Post by Mark (Webmaster) on Dec 18, 2005 23:53:33 GMT
Story: Ambushed at their isolated home by Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe) and a squad of armed men, the Firefly family wakes up one morning with guns blazing yet only Otis (Bill Moseley) and his sister, Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), manage to escape the barrage of bullets unharmed. Hiding out in a backwater motel, the wanted siblings wait to rendezvous with their errant father, Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), gratuitously torturing and killing whoever happens to stand in their way. But as the body count mounts, Sheriff Wydell decides to take the law into his own hands, paving the way for one of the most depraved and terrifying showdowns in cinematic history.
SAH Film Review: Taken as a series of set-pieces (or perhaps in small doses) Zombie's second feature film as a director is a somewhat engaging road movie, heavy on the gore with a suitable authentic 1970s atmosphere. William Forsythe, as Sheriff Wydell, is clearly the performing highlight with the rest either over or understating their respective characters at various times. This is not to say the film isnt worth a viewing, especially in it's extended version, albeit there's only a modicum of material
Still it's light years ahead of the camp-neon pastiche that was HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES and there's a genuine improvement in Zombie's work that marks him out for future. The soundtrack is also good. As a feeling though I just got the impression that Zombie tried too hard to emulate the feeling of the great horror movies from the 1970s. The beauty of these films was that you DIDN'T expect anything so that when it DID happen you were both gripped and repulsed in equal measure. The attempt to shock comes across too strong and misses it's aim.. either that or I'm becoming a bit of a sicko. I wanted to be really disgusted and hurting after this movie but was left short. With that in mind I can only conclude that I was left somewhat disappointed come the credits.
Movie: 2 and a half Possessed Cheryls.
DVD:
Picture: The transfer is excellent. The 'grainy' look and desaturated effect achieved so wonderfully by the cinematography is on display in all it's glory.
Sound: Lovely balance between the channels for the 5.1 mix. Check out the shoot out during the opening sequence for proof! Sound effects and music are nicely balanced with the dialogue clear as a whistle. What more do you want?! (There is also a DD 6.1 surround option that unfortunately I was unable to test).
Features: The 2 disc special edition comes with an absolutely stunning collection of extras. You can literally spend the better part of a day running through the material on offer BUT is it of any interest! Read on.
Commentaries: There are two included for your listening pleasure. The first features writer/director Rob Zombie that manages to be both factual and amusingly anecdotal although there's more a focus on production in this one (hurray!). The second are from the Rejects themselves 'actors Sid Haig (Captain Spaulding), Bill Moseley (Ottis) and Sheri Moon Zombie (Baby). This one is bigger on anecdotes from the production with each actor reciting stories from the casting and production process, as you'd expect from actors. Both are professionally done and contain a nice combination of good trivia and amusing banter. You could do much worse!
'30 DAYS IN HELL: The Making Of': Rejects was shot in a tight 30 day schedule and this absolutely magnificent documentary takes us on a day-by-day run through everything that was done. It begins with a production meeting then carries on through casting, the first readings, make-up testing and then through the gruelling shooting schedule. No bullshit brief promo junket here folks, just raw filmmaking delivered by a straight talking and brutally honest Rob Zombie. Clear two and a half hours and enjoy!
Deleted scenes: A collection of deleted material totalling just under 15 minutes awaits you should you mosey on over to this option. The highlight of which is the infamous 'Dr Satan' scene that was leaked all over the net earlier in the year. It's over the top and wonderfully entertaining! Shame it was excluded although reasons are provided in a commentary for the scene. One of which is provided for each (regardless of length!).
Bloopers: A short collection of minor misadventures on set. Mostly scenes interrupted by planes flying overhead which as you'd expect is hysterical. Not too much to laugh about but mildly passive.
The 'Morris Green Show': Spoof talk-show, as glimpsed for an awesome 30seconds in the movie, is presented here in it's near twenty minute entirety. It's passively amusing with a subtlety comedic approach by the actors. Not really something you'd watch on repeat but something you'd familiarise yourself with after time.
The rest of the features are padded out with following with a 'Captain Spalding Commercial';, Buck Owens' video: 'Satan's Got To Get Along Without Me',
Otis' Home Movie, Make-up Test, Matthew McGrory Tribute, 'Mary The Monkey Girl' Commercial, 'Bloody Stand-Up' Video, Stills Gallery and Theatrical Trailer.
Overall Assessment:
Good if not spectacular movie from an improving film-maker. The 2-disc package from Momentum is good with plenty of features although not all of them are of the high standard set by the truly excellent, '30 Days In Hell' (which in itself is worth checking out this retail release).
Rent or Buy? If the DVD were barebones I'd say rent but the documentary and deleted scenes are the two things I'd recommend most about this package.
Features: 3 and a half Possessed Cheryls
Overall:
SAH Film Review: Taken as a series of set-pieces (or perhaps in small doses) Zombie's second feature film as a director is a somewhat engaging road movie, heavy on the gore with a suitable authentic 1970s atmosphere. William Forsythe, as Sheriff Wydell, is clearly the performing highlight with the rest either over or understating their respective characters at various times. This is not to say the film isnt worth a viewing, especially in it's extended version, albeit there's only a modicum of material
Still it's light years ahead of the camp-neon pastiche that was HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES and there's a genuine improvement in Zombie's work that marks him out for future. The soundtrack is also good. As a feeling though I just got the impression that Zombie tried too hard to emulate the feeling of the great horror movies from the 1970s. The beauty of these films was that you DIDN'T expect anything so that when it DID happen you were both gripped and repulsed in equal measure. The attempt to shock comes across too strong and misses it's aim.. either that or I'm becoming a bit of a sicko. I wanted to be really disgusted and hurting after this movie but was left short. With that in mind I can only conclude that I was left somewhat disappointed come the credits.
Movie: 2 and a half Possessed Cheryls.
DVD:
Picture: The transfer is excellent. The 'grainy' look and desaturated effect achieved so wonderfully by the cinematography is on display in all it's glory.
Sound: Lovely balance between the channels for the 5.1 mix. Check out the shoot out during the opening sequence for proof! Sound effects and music are nicely balanced with the dialogue clear as a whistle. What more do you want?! (There is also a DD 6.1 surround option that unfortunately I was unable to test).
Features: The 2 disc special edition comes with an absolutely stunning collection of extras. You can literally spend the better part of a day running through the material on offer BUT is it of any interest! Read on.
Commentaries: There are two included for your listening pleasure. The first features writer/director Rob Zombie that manages to be both factual and amusingly anecdotal although there's more a focus on production in this one (hurray!). The second are from the Rejects themselves 'actors Sid Haig (Captain Spaulding), Bill Moseley (Ottis) and Sheri Moon Zombie (Baby). This one is bigger on anecdotes from the production with each actor reciting stories from the casting and production process, as you'd expect from actors. Both are professionally done and contain a nice combination of good trivia and amusing banter. You could do much worse!
'30 DAYS IN HELL: The Making Of': Rejects was shot in a tight 30 day schedule and this absolutely magnificent documentary takes us on a day-by-day run through everything that was done. It begins with a production meeting then carries on through casting, the first readings, make-up testing and then through the gruelling shooting schedule. No bullshit brief promo junket here folks, just raw filmmaking delivered by a straight talking and brutally honest Rob Zombie. Clear two and a half hours and enjoy!
Deleted scenes: A collection of deleted material totalling just under 15 minutes awaits you should you mosey on over to this option. The highlight of which is the infamous 'Dr Satan' scene that was leaked all over the net earlier in the year. It's over the top and wonderfully entertaining! Shame it was excluded although reasons are provided in a commentary for the scene. One of which is provided for each (regardless of length!).
Bloopers: A short collection of minor misadventures on set. Mostly scenes interrupted by planes flying overhead which as you'd expect is hysterical. Not too much to laugh about but mildly passive.
The 'Morris Green Show': Spoof talk-show, as glimpsed for an awesome 30seconds in the movie, is presented here in it's near twenty minute entirety. It's passively amusing with a subtlety comedic approach by the actors. Not really something you'd watch on repeat but something you'd familiarise yourself with after time.
The rest of the features are padded out with following with a 'Captain Spalding Commercial';, Buck Owens' video: 'Satan's Got To Get Along Without Me',
Otis' Home Movie, Make-up Test, Matthew McGrory Tribute, 'Mary The Monkey Girl' Commercial, 'Bloody Stand-Up' Video, Stills Gallery and Theatrical Trailer.
Overall Assessment:
Good if not spectacular movie from an improving film-maker. The 2-disc package from Momentum is good with plenty of features although not all of them are of the high standard set by the truly excellent, '30 Days In Hell' (which in itself is worth checking out this retail release).
Rent or Buy? If the DVD were barebones I'd say rent but the documentary and deleted scenes are the two things I'd recommend most about this package.
Features: 3 and a half Possessed Cheryls
Overall: