The zombie is one of underground horror's most beloved beasts. The flesh eating dead have spawned some of the most outrageous and gruesome stories in the horror canon. Below I've listed some of my favorites in the genre, in no particular order...
George A. Romero's "Dead" series- The standard by which all zombie movies are measured, Romero mixes sociopolitical commentary in with some of the most gruesome scenes committed to celluloid. 1968's "Night of the Living Dead", 1978's "Dawn of the Dead", 1985's "Day of the Dead", and 2005's "Land of the Dead" are must-have's for any ghoul fan. This year will bring the sixth Dead film, "Diary of the Dead"
"The Walking Dead" comic series- Robert Kirkman's stark, black and white series finely walks the line between soap opera and gore. The characters are fully developed and complex, and the post-apocolyptic world he's created is utterly riveting.
"Return of the Living Dead" film- Dan O'Bannon re-writes the Romero formula as a genre comedy. Some of this film is absolutely hysterical (zombies radioing for "more cops").
"Zombie" film- Lucio Fulci's hardcore masterpiece takes the torch from the Romero films and ups the gore quotient (this film was actually marketed as a sequel to "Dawn of the Dead" in Europe). This film contains the infamous "zombie vs. shark" scene.
"The Serpent and the Rainbow" film- A more realistic, if surreal, take on the voodoo zombie by horror master Wes Craven. The images in this film are disturbing, none more so than acutal footage of people skewering their cheeks with needles and eating glass.
"Dead Alive" film- Before "Lord of the Rings", Peter Jackson was best known for his visceral horror-comedies, none more than this one. Possibly the bloodiest film ever made, it is also one of the funniest. The zombie baby in the park scene is worth the price of admission alone.
Evil Dead film series- Sam Raimi, like Jackson, is now known for his blockbuster Spider-Man films, but he got his start with these acclaimed indie gorefests. 1981's "Evil Dead", 1987's "Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn", and 1993's "Army of Darkness" are now certified cult classics, and, while not zombie films specifically, they do contain some grisly living-dead action.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Bits and Pieces
Hello darklings,
Read a nice interview with Robert Englund about his new directorial effort "Killer Pad" and his thoughts on the "Nightmare on Elm St." Remake.
http://www.horroryearbook.com/542940/interview-robert-englund-talks-about-killer-pad-zombie-strippers-and-a-nightmare-on-elm-street
As if "Midnight Meat Train" wasn't enough, check out some info on "Book of Blood", based on another of my horror boyfriend Clive Barker's stories
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/02/11/first-look-clive-barkers-book-of-blood/
"Juno" star Ellen Page will star in Sam Raimi's first horror flick since "Army of Darkness". Read some info about "Drag Me To Hell"
http://www.actressarchives.com/news.php?id=9479
For those into vampires and presidential politics, this is up your alley
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=521826
Here's some cool info about "Final Destination 4", which is being shot in hi-def 3D (!!!)
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11036
Read a nice interview with Robert Englund about his new directorial effort "Killer Pad" and his thoughts on the "Nightmare on Elm St." Remake.
http://www.horroryearbook.com/542940/interview-robert-englund-talks-about-killer-pad-zombie-strippers-and-a-nightmare-on-elm-street
As if "Midnight Meat Train" wasn't enough, check out some info on "Book of Blood", based on another of my horror boyfriend Clive Barker's stories
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/02/11/first-look-clive-barkers-book-of-blood/
"Juno" star Ellen Page will star in Sam Raimi's first horror flick since "Army of Darkness". Read some info about "Drag Me To Hell"
http://www.actressarchives.com/news.php?id=9479
For those into vampires and presidential politics, this is up your alley
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=521826
Here's some cool info about "Final Destination 4", which is being shot in hi-def 3D (!!!)
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11036
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Long Week
The Ring
2002
Director: Gore Verbinski
Dreamworks Pictures
The ghost story is a central theme of Japanese horror films, spawning a wealth of creepy and atmospheric movies full of jump scares and tension. As with any foriegn cinematic trend that seems viable, Hollywood has come knocking, and many of these films have gotten the US remake treatment. Most have been plain awful (The Eye, Pulse), but this is the rare case of a remake that is superior to its original. The Ring is a slinky, creepy masterpiece.
Rachel Kellar is sent on a mission to discover what might have killed her teenage niece and driven her friend crazy. She traces her neices steps to a cabin in the woods, and a mysterious videotape that is rumored to kill you seven days after you watch it. She watches the tape too and begins a desperate race to find the source of the curse and stop it before it claims her or her eerily mature son, Aiden, and his father, her estranged boyfriend Noah, who have both watched the tape as well.
The story unfolds beautifully, layer after layer, making this more a detective story than a horror film. With carefully crafted tension and beautiful camerawork, director Gore Verbinski uses all the tricks in the Hitchcock handbook here, and more skillfully than most directors do. He also gives us the classic "Hitchcock blonde" with Naomi Watts, who plays Rachel as a workaholic, quasi-neglectful mother, whose obsesssions tend to overshadow everything else in her life. Watts is magnetic, and she is matched by Martin Henderson as Noah, and young David Dorfman as Aiden. Amber Tamblyn also shines in her brief role, telegraphing her growing terror to the audience. The film has a wonderful artiness, nowhere more evident than the cursed video itself, which plays like a David Lynch short. The shocks are excellent too, especially the bloated, distorted faces of the curse's victims, which are seen for seconds, but long enough to leave your heart racing.
The Ring has been lampooned, and even savaged by some critics, but it stands as one of the most effective horror films of the new millenium, setting a template which many have tried to copy, but few have been able to match.
2002
Director: Gore Verbinski
Dreamworks Pictures
The ghost story is a central theme of Japanese horror films, spawning a wealth of creepy and atmospheric movies full of jump scares and tension. As with any foriegn cinematic trend that seems viable, Hollywood has come knocking, and many of these films have gotten the US remake treatment. Most have been plain awful (The Eye, Pulse), but this is the rare case of a remake that is superior to its original. The Ring is a slinky, creepy masterpiece.
Rachel Kellar is sent on a mission to discover what might have killed her teenage niece and driven her friend crazy. She traces her neices steps to a cabin in the woods, and a mysterious videotape that is rumored to kill you seven days after you watch it. She watches the tape too and begins a desperate race to find the source of the curse and stop it before it claims her or her eerily mature son, Aiden, and his father, her estranged boyfriend Noah, who have both watched the tape as well.
The story unfolds beautifully, layer after layer, making this more a detective story than a horror film. With carefully crafted tension and beautiful camerawork, director Gore Verbinski uses all the tricks in the Hitchcock handbook here, and more skillfully than most directors do. He also gives us the classic "Hitchcock blonde" with Naomi Watts, who plays Rachel as a workaholic, quasi-neglectful mother, whose obsesssions tend to overshadow everything else in her life. Watts is magnetic, and she is matched by Martin Henderson as Noah, and young David Dorfman as Aiden. Amber Tamblyn also shines in her brief role, telegraphing her growing terror to the audience. The film has a wonderful artiness, nowhere more evident than the cursed video itself, which plays like a David Lynch short. The shocks are excellent too, especially the bloated, distorted faces of the curse's victims, which are seen for seconds, but long enough to leave your heart racing.
The Ring has been lampooned, and even savaged by some critics, but it stands as one of the most effective horror films of the new millenium, setting a template which many have tried to copy, but few have been able to match.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
More Cheese, Please
Horror fans are always defending their entertainment tastes to thier friends and families, pointing out that the desire to be scared is totally primal, Spielberg and Jackson made horror movies, blah, blah, blah. But secretly, we all have a stash of flicks so ridiculous, so cheesy, that we only watch them in private, ashamed, but enthralled.
Here I share my favorite Cheesy Horror Movies. Please comment with some of your faves..
10- Flesh Eating Mothers- Badly acted, terribly written, and laugh-your-ass-off hysterical!
9- Slumber Party Massacre- The movie people think of when they think of co-ed's being stalked. Interesting note- all of the films in this series were written and directed by women.
8- Silent Night, Deadly Night- Killer Santa! How awesome is that! Throw in some scary nuns and good, violent death scenes, and you've got a holiday classic.
7- The Howling 2: Subtitled in some markets "Stirba, Werewolf Bitch", this deliciously silly movie has hot wolf on wolf action, and some god-awful acting. Check out poor Christopher Lee tyring desperately to elevate this dreck.
6- Subspecies (series)- Full Moon fans will remember this vampire story, one of the first vampire films to be shot in Transylvania. The acting is awful, the script is terrible, and the vampire Radu (Anders Hove) is disgusting. Adds up to a fine waste of a few hours.
5- Seed of Chucky- Actually well-written and acted, this qualifies as cheese because of it's tongue in cheek style and outrageous gags. Doll boobs, doll semen, a tranny/split-personality doll, and a cameo from cult legend John Waters! Genius!
4-Leprechaun In the Hood- Oh yes, my friends, I said Leprechaun. In. The. Hood. 'Nuff said.
3- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (the 1985 version)- The dog has a flashback. Seriously. THE DOG.
2- Blood Feast- Hershell Gordon Lewis' masterpeice is a bloody, and awful, flick about a guy who carves up and eats hot chicks. Features Playboy Playmate Connie Mason, who I met at a convention a few years back. She's awesome, and the movie is terrible.
1- Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers- Oh yes, tranny serial killer Angela is back, and she's gonna make sure you have a good time at camp, or else. Z-grade acting, but surprisingly well-written, this cheese classic contains one of my favorite kills in a gore flick, the outhouse drowning of the camp bitch. Trivia: Angela is played by Bruce Springsteen's sister, Pamela.
I've enclosed climactic scene for you here. Enjoy!
Here I share my favorite Cheesy Horror Movies. Please comment with some of your faves..
10- Flesh Eating Mothers- Badly acted, terribly written, and laugh-your-ass-off hysterical!
9- Slumber Party Massacre- The movie people think of when they think of co-ed's being stalked. Interesting note- all of the films in this series were written and directed by women.
8- Silent Night, Deadly Night- Killer Santa! How awesome is that! Throw in some scary nuns and good, violent death scenes, and you've got a holiday classic.
7- The Howling 2: Subtitled in some markets "Stirba, Werewolf Bitch", this deliciously silly movie has hot wolf on wolf action, and some god-awful acting. Check out poor Christopher Lee tyring desperately to elevate this dreck.
6- Subspecies (series)- Full Moon fans will remember this vampire story, one of the first vampire films to be shot in Transylvania. The acting is awful, the script is terrible, and the vampire Radu (Anders Hove) is disgusting. Adds up to a fine waste of a few hours.
5- Seed of Chucky- Actually well-written and acted, this qualifies as cheese because of it's tongue in cheek style and outrageous gags. Doll boobs, doll semen, a tranny/split-personality doll, and a cameo from cult legend John Waters! Genius!
4-Leprechaun In the Hood- Oh yes, my friends, I said Leprechaun. In. The. Hood. 'Nuff said.
3- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (the 1985 version)- The dog has a flashback. Seriously. THE DOG.
2- Blood Feast- Hershell Gordon Lewis' masterpeice is a bloody, and awful, flick about a guy who carves up and eats hot chicks. Features Playboy Playmate Connie Mason, who I met at a convention a few years back. She's awesome, and the movie is terrible.
1- Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers- Oh yes, tranny serial killer Angela is back, and she's gonna make sure you have a good time at camp, or else. Z-grade acting, but surprisingly well-written, this cheese classic contains one of my favorite kills in a gore flick, the outhouse drowning of the camp bitch. Trivia: Angela is played by Bruce Springsteen's sister, Pamela.
I've enclosed climactic scene for you here. Enjoy!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Bits and Pieces
The Boston Globe doesn't think much of the remake of "The Eye" starring Jessica Alba.
http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/02/02/her_newfound_sight_stirs_up_a_world_of_supernatural_visions/
Click below for a set visit and tons of AMAZING pics from "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army".
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4224&Itemid=99
This looks like an interesting read...
http://www.computercrowsnest.com/articles/books/2008/nz12211.php
And here's a long interview with Quentin Tarantino about his original "Grindhouse" concept, among other things
http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/49432
http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/02/02/her_newfound_sight_stirs_up_a_world_of_supernatural_visions/
Click below for a set visit and tons of AMAZING pics from "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army".
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4224&Itemid=99
This looks like an interesting read...
http://www.computercrowsnest.com/articles/books/2008/nz12211.php
And here's a long interview with Quentin Tarantino about his original "Grindhouse" concept, among other things
http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/49432
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sympathy for the Devil
The Exorcist
1973
Director: William Friedkin
Warner Brothers
Some images are so shocking, so primal, that they burn themselves into your brain. This film, easily one of the ten best films of all time, horror or otherwise, contains several glances at such images. The twisted, grimacing black and white demon that pops onscreen for a fraction of a second at several moments, the infamous crucifix masturbation sequence, the horrifying ‘head twist”; each of these sequences have earned “The Exorcist” its reputation as one of the most disturbing and unsettling films in the horror canon.
The film tells the story of Regan McNeil and her mother, actress Chris, who are in Georgetown while Chris works on a film. Experiments with a Quija Board lead to mysterious rappings, then unexplained and bizarre behavior from Regan. Chris’ director dies mysteriously at the McNeil home while only Regan was there, and finally the girl begins to manifest a thick-voiced, amber-eyed presence capable of incredible and atrocious feats. Finally, the weary mother turns to a priest, the haunted Father Karras. Karras is having a crisis of faith, exacerbated by the loss of his mother. Faced with what seems like incontrovertible proof of the existence of the devil, Karras seeks, and is granted, permission to perform an exorcism, under the watchful eye of Father Merrin, who may have battled this demon before.
Friedkin shot the film in documentary style, his set-ups are never arty or contrived, so when the horror starts, it is unexpected and, well, horrifying. The cast is stellar, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair all received Oscar nominations for their work. Burstyn is particularly effective, her realistic emotional responses grounding the enormous spiritual questions at the center of the film. Blair is also magnificent, helped in no small part by the demonic vocalizations of veteran actress Mercedes McCambridge. The script is exquisite, languid and beautifully paced. Watch “The Exorcist” to be reminded of how satisfying a slow build up can be. Writer William Peter Blatty, adapting his own equally exceptional novel, wisely plays it neutral, not taking a side on the faith vs. science debate, but still providing a satisfying story with real philosophical weight.
“The Exorcist” remains a litmus test, a way for horror fans to prove their mettle by sitting through it. Unfortunately, this has kept meeker eyes off the film, which is a shame, since it is one of the most extraordinary movies of all time, a film that shows you, rather than tells you, that opens the window to the horror, but points no fingers. It is a classic, and I still can’t watch it with the lights off.
1973
Director: William Friedkin
Warner Brothers
Some images are so shocking, so primal, that they burn themselves into your brain. This film, easily one of the ten best films of all time, horror or otherwise, contains several glances at such images. The twisted, grimacing black and white demon that pops onscreen for a fraction of a second at several moments, the infamous crucifix masturbation sequence, the horrifying ‘head twist”; each of these sequences have earned “The Exorcist” its reputation as one of the most disturbing and unsettling films in the horror canon.
The film tells the story of Regan McNeil and her mother, actress Chris, who are in Georgetown while Chris works on a film. Experiments with a Quija Board lead to mysterious rappings, then unexplained and bizarre behavior from Regan. Chris’ director dies mysteriously at the McNeil home while only Regan was there, and finally the girl begins to manifest a thick-voiced, amber-eyed presence capable of incredible and atrocious feats. Finally, the weary mother turns to a priest, the haunted Father Karras. Karras is having a crisis of faith, exacerbated by the loss of his mother. Faced with what seems like incontrovertible proof of the existence of the devil, Karras seeks, and is granted, permission to perform an exorcism, under the watchful eye of Father Merrin, who may have battled this demon before.
Friedkin shot the film in documentary style, his set-ups are never arty or contrived, so when the horror starts, it is unexpected and, well, horrifying. The cast is stellar, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair all received Oscar nominations for their work. Burstyn is particularly effective, her realistic emotional responses grounding the enormous spiritual questions at the center of the film. Blair is also magnificent, helped in no small part by the demonic vocalizations of veteran actress Mercedes McCambridge. The script is exquisite, languid and beautifully paced. Watch “The Exorcist” to be reminded of how satisfying a slow build up can be. Writer William Peter Blatty, adapting his own equally exceptional novel, wisely plays it neutral, not taking a side on the faith vs. science debate, but still providing a satisfying story with real philosophical weight.
“The Exorcist” remains a litmus test, a way for horror fans to prove their mettle by sitting through it. Unfortunately, this has kept meeker eyes off the film, which is a shame, since it is one of the most extraordinary movies of all time, a film that shows you, rather than tells you, that opens the window to the horror, but points no fingers. It is a classic, and I still can’t watch it with the lights off.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Bits and Pieces
Lionsgate made a deal with IFC today, giving the indie cable broadcaster first free TV rights to over 70 films, including both "Hostel" films, "House of 1,000 Corpses", and "The Devil's Rejects".
http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=292816
In, um, interesting news, Michael Bay (cough*hack*cough) is in talks to re-make "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Near Dark", among other horror classics. Your humble host is not amused.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/film_nm/nightmare_dc_1
Read a review of Joe Hill's new short story collection 20th Century Ghosts, here. For those not in the know, Hill is the son of Stephen King.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/books/review/Rafferty-t.html
And last, but not least, famed "women's fiction" publisher Harlequin has launched a new line of "paranormal romances". I laugh heartily already.
http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/080129/harlequin_ghost_blog.html?.v=1
http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=292816
In, um, interesting news, Michael Bay (cough*hack*cough) is in talks to re-make "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Near Dark", among other horror classics. Your humble host is not amused.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/film_nm/nightmare_dc_1
Read a review of Joe Hill's new short story collection 20th Century Ghosts, here. For those not in the know, Hill is the son of Stephen King.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/books/review/Rafferty-t.html
And last, but not least, famed "women's fiction" publisher Harlequin has launched a new line of "paranormal romances". I laugh heartily already.
http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/080129/harlequin_ghost_blog.html?.v=1
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