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Reviews
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
The single best zombie comedy ever made.
As a living dead fan of 20+ years I tend to not care for films that spoof my beloved genre, however, Shaun is not a spoof in the sense of the word. Shaun is basically an intelligent horror comedy film based in reality. All zombie films are fantasy based, but 9 times out of 10 the settings or characters seem a little unrealistic or focuses on an expertly trained group of soldiers. Shaun does non of this and is probably the first zombie film since the original Night of the Living Dead to bring back the every day man and his struggles during the start of a zombie outbreak.
What separates Shaun from the other dead films is the script. Sharp humor interjected into everyday living situations and everyday living situations played out during a zombie apocalypse make for fantastically funny moments and great entertainment. Plus you have Edgar Wrights own social commentary in how we as a living breathing human race aren't far off from our undead brethren in how we execute our daily routine. This makes for some of the most fabulous story telling in film, period.
Shaun of the Dead pays homage to all of George A. Romero's zombie films and even spoofs some of his most famous death scenes from his 1985 film Day of the Dead. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play off each other perfectly and the remaining supporting cast fit well and sell the story with ease.
Shaun of the Dead is one of the funniest British comedies to come out in the last few years and will rank up there with such classics from guys like Monty Python and company. This film is a must have for any DVD collection.
Vampires vs. Zombies (2004)
Complete trash and disgrace to zombie and vampire films
I don't know where the production budget of this film was spent but it sure as hell wasn't spent on the making the film. I sat in disbelief watching this piece of trash and wondered who dropped enough acid or shot enough heroin to want to invest in a piece of garbage like this film. Even the worst made backyard home movie is more entertaining and more deserving of my money than this poor excuse for a horror film.
If you wander through the video store and come across this film, AVOID it at all costs. This is as bad if not worse than House of the Dead and Children of the Living Dead. I am still in shock that someone actually paid money to get this film made.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Finally, a remake done right.
There have been countless remakes of great films over the years but none have been as good as the remake of Dawn of the Dead. The film keeps you entertained from beginning to end and just when you feel your heart rate slowing down it quickly speeds it back up to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
This Dawn is much different than George A. Romeros, it ups the action and intensity 20 times while not treading or belittling the original in anyway. It keeps the integrity and respect of the original film and does it's own thing. And it does it well. The first 15 minutes of this film have to be the most breath taking and spectacular 15 minutes for a zombie horror film ever made, and from that point forward you are hooked for the entire 2 hours.
I had the pleasure of seeing both the R-rated and Unrated versions and you can really see two completely different films between the 10 minutes of added footage. The Unrated cut ups the intensity and horror feel big time and with added scenes it gives the viewer a whole new creepiness not seen in modern zombie films.
Forget renting this film, it is must own for any DVD collection.
Feeding the Masses (2004)
Decent story... needs work
If my IMDb name doesn't say it, then I sure as hell can explain it. I love zombie movies, even the no budget stuff like Feeding the Masses. Now Masses with nothing spectacular, but one thing I will say is the story kept me interested from beginning to end. The only annoying part about the film, IMHO, was the commercials plugged throughout the film. I really felt they distracted from the story a lot. However, I think the group put forth a decent effort and pulled off a decent indie flick.
Justa thought, but maybe you guys could re-edit the film and do some major toning down on the brightness. Aside from the massive video look it has potential once it is re-color corrected.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
The Original Zom-Com
While Shaun of the Dead is without a doubt the best Zombie Comedy ever made, The Return of the Living Dead was the first to put its mark in the genre and did so with a bang in the horror community. Often slighted by zombie fans because of the running talking zombies, it has been listed as one of the better 1980's horror films to come out in that era.
Return part 1 started out as an official sequel to Romero's night of the Living Dead. Penned by John Russo and Russ Streiner whom were heavily involved with Night. After being picked up, Alien scribe Dan O'Bannon was tapped to turn this story into a feature film, but decided he didn't want to tread on Romero's territory so he developed his own zombie mythos and brought to the masses an intelligent, fun and scary dead flick for horror fans to embrace and enjoy years and years to come.
if you are a zombie fan, and love a little dark humor mixed in with your Zombie films then this film is a must see for all zombie fans.
The Departed (2006)
Not Scorsese's best, but it is one of his top 5 best.
The Departed is in my opinion one Scorsese's top 5 films, with Taxi Driver and Goodfellas ranking 1 and 2 respectively. it was sad to find out so many great performances were snubbed by the AMPAS people, but still we have another great crime thriller from the man whom has brought crime and suspense to the big screen with great success.
Scorsese is one of the best filmmakers of our time and I know he has another Taxi Driver in him somewhere, but in the mean time this film will easily keep you smiling from ear to ear as it is filled with all of Martin's classic trademarks, and awesome performances from this top notch cast.
Now as I said it is not his best as it doesn't have the intensity of his other films, but it comes damn close, and I am eager to see what ole martin has cooking next.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Romero's best!
Having been a zombie fan for 20+ years I have watched his films over and over again, and when anyone discusses or brings up horror films, or zombie films, the one on the tip of my and everyone's tongue is Dawn of the Dead.
Now, Romero put himself into the horror mainstream with his debut, Night of the Living Dead, and after 11 years away from the zombie genre he comes back with this amazing sequel. Dawn of the Dead is one of the few horror films that is a semi-sequel and is clearly better than the first outing. Now I am not saying Night is garbage, it is far from it, but Dawn is a masterpiece of horror cinema, and after almost 30 years it still appeals to the mass horror audience, and still manages to hook in new fans at every viewing.
The film delivers some of the best character development in horror cinema while making your mind constantly move with questions about a what if scenario. No zombie film to date, including the very well done 2004 remake can claim the fame of this benchmark zombie film.