DVD
Review | House of 1000 Corpses
Written by: Kage
Alan
It seems few people haven’t heard about what a
pain-in-the-ass it was to get this film into theatres. Universal was
all for the project, Rob Zombie made it, then the studio took one look
at the finished product and backed out of distributing it. Well, it
went from one studio to the next after that until finally being picked
up quite a bit later by Lions Gate. Gotta love these guys for taking
a chance. Well, after so much build up, audience expectations were
riding VERY high and that probably helped make the film a little
money. As for reviews, they were mixed. Naturally, I had to see this
for myself!
When a group of 4 teenagers looking to write a book
on strange roadside attractions stop by Captain Spaulding’s Museum of
Monsters and Madmen, they get more than they bargained for. Not only
does the Captain (Sid Haig, “Galaxy of Terror”) sufficiently freak them
out, but he also tells them about the legend of Dr. Satan, a local
psychopath whose body was never recovered after he was hung by the
locals. Not wanting to let a good tale pass them by, Jerry (Chris
Hardwick, “Terminator 3”) drags the other three in search of the tree
where Dr. Satan was supposedly hung. Along the way, though, they come
across hitchhiker Baby (Sheri Moon) on her way home. Lucky for them,
she just happens to know where that tree is!
A blown tire finds our motley group having to hole
up in Baby’s house with her odder than hell family. There’s psychotic
daddy Otis (Bill Moseley, “Crash & Burn”), seductress Mother (Karen
Black, “Trilogy of Terror”), nutty Grandpa (Dennis Fimple, “Maverick”)
the humongous Tiny (Matthew McGrory) and bear-like Rufus (Robert Mukes).
Oh, yeah, somewhere in all of this are 1000 corpses. Think you’re going
to miss them? Think again. Before the film is over, there will be an
additional number of fatalities to add to the body count.
I’m not sure what was more disturbing, the fact
that I was watching the film and enjoying it or that somebody actually
thought this stuff up! Set back in the 70s, “House of 1000 Corpses”
goes from strange to weird and just when you think it can’t possibly get
any more bizarre, it does. We’re talking severely twisted, but that was
the intention. Rob Zombie set out to make a real down and dirty horror
film and he’s succeeded. While there are some nods to previous films in
the genre as well as some built in humor, the film plays like a music
video at times and creates a definite sense of disorientation. There’s
rarely a dull moment on the screen.
Lions Gate has released the R rated version of
“House of 1000 Corpses” in a nicely solid Widescreen transfer. The film
is a bit dark at times, but it works considering the story. Colors are
used effectively and the audio is downright wicked. As for extras,
we’re given what looks to be a plethora of them. Aside from a pretty
informative commentary by Director Rob Zombie, there’s a “Making of
Featurette” (4 ˝ min), “Behind The Scenes” (2 ˝ min), “Tiny *&%$#@ A
Stump” (3 min), Casting (2 min), 2 trailers, a radio spot, a Still
Gallery, rehearsal footage (divided into three sections of actors) and
interviews with 3 cast members and 1 crew member. Oddly enough, it
doesn’t amount to nearly what it could and I suspect a special edition
will be in the works. I certainly hope so because a much longer version
of the film supposedly exists.
Fortunately for Rob Zombie, “House” did well enough
for the studio to be interested in a sequel. He’ll have his work cut
out for him too because I think this film will be hard to beat. Those
who hated this one will want nothing to do with the sequel, but for
those who understood and enjoyed what Zombie was trying to accomplish,
it’ll be a welcome return to a family that would easily, if given the
chance, eat the Addam’s Family for breakfast. For a wicked and bizarre
time, check into “House of 1000 Corpses” and expect the unexpected.
Film Rating:
B+
DVD Special Features: B
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