Review of The Lords of Salem (2013) by Roy S — 24 Apr 2013

Mr. Zombie's latest is not good. Actually; I think it is fair to say it is bad. The story is something of a mess, and it is not particularly well told. And yet, for reasons difficult to describe, I still kind of liked it.

Perhaps I was just in the right mood, or perhaps it was a "so bad it's good" situation, but it had its charms. Visually there was quite a bit going on (including an extraordinary amount of full-frontal female nudity), and I admire his courage in creating a striking visual and then holding on the image, or slowly zooming or panning.

Most horror these days (and much else) has lots of fast cuts and shaky-cam work, wheras he is almost Kubrickian in his intent if not his results. Zombie also clearly knows and loves his pop culture, and his soundtrack is superb.

Expect just an okay B movie and its exuberance may charm you. Or disgust you. One of the two.