Zombiemania Documentary Review.

Zombiemania Documentary aired yesterday Oct 13th on Starz. This was definitely an interesting one because it really got into depth with the Zombie genre. Throughout the documentary they mention alot of fun facts that you may or may not know. We'll get more into depth later on. It started with the question What is a Zombie? and we all know is the dead brought back to life. Hence their dubbed name 'The Living Dead' (1968) George Romero mentions that he was inspired for 'Night of the Living Dead' by reading the Classic Novel by Richard Matheson "I Am Legend" as he states he ripped it off. Except 'I am legend' was about vampires and Romero wanted to create a new creature. A creature where the dead aren't staying dead and they eat live flesh.

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Comparing 'Night of the living Dead' (1968) and (1990) Version.

Original Released in 1968 Directed and written By: George Romero alongside John A Russo (Screenplay)

Later Released in 1990: Directed by: Tom Savini

‘Night of the living Dead’, the black and white version is definitely the one that started the entire zombie craze and still remains a classic till this day. The 90’s version stays somewhat true to the original but there are a few changes including the ending. In the original film Barbara and her brother Johnny are visiting their father’s grave and Johnny starts scaring Barbara telling her that the dead are going to come for her. Suddenly there’s a man approaching Barbara; he tries to attack her, instead Johnny gets killed ---Johnny later returns as a zombie. Barbara tries to take off in her car and crashes it. She then runs towards a house encountering Ben and others.

There are a lot of differences in the characters in the 90’s film. These changes appear to be better for the latter film. In the black and white version Barbara appears to be in shock during most of the movie, she doesn’t even attempt to help Ben out. Ben is the main character; he appears to be tough and won’t take shit from no one. In one scene Barbara is demanding from Ben that they must go look for her brother. Ben tells Barbra her brother is dead and Barbra slaps him. Without hesitation Ben returns the slap. Barbra is then knocked out unconscious for a while. (Barbara becomes the main character in the latter film.)

In the 90’s version Barbara is a lot tougher, she is willing to help out. She isn’t scared except for the beginning when she’s asking her brother to stop teasing her. She even knows how to use a shotgun and does a mean job by killing off the zombies and shooting them in the head. Ben is more sensitive and understanding towards Barbara.During the film there’s a couple people that come out of the Basement Harry, his character remains the same; a kind of asshole that only thinks of himself and isn’t willing to help the rest of the people in the house.

There’s also Harry’s wife Helen and his daughter whom throughout the movie is unconscious and later rises as a member of the undead. In the original the daughter repeatedly stabs the mom in the chest. This was something amazing to watch because it demonstrated that although horror has evolved, it all started somewhere and this zombie movie shaped every other zombie movie there is. Even for a black and white film George Romero didn’t care if it was going to be brutal for audiences assuming during that time this movie scared many. Now not so much, it just helps one appreciate classic horror.

The 90’s version became slightly humorous when you look at it now. The zombies had more makeup and we preferred to watch the original where the zombies looked a little like humans and slowly evolved into the undead near the end of the film. Two other characters also appeared alongside harry and Helen which were Tom and Judy. In the original Judy seemed more willing to do whatever was asked of her although she didn’t help out much. In the remake Judy was very annoying to watch as a character always yelling and screaming but definitely helped out in boarding the house. We forgot to mention that Harry’s wife Helen is feistier in the remake and stands up for herself opposed to where she has to listen and do as she is told by Harry in the original.

Overall, the original was the best even though the 90’s version of the characters and story were a little more developed and there was more explanation. The actors were also more believable as characters. Tony Todd (Candyman) played Ben in the 90’s version and did a great job. We enjoyed watching the remake, but the 1968 version was the one that initiated it all and showcased the zombies as vicious and inhuman. There was more concentration in showing the zombies really eating flesh in the original version ---something that was slightly shown in the remake. The ending was also different but I won’t give anymore away. If you haven’t seen them you should and decide for yourself which one is your favorite.

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Clip from George Romero's Survival of the Dead.

Below is a clip of Survival of the Dead. Courtesy of shock. You can view the trailer and behind the scenes footage here  

 On an island off the coast of North America, local residents simultaneously fight a zombie epidemic while hoping for a cure to return their un-dead relatives back to their human state.



This movie is already screening in the Toronto film festival. No word of when it will be released in the U.S.

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Film Review: CreepShow (1982)

Review By: Chris Ward

Released: November 12,1982

Director: George A. Romero Writer: Stephen King (screenplay)

'Creepshow' is a movie consisting of five short stories, written by Stephen King, all produced in a style inspired by the classic 1950's EC Comics. Directed by George A.Romero (Night of the Living Dead) and starring a cast of then largely unknowns - most of whom are now household names - 'Creepshow' offers an interesting glimpse into what great minds can do when they work together.

The first story is called 'Father's Day' and is probably the weakest of the five. A young Ed Harris and assorted relatives get together to remember a family member who was murdered by his long suffering daughter. Only problem is that on this Father's day, dad has come back to join the party!

'The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill' stars King himself as the character of the title, who is a backwoods farmer who discovers a meteorite in his back yard. After touching it, though, he discovers that some things are best left alone.
The third story, 'Something To Tide You Over', stars Leslie Nielsen as a jealous husband who has discovered his wife's affair with a pre-Cheers Ted Danson. To punish the pair of them he takes them to a secluded beach, and offers his own brand of menacing revenge.
The fourth, and best, story is called 'The Crate', and involves Hal Holbrook as a hen-pecked husband who lures his bitchy wife (the still gorgeous Adrienne Barbeau) to his college where something has been discovered living in a crate under the stairs.
The final story, 'They're Creeping Up On You', stars E.G. Marshall as a grumpy millionaire living in a germ-free apartment block, but unfortunately, nobody told the army of cockroaches that keep invading his room.

All in all, 'Creepshow' is a fun movie that never takes itself seriously. The makers have enough knowledge and passion about the comics on which it is based that they never cross the line into parody, or being over the top for the sake of it. That being said, hardcore gore fans won't find a lot here to satisfy their craving.
The acting by all the cast is spot on. Leslie Nielsen plays his part with relished menace, whist Hal Holbrook and Adrienne Barbeau are excellent as the warring married couple. E.G. Marshall is also in fine form as the loathsome Upson Pratt.
Although it shows it's age slightly, this is still a great movie, and with not a lot else in the last thirty years to compare it to, it pretty much stands alone in the 'Horror/Comic' genre. Recommended.

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Survival Of The Dead: Trailer,photos and behind the scenes footage.

Yet another Zombie movie and we're happy to find out that George Romero is coming out with the sixth installment of the Dead Series. This time titled Survival of the Dead.
This movie is set to have its world premiere at the "Midnight Madness" part of the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Plot: On an island off the coast of North America, local residents simultaneously fight a zombie epidemic while hoping for a cure to return their un-dead relatives back to their human state.

On the official Twitter


page—www.twitter.com/OfficialRomero—fans will not only be able to “tweet” about the latest information and news about the movie, but even the filmmakers themselves will chime in about current developments in getting the film ready for release. Among the cast and crew who will be posting: actors Alan Van Sprang from DIARY OF THE DEAD, Kenneth Welsh (of THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, THE FOG and THE COVENANT), Kathleen Munroe, Devon Bostick (SAW IV, LAND OF THE DEAD), Richard Fitzpatrick and Eric Woolfe; editor Michael Doherty (DIARY and LAND OF THE DEAD; WEIRDVILLE); stunt coordinator Matt Birman (DIARY and LAND OF THE DEAD, plus the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake); visual FX supervisor Colin Davies (DIARY and LAND OF THE DEAD); special makeup creator Francois Dagenais (SAW II-IV; REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA; SILENT HILL); costume designer Alex Kavanagh (DIARY and LAND OF THE DEAD, plus SAW sequels); EPK producer Michael Felsher (DIARY’s videographer) and, best of all, Romero himself! Fans will recognize these “official” tweets as they will end with the person’s initials: AVS, KW, KM, DB, RF, EW, MD, MB, CD, FD, AK, MF and of course GAR! In addition, Deadheads will find up-to-the-minute information about the film, including photos and exclusive video at www.myspace.com/officialgeorgeromero. -Fangoria

Here is a behind the scenes look of survival of the Dead courtesy of myspace.

BTS George Romero Sneak Peek

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