The Lords of Salem is a film by Rob Zombie. If you are still reading after that sentence, congratulations. You are a strange and twisted person like me. Thank you for that.
I seem to be in the minority when it comes to this film. Most people seem to have hated Lords and I can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it's because it's not as demented as House of 1000 Corpses or doesn't contain the disturbing violence of The Devil's Rejects. Or maybe it's because Rob Zombie actually tries to tell a good story here. But of course it could also be people just have no taste in horror movies these days. The latter statement is where I lean considering the popularity of crap like the Paranormal Activity franchise.
The Lords of Salem focuses primarily on Heidi, (Heidi is played by Sherri Moon Zombie, who does have a couple scenes without clothes. That never gets old for me.) who is 1/3 of the late-night radio show Big H. One night she is delivered a mysterious package containing a vinyl record. The music has a damaging affect on Heidi but it becomes a huge hit with the listeners. Heidi begins a descent into nightmares and visions which have her co-hosts beyond concerned. But the show must go on. After the music is well received, the trio receives another package containing posters and tickets to a one-night only "performance" by the Lords.
The Salem referenced in the title is of course Salem, Massachusetts. Now, Salem is a town with a dark past. You know, all that witch trial stuff. (On a side note, the witch trials were more likely a bunch of cheating husbands covering their tracks rather than actual witches.) The "Lords of Salem" were among those burned at the stake during those trials and Heidi appears to be the link between the Lords and vengeance. Along the way, a collection of unique characters offer varying forms of assistance to Heidi: her overly attentive landlord, a co-host who is in love with her and a Salem scholar. As it turns out, Heidi's dog senses the truth right from the start but no one ever listens to the dog.
The Lords of Salem benefits from Zombie's unique approach to directing. As expected, the film is dark. But Rob is also able to bring a malevolent tone without scene after scene of gratuitous violence. This film also comes with the trademark trippy cut-scenes for which Rob is known. The music also plays a huge role in adding to the dreary tone. And as I mentioned earlier, Rob actually tries to tell a good story with this film, something which was less a concern in his earlier films.
The Lords of Salem is not Zombie's best effort, House of 1000 Corpses is still his overall best film. But Lords is compelling and worth a look. It's not "scary" but it is creepy. The cast includes Zombie favorites Ken Foree and Sid Haig as well as Hollywood long-timers Dee Wallace, Meg Foster and Bruce Davison.
Thank you all for reading the blog. As always, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
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