from Film Forum, 07/28/05
Rob Zombie's latest gorefest is earning such reprimands, it doesn't really warrant even a plot summary. Suffice to say that it's about a "family" that tortures and murders everyone they can get their hands on. The result is so childish and indulgent, it's really sad to see that it was made by actual grownups.
David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) says, "Laced with visual nods to Arthur Penn, Sam Peckinpah and Tobe Hooper, the almost pornographically violent movie is as pointless as it is utterly revolting: depravity as entertainment. Reject these Manson family values."
Some mainstream critics actually approve of the product … but only by interpreting it as an over-the-top comedy.