The horror genre is dead
It's not that people are desensitized, it's a case of zero talent...they seem to think gore is all you need to make a horror film...
Rob Zombie hasn't done shyt worth a *beep* in over 20 years
Nope. Such a vague, gross generalization can't be a qualified opinion, methinks, and I couldn't disagree more with it.
The horror genre is very much alive, and plenty of great, ingenious, well-crafted stuff is being produced that's miles away from the torture porn fare, though the prominence of some torture flicks and the latest slasher revival can, falsely, give the impression that gore is all there is today, not to mention that what there is has been greatly stepped up. Ironically, the horror films that put all their efforts on story (not merely plot), on building atmosphere or tension get shot down on forums because "nothing happens", or because the films demand too much from its audience if not every detail is spoon fed to them, for which they're quickly labeled as "pretentious" and "art-house crap", etc.
The main problem with horror today, imo, has to do with attitude, either the general one applied across the genre, or, from within, the attitude of both a majority of the genre fan base and from the industry itself, but not from the dedicated directors and production teams honestly attempting to create value against the limitations and destructive expectations imposed on them.
That said, I'm very sick and tired with the dominating 80s nostalgia, especially all the 80s slasher nostalgia. I was born in early 70s and remember the 80s well... I want fare that carries forward from there, not a re-hash of those years (which weren't all that great at all), which is what a big portion demands whilst complaining that those films are ripoffs. Talk about pointless?!
Whether or not Zombie makes stuff for you is one thing, but to say he hasn't done shyt in over 20 years is just silly. Personally, his usual stuff sits within the horror spectrum I like the least, but he does have talent and gumption, hence why he was able to build a brand and a dedicated cult-like following in a relatively short time, for, despite your post, gore still does represent a portion of all that falls within "Horror"; the problem is you haven't, it seems, stepped outside of this subgenre or you're just not a true horror fan.
Myself, I'm far more into indie and auteur/art-house films, but I do have a geeky horror soft-spot as they're the best social allegories one can find (the better films, anyway).
I'm not gonna judge "31" on this thread as your comment addresses the genre, not the film, but I will say: It's weak, unfortunately; not his best work, but it does do some things quite well.
Unlike others, I don't think it's fair to crap all over Zombie because of this one film; given his independence and direction, there will be hits and misses, as with any other creator with integrity.
Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet, then, it's annoying.