000 Corpses). She does some wonderful overacting in her scenes, it's a shame she wasn't in it more, same goes for E.G. Daily who plays a sassy hooker. In fact everyone was great in their parts, let's face it this is not Shakespeare - this is a horror movie, I for one demand hammy over the top performances and a bit of camp! I don't want to give anything away but I will say my favourite scenes involved Mother Firefly and the sheriff, and Captain Spaulding and a mother and child. If you enjoyed House Of 1000 Corpses, this is a superior sequel in my mind and you wont be disappointed. If your idea of horror is a glossy PG-13 rated remake you might want to try weaning yourself onto this kind of movie with something a little less extreme.

OK, I loved "House of 1000 Corpses". I loved it for completely different reasons than I loved "The Devils Rejects". The mood in the first one is far more campy, almost cartoonish. The actual fear and horror mixed with that weird wink is perfect. "The Devils Rejects" on the other hand seems almost real. These people are out there...these people do not care about you or your children. Hell, they don't even care about your dog or furniture. The music, the angles, the complete disregard for the feelings of others. Blantant hedonism at it's best. Some folks walked out...I sat singing "Free Bird" till the screen went black. If it's for you, don't miss it. If you believe you are the least bit squeamish...go get that new direct to DVD Stitch movie!

The Devil's Rejects has such a powerful name that the movie itself had to live up to... and it exceeded my expectations.

A fun sequel that plays out more like a police thriller than a horror movie.

Well balanced between gritty, over-the-top performances and fun, light-hearted-ness. It's hard to say whether this film tops its predecessor when their inspirations reside in two different area codes.

I find this is a better film, but this and House of 1000 Corpses seem to serve different purposes.

In any case, The Devil's Rejects is a more realized and stylized film that dishes out an enjoyable viewing experience.