zombievato

My first impression of this beautifully shot,wonderfully atmospheric, and professionally acted cinematic accomplishment was one of disappointment. I immediately texted a movie buff friend. I was actually happy that someone in this day and age with an "A list" cast and real life "Hollywood" budget, would put out a "zombie" film, that no one could actually say was better than "Oasis of the Zombies" by the great Jess Franco. Arnie truly stretches here, in a somber dramatic role. Abigail Breslin always brings it. The cast is flawless. It is not their fault. I apologize, but I see "zombie" in a movie plot, I've come to expect certain things. This should have been sold as a "Lifetime Channel" family melodrama.

(here comes the spoiler)

It is about a daughter terminally ill with an apparently mildly virulent contagion. The effect it has on her family and community. Could've been a nasty flu. Or mutated rabies.

That's it. No hordes of undead. No full-auto ballistic mayhem. No gore. No nudity. No kitties. Nothing much to see here folks. At least Jess Franco tried harder, with much less. I know the actors have bills to pay. As do the producers, directors, cast, crew and studio. "Bless their hearts". Is Franco still alive? Give him a "Hollywood budget" damn it! At least Jess Franco has sense enough to put boobs in his art.

Simply put, absolutely charming. If you're not entertained, you may just have a heart of stone. Possibly the best thing on t.v. since Northern Exposure. This is the first I've seen of Rachel Bilson so I can't compare it to the other shows mentioned in other reviews. She admirably carries the heavy load, with tons of absolutely flawless supporting players. The simmering animosity between her and the quintessential Southern Belle, Lemon, is priceless. Jaime King as Lemon Breeland is absolute Southern perfection. She is the embodiment of Southern charm. Tough as nails, wickedly condescending, at times just plain mean. Then tragically vulnerable. You just want to hug the stuffing out of her!

Darn near flawless,I can't think of how to improve the show. Perhaps some gratuitous swimsuit scenes at the local swimming hole? Maybe have Doc Hart partake in some gator hunting? Maybe a zombie crossover with the Walking Dead!?

This may not be the most fun of the original Romero Zombie trilogy, but it may actually be the best. Despite the "film studies" geeks wanting to read all sorts of political subtext into the films, there is none. It really is about icky scary zombies we need to blast. Not a diatribe on Amercan this or that or a diatribe on Cold War hysteria. Romero found cool places to shoot monster movies. There is nothing inherently wrong with people buying goods they want or protecting themselves from evildoers with firearms.

This is the grittiest and most real of the zombie films. This is what makes any film great. Not blood, gore, and effects. Not even plot and storyline. Nope it's all about the characters. This is an intimate, character study, with the main players under the stress of a zombie apocalypse. If you don't have an emotional investment in the characters, then it does'nt really matter if the movie was even made. This is where Romero excels. I feel like I met, and got to know everyone in this movie. Even some of the zombies. It mattered if they died. I cared. That's what made this and the other Romero movies so memorable. And frankly why they stand above most all of the Italian/Euro horror movies. They tend to be boring as all freakin hell, and not only do you not know who just died, you could'nt care less as you don't even pause the boring DVD to go pee and grab another beer.

The only subtext, if there is any, is the absurd childish typical lefty notion that there are no "real" evil monsters. Everything we think is bad is simply misunderstood. Even zombies. Can't kill'em indiscriminately. We need to understand and sympathize with them. Thus he seeks to humanize the zombies (Bubb). Make them sympathetic. This theme was carried to it's absurd apex in Land of the Dead, with the whole "people for the ethical treatment of zombies" ending. Just shoot the damn things you pansy commie bastard. Kill'em All Let God sort'em out! Zombies. Jihadi's. Whatever, shoot the bad guy and win a prize!

Should be watched at least once a month. It's that well done. Beautifully shot and acted. Was this a sound stage? I'm sorry, when I watch this, it is total suspension of disbelief. I'd swear I'm in Victorian era London.

Some "trivia" critics criticize the Absinthe fire ritual in this. But actually I never questioned the lighting of the sugar cube. That was probably invented about 3 or 4 days after realizing we should put a sugar cube in this bitter drink. I was bothered by the fact that Depp, a well known Absinthieur, did not douse the flaming caramel with ICE WATER. You HAVE to drink it with ice water to make it "louche". To set the fairy free. IF Dumbasses keep serving Absinthe improperly here in the states, it will be banned again.

IF YOU ARE SERVED ABSINTHE WITHOUT ICE WATER, YOU'VE BEEN SERVED BY A DIMWIT!!!! Ice water or die!!!! It's 100 to 186 proof!!!! You can die if you don't show this drink the proper respect. That said, try the French or Swiss stuff, and try honey. Greatest drink in the world.

Oh yeah, From Hell was pretty good. Get the DVD, has an Absinthe special feature.

I love listening to politically left nitwits ascribe all sorts of amazing anti-American culture "subtext" to the Romero Zombie films. Here's a hint, listen to the commentary. "Night" was done on a shoestring budget. They cast the best they could. Hey, he was black!

Dawn, he had a friend who opened the 1st mall, gave him a tour. Then Argento offered to pay for a sequel to Night. Perfect set. Has to write a screenplay, sitting in a hotel in Italy. Yes Romero is a Lib. But I don't believe there is politics on purpose in any of his 1st 3 zombie films. College "film studies" nitwits came up with that. Making fun of "consumerism"!?!? Oooh so evil, exchanging cash for goods! Friggin hippie commies. Fill your bong and stick to Harry Potter films.

This is the ultimate fun zombie film. Guns, booze, fur coats, THE WORLD IS YOURS!!!!

My friend almost barfed with the Savini effects in this. Should'nt have pounded Milk Duds and popcorn at the 1st viewing. Saw this at theater (midnight movie Puente Hills CA) about 30 or 40 times! Whooo! That was High School. The Lib stuff did'nt really manifest till Land. Only Libs could feel the need to have compassion and understanding towards mindless killing monsters. That's why Romero's zombies move slow and resemble your neighbor. Oooh, I should think twice before killing a monster. Nah, eat lead, and rest in peace. Evil exists, that's why smart people own firearms. Dumbasses get eaten by wildlife in the outdoors with a cellphone in hand. Vegans are idiots. It has to be said!

This is Zombie Apocalypse. Watch and learn. This is 1 of the best depictions of how it would be. This is a slice of life after zombies. This could've been made into a "soap opera" (Roger did Days of our Lives)and run for years. Buy a firearm. Learn how to use it. Protect your loved ones. The Zombies/Monsters/Bad guys, are out there.

There's a handful of films that you can just throw on, when you're not sure what you feel like watching. Call'em popcorn & beer movies.

Mr. Hill has had one hell of an amazing career. But damn. I mean, "DAMN"! This is some damn fine "movie making" . Shot like an art film. Samurai storyline, with prohibition era weaponry; 1911 .45's, Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers, Thompson Submachine guns, B.A.R's, Colt Single Actions, amazing! Booze, guns, babes, violence, GET DOWN!

Flawless cast, and the Ry Cooder soundtrack, damn! This man was born to lay down the most amazing movie music. Remember Southern Comfort? Ry Cooder is a national treasure. Christopher Walken is spot-on perfect. This is edgy, violent drunken fun. Enjoy.

Threre's a natural creepiness attached to abandoned buildings. Like an in your face reminder that failure and decay, know no bounds. The grandest empire can fray and crumble at the edges. This was shot in an actual abandoned mental hospital. The sets alone set this above the norm. This is truly one of the best of the 80's schlocky horror films. The story is okay, if not entirely cohesive. The acting, even the background/extras, are better than should be expected. The main character Cheryl Lawson gives her all, and goes the extra mile with a nice (though tacked on) topless dream scene. The effects were done with loving care, as evidenced on the "CODE RED" release with the DVD extras. This IS 80's horror going out in style. Zombies, well done gore, nekkid babes, crazy surgeons, what more do you want? Vince Vaughn?

for 80's zombie schlock horror, Romero, with the help of Argento set a pretty high bar. Make no mistake, this does not meet that bar. However, it tries hard, and is a damn fun ride. To the connoisseur of zombie horror or 80's schlock horror, this is a must have. It has zombies, decent makeup fx, cool weaponry (though apparently few if any of the automatic weapons were actually modified to work with blanks), oh yeah, and gratuitous (but surprisingly tasteful and artistic) nudity. Storyline is standard, but the cinematography, sets, Goblin musical score ripped off from Dawn of the Dead, all add up to a great zombie schlock extravaganza. Ignore complaints of "stock footage". It works. It provides depth, and reality otherwise unobtainable through modern sterilized fx. Best viewed with friends and many, many, MANY, drinks.