And now for something a little funny: ‘4 Reasons Rob Zombie Is A God-Like Genius’
Sometimes an article comes a long that makes you smile. It might not just be the tongue-in-cheek title or the humorous examples, it may be a combination of them all and then some. As Rob says about the article: “Here is an interesting article… and no I did not write this. Ha ha.” Thanks to whatculture.com for the piece.
To read the full article
4 Reasons Rob Zombie Is A God-Like Genius by Zachary Leeman
Rob Zombie is a man that has inspired millions to avoid his very name and millions of others to not just listen to his albums, but head to the multiplex for a little taste as well. The man sports long hair, weird clothes and looks like he hasn’t showered in a week. Throw in the fact that his filmography is filled with violent, bloody and dark horror films and it’s hard to really know what to make of the guy.
His music has managed to find major success and his films are no different. He remade two Halloween films which garnered mainstream success and gained a cult following with horror fans with his first two films (House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects). He’ll next be gambling with another low budget, dark film for audiences to feast on: The Lords of Salem.
Perhaps he has transcended normal criticism to a level that few can appreciate. I’m sure many followers of his music would have others believe so, but let’s take a look at Rob Zombie the director and why exactly he’s so damn genius.
4. He Stood Up To That Damn Horatio Crane
Many may be unaware of the fact that Rob Zombie once took a break from film to direct an episode of CSI: Miami. Yes, that CSI: Miami. The one where David Caruso mumbles his lines and removes his glasses a whole bunch.
He brought along many Zombie regulars and apparently had been a fan of the show. The episode is actually really good besides the fact that David Caruso is in it and it’s CSI.
Anyway, the episode is not what makes Zombie a genius. What makes him a genius is the fact that this guy then went on to tell the world about his CSI exploits. On Fox News’ Red Eye, Zombie revealed his misery during the shooting of CSI. He told the world that Caruso was basically a talentless blob that preferred the act of doing nothing to acting.
He even told about how him and Malcolm McDowell chose to annoy the crap out of Caruso as opposed to bowing down to the man. Check the interview out. It’s genius.
3. He Got Rainn Wilson Before He Was Dwight
It would be hard to look a pre-Office Rainn Wilson in the eye and tell him that he will one day be a star, but he pulled it off. Wilson’s Dwight became one of the main attractions of the U.S. version of The Office. He even almost got a spin off series.
However, pre-Office years Rainn Wilson was a struggling actor just like everyone else. So, who saw the potential in the future Dwight before NBC? Rob Zombie. That’s who. Zombie cast the actor in his directing debut, House of 1000 Corpses.
Wilson plays a semi-serious, semi-humorous role that wins over the hearts of the audience. Then Zombie chops him up and gives the audience a nice little image of a deceased Dwight that I have yet to forget to this day.
Zombie’s a genius to getting on the ball before the world or some studio had the chance. Way to go Zombie.
2. Managed To Make A Good Remake
Remakes stink in general, but horror remakes are especially bad. They are almost always just cashing in on the name. They have no voice and no real distinction from other cheap horror shlock thrown out to the public for a quick buck.
Zombie managed to buck the trend. He took on one of the classics of the horror genre: Halloween. Knowing he couldn’t improve upon a concept that John Carpenter had already mastered, Zombie took the idea of Michael Myers and gave it an injection of Zombie genius.
He didn’t remake the film so much as take the story in a new direction. Zombie showed the audience Myers’ childhood and examined the violence inflicted in a much different way. What came out was unusual. It was a remake different from the original with the voice of an actual filmmaker.
Audiences responded as well. The film was a financial success and Zombie got the opportunity to make a sequel. He’s a genius here for managing to take the well worn concept of the remake and turn it on its head for the benefit of both the audience and his own career.
1. One of the Few Respected Musician Directors
A lot of musicians that turn to directing make very big mistakes. One is the mistake of losing personality. They put the microphone down and pick the camera up and suddenly they think they’re Alfred Hitchcock. They act like directors when they direct which is an annoyance unto itself. They practically pretend their musician personalities never existed.
Zombie has managed to become one of the few successful musician directors because he hasn’t ignored his voice. A fan of his music can take off the headphones and easily enjoy a film by the man just as a fan of The Devil’s Rejects can easily leave the multiplex and listen to some Rob Zombie tunes.
This is because the man has used his voice as an artist to fuel the energy in his music and his films which is something many musicians ignore doing when sitting in the director’s chair on set. Zombie has managed to become a respected artist by using his voice to influence several mediums.
He’s a genius here for breaking away from the below average group of musicians turned directors and surpass expectations with some pretty horrifically stellar films.
