THE DEVIL’S REJECTS SCREENING & REVIEW – Chinese 6 in Hollywood, CA July 21, 2005
By Larra

On Thursday, I was glad to escape from work a few hours early to attend a preview screening of The Devil’s Rejects at the Mann 6 in Hollywood courtesy of the wonderful associates at Lion’s Gate Films.

From my seat, I was able to see all in attendance which included; Ariauna Albright, Ken Foree, Leslie Easterbrook, Lew Temple and director Harry James Picardi of Witch House and Jigsaw fame.

The lights dimmed, I sat back in my seat, but was in no way prepared for what I was about to see on the screen in front of me.

The movie opens with a tremendous shootout with the Ruggsville Sheriff Department at the Firefly camp. Otis and Baby escape and are on the run from the strangely religious Sheriff Wydell who, after capturing Mother Firefly, is hell-bent on having their heads on a silver platter. Along their journey to meet up with Baby’s father, Captain Spaulding (now known as Cutter), Otis and Baby leave a bloody trail of mischief and mayhem through the Texas desert.

Meanwhile, back in Ruggsville, Mother Firefly (Leslie Easterbrook-who magnificently dominated this role after taking over for Karen Black) sits in a holding cell tossing insults and innuendos back and forth with Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe-in one of his best roles as of late).

Once Otis, Baby and Spaulding are reunited, they quickly become the terrifying threesome, doing unthinkable things to poor unsuspecting victims in a less than favorable roadside motel.

Along the lines of Last House on the Left, Gator Bait & I Spit on Your Grave, in no way am I comparing here, but remember how gritty and raw those movies were? Throw in a little Bonnie & Clyde with some Dirty Harry and you can understand just how mean and in-your-face this film is. The Devil’s Rejects just has that ‘something’ that makes this movie completely disturbing and vicious as well as enjoyable.

I could be wrong, but I’m going to say it any way; some people are not going to get that this is a 70’s style grind house/exploitation film in the traditional sense. With unbridled violence and sleaze, and an amazing soundtrack that completes this film from the opening scene to the weirdly emotional ending, TDR keeps you on your toes with its dark humor and vile nature.

Can I be so bold as to say that Rob Zombie is here to save us from the ‘cookie-cutter’ movies we have had the great displeasure of sitting through in recent months.

*photos by Larra

Gilbert & Mick representing The Devil's Rejects

Scotty Mullen from Allied Advertising, Larra, and Leslie Easterbrook

Ken and Gage Leicht screamin' all about it