The Dead (2010)

I love zombie flicks. I have ever since watching Night of the Living Dead on Chiller Theatre so many years ago for the first time (don't forget to check out the Save the Chapel movement to save a piece of horror history). I will admit though, lately, some of the zombie entries have been a bit blah, doing way too much to change the classic zombie mythos. In fact, many seem to spin the same effects in an effort to take advantage of the swell in zombie popularity. A search for new and interesting zombie movies is full of uninventive and listless forays into retreaded realms. I hope that the zombie flick I chose for the evening does not fall into that category, that film is The Dead from 2010.

Plot/ In the very near future, most of the world has succumbed to the virus of the living dead. After crashing off the coast of Africa, Lt. Brian Murphy battles for survival across the terrible terrain of Africa in search of a way to get back to his beloved family in the USA. Saved by local military man Daniel Dembele, who is also searching for his son, both men join forces, all the while battling against the ever-present threat of the living dead

I love zombie movies; especially ones with the original George Romero inspired creeping undead. Fortunately, this movie was full of them. In fact, they may have taken them to a new level of creepiness within the beautiful scenery.  Sure, the story is a bit thin, the plot lacks life and the acting is so-so, but really, who cares. This flick is all about zombies, their attacks and their demise, which is truly the high point featuring strong make-up and CGI and some awesome gore effects (the headshots are some of the best I have seen). In the end, this is far from perfect. However, this is an underrated and original zombie flick that is full of social commentary and is actually a bit unsettling. If you get a chance, check it out!

  

Yes, You Can Help Save the Chapel from Night of the Living Dead

  

Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the cast of Night of the Living Dead, arguably the most influential horror flick of all time. For many, this definitely one of the most loved and classic films of all time and more importantly, it laid the groundwork for the zombie culture that we have in our lives today.

As many know, portions of this masterpiece were filmed in the Evans City Cemetery, and by now, many (even if you are not fans of horror) have seen the quaint little chapel shown in the beginning of the film when Barbara and Johnny arrive. As I found out in talking with some of the cast, this chapel, while still there, has fallen to a state of disrepair and it is in danger of being torn down. Gary Streiner, original sound engineer on the film, has started the Save the Chapel initiative, a grass roots group of Night of the Living Dead fans who do not want to see the chapel in the Evans City Cemetery torn down.

 (Picture by Sheldon Higdon)

Being from the South Western Pennsylvania area, this movement hit home with me as Night of the Living Dead was one of the first horror movies I saw on Chiller Theatre with Chilly Billy as a kid. I am not usually one who blogs about causes, but honestly this is one that can save a true piece of horror cinematic history and one that I plan of becoming more and more active with once I return to Pennsylvania in less than a week. If you would like any further information on the project check out their page at Save the Chapel. A website for this initiative is in the works, keep checking back for all of the details. Please spread the word and help us restore a part of movie and horror history!

This coming weekend, Northern Nightmares presents CHILLER THEATRE at THE STRAND THEATRE in Zelienople, PA where they will be showing the George A. Romero (and all-time) classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD to benefit the restoration of the Evans City Cemetery Chapel, as seen in the opening of the movie. All The event runs Friday and Saturday OCT 28-29 at 7:30 and Sunday OCT 30 at 4:00 and feature special guests Russ Streiner (Johnny), Kyra Schon (Karen Cooper), and Gary Streiner (Sound Engineer and Props master). Allseats for this event are $6.00. For more information on the screening go to The Strand Theater website or if you desire to do more, check out the Save the Chapel group webpage.

The guys over at the Corpse O'Clock News have made a great video on this cause, check it out!

The Hollows (2001)

One of the things that I love about going to conventions or film festivals is the chance to pick-up some true underground indie horror. These flicks are the true grass-roots, no budget gems that are being done, not for the money or fame, but for the love of the genre. Everyone knows what these are, they are the movies that sit on the table at 5 bucks, and are made with little-to-no budget, with local footage and citizens as extras, and maybe one or two trained actors (this one does feature Suzi Lorraine). This weekend at the New Jersey Zombie Walk and Undead Festival I was psyched to find a few such films from Amplo Films. The first one I have watched and will review is The Hollows.

Plot/ When all is lost and death is near, darkness walks on Halloween. Soon, one discovers blood is like a drug, and the killings just cannot stop.  

Like many of these low-budget / no-budget entries, there are flaws. This one is no exception in the sound quality, lighting and acting. But, to the credit of this film, those are easy to overlook (if you watch with an open mind). To be honest, with a film that features a few trained actors, the performances are not that bad and relatively believable (as is the dialogue). The special effects (blood, lots of blood), the settings (loved the local haunted house), the dream sequences and the storyline really work.  For me, it was easy to see the potential of this flick, and imagine what could have taken place with a bigger budget and such. Sure, there were flaws, but sometimes those flaws should be overlooked due to the simple down-to-earth entertainment value of a flick.

When I am viewing these and now sitting down to write a review, it is more about the vision that I write about than all of the normal items that I would usually blog. Being such a grass-roots indie flick, I should hope that everyone (especially potential viewers) would be open-minded enough to look past the inherent flaws that come with these movies. Unfortunately, I have found in the circle of horror movie reviewers out there that is not usually the case, and that the quality of the flick often takes a greater meaning and that these flaws are pointed out and become the basis of the review. To that, I say Bullshit! This movie had some very interesting dream sequences that featured some surreal scripting and some decent editing and camera work. That was one of the things that made this so entertaining; there were scenes that truly showed a coherent vision in my eyes even if the above mentioned flaws exist.

True indie cinema is what horror was built on through the 1960s and 1970s (maybe the 80s with the direct to VHS boom).  If it was not for these no-budget gems, where would horror be? After all, Hollywood only seems to rehash and redo great films from the past and other than a few picture companies have lost the creative horror touch. Plus, these filmmakers truly do not care if there is a ton of good or bad reviews, hell they could careless if they have any, they are just still plugging away making the movies that they want. When I bought these flicks, I gladly spent the 10 bucks, because I knew that the money would be put toward the next project and isn’t that what this country and horror cinema was built on?

If interested in picking up a copy of the Hollows or any Amplo Film production, it looks like you have to email them through their MySpace Page or get lucky and find one at a horror convention or something along those lines. That being said, I would not recommend this one for everyone. But TRUE fans of no-budget indie horror should check it out if they get the chance.

NJ Zombie Walk and Undead Festival - Day 2

So, I was able to spend the entire day hanging out with all the guys at Bad Zombie both working the merch table and enjoying the festivities of this great three day event. More importantly, I got to talk with some of the cast members of Night of the Living Dead about saving a piece of horror history (details will follow later in the week). Here are some random pics from the day.

(with make-up artist from Airbrushing Concepts)



NJ Zombie Walk - Undead Festival - Day 1

I just got back from a great afternoon/evening at the New Jersey Zombie Walk and Undead Festival. It was a cool evening, I got to chill with Zombie King Jason while enjoying a cold PBR, work the merch table, hang out with some cool zombies including some of the stars of the classic Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and The Walking Dead, have a great chat with the director of Dark Ride and Perkins 14 Craig Singer about a book project, check out a cool bonfire on the beach, watch some new horror and catch-up with some old friends. Of course, this event would be so much better if Bren and the girls were here, but as the great poet Mick Jaggar says, "You can't always get what you want!" Here are some pictures from the evening, I am sure that there will be many more to follow after the walk tomorrow.

NJ Zombie Walk and Undead Festival 2011

Our friends at Bad Zombie and the New Jersey Zombie Walk are planning the “World’s Largest Gathering of Zombies” a 3-DAY EVENT called THE UNDEAD FESTIVAL! They are pulling out all the stops developing a full-scale horrorfest for you featuring vendors, special guests, musical acts, performances, special presentations, film screenings AND MUCH MUCH MORE! You’re not going to want to miss a single moment of it! THE NEW JERSEY ZOMBIE WALK IS OCTOBER 22ND  The Zombie Walk is on Saturday and is ...(as always) TOTALLY FREE! We’ll have a Base Camp in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall which will open at 10am with the Undead Festival. Our team of professional artists will once again be offering Zombie Makeovers for a nominal ticket fee, or you can get bloody in the DIY makeup area and Blood Bath on the beach. The walk will begin at 5:00PM this year, no Guinness count.. this time we head straight for the city! THE UNDEAD FESTIVAL IS ALL WEEKEND LONG!  Asbury Park Convention Hall will be transformed into a post-apocalyptic wonderland October 21st, 22nd and 23rd as the Undead Festival takes over the building! We’re working on a final schedule for the event that will include over fifty vendors, zombie costume & cosplay contests, a horrific fashion show, haunting music.. zombiefied cake.. after parties and theatrical performances.. special screenings and sneak peeks at some of the hottest new zombie films, shows and video games.. LIVE panel discussions and meet and greets with famous artists and actors from your favorite horror titles and MUCH MORE. FIRST WAVE OF SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED!  We’re VERY excited to welcome “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” stars Bill Hinzmann, Kyra Schon, Judith Ridley, John Russo, Russ Streiner, George Kosana, & Gary Streiner as they come together to tell stories about the ORIGINAL Zombie film that started it all! The KING of the “MARVEL ZOMBIES” is also coming to Asbury Park! Award winning comic creator, writer and artist Arthur Suydam will be at the convention all three days! And we’re just getting started! We’ll be announcing MANY MORE GUESTS over the next few weeks so stay tuned! We’re taking over the building and developing an amazing schedule of events! You’re not going to want to miss a single moment of the mayhem! Guests will be meeting fans and signing autographs all three days unless otherwise noted. The festival will also be host to more than 75 vendors selling all kinds of incredible horror and genre goodies including posters, shirts, toys, movies, collectibles, edible zombie treats and original art! Convention Hall hours are: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21ST - 4:00pm - 10:00pm with after-parties TBA SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND - 10:00am - 6:00pm with after-parties TBA SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23RD - 11:00am - 5:00pm Discount tickets are available for pre-sale online! Admission prices are: 1 DAY PASS* - $10 each individual day FULL WEEKEND PASS* - $20 for the whole festival! CHILDREN 10 years and under - FREE! Visit http://www.njzombiewalk.com/ to purchase tickets! * Undead Festival passes are good for entry into Convention Hall only and do not include admission to after parties or other events coinciding on the Boardwalk.  All proceeds from ticket sales will help fund the Zombie Walk and Undead Festival.  More guests, event lineup and detail TBA SOON!

Shots from the Zombie Beach Party

Here are some random shots from the Awesome Zombie Beach Party held today in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The day had fun, games, and some Hot Zombies. Next up, Saturday Nightmares Expo next weekend that includes a costume contest and a zombie walk.



Finally Time for the Zombie Beach Party (Tomorrow)

As the month of May winds down and we are finished celebrating the birthdays of Horror Icons, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Vincent Price, why noyt head down to the shore tomorrow for an incredible afternoon of Rotting Flesh, Eating Brain and Zombie Frolicking. My friends over at The New Jersey Zombie Walk are kicking off the summer season with an awesome event their first ever “Zombie Beach Party” in Asbury Park! On Saturday, May 28th zombies will once again converge on the Asbury Boardwalk as we kickoff the summer beach season and Memorial Day weekend.

This retro themed event will b...ring beach goers and zombie lovers back in time by invoking the spirit of the classic beach party films of the 1960’s. Beach activities will include games like brain volleyball, legless limbo, intestine-twister, zombie hula contests and more!

The event will also feature an amusement midway - a throwback to Palace Amusements and the games and boardwalk attractions that are part of Asbury Park’s history. Zombies can play traditional carnival games with an undead twist including a zombie dunk tank, a kissing (biting) booth, brain dart toss, and “Aim for the Head.” Players will have a chance to win an assortment of festive zombified prizes.

Wristbands will be available for $10 and will include a beach badge for the day, discounts on all midway games, and special savings at restaurants, bars and food stands down the full length of the boardwalk and throughout the entire city. A small team of professional make-up artists will also be on hand from noon until 5pm to give demonstrations and assist in giving complete zombie makeovers for a nominal fee of $15 for airbrushing with an additional $10 for scabs/wounds).

Saturday Nightmares Expo (June 3-5)

Yes, I know that Flea Market and Estate Sale time is in full swing, and really even trips to the Jersey Shore. Fortunately for horror fans, we have so many options to satisfy our cravings as we move into the summer. For me, fortunately, between writing and watching many of my favorite horror movies, I have been able stay somewhat sane. However, that is not always enough. With it being a few months removed from Monster-Mania, it is a great day when I can look forward to next months Saturday Nightmares Expo  (June 3-5) at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center in East Rutherford, NJ. 

This will be Saturday Nightmares BIGGEST Horror and SciFi Expo yet! Special Celebrity guests featuring the stars of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and "Family Plot" Tippi Hedren, Bruce Dern and Karen Black! Also featuring Sid Haig, Barbara Steele, Julian Sands, Doug Bradley, Lisa Marie, The Ladies of "Evil Dead", the cast of "Dawn of the Dead" featuring Ken Foree, and "Return of the Living Dead" with a very special VIP Meet and Greet and many, many more!

Visit our Vendor ballrooms for your movie memorabilia! Hit the celebrity guest signing tent for autographs and photo opps ALL THREE DAYS! The SN Events Tent screening films with live intro's and answers from the films stars, Panel discussions, performances, Saturday Night Masquerade Party with live bands and costume contest hosted by special celebrity guest and celebrity judges, the SN ZOMBIE WALK led by Ken Foree, DJ Crypmaster Chiller Chucky and lots, lots more! BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND THE SN "Twilight Zone" MARATHON IN THE MOVIE BAR LOBBY!

Having attended the first Expo last year, I am sure this will be one conference that should not be missed!

Get Groovy at the Zombie Beach Party

My friends over at The New Jersey Zombie Walk are kicking off the summer season with an awesome event. In celebration of our 2010 Guinness Record achievement as the “Largest Gathering of Zombies in the World” we will be hosting our first ever “Zombie Beach Party” in Asbury Park! On Saturday, May 28th zombies will once again converge on the Asbury Boardwalk as we kickoff the summer beach season and Memorial Day weekend.

This retro themed event will b...ring beach goers and zombie lovers back in time by invoking the spirit of the classic beach party films of the 1960’s. Beach activities will include games like brain volleyball, legless limbo, intestine-twister, zombie hula contests and more!

The event will also feature an amusement midway - a throwback to Palace Amusements and the games and boardwalk attractions that are part of Asbury Park’s history. Zombies can play traditional carnival games with an undead twist including a zombie dunk tank, a kissing (biting) booth, brain dart toss, and “Aim for the Head.” Players will have a chance to win an assortment of festive zombified prizes.

Wristbands will be available for $10 and will include a beach badge for the day, discounts on all midway games, and special savings at restaurants, bars and food stands down the full length of the boardwalk and throughout the entire city. A small team of professional make-up artists will also be on hand from noon until 5pm to give demonstrations and assist in giving complete zombie makeovers for a nominal fee of $15 for airbrushing with an additional $10 for scabs/wounds).

The October 2010 NJ Zombie Walk Sets World Record

Congrats to Jason and our friends at Bad Zombie. They finally received word from the guys at the Guinness Book of World Records that the last New Jersey Zombie Walk did indeed set the record for the Largest gathering of zombies.

Who

New Jersey Zombie Walk

Where
Asbury Park, NJ, United States

When
October 30, 2010

Details
The largest gathering of zombies was achieved by 4,093 participants at the New Jersey Zombie Walk at the Asbury Park Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA, on 30 October 2010.

King of the Zombies (1941)

I was talking with my wife about the dunk tank for the Zombie Beach Party being thrown by the guys at Bad Zombie in May when I stumbled upon the gem from the 1940s. While not modern zombies, the classic voodoo zombies always make good entertainment, and 1941s King of the Zombies is no different.

Plot/ During World War 2, a small plane off the south coast of America is low on fuel and blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crashland on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The easily-spooked manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.

This is definitely an often overlooked and underappreciated flick from the 1940's. While it does have some flaws due to the low production values and social overtones of the time, the direction more than makes up for that. The film boasts some sound pacing and acting that worked well within the storyline. Yes, the effects are hilarious (the model plane at the beginning), but for what it is, it works. This is really a great Saturday afternoon classic voodoo zombie romp, and should be enjoyed.

Pictures from Monster Mania

While this week has sucked pretty bad as I have been suffering from this flu. Honestly, I shouldn't complain, it could have been worse. However, I had to pull it together as I had promised Jillian a trip to Monster Mania in Cherry Hill. So, suck it up I did... Here are some pictures from the day.

The Batmobile

Doug Bradley (Pinhead)

With our friends at Bad Zombie

With Stella and Hives

With Kane Hodder (Jason)

The Malachi and Issac from Children of the Corn