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Still Wondering If You Should Read The ‘Lords of Salem’ Novel?

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Lords of Salem

After seeing The Lords of Salem probably five or six times, I gave the book a whirl after receiving a copy from my wife as a gift. I had wanted to pick it up and read it for some time, but now it was in front of me, so I set aside another book I was reading, and dove right in.

If you’ve been wondering whether or not you should give it a read, the short answer is yes. If you’re a fan of the movie, you should definitely check it out to appreciate the story in written form, and digest all of the changes that were made.

Here’s the slightly longer answer.

If you love Rob Zombie’s film, reading the book is a no-brainer. If you just kind of liked the movie, you should still read it. There is enough different about it to give you a pretty different experience, which you might like better. If you didn’t like the movie, I guess it really depends on why you didn’t like it. If you didn’t like the basic plot, then don’t bother. If you liked the concept, but didn’t like the way it was carried out for whatever reason, you should read it, because it’s a different experience than the film, and it goes in some dramatically different directions at times.

Ok, now I’ll get to the long answer.

Let me start by giving you my overall feelings about Rob Zombie as a filmmaker, so you’ll know where my perspective is coming from. I’m a fan. I love House of 1,000 Corpses, and I love The Devil’s Rejects about five times more. I’m not the biggest fan of Halloween, but I think it has some really solid elements, and I still find myself revisiting it every now and then. I cared for H2 even less, but I still enjoyed it more than H20 and Resurrection. Like many of Zombie’s fans, I was left largely disappointed with the Halloween era, and was unsure of what to expect from Lords. Then, I watched it, and fell in love with Zombie the director all over again. To me, Lords of Salem was exactly what Zombie needed to do to, and exactly what horror in general needed at the time. The first time I saw it, I couldn’t help but feel like it was the film he should have made after The Devil’s Rejects. I’m sure others have expressed similar sentiments.

So suffice it to say, I’m a fan of The Lords of Salem. I like the premise, and I love the overall atmosphere and visuals. I also love the soundtrack.

Now, on to the book. SPOILERS AHEAD.

lords

Just as I wasn’t sure what to expect from Zombie going into the film, I also wasn’t sure what to expect going into the book, as it would almost have to be hard if not impossible to pull off the same kind of dreamy atmosphere showcased in the film without the luxury of visual media (not to mention the lack of soundtrack). I was also unsure what to expect from Zombie as a novelist, though he co-wrote it with B.K. Evenson (whom I’d also never read before). I’m still not entirely clear on how much of it was actually written by Zombie himself, but in the end, I don’t suppose it matters all that much.

Starting off, it doesn’t take long to realize that the novel differs significantly from what we see in the film. The opening chapters are dedicated to the witches and witch trials of the past. We get a very graphic depiction of an infant sacrifice, and actually get to meet Satan pretty early on before experiencing the capture and torture of the witches themselves.

Once it gets to present day, things start off pretty similar to how they do in the movie, except that we learn that Heidi’s dog’s name is Steve rather than Troy. Zombie explained the reasoning for the change in the DVD commentary. Basically, the dog they were using was really named Troy, and it was just easier to work with a dog that responds to its real name.

Much of the storyline remains in tact throughout the novel, but there are a number of scenes that weren’t in the movie at all, and some others that were fairly different.

There’s a scene absent from the film involving the witches in present day congregating in a church and plotting revenge. In another scene, Heidi encounters some strange “nuns” from the church.

There are two different scenes involving women in Salem (descendants of key players in the witch trials) hearing the Lords’ song on the radio, and violently murdering their significant others. These are very descriptive and somewhat lengthy scenes in the book, and provide an entirely different look at the effect of the music on the town’s women compared to the brief shots we see in the film. There is even some self-mutilation and necrophilia involved.

There is much more to the scene in which the black metal band Leviathan the Fleeing Serpent does the interview at the radio station (in the book there are two band members instead of one). There is some extra humor added to the scene in the book. We read about, for example, one of the band members sitting in the lobby reading a Highlights magazine as they wait to be interviewed. The band also seems to creep people out in the book more so than in the movie, which plays a role in the tone of the book.

There are some scenes with the radio station’s boss that aren’t in the movie. There is also some humor that comes along with is role. For example, he and Whitey have an argument about how to file a Rod Stewart album.

There’s some additional stuff with the receptionist at the radio station, such as her talking to her babysitter on the phone about True Blood (which she deems “hardly” a vampire show, and is more about men taking their shirts off). This is when the Lords’ album box appears on the desk out of nowhere. She actually sees it appear out of nowhere on security camera footage.

We learn more about why Heidi lives in the apartment that she does. Early on, it’s clear that Heidi’s landlord is strange, and has a great deal to do with why Heidi is where she is. We also get to learn a lot more about Heidi’s relationships with Whitey and with Herman.

We get more scenes with Matthias as well, and his character is slightly different than in the movie. Frankly, he comes off as a bit more of a pretentious prick in the book (at least at first) whereas in the film, he’s pretty likeable the whole time.

Like in the movie, there are some really fucked up dream sequences, but they’re mostly different in the book, and often more fucked up, and much bloodier.

I don’t really want to go into too much detail about all the crazy shit that happens in Heidi’s dreams, because that (along with the murder scenes) are probably what make the book worth reading more than anything else, for those well acquainted with the film. I don’t think I could really do any of it justice by summarizing anyway.

The book also offers a great deal of character development not found in the movie, and some additional backstory to add to the lore of the witches. It also ends quite a bit differently (and again, more violently).

All in all, Lords of Salem is an easy read, and a fun one for hard core horror fans, and it deserves a place on your bookshelf.

It’s hard to say how I would have felt about the movie had I read the book first. There were so many changes. I may have been disappointed that some things were left out, but having already been so familiar with the movie going in, and appreciating it, reading the book only made me appreciate The Lords of Salem as a whole all the more. As is the case with other movies that are also books, it’s nice to have both formats to return to.

Not that I consider Lords of Salem on par with The Shining (in either medium), but I love that story in both forms – Stephen King’s novel and Stanley Kubrick’s film. Both are generally well received as separate entities, and that’s just fine. Just as I wouldn’t have any reservations about revisiting either, I won’t have any about revisiting either version of Lords.

The project as a whole has only left me wanting more horror from Rob Zombie in any medium he chooses.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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