Eli roth....Genius or fraud?

Running Bing

I think its been a while since a relatively new director split public opinion as much as Eli roth does(I think the majority recognise tarantino as a talented film maker). People either seem to hate his movies(cabin fever, hostel) and think he is a terrible director or they regard him as a genius and the saviour of horror movies. I have to say I like his movies and the homages to classic horror they pay but I think hes far from the messiah many people make him out. Just wondering what others thoughts are on Eli?

TerrorFirmer

I like - love - his movies but I wouldn't herald his abilities in any way. Cabin Fever and Hostel were a good return to form for a fairly bland extreme thriller/horror market but I loved them for that reason and that reason alone, not for the way in which which the films were made. In fact, there were alot of sub standard aspects to both films...

DOLEMAN

I think they were both fairly dumb movies (Cabin Fever, Hostel) but I will generally support any director who will bring out a horror movie.

He's certainly not a good director IMO. Bland, unimaginative. But he gets horror to the big screen...

Karl Hungus

I think he does his thing well, but hailing him as a genius or suchlike is pretty off form, and probably gets him a lot of uncalled for flak.

Calling him a fraud though...? The boggle minds.

Running Bing

Karl Hungus wrote:

I think he does his thing well, but hailing him as a genius or suchlike is pretty off form, and probably gets him a lot of uncalled for flak.

Calling him a fraud though...? The boggle minds.

Whats mind boggling about that? Just for the record I would certainly not class him as a genius or a fraud thats just the name of the title as people seem to feel pretty strongly either way about him, and I have seen him descirbed as both on other forums.

Necronomicon

He's neither! He makes damn entertaining movies imo, but calling him a genius would be pushing it. But then again, I can't see in any way how he could be called a fraud.
Loved Cabin Fever, loved Hostel, looking forward to his next show.

Running Bing

Ok Ok I get it, bad wording for the title. any way to change it?

ixoy

Babybing wrote:

Ok Ok I get it, bad wording for the title. any way to change it?

My powers enable me to perform such miracles. What do you want it changed to?

lodgepole

Cabin Fever was a pretty good horror. Hostel wasn't great. In interviews and special features he's always seemed pretty sound. A genius he is not, but i'd like to see him continue to get work.

Basq

Never understood people's dislike of his films... i thought both 'Cabin Fever' and 'Hostel' were both very under-appreciated films (another two for my 'Films that WEREN'T that BAD!' thread).

And he actually seems like a very sound and funny bloke in interviews..

Kingp35

I havent seen Hostel yet but I thought Cabin Fever was an ok movie. I've seen better horrors recently but it was entertaining but pretty forgettable in the end. Genius? Not a chance, but he makes entertaining movies.

Sean7

I don't like his films so I'm going for fraud. I feel his films lack any intelligence to them and are just strung together. Tarantino only likes him because he puts in a lot of gore, and so do alot of others I think.

lodgepole

Sean7 wrote:

I don't like his films so I'm going for fraud. I feel his films lack any intelligence to them and are just strung together. Tarantino only likes him because he puts in a lot of gore, and so do alot of others I think.

I disagree with Tarantino, but agree that many like him purely for the gore. Personally I liked Cabin Fever because it didn't feel held back as so many horror films that came before it did. It was reasonably raw while still being entertaining. It understood the slasher genre and was entertaining and scary without trying to be post modern which was such a relief.

I think the reason Tarantino likes Roth is that they're into similar things. Watch the interviews on the Cabin Fever disc and you'll see that Roth isn't just a director for hire, he loves the horror genre. If you look at most of the stuff that Tarantino puts his name to, it's generally films that herald back to genres that he loves and have been somewhat forgotten about.

Sean7

Lodgepole wrote:

I think the reason Tarantino likes Roth is that they're into similar things. Watch the interviews on the Cabin Fever disc and you'll see that Roth isn't just a director for hire, he loves the horror genre. If you look at most of the stuff that Tarantino puts his name to, it's generally films that herald back to genres that he loves and have been somewhat forgotten about.

I definately agree with you on that, I imagine few would argue that they are doing what they like rather than what they are paid the most for, but I think Roth unlike Tarantino gets it wrong and makes a bad attempt at reviving old horror styles/ideas compared to Tarantino excellent revival of crime/gangster films. But then again you really can't compare them so ignore what I just said. Suffice to say I'm not a fan, I think he just doesn't put enough thought into his films after the initial idea.

lodgepole

Sean7 wrote:

I think he just doesn't put enough thought into his films after the initial idea.

I agree, certainly when it comes to Hostel. Cabin Fever showed a lot of promise but Hostel was just a disapointment, particularly when placed next to The Hills Have Eyes which was released around the same time.

Running Bing

ixoy wrote:

My powers enable me to perform such miracles. What do you want it changed to?

How about Eli Roth...Saviour of the horror genre or Mediocre wannabe? or if thats to long Eli Roth...Good or Bad?:p I agree with the sentiments of a lot of people here that he may not be as good as some make out but he makes damn entertaining movies. Its a pity the first 45 minutes of hostel was "eurotrip" without the laughs cause it could have been really good and I think thats what put a lot of people off. His movies do have that raw rough feel thats is missing from the shiny horror movies we get today and it must also be remembered that hes only made two movies. Hes an exciting director and he can only get better with time which is very promising. And maybe hes already influencing a sort of horror revival with Taratino and Rodriquez currently working on a horror movie due for release early next year.

JennyBurke101

I love him ...sorry I really do he is so sexy and so funny and his films are really good compared to some of the awful horror that is out now ...and its so hard to make a mainstream cinema horror film now...when you cant even say boo to a woman without being labeled as some sadistic monster!!! I think he is great but now he doesnt make anything that comes close to The Texas Chainsaw Masacre, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street or classics like that!!

johnny_ultimate

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