06/06/06 The Devil's Rejects

The Devil's Rejects (2005), directed by Rob Zombie

watched solo; DVD (borrowed from Jason) @ home

OK, ok. Just like Y2K a few years back, this looming date on the calendar was definitely sparking some worries across the world for its numerically dark significance. I'm not one to fall into religious fanaticism or just plain paranoid mayhem, but the fact that mothers were trying to enduce labors early across the country so their children wouldn't be born on this infamous date was interesting I thought. The date I speak of is a triple digit you may have heard about (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/666_(number)), and is the basis for my movie choice this evening. Not getting caught up in the fervor, but trying to apply some twisted kitsch value on the subject. It's a good fit, seeing that director and rocker Rob Zombie here helms what is his gory sequel to his already encyclopedic horror genre manner he begat with "House Of 1,000 Corpses," and every studio album he has put out. Once you get past his overly senseless zeal in portraying the criminals in a coolly evil way, and his need to disgust you with the language and acts of violence...his craft is quite unique and good. I love the fact that during all the uncomfortable brutality scenes, there is a bevy of classic 70's rock radio hits supplying the soundtrack to evil. Or the simple fact that all his sick characters (Captain Spaulding, Baby & Mother Firefly, Otis Driftwood) are references to Marx Bros. movie roles. How about his insistence on inclusion of a number of cult classic character actors including Sid Haig, E.G. Daily, P.J. Soles, Danny Trejo, and Leslie Easterbrook (big-chested Callahan in the "Police Academy" movies). Oh yeah, and the story is the follow-up to the family that kills together, stays together. After their killing spree in the last movie, there is a Texas-wide manhunt lead by Texas Rangers, FBI and two vigilante brothers to find them. Once the evil "family" is together after the mother's capture, they will stop at nothing to wipe out anyone who crosses their path, inflicting their own sado-masochism with no remorse. The manhunt culminates in an all-out bloodbath with the authorities (Bon Jovi "Blaze Of Glory" style). Rob Zombie is a creative and unique individual. Some call him a copycat, some a sicko, some a genius. A little bit of all three makes for one hell of a murderous ride.

3 out of 5 stars