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The Month of Horror Day 7: House of 1000 Corpses

Basement contributor Matt Bellamy has taken it upon himself to watch and review at least one horror movie a day for the month of October . . . because he's awesome that way! Today, Bellamy is slammed in the back of Rob Zombie's Dragula!

And so Rob Zombie's fetish and obsession for his wife on film begins... *sigh*

This is the 'White Zombie' frontman's first feature film and it's a polarizing one to be sure. More a loving homage to the drive-in, exploitation, down and dirty, cheap horror flicks of the 70's where teenagers were spending more time sucking face than paying attention to whatever craziness was happening on screen, than anything truly original. Very admirably made, Zombie clearly has an affinity for this particular genre of horror film and it really does show in just about every frame however good intentions can only go so far! Visually, 'House of 1000 Corpses' is a knockout, with all kinds of different filters, and colour saturation techniques being utilized but with little substance to go along with the tremendous style it does wear you down after awhile, or at least it did for me. 

The story plays fairly fast and loose as it follows a group of young people who get roped in by the Firefly Gang (later to be focused on in the much better 'Devil's Rejects') and proceed to get led into the most twisted house of horrors in the Southern US. The much fabled Dr. Satan dwells within and he has something mighty sinister and brutal in store for these poor, innocent folks! Torture, bloodshed, screaming, and death ensues while all being filmed like you're experiencing the most insane acid trip imaginable, outside of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. I'll say it again, style over substance is what this movie is all about and if you're OK with that and can enjoy it on its own merits then dig in!


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