Day of the Dead (1985)

Continuing with somewhat of a Pennsylvania theme, I chose my next flick. While it was not based in the Keystone state, it was once considered the conclusion of the original George Romero zombie trilogy that will forever be linked to South Western Pennsylvania. My choice for the morning is the Romero classic Day of the Dead from 1985.

Plot/ A small group of military officers and scientists dwell in an underground bunker as the world above is overrun by zombies.

I remember watching this when in came out in 1985. At 13-years old, this movie was dark and extremely complex in comparison to the mindless zombie flicks that had become the rage in that era. Today, looking back at it, it was way ahead of its time. More importantly, it demonstrated what could be done on a limited budget, especially if the right people are working on it. The effects by Tom Savini are some of the best seen and the gore factor takes it to a new level. Yes, the soundtrack has some uneven moments, some of the acting was too over-the-top, and the storyline was a touch disjointed in places, but not of that brought the film down. In the end, this may be one of the more impressive entries from the mind of Romero and could possibly be his best work in the zombie genre. With the extreme amount of gore, it is not for everyone, but it is a must see for fans of the zombie genre. 

ETSY Find of the Day

OOAK Hand-Painted Day of the Dead Doll

This is the first in a series of hand-painted dolls inspired by Dia de los Muertos. All clothing is vintage, and the recycled dolls have been well-loved and played with. Painted with acrylics, and sealed with polyurethane.

Day of the Dead (2008)

While I was coming up with a vision for a project I am working on, I found Day of the Dead (2008) on Showtime. Since I read about it in Rue Morgue and first saw this in the stores, the cover screamed terrible so I just walked by. Because I already pay for Showtime, I can only lose but 90 minutes of my life! After all, there is no way it could measure up to the original Day of the Dead.

Plot/ In Leadville, Colorado, Captain Rhodes and his army seals off the town to contain an influenza-type epidemic. The locals are not allowed to leave the town and the Pine Valley Medical Center is crowded with sick people. Corporal Sarah Bowman was born and raised in Leadville and goes to her home with Private Bud Crain to visit her mother. Sarah finds that her mother is ill and takes her to the local hospital. However, the sick people suddenly transform in flesh eating, fast moving zombies which attack the non-infected humans. Sarah, Bud and Private Salazar get a jeep and head to the town exit to escape from the dead. But Sarah hears the voice of her brother, Trevor, on the radio and is compelled to go to the radio station where Trevor is hidden with his girlfriend Nina. The group of survivors drives to the isolated Nike factory seeking shelter, where they discover an underground army base.

I remember seeing this on the shelf at the local Walmart and had a feeling I should stay away. After watching it today, I know why. As good as the Dawn of the Dead remake was, this is that much worse. This film is boring, with sub par special effects and a script that is just plain bad. Yes, the blood was a nice thing to see, and decapitations are always worth something, but even that could not help this movie. I mean, a vegetarian zombie…. Really!!! Fortunately, this isn’t the worst remake of a Romero classic, the 2006 rendition of Night of the Living Dead is even worse (and not worth the time to review it).