Eli Roth Presents the Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen
Summary
As Halloween draws to a close, the Hostel director shares with RT readers seven underappreciated horror movies that have informed his tastes. Back to Article
As Halloween draws to a close, the Hostel director shares with RT readers seven underappreciated horror movies that have informed his tastes. Back to Article
(1-166 of 166 posts) | Reply
 on Nov 01 2007 09:39 AM Hey, Eli...wanna know two other horror movies I'll never see? Hostel and Hostel II. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 09:45 AM mudhole, thats your loss bra. well, at least with Hostel. hostel 2 was comparable to saw. it was that bad. it looked like the mpaa crapped on it so bad they refused to do anything really creative or coo in it because he saved the dramatics for one scene. nothing like Hostel 1... (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 09:54 AM Eli Roth's definition of horror is gallons of gore. I'll pass. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 09:58 AM I knew this guy wasn't too bright, now I have seen it for myself. He sounds like a frat guy explaining to another fratty how great the beer and crackers were at his last party. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 10:08 AM Hostel had a interesting concept but I think it was too exploitative on gore for my personal tastes. Grindhouse was a fun exploit though. I'm just not into glorified gore/torture. Funny enough though, I absolutely loved Cabin Fever. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 10:12 AM God... He writes like a 9th grader... (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 10:13 AM Although these are some decent recommendations, this guy is a talentless jackass. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 10:13 AM notice the steady decline in the quality of roth's films from the enjoyable cabin fever to the self-indulgent hostel, the wholly unnecessary flop of hostel 2 and now he's trying to make an entire movie of horror-spoof trailers because people liked thanksgiving in grindhouse? dude's trajectory is looking all sorts of whack. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 10:17 AM I really like Eli Roth. I am a huge horror fan; it is my favorite genre. Everybody pissed on "Hostel" because it wasn't the goriest movie ever made, and surprisingly, many claimed it had too much nudity. Often times I think that people confuse "Hostel" for something other than an exploitation horror flick, which is exactly what it is. And I loved it, but I'm not going to convert anyone, so I'll leave it at that. "Hostel II" wasn't as good, but it still left me with one disturbing scene that I will never forget (blood shower masturbation, anyone?) and another scene where I grabbed my manhood in vicarious pain. Any movie that can both disturb and make me cringe is all right in my book. I've heard of some of the movies on the list, but never seen any of them. Roth's knowledge of horror films is expansive as all hell, and sometimes it seems he is pretentious, as he picks some really obscure flicks only he, Quentin Tarantino, and few others have seen. However, he has great knowledge of the genre, and I have faith that he will continue to make good horror movies (key word: horror, not oscar-caliber), and one day make a true horror masterpiece. But it will take some time. Now that "Heroes: Origins" has been canceled, I hope he puts his main focus on "Cell," if for no other reason than to see what he can do with the zombie-genre. I just hope he goes right for the jugular with that one. I don't want any *****-footing in my zombie movies. So, with all that said, I am going to prepare myself for the inevitable onslaught of post-bashing. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 10:58 AM Avere vent'anni. Looks and sounds awesome. Just saying. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 11:00 AM Ouch.. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 11:14 AM Funny that on Bravo last night they had a program called "30 scarier movie moments" or some such thing, with short comments by various directors, producers and actors one of them being Roth. And hilariously enough Hostel was number one. Go figure. Cabin Fever was far better and defintely his best film to date. He needs to get off the self-star f**king bandwagon and get back to genuinely scary and interesting filmmaking. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 11:26 AM I hate when someone recommends a horror flick by first telling me the name and then descibing a certain scene contained in that film,....what Ive found is the refrence to a single scene is a warning,..."Its the only ****in thing worth watching in the entire film:,.......Im a horror fan and a film nerd ,..and a film maker,..Im interested in recommendations were an entire film is good,... horror or whatever it is,... I want a good movie to see,...Im watching 'Meatball Machine" tonite so I guess I will see if my statement holds true (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 11:33 AM Roth is a talentless hack and should not be allowed to direct anything with potential - e.g. "Cell". (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 11:33 AM In reply to this comment (#1239294) Nice one. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 11:34 AM Eli Roth is very underrated director I think. Hostel was pretty good, and the Thanksgiving FAUX trailer is absolutely awesome! So, GO ELI! (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 11:44 AM Same here Sanyi as for the haters let's see you stupid ****s make a better movie. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 12:09 PM Did Eli Roth actually write this list or was it transcribed from some drunken rant? I hope it's the latter as reading this article was physically painful--I had to stop long before the end--and I would hate to think it was an example of his ability to construct a written argument. It makes me want to go out of my way to avoid the movies he listed. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 12:10 PM In reply to this comment (#1239390) Okay Eli..er Lord Zod, really everyone loves your..er Eli's films. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 12:14 PM Roth is just ok in my books. He's no Clive Barker or Wes Craven in their hay-days. Cabin Fever is a better 'horror' movie than either of the Hostel movies. I'll have to check out Torso, sounds interesting. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 12:26 PM I liked hostel for what it was. and who cares about the how the article was written, it sounds like he's trying to give you a synopsis in like 10 seconds, so there's not much to work with. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 12:35 PM Whoever said Hostel had too much nudity. That is a ridiculous claim. For fans of this genre, there is no such thing! (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 01:05 PM lol @ people in this thread getting pissed someone isn't discussing a movie like they're writing 750 words for the New Yorker. Roth seems like a total frat bro but he isn't unlikable to me. this is just a crummy retread of a piece the AV Club already did better though. so great going, RottenTomatoes. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 01:22 PM Just saw Hostel 2 i'm glad i didnt see it in theaters. God is it mediocre and a re-hash. I thought Hostel was decent enough but not deserving of a sequal. Also Cabin Fever was mediocre. Eli Roth needs to make more dramatic and subtle horror movies instead of going for more and more blood and gore. I think depsite everything he has a lot of enthusiasm and talent just needs some more control and subtlety i guess that will come with maturity. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 02:20 PM In reply to this comment (#1239484) I've been lol'd at. And that makes me a sad panda :-( (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 02:37 PM In reply to this comment (#1239312) i have yet to see hostel 2, but in regards to you're gallons of gore comment, i found hostel to be pretty tame, due to the incredibly creative way that the film was shot and edited. on the other hand, two series that did in fact have an overabundance of gore would be the hellraiser and nightmare on elm street movies. these movies, to me, are seen less as entertainment and more as a lesson in makeup and special effects. and oh yeah, the acting is much better in an eli roth movie, which should also be a credit to him. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 02:37 PM Eli Roth is the man, deal with it. 10 years from now y'all will be bitching 'x' film-maker will never be as good as Roth. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 02:40 PM In reply to this comment (#1239401) this list was written to tell people about movies that he loves and do it in a very excited manner, should it matter how it comes across? (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 03:00 PM In reply to this comment (#1239319) wow your stupid (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 03:13 PM Torso and Who Can Kill a Child are Eli's horror movie picks?? Eli is sick and twisted. Rob Zombie has much better taste in horror flicks. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 03:29 PM I would like Eli Roth more if he didn't waste his potential on garbage like Hostel. He could be the very person redefine the horror genre, but only if he doesn't back himself into a corner by making his work appeal to the youngest demographic of R-rated cinema. Although the torture stuff does make money (Saw series), it's only going to last so long because it's essentially just a marketing gimmick. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 03:47 PM Hostel had a very good idea for a scary/thriller movie, but again much like Saw, the screwed it up. The start of Hostel is down right boring, and when it gets somewhat exciting, it jsut about over. And the ending is just plain crap, talk about wrapping things up easy. The Chainsaw scene i Scarface is in my oppinion the right way to do such stuff, by letting the audience think whats happening without seeing it. Far worse IMO, but maybe ive got a sick imagination (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 03:59 PM I threw up while watching Hostel 2... Was that on topic? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 03:59 PM I threw up while watching Hostel 2... Was that on topic? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 04:17 PM The only reason why Eli Roth is popular is because he's Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's b-itch. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 04:19 PM I would bet a dollar that every single recommendation on this list came from Tarantino. There is no doubt that Roth is a true black-n-blue fanboy but that doesn't mean we should take him seriously. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 04:22 PM I see this guy being on I love the '00s in the next couple of years, he's a publicity hound. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 04:24 PM wow, people defending eli roth... what's next, ron jeremy? larry flint? hugh heff? and if you say it's not the same, well, it is. getting off on torture and gore, in my mind, is worse than porn. and whoever said thay'd like to see me make a better film, i'm all game. you put "quentin tarantino presents..." i guarantee it'll do well.... (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 04:25 PM If you've been paying attention to Eli Roth and the things he says/writes, it's clear he knows a LOT about movies and is a bigger film geek than most of his haters out there. He's quite intelligent and has extensive movie knowledge, perhaps more than one could see from the films he's made so far. I think his obscure film recommendations are pretty awesome, and it's super cool that it's on RT. This is the kind of geekness we should all aspire to. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 04:33 PM The only one on the list I've seen is Torso, and it is pretty good. Roth isn't anything special, but I will admit I did enjoy Cabin Fever and the first Hostel was a pretty interesting concept, especially since me and most of my friends went backpacking through Europe after seeing it. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 06:08 PM Wow I wasn't expecting him to recommend something by Fellini. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 06:23 PM Torso bores me. I saw it at The Egyptian with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) in 1976 and I walked out on Torso during the extended carving scene. There was nothing to it. It just went on and on like "wake me when you're done", and I apologize if there was a slam-bang ending that I missed out on. I don't think it was worth it. By comparison, I enjoyed Una Vela para el diablo (It Happened At Nightmare Inn/A Candle For The Devil; 1970), though I understand the current DVD release is a butchered for bucks scheme. It is the story of two middle-aged psychotic sisters, proprietors of a hotel in Spain, who murder their female guests due to "perceptions of immorality" and I would recommend an unedited version. I absolutely agree with Eli about Toby Dammit and in that vein I also recommend the better known Black Sabbath and Les Yeux sans visage (Eyes Without a Face). (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 06:42 PM In reply to this comment (#1239756) Only if the writer doesn't want to come off sounding like a total retard. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 06:48 PM Since Eli hasn't take the liberty already, would one of you using this site make it your duty to make sure Mr. Roth checks himself into a psychiatric ward ASAP? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 07:07 PM Honestly, what is wrong with HOSTEL 2? You know what nothing. It's a crafted tonally damn near perfect genre film that pays respect to a heap of hardcore horror subgenres from the 60's on. Roth not only attempted to birth his own horror franchise (every horror fan's wetdream), but he also tried to class up the disturbing genre he helped create, and as far as I'm concerned he nailed it. Eli put the murky lifeless SAWS to shame. Roth is an excellent director, and I just don't get the hate. So he comes off like a frat boy? Is he on here talking about keg stands and rugby? No, he's here trying to share under appreciated movies he loves with losers that read Rottentomatoes (see: you and/or me). And you're hating on his writing for this RT blurb article? You didn't like the narrative flow of his paragraphs, did ya? Maybe he wrote it quickly because he has a life to get attend. Should he have sent it to Aaron Sorkin for a script polish? Maybe he wrote it as a huge fan of these films and is excited that he gets to share his love of these hidden gems with other fans of movies? They read as a guy who loves these movies. Isn't that why we're here? Maybe RT.com should have warned him these quick write-ups were going to be used as enterance essays to NYU? How many people that are given greenlights to Hollywood movies right now, actually love movies? I'm thinking not too many. So ease up on the guy. He's one of us, and if you give him a chance I think you might be suprised. I close my testimony by pointing to Roth's affiliation with Troma Films! How bad could a guy be that's friends with Lloyd Kaufman? I'm excited for whatever is next for Eli, unless it's acting. I assumed his cameo in DEATH PROOF was supposed to be bad because it made it that much more 'cool,' but I eventually had to look at the script to figure out why Eli's character was worried about a Christian Scientist showing up? Chris Simmonson, he was actually saying. Even bad actors annunciate, Eli. He makes QT's acting look Brando-esque. Anyways, he's a talented filmmaker. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 07:26 PM WTF? RT has hit a new low! What business does this name-dropping, frat-boy-from-hell have in recommending anything to me? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 07:32 PM The only work of his that I've seen is the Thanksgiving trailer, and by my account of how bad his grip on the english language is according to this list, I'm surprised he's able to direct anything at all. However, I will stand up for him because he has mae a name for himself directing some of the most popular and famous (cult) horror films in recent memory. Anyone that can do that has earned their title in my books (even Michael Bay). I'm not a big fan of horror, but I am growing accustomed to it, and I do not think that many people here realize how hard it is to make a genuinely "good" horror film. So instead, many filmmakers rely upon gore and torture to scare people- which is fine up to a point, so long as you are not playing the same guitar string over and over. At least Eli Roth makes the kind of films he is best at making and doesn't try to push his luck with a film like "The Shining". It'd be the same result as if Michael Bay directed a character driven drama instead of an action film- it just wouldn't work. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 08:30 PM Wow, this guy's a moron. There's some decent movies in his list but he writes like a drunken twelve year old. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 01 2007 09:08 PM In response to Herberbaly, Hostel was the biggest piece of crap ever. It shouldn't even be considered as a horror film due to the fact there is no horror in it at all. It's nothing but gore and nudity. The first half of the film was porn then the second half was torture for no reason. It was never explained why these guys were getting tortured. Certainly the second one either doesn't explain it either. Yes we get Elite Hunting point of view but they are nothin but of sick people. They just do it for money. It just feels like I am watchin Roth's sexual fantasy. He sucks as a writer and director. His writing skills apparently show from his movie reviews above. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 09:11 PM I have a lot of respect for Eli Roth. That people on this board are criticizing the guy's grammar, all of which is TECHNICALLY CORRECT, are also using common online abbreviations. He's a filmmaker, not ****ing Strunk or White. For me, Roth is more worthy of respect than most filmmakers working in Hollywood today. He knows film and films he loves and films other people should love, and he can talk about them in a way people who love film understand. Say what you wil about the 'Hostel' pictures, he obviously had a vision and an idea to express, and he did it. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's bad. Maybe it went over your head. Who knows? It seems a little irrational to criticize someone's taste, don't you think? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 09:20 PM In reply to this comment (#1240065) Really, bigteddyt? Really? Not only will I continue to stick up for Eli Roth(gasp!), but I will go so far as to stick up for every porn actor/actress, Larry Flint, and Hugh Hefner. Last I checked, we live in America, and it is our right to do certain things, such as film horror movies, or pornography. Why don't you research Larry Flint and figure out that he won supreme court cases entitling him to peddle "Hustler". While you may not agree with it, he has the right to do so. He's not hurting anyone, and everyone involved are consenting adults... Better yet, there is an incredible market out there for women showing off their bodies. Roth, and every other horror filmmaker out there, is entitled to film what he wants, whether or not it is good (I believe it is), so long as he is not harming anybody. As for me, I love the horror genre, but I don't "get off" on it; I guess it's wrong that I like to get scared for a few hours, or see an actor/actress get decapitated in gruesome and/or humorous ways. I would never watch a real snuff film, however, I enjoy watching slutty teens and frat boys get offed in interesting (fake) ways. Get over yourself, pal. You're a close-minded jerk, and you obviously don't get the entire horror genre, so stick to whatever movies you enjoy. Eli Roth, Larry Flint, Hugh Hefner, Jenna Jameson, Ron Jeremy, and any other "depraved" individual you can think of are entertainers, trying to entertain us, without hurting anybody in the process. Doesn't seem so bad to me... (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 01 2007 11:59 PM I am amazed at how bad Eli's writing apparently is. Seriously, he got paid for this article, and continues to be heralded as a new breed horror-filmmaker... wow, this is bad. I'm not trying to make fun of him... i liked Cabin Fever. But his writing as demonstrated here is atrocious. Example: "Torso is probably the most sexually-charged giallo film out of any of them. It starts off, during the opening credits, with a lesbian scene and there's an amazing lesbian subplot in the movie. There's tonnes of nudity, hippy orgies and stuff and the girls are so hot in it. But it's completely underrated." Woah, boy... This is his "take" on good horror??? WTF? And try spell-checking before you submit an article to be published online. Most of us real freelancers do so. Pretty damn lame. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 12:06 AM I will say I am glad he mentioned Nightmare City. It's hilarious. Fun for the whole demented family. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 12:07 AM I will say I am glad he mentioned Nightmare City. It's hilarious. Fun for the whole demented family. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 03:47 AM wow...all i can say is wow. Does it really matter how bad the grammar is? I mean c'mon, i've seen worse grammar by the people who post on here. I would like to see all of the people who hate on Eli Roth or Micheal Bay to make a movie. To come up with an idea that nobody else has the balls to think of. I have bad grammar and so does everybody else...so get over it. I personally like eli roth because he tries to entertain the audience instead of bore them. ALot of these people on here are just "hating" because they have nothing else better to do. They spend their time attacking a director whose pockets are much fatter than theirs. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 04:35 AM I really liked Cabin Fever and Hostel. I didn't like Hostel 2 in the theater when I saw it because my expectations were too high. I just rented it from Netflix and I really enjoyed it as a stand alone horror flick, it has some good gore and off the wall scenarios. I just wish he would have ended it differently. It is still better than most of the crap out there. I am definately going to watch some of the movies he recommended here because I haven't seen any of them. Definately going to hit up Nightmare City. Also another one I reccommend is a Japanese movie called "Eat the Schoolgirl," If it isn't the most f'd up movie you've ever seen I'll give you 10 bucks (not really). (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 06:43 AM Ok, first of all, it's not his grammer. As had been pointed out, his grammer is for the most part techinically correct, and anyone who debates grammer and/or spelling on a internet message board should kill themselves... now! No, the problem isn't the grammer, it's the tone of the article which is quite remincient of the Michael Bay characterization during Imaginationland Part I episode of South Park a couple weeks ago. I esspecially like how he specifies "tonnes," of nudity you know, since he's American. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 06:43 AM Loved loved loved Hostel. Was never scared for a moment, although it did build to a great climax. I was laughing my *** off at how absurd the situation and characters were. Every awful foreign stereotype makes an appearance in this movie, and the fact that so many white people missed it and focused on the gore and nudity is what made it brilliant. Its Monty Python, not Wes Craven. Borat meets Dead Alive. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 06:49 AM How funny-instead of actually talking about the movies Eli picked it turns into a let's attack Eli fest. I guess some of these gems will still go unseen merely because Eli recommended them! Pathetic. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 06:53 AM I'll also say I'm looking forward to Roth's episode of Heroes. The main reason I got hooked on Heroes in the first place is because I was surprised and impressed by the use of gore in the first few episodes. They've since toned it down though. I trust Roth, a true fanboy, to be able to come up with an innovative new character (couldn't possibly do worse than Parkman or Nathan Petrelli) and sneak in a bit more gore. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 07:04 AM I get the impression this was a casual setting - either a transcribed conversation or a casual e-mail. I don't know that for sure, but it certainly doesn't seem like a "write for hire" type of article. I'm not a big Roth fan. I loved the faux trailer, I thought Cabin Fever was mediocre, and I thought Hostel was so bad I skipped the sequel altogether. But, I think he's going to get good before it's all over. I think he's fun and he knows his stuff, and I'll probably check out a few of these suggestions. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 08:29 AM Eli Roth = Silar. The Heroes people have nothing to worry about if the orignal Silar actor ever calls it quits. And it's fitting, since he is directing an episode of Heroes Origins. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 08:34 AM Roth may not have a lot of originality but at least the man is exuding loads of passion. He obviously loves horror movies and he loves to make them. The Thanksgiving trailer in Grindhouse was the best part. Totally gross and absolutly hilarious. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 09:06 AM "Dude! These are so totally a kick-a$$ movies! You should totally rent them! And I was totally gonna make every one of these myself but someone totally beat me to them!" (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 09:45 AM Notice how Eli Roth says this, that, and the other thing. Then when he realizes the movie doesn't sound too appealing. He's like, "Yeah, and there's mad titties and lesbians making out in it." (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 09:53 AM Looking at his list of favorite horror movies and his resume, it is clear that Eli Roth is a sexist douche. He has gone on the record saying that he wants to torture Kate Hudson on film. Who says those sort of things other than guys who don't respect women? I'm really hoping that this "gornography" or "torture porn" trend dies out in film because it is soiling the horror genre. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 10:04 AM In reply to this comment (#1239294) Mudhole, that's the funniest thing I've read today. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 12:35 PM Hostel is among the worst horror films I've ever had the displeasure of seeing. It lacks any sort of tension, doesn't feature a single sympathetic character, and doesn't even feature any of the shocking gore it seems to aspire to. I won't bother with the sequel. And does anyone else find the assertion that a Fulci film would win an Oscar completely laughable? The man was a hack who reveled in schlock. Eli seems to be following in his footsteps. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 12:51 PM In reply to this comment (#1242432) Those aren't his favorite horror movies. They are his fanboy recommendations for movies the average horror fan may have missed. His real list of favorites is pretty standard for horror fans. Evil Dead, John Carpenter's The Thing, Dawn of the Dead, Alien, Braindead, etc. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 01:14 PM In reply to this comment (#1239294) Hell yes, I agree. He is totally f-ing overrated. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 02:04 PM He almost seems to be bragging that he knows about all these films that no one cares about but him or the people how made them. Its not like I need to see the films, because the themes have been repeated so many times throughout world cinema. I would like to take a look at some of these film, they could be cool. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 02:06 PM Eli needs to go back to school and learn English. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 03:56 PM The Eli Roth bashing is cute. You guys bring up some really valid points, and now I can't wait to see your movies! When are they hitting .... ... A No? Ahh that's cool! Hey at least you have an opinion about something. Opinions are way more important to society than actually doing stuff. That's why I love you guys, because you're so unafraid to get out there and let people read your opinions. Because you're intelligent, and you know your intelligence is a gift that the world should learn to respect! You guys are so smart! This is awesome :) (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 05:18 PM eli has good taste in movies, nice reccomendations (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 05:51 PM Pretty bad...I won't be seeing any of those recommendations based on his comments. Describing a movie to me where girls get their shirts ripped open by zombies and then their tits ripped off multiple times and it being "****ing hilarious"....I'll pass bro. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 02 2007 06:11 PM Everyone's talking crap about Eli Roth, but it seems no one can give a good reason for not liking his movies besides the usual "talentless hack" line that everybody uses. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 06:38 PM In reply to this comment (#1243581) Four words: No Relevant Plot Lines. the violence and gore is strung together with some sex thrown in. not really a praise worthy plot, now is it. even if you can scrape together a plot out of one of his movies they are still just plain ugly to look at. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 09:52 PM And what per se were the relevant plotlines to Monty Python & the Holy Grail? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 02 2007 10:02 PM I'm personally not trying to bag on Eli... and his grammar isn't the issue. Bad writing can have "nearly" adequate grammar, as he illustrated. I suppose my issue with this piece is how instead of letting us in on what makes these cool and interesting horror flicks to him, as a filmmaker and afficionado, that he low-browed the piece by just describing the equiviant of, "This has mad lesbian boobies. It's so great." I think he's shown a lot of talent in his films, at least a lot of promise for greatness. I still like Cabin Fever best. So when I see that he's recommending films, I would've prefered hearing his artistic insight. I mean, he makes films professionally for God's sake. Was there anything filmmakers did to intensify a sense of doom in these films? Was there a big influence to him on how the lighting or editing was handled, or how the director seems to get the most out of his actors? or why some of the schlock is so amusing? I would love to hear his real take. All I'm personally saying is that if "his real take" on these films is basically reduced to "cool tits" and "It was the best." Then what's the point of asking him? I can ask Joe from Tappa Kegga Dumbass which movie has lots of blood and titties in it and get the same basic response. See, I want to know, The best WHAT, Eli? For example, he states in the very first caption, "The first ten minutes are confusing but the last thirty minutes are set at this house and once they get to this house it's amongst the best examples of the genre I've seen." - I mean, I am disappointed by this weak description... What is confusing about the first 10 minutes, why do the last thirty minutes make it worth seeing to you? What's Hitchcock-ian about it to you? What makes it intense to you? Why are you recommending this exactly? I actually appreciate his suggestions of films, and regardless if some of us like Eli or not, people should see some of these movies for their own enjoyment of the genre.and it is cool of him to present them. But it would've been really cool if he could've took the time to really explain why. I just think when someone is a professional, they can take the time to represent themselves as such; especially if they are asked to appear in a "suggested horror titles from a professional horror filmmaker" section of a public movie and entertainment forum. If he is really more than the frat-boy mentality that he is projecting, I would love to see and hear it. And lastly, one the topic of Hostel and Hostel 2... I personally thought the twist of allowing us to really see more of the behind-the-scenes-network of the organization in Hostel 2 was really kinda cool, and I almost wish it could be permanently included as part of Hostel 1. It really gives the viewer a feel of the dasterdly inner workings of that horrible group of humans, and makes the acts they perform even more evil. Like the clerk at the front desk, casually scanning the passports of the girls, and suddenly there's this bidding war for their executions. I thought that was a clever direction to take the sequel. It's not my favorite horror film, nor maybe even a very good one - but I thought it was a clever direction to go. So there. Cheers. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 03 2007 09:59 AM In reply to this comment (#1243077) Did you just contradict yourself? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 03 2007 10:08 AM I understand the Eli hate. A bunch of people are jealous that their script hasn't been bought, and if only I had Quentin Tarantino's name on my movie, then I would be successful and be a self-important hack like Eli. My ideas are much more original. I liked Cabin Fever and thought Hostel was a great concept but didn't think they movie was all that. However, I like the fact that Eli seems to be a genuine horror movie fan and has stuck with the genre instead of using it as an entryway into the film industry so he can make "serious" movies. It's very easy to call someone a hack or talentless or whatever, you want to use, but I'd hate to break it to you- originality isn't what sells in Hollywood (I know that might be a news flash). He has specific horror movie tastes such as gore or shock which isn't for everybody. I'm more for haunting movies or old school slashers, but to each their own. He likes boobies, well so do I. But seriously, get off this site and get back to finishing your masterpiece of a script and then we can all sit here in two years about how talentless you are or how much you stole your ideas from some other film maker. Think of your pride then. :) (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 03 2007 12:05 PM God, someone please get rid of him! (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 03 2007 03:17 PM Eli, I dig your style, even though I wasn't a huge fan of Cabin Fever. You got some love for the genre, and your style's become more confident. But I don't have the time to watch movies because they're ironically awesome, or good for one scene. How many people haven't seen Lewton's The Leopard Man, or Larry Fessenden's Habit, or Peter Jackson's Brain Dead? Those are horror films that are good through-and-through. Saying that such-and-such horror movie is awesome because it's got so much gore and nudity diminishes the hell out of the genre. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 04 2007 04:10 AM I'll second it all. Bad taste and terrible writing. Makes you wonder if he finished high school. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 04 2007 04:13 AM Some other things, though. This is Rotten Tomatoes. He latest films were crap, and everyone knows it. Why the hell are we wasting time with articles like these? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 04 2007 08:16 AM Horror guru - baloney. His films are violence porn. Only fangoria freaks dig this garbage. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 04 2007 08:49 AM "This movie is so brilliant. It has this totally ****ed up scene where there is a rape and it's just so ****ed up and brilliant. And no one has seen it! This film is a masterpiece because it's brilliant. I liked this movie so I made Hostel II. I showed this movie to my mom and she threw up like a million times but I laughed at her and then I watched it even more. Not many people can stand this movie, but I can because it's just so ****ed up. I think it might be French." (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 04 2007 04:32 PM Horror Guru? You have got to be joking!He's a hack. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 04 2007 10:40 PM Eli Roth is so self-indulgent that he can't even see the embarassment of posting such a horrendesly written article. I mean come on: "The best film that I saw which I'd never seen before..." Is he retarded or what? That sentence makes no sense. Every film you see for the first time is a film you haven't seen before you moron. Pull your head out of your *** and learn how to write. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 04 2007 11:32 PM (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 06:04 AM While I would hate for someone to judge my hard work and effort with such empathy, I have to agree with most people on this post about Roth being pretty low on the talent scale, unless endless self-promotion can be considered a talent. Then again look how far this guy has got on so little. However, to all those posters who support Roth with the blind stupidity of "I don't see any of you making movies" I say this - It is unbelievably hard and sometimes unbelievably easy to get a movie made, it's almost without exception about who you know and on some rare occasions being in the right place at the right time. So while I guess Roth could be awarded some respect for getting a movie made, if you know how Cabin Fever came about you probably shouldn't give him too much. It was simply a matter of right place right time. The only reason Cabin Fever was and most movies are successes is because of the marketing machines behind them. Having, Peter Jackson right during LOTR fever say your movie is the next big thing is horror certainly helps get his whole fan-base out to the theaters. Lions Gate are kings of marketing, look at Open Water. So the additional defense of "he's made a boatload of money, what have you done?" is equally stupid, since some of the worst things imaginable make money. Money should never equal respect. Horror movies on the same level as Cabin Fever were and are being released all the time, only they didn't have tens of millions poured into there P&A. They go straight to video. Money was the only difference here, maybe Cabin Fever had a little more attitude and quality than usual, but still, I would argue that a lot of straight to DVD releases are even better than Cabin Fever, directed with more heart and intelligence, rather that the snickering buffoonery that is Eli Roth. "Hee Hee, this is gross, hee hee boobies." Defending art (Film is really art/commerce) by telling naysayers "Hey, let me see you paint that then" is the weakest, basest possible defense of piece of art. None of the people on this board will probably ever get a chance to make a movie (notice I said chance). It involves too much money and too many souls. However, I would argue half of the people on this board could have come up with Hostel and the same goes for Cabin Fever. Roth's only discernible gift is being a fan-boy. He just copies and remembers what would be cool to rip off or reproduce in a giggling mocking/homage tone. There is no invention in what he is doing. He is not some god of horror, he has no real command of his so called art form. You want command, look at guys like Carpenter, who can't even get a movie off the ground anymore and have to collect paychecks from people remaking and massacring his successes. There are so many other talented horror directors out there, but they just don't make as much noise as Roth. He's loud, he's obnoxious for the sake of it, and from what I can glean from interviews and articles like the one above, he's not as sharp as he thinks. "Go make your own film if you think it's so easy..." Yes, there are haters of Eli Roth, because all the people who know better are of course jealous at his success, mad that when he got so far on so little, that when got his chance, he goofs off and turns in ****, when everyone else would probably aspire to pour our heart and soul into one opportunity that he continually gets. So I feel he's an inept clown with nothing to contribute to film, except another self-congratulatory indulgent persona. I'm just glad that from the current box office, it seems the idiotic torture porn movement is now being buried. Now if you are going to defend him, please come up with something concrete. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 06:08 AM In reply to this comment (#1243581) twoslowjoe writes: "Everyone's talking crap about Eli Roth, but it seems no one can give a good reason for not liking his movies besides the usual "talentless hack" line that everybody uses." What? How about that he can't direct or write his actors out of one dimensional paper bag mirrors of himself. Do you think obnoxious, empty, women abusing frat boys make interesting characters? How about traveling with them through a badly shot Prague background for an hour and a half before anything actually happens. So we wait exhaustingly for something and all we get is 10 minutes of torture (treated as a carnival, and not terrifying horror btw) before another badly shot chase scene through Prague again. For being set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, he sure knows how to make it ugly. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 06:13 AM In reply to this comment (#1252383) "if you know how Cabin Fever came about you probably shouldn't give him too much. It was simply a matter of right place right time." And having a rich relative in the industry. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 08:39 AM Eli Roth is a joke. Those writeups are comical. Hey, I can drop f-bombs, i'm cool. I can't believe this guy has the reputation as THE modern day horror/suspense director. Hitchcock is probably rolling over in his grave. Makes you long for the days of Craven, early John Carpenter, or Ridley Scott. He should at least be forced to sit and watch Alien or Halloween to learn the basics of building suspense/tension without bucketloads of gore & torture at every turn. OK, so there's one rather nasty scene of gore in Alien, but that's it. And that movie is 10x more suspenseful than anything Roth has done. I did enjoy Cabin Fever a bit, but that was about it for his offerings. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 11:05 AM I think Hostel 1, was OK, but what about hostel 2? That is a really BAD movie!!, and it clearly shows that this, Tarantino wannabe, is out of imagination and ideas. He is VERY over rated, and Im pretty sure that his next film is going to suck. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 05 2007 02:16 PM come on dude seriously. i mean im sure they were influential to you but if they were that "****ing" good then they would have been discovered.... (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 06 2007 08:47 AM In reply to this comment (#1241316) I'm no Roth fan, I'll admit that right up front. The thing that is making me laugh is the defenders like the one I am replying to here that keep saying to the effect of "Does the writing really matter?" Uh DUH!! It's an article written for public consumption on a professional site. Yeah it does. To toss out the assinine defense of "I've seen worse from posters on here" made me laugh even harder. Yeah. When I am paid to write something for RT I will be damn sure my stuff is straight and my writing is up to snuff. When Roth actually does an original film, I will give him a shot. So far he has made a film that "borrows" (I'll use a nice term) most of it's elements from other better done horror films (Cabin Fever) and then two films that pretty much throw back to the 1970s sexploitation era films like "Blood Sucking Freaks" (Hostel & Hostel 2) and then the defenders of Roth think it is a good point that he can actually make a fake movie trailer...gosh golly! "Let's see you make a movie" scream the Roth zombies...more laughter. I'll be the first to admit that I am not a film maker, but I am a huge horror genre fan (Like Roth and his followers claim to be) and so I know honestly that if given a budget and all the connections Roth had and I got to slap Tarantino's name on it anything I made would be as good as he threw out and would sell about as well. That doesn't mean it would be something I would proud of nor would I strut around acting like I am the savior of the genre like Roth does. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 06 2007 09:13 AM It was really interesting, while I was making Hostel II I said I wanted to make a movie like To Be Twenty and the kind of reaction I got from Hostel II and the outrage, and the censorship, I said to my brother, "I think we did it, I think we actually made a Fernando Di Leo film." I think that pretty much sums up Roth's problem. He is so egotistical that he has convinced himself that the complaints and "outrage" are because he has made a cutting edge controversial film. He is in denial of the truth which is that people bag on his films because they are exploitive crap that (now by his own words in this article) are derived from other films and are not original at all. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 06 2007 10:53 AM Eli Roth is a hack and very true to form. His Cabin Fever, Hostel and Hostel II rank very lowly on the horror genre scale. His films are extremely mediocre and sophomoric. I had the unfortunate experience of watching Hostel II with my nephew and was so stupified at the ending. The male protagonist (I can't believe I don't remember his name..) escapes from being sawed into pieces and picks up a gun. Doesn't really use it and throws it away then finds another gun and shoots one guy, who was pulling the eye out of a girls head, then discards the weapon again. I don't and never will understand this kind of story telling and I also do not believe this is Roth being extremely clever making his audience feel some sort of angst or anxiety over the situation getting more involved in the end. He is a C to D level director with the talent to make only those types of movies that prey on the stupidity of 15 year old boys. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 06 2007 06:24 PM The title should more appropriately be, "Eli Roth -- Cry baby and regurgitated plot scenario extraordinaire." Eli, I'll take your commendation for each of these listed films as enough reason NOT to view them. Additionally, you have shown repeatedly that you haven't a clue what the **** horror films should do. You and your films are mind numbingly dumb and lacking in all dimensions. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 06 2007 08:34 PM What's the definition of horror? something that genuinely invokes a feeling of being 'scared' or something that just makes you feel squeamish due to fantastic physical graphic effects like blood, eyes popping, heads exploding, etc...? Roth would rank EXTREMELY low in the former and fair to good in the latter. If he's the face of the genre's future, Damn!!! To be fair it is probably the most difficult of all types of movies, this from the reasoning that there have been so few really effective pieces. If anyone can help in suggestions, please do so as I've nearly given up on the horror scene altogether. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 07 2007 07:59 PM No one's seen "Spirits of the Dead", Eli??? News to me. What a jackass. I hate every Roth film I've ever seen, and I wrote book reports in 5th grade that were better-written than this piece. I saw my first Michael Bay film this year (Transformers), and left the theater hating a man I'd never met. That's exactly how I felt about Roth after seeing "Cabin Fever". (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 08 2007 11:26 PM It's a contradiction if any HORROR fan complains about a HORROR movie having too much blood. Eli has some of the most unique ideas ever. Plus the thought that some dude would actually complain about seeing nudity in a film? Did your fat girlfriend tell you to say that? A movie included with blood and boobs...What's the big deal... Are all of you guys 9th graders??? (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 11 2007 04:38 PM *****, Eli, where in the f*uck did you learn to f*ucking write? My f*ucking 4th grader f*ucking writes *****ing better then f*ucking you *****ing do! Please,folks, enough of these moronic critiques of this nitwit's movies. Eli Roth is just one more in a long line of pretentious hollywood twits who has had millions of dollars handed to him to make irrelevant trash. (Reply to this) |
 on Nov 12 2007 11:59 AM In reply to this comment (#1239294) hey you know two other things i d like is *** u (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 12 2007 12:00 PM got to correct myself i meant *** u (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 12 2007 12:26 PM In reply to this comment (#1264214) Ah yes, and this fine example shows exactly why the horror movie industry is in the toilet. |