Comments on: Rob Zombie, Horror Auteur or Hillbilly Skank?

By: Stoned_Angel

Stoned_Angel — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:44:53 +0000

I honestly don’t understand why people are so quick to dis Rob Zombie’s films, especially those who claim to be fans of the genre! RZ’s first Halloween was absolutely exhilarating and his sequel did not disappoint either! I totally agree with Foreverliz, I loved being witness to Michael’s descent into madness. To actually see and feel what could have possibly happened to cause an innocent child to become so distorted and evil, and to suffer along with him, was, for me, an enthralling and enlightening experience in and of itself. I also love the fact that Michael isn’t portrayed as some mythical evil creature, but just a man; a man who has lived inside his own mind for so long that he no longer exists on the same plane of consciousness as the rest of us, but somewhere akin to a Buddhist monk (not that the two are comparable, but you know what I’m trying to get at here). RZ makes this even more evident in his sequel when we learn that Michael hasn’t simply “disappeared” off the face of the earth for years, but has in fact been living in a barn, feeding off stray animals, waiting patiently for the right time to return for his long lost sister. How refreshing is that! I also enjoyed the fact that RZ took elements from many of the original sequels and molded them together to create one hell of a scary movie!

Like Mr. Dougal mentioned above, I also tend to fancy the more thoughtful, artistic, “less is more” type horror flicks, like “El Orfanato” for example, but I honestly didn’t feel like this movie was too over the top. Sure there were some scenes where I had to look away and cover my eyes, but the level of violence suited the film and was exactly what I had expected it to be going in to it, no more no less. In fact, I think I would have been somewhat disappointed had it been toned down at all. Michael Myers is not a nice guy, and he’s certainly not going to tiptoe around to get what he wants, so how can anyone really expect anything less? And for those of you who want to argue that the original didn’t have a lot of blood and gore, yet still managed to pull off the scares, all I have to say is: Horror movies are more violent in general these days, deal with it!!

Not to mention the fact that this is a REMAKE people, it’s not meant to be exactly the same!

I’m from a slightly older generation (almost 30 now, ugh!) and grew up watching all the old horror flicks, including Halloween, which has always been one of my favourites, and I think RZ did a damn good job at revamping the classic, especially compared to all the half-brained, lame-o, nothing new remakes that have been released as of late (i.e. Friday the 13th, what a disappointment that was! But that’s a whole other rant). I mean, come on people, do you honestly think RZ would design and release a remake that he thought in any way would disgrace the original or its creator? I think not! He’s a fan himself!!!

All in all, Rob Zombie’s Halloween, and his equally terrifying sequel, both put a refreshing new spin on a classic idea. John Carpenter should feel proud and honored that his film has inspired this much flare and creativity, even all these years later.

By: foreverliz

foreverliz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:42:33 +0000

I love Rob Zombies’ insight into the psychology of Michael Myers, Halloween was great, even if I had nightmares for weeks, and did actually cry out of pure fear at one point.

Looking forward to it coming out on DVD/Blu-ray (note to Shy – it’s not out in Britain until February 1st, get your facts right!), even if more sleepless nights will follow!

By: Mrs. ADAMS

Mrs. ADAMS — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:39:01 +0000

I believed that Halloween 2 2009 was an original entry to the Halloween series. The other sequels seem to follow the same formula so I thought it was good to see something a little different. Nothing was new to the horror scene in it. Yet I dont like funny scary movies so I appauled Zombies violent take.

By: Shy

Shy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:41:44 +0000

This writer shouldve gotten their facts straight! Its already out on DVD! I own it. I love horror films and I dont think ppl should critcize this film if they didnt like the horror genre to begin with. I liked that Zombie took it in a different direction w/ the story n characters, it made sense to me. Laurie is Michaels sis so she would have to be unstable like him. Even Jamie Lee mentioned she wasnt the same in H20 n she had been in therapy and hadnt come to terms with his attack. Brad Dourif was great!

By: Rob Zombie, Horror Auteur or Hillbilly Skank? Exclusive to t5m « Deadly Movies

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:52:42 +0000

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By: joewest

joewest — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:58:48 +0000

I think you’ll find my review of Halloween 2 interesting. I thought it was pretty awful, but not for the reasons that you mention (the ‘hillbilly’ aesthetic). Although I did mistakenly say that Zombie’s wife was actually his sister, so you can judge how competent I am from that.

I’m not sure that Zombie’s take on film making or horror is nearly as complex or revolutionary as you make out. Corrupt officials, sypathetically portrayed criminals and abusive parents can be found in many Hollywood movies both inside and outside of the horror genre.

Anyway, some interesting points, although I think Zombie is flying the flag for graphic violence in a world where it is no longer unacceptable.

By: Frugal Dougal

Frugal Dougal — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:49:26 +0000

When it’s out for rental I might see it; but Im not a great fan of explicit violence, gore etc, I think the better horror films are more cerebral.

By: Byron Pitt

Byron Pitt — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:42:05 +0000

Loved the article but couldn’t stand Halloween 2 or one for that matter. The ideas of the suburbs being attacked was one of the reasons one why I loved the original film. Zombie does put his own stamp on the film but I found the film dull and cliched. Yes he likes to explore the hillbilly “aesthetic” but said dialouge where everything is a swearword doesn’t come off crass but uninspired. I watched the 2003 film The Manson Family shortly after Zombie’s sequel and I enjoyed it so much more. It looks into the same things that Zombie does but gets that grimy feel down so well it makes Halloween 2 look like The Magnificent Ambersons