Lords of Salem (film)

Hey guys! I have to admit it has been a very very looonnnggggg time since I've said anything here.  For like the 2 people who read this (thanks mom!), i'm doing fine and well.  I've had a lot of things going n and something had to give.  That thing was this blog.  But things haven't became a tad more stable and settled.  And I've actually had some time to watch some movies too! So here is my latest entry into my portfolio - my review on The Lords of Salem!

Heidi, played by Sheri Moon Zombie

The Lords of Salem, directed by Rob Zombie, stars his wife Sheri Moon Zombie as Heidi, a Rock radio DJ in Salem MA.  Heidi is just trying to get by and dealing with addiction simultaneously.  During a show, she receives a strange record.  No message save the sender info "From the lords...".  The record is played across the FM waves and creates a strange binding on the local women of Salem.  It has an especially deep grip on Heidi.  During all of this, Francis Matthias (Bruce Davison) is trying to unravel the mystery behind the 'lords of salem' and the record they had played on the radio.

Rob Zombie, writer/director of Lords of Salem, with his wife

Good -  I am a fan of Rob Zombie.  Mainly for his music.  So anytime I hear his name attached to something, I wanna check it out.  This film was no different.   In the past, I've found his films to be great but on a lowered standard.  I always saw him as a rocker/part time director.  This film changed that perception to full-time rocker/director.  Overall, I think Zombie has finally come into his own.  This film is more so creepy and tense, then the past blood soaked gore feasts he has done.  Nothing is wrong with those previous entries but Lods of Salem shows a maturity that wasn't there before.  Sheri Moon also finally gets the chance to show she is more then a pretty face and T'n'A. Her previous roles were either caricatures or quiet cameos.  Here, she really showed her skill and talent.  All of these facts come together to create a really unexpected horror gem.

Bad - The only bad thing I would mention is that at times the plot can get a bit hard to follow, especially near the end.  I was able to follow it overall pretty well though.  And Zombie doesn't lay it all out, except maybe near the rolling credits.  Still, he expects the audience to keep up and I respect that. 

Bruce Davison as Francis Matthias

Overall -  I found this movie to be really good.  Great almost.  I was surprised to find the Zombie couple come into thier own  in their respective roles.  Rob has really come to understand what it takes to making a chilling film.  Sheri is able to show she can be more then a 1 dimension harlot.  I give this film 4.5 stars.  Make it a point to see this right away. 

Similar To - Rosemary's Baby, The Omen

Review: Pontypool (film)

Pontypool was recommended to me while out drinking with friends, new and old.  After watching the mess that was In Dreams,  I wanted to watch something that was worth my time.  I went with Pontypool and I was quite impressed.

Stephan McHattie as Grant Mazzy

Lisa Houle as Sydney Briar

Pontypool follows Grant Mazzy, a shock jock out of his element.  For reasons not fully explained, his over-the-top nature has forced him to the rural and remote town of Pontypool.  On his way into the studio, a stranger comes to his car stammering "blood", and seemingly evaporates into the winter darkness.  Disturbed but not undeterred, he heads into the radio station.  There, he begins his normal cast, trying to wake up the sleepy town smothering him.  As the broadcast moves on, he slowly comes to realize that the townsfolk are being consumed by some unknown force.  As he and his crew try to piece things together, they realize they can't keep up.  Too much is happening and not enough clues are coming in.  Before long, they realize the most important thing to hold onto is not information, but their lives.

Likes - Pontypool was a surprisingly intelligent movie.  It didn't rush into it's subject like a sprinter.  It took it's time, allowing you to get used to the Canadian world you were a citizen of for an hour and a half.  We get to know Mazzy, his need to push the limits and the cost he paid for it.  We meet Sydney, has she is just trying to do her job and keep her tiny town moving forward.  We meet Laurel-Ann, a recently returned war vet and hero.  The plot takes it's time, going from a sleeping pup to raging beast.  It's a smart way to get you into the story without rushing too fast and turning you off.
Another great aspect I enjoyed about Pontypool was the blood, guts, and gore.  There was some in key parts in the later half of the film. Overall though, it wasn't much on that.  Hell, you don't see anyone get eaten even! Yet Pontypool manages to get under your skin, and it takes it's time to slither around.  You become concerned, then worried, then confused.  All without seeing a thing in the outside world.  As the radio crew is trying to piece together what's happening, so are you.  This is a masterful way of creating a tension that leads to terror, with nary a drop of blood spilled.

Georgina Reilly as Laurel-Ann Drummond

Dislikes - There isn't anything I can take away from this and say I didn't like it.  It was well acted and filmed well.  Plot is paramount in this film genre but the director, Bruce McDonald, still made the film visually interesting to watch.

Overall - I highly recommend this film, especially to horror and zombie film fans.  This was a great example of how far you can take a film using very little.  This is a memorable film and I dare say, this could even be influential, in both its subject matter and execution.  Personally, this is one I'll be talking about for months.  5 out of 5 stars.