28 Days Later (2002)

For the past week I have been in Pennsylvania dealing with some family medical stuff. While I was there, the weather was cold and I had plenty of time to ring in the New Year with some horror. The series I did for the holiday started with the classic 28 Days Later from 2002. 

Plot: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the United Kingdom, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

There is nothing like the Rage virus! I remember when this came out, the impression 28 Days Later made echoed throughout the saturated zombie genre. This movie was different, taking the traditional zombie film to a new level. It honestly was an influence on me as I was working my way through what would eventually become After the Static. The characters are amazing, the storyline navigates away from the traps that plague many horror flicks, the cast is outstanding, and the atmosphere is almost perfect. Plus, the zombie characteristics were fresh and new. This movie is outstanding and definitely set a standard. In the end, if you haven’t seen this one, you are missing out. Try to find it soon as a new installment is rumored to be on the way. 

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

As I attempted to get some stuff done on my computer, I was looking for something to watch. That’s when I broke down and picked this one. While I am not a huge horror/comedy person, I decided to change it up and went with 2019s The Dead Don’t Die.

Plot: The focus is on the sleepy small town of Centerville where the dead become undead.

Dark zombie comedy is hard to pull off and this is a great example of that. While the cast is outstanding, the movie never takes full advantage of the talent at hand. Sadly, the comedic elements fall flat and that brings the entire film down. There are some attempts at actual horror, but those seem misguided and added simply for effect. This one sits somewhere between comedy and horror and never really brings the two together. Yes, the performances are solid and it wasn’t a complete drag, but it definitely did nothing to etch its name in stone next to some great movies in the genre.  In the end, I can see why this one didn’t pop up on my RADAR when it came out, it’s slow and lacks definition. Stay away unless you have nothing else to watch. 

Nightmare City (1980)

I have really enjoyed getting back into the blogging scene and have found a new enjoyment with watching different facets of the horror genre. Unfortunately, I am not all the way back as many things seem to be the same stuff just repackaged and I am not there yet. One thing that was different was this 1980 entry Nightmare City.

Plot/ An airplane exposed to radiation lands, and blood drinking zombies emerge armed with knives, guns and teeth! They go on a rampage slicing, dicing, and biting their way across the Italian countryside.

Let me ask, is there anything better than low budget Italian horror from the 1980s? Personally, I find it extremely entertaining and always fun. Honestly, you never know what you are going to get. That is the case with this one. Yes, the effects are cheesy, the performances are all over the place, and the plot from the start is unbelievable at best. Really, from the first scene with the aircraft, it is insanity. Sure, the storyline does open some valid questions, there is a touch of humanity, there is a lot of action, and the characters are somewhat believable (and aren’t afraid to show skin); all positives for a movie that is often overlooked. In the end, this one is worth watching (especially with it being available on Amazon Prime. If you are like me and love low budget Italian horror, give this one a shot. You are missing out if you have not seen it.

The House by the Cemetery (1981)

After some creature features and a disaster flick, I decided to go back a few decades and visit some Italian horror. My first selection in that genre for this week is the 1981 Lucio Fulci entry The House by the Cemetery.

Plot/ A New England home is terrorized by a series of murders, unbeknownst to the guests that a gruesome secret is hiding in the basement.

This is definitely a polarizing flick from the Fulci catalog, but it is one of my favorites. This Italian splatterfest has enough blood and gore for any horror fanatic and is backed by an outstanding soundtrack that sets the moods perfectly. The make-up and special effects work, the cinematography is solid, and as I already mentioned, the soundtrack was eerie and dark. Yes, the performances are a touch uneven, there are some plot holes, and the gore may turn some viewers off because of the overall violent tones (more of a problem today with all the sensitivities that exist), but those elements do not harm this one in any way. In the end, Fulci is one of those filmmakers that can be a lightning rod and many will either love his work or hate it. However, if you look within his films, the shocking aspects act as cover for some important social issues that are still problems today.  If you love blood, gore, and violence, you should check this one out. It definitely isn’t the sugarcoated horror of today.

Night of the Living Dead (1990)

As I sit down tonight, I wanted to finish with the last movie I watched last week that I haven’t had time to review. While many people will shun this one because it is a remake (and I was one), it does deserve to be seen. That movie is the 1990 zombie flick Night of the Living Dead.

Plot/ The unburied dead return to life and seek human victims.

I will be one of the first to admit that I had stayed away from this one for a long time. As a fun of the original masterpiece, it was difficult for me to even consider watching a remake that in my opinion was not needed. However, after the tragic passing of George Romero, I wanted to venture back into this influential world and give the remake a shot. Directed by Tom Savini, this one was actually much better than I expected, and I am disappointed that I waited so long to give it a shot. Clearly made for a different generation of viewer, this version does off many of the same social commentaries that made the original so powerful. The zombie make-up is amazing, the updated characterizations (especially Barbara) work really well, and it is fun to watch everything come to life in color. Yes, the colorization does take away from some of the darker atmosphere and there was much less gore than I would have expected with Savini at the helm (but, I do understand because the film stayed true to the original), but those are but minor flaws in the overall world of the living dead. In the end, this movie was much better than I anticipated and it is a movie that is worth watching (at least once). If you have not seen it, give it a shot.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

It’s happening again! Yes, after 25 years, Twin Peaks is finally returning to the screen and I couldn’t be more excited. David Lynch and the Twin Peaks series are  two of the main reasons that I wanted to become a writer. While I knew this was on the horizon, I decided to clear my mind in preparation. That is when I decided to pick up a film from one of my favorite franchises with 2016s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.

Plot/ Alice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.

Let me start off by saying that this has been one of my favorite zombie themed series and I was sad to hear that this was gong to be the final chapter. Fortunately, they decided to go out with a bang. While many people will not enjoy this mindless trip into Raccoon City for a final time (and understandably so), the non0stop action and gore is enough to keep you at least entertained if you can suspend belief for the duration. Yes, there are some strange decisions that lead to holes in the continuity between films and there are definitely some head scratching moments that actually make the movie overly predictable, but those are easily overlooked in the grand scheme. As a film, the action is well paced, the performances were solid, the gore worked, and some of the storyline did add some interesting twists to the franchise as a whole. In the end, this may not be the best movie in the series, but it was entertaining and perfect for some late night zombie fun. Not for everyone, but if you can suspend belief for a couple hours, it can be a great mindless entry.

Here Alone (2016)

Lately, after finishing After the Static, I have stayed away from the realm of zombies. After spending months writing about them, I needed a break. With that book in the design process (and due out soon), I figured it was time to jump back into the arena (plus, my streak of subpar flicks needed to end). With that in mind, I decided on the 2016 zombie flick Here Alone for my next flick.

Plot/ A young woman struggles to survive on her own in the wake of a mysterious epidemic that has killed much of society and forced her deep into the unforgiving wilderness.

After my streak of subpar movies, I decided to jump back into something that I love: zombie flicks. I love that genre because to me there is potential with them that they can usually offer a viewer something different. This entry may be more of a slow burn drama than an all-out action flick, but it delivered. This was extremely realistic and focused more on the other side of the realm with the characters instead of the blood and gore of the outbreak. The atmosphere works, the cinematography sound, and the performances are solid. Yes, this one does lack the action and gore that many zombie fans prefer, but to me, that is what makes this film work. If the zombie apocalypse did break out, would you really be out there slaying them? Probably not, instead, you would be trying to save yourself by any means possible; and that is what makes this film resonate so well. In the end, if you are for all-out action, this one isn’t for you. But, if you like well thought out and atmospheric entries in the realm of zombies, give this one a chance, you will be surprised.

Zombie Massacre 2: Reich of the Dead (2015)

I have taken a couple of days off to focus solely on my book project After the Static. Of course, as I am writing, I love to have some horror on in the background to help me stay focused. One of the movies that aided my cause is the 2015 entry Zombie Massacre 2: Reich of the Dead.

Plot/ Set in the WWII it tells the story of a bunch of American soldiers fighting against a horde of zombies created by the Nazis using the prisoners of the camps.

First off, I can’t say that I ever heard of Zombie Massacre and had no idea that there could be a sequel. After seeing this one at Family Video, I was interested in the story even though I figured that it would be littered with the same clichéd moments as most in the arena and I was right. While I did not find it the worst zombie flick I have watched, I really think that this one had a chance to be more than it was. Between the head scratching decisions, the flat characters, and the story that was rather incoherent, there was nothing really memorable. This one was really inconsistent in every aspect (even for a low budgeted film) including the effects and cinematography. In the end, while I was excited to venture back into the zombie genre as I am working on my first zombie-themed novel, this may not have been my best choice. Stay away, I am sure there are much better options out there.

Night of the Seagulls (1975)

It seems as though the weather is changing yet again this winter. On Saturday, I could have worn shorts outside all day as the temperatures reached into the 60s. Now, we are back into the 30s with a chance of snow. What fun! Of course, the change in weather gives me a great excuse to sit back and enjoy the finale of one of the most famous zombie series out there. What is that movie? It is the 1975 conclusion to the Blind Dead series, Night of the Seagulls.

Plot/ The Knight Templars return in this fourth installment of the Blind Dead series. On this outing, the Templars haunt a fishing village, where they rise seven nights every seven years to claim their sacrificial offerings in return for the safety of the townspeople.

In this fourth and final installment of the Blind Dead series, the zombie Knights Templar again take center stage and wreak havoc. In fact, the Templars are probably at their best in the somewhat H.P. Lovecraft inspired (Dagon?) entry. While in my eyes, this one may not quite match the overall quality of the original; it does give it a run for its money and is arguably the best in the series. Not only is this one entertaining, but also it features better scripting, some solid performances, an atmospheric and creepy soundtrack, and in interesting storyline that seems more layered than the first three installments. Yes, the special effects may feel dated, the is not much character development, and the historic elements of the Templars seem to mix with a more occultist feel, but those small flaws really do nothing to bring this film down. In the end, this movie is the perfect climax to the series and a movie that cries Eurohorror.

Return of the Evil Dead (1973)

After spending the afternoon relaxing, I decided to kick back and find something different to help me pass the evening. One search of Shudder and I found it. That film was the 1973 entry in the Blind Dead series, Return of the Evil Dead (AKA Return of the Blind Dead)

Plot/ 500 years after they were blinded and executed for committing human sacrifices, a band of Templar knights returns from the grave to terrorize a rural Portuguese village during it's centennial celebration. Being blind, the Templars find their victims through sound, usually the screams of their victims. Taking refuge in a deserted cathedral, a small group of people must find a way to escape from the creatures.

The Blind Dead series is one of my favorites from the 1970s. I love the tie between zombies and the legendary Knights Templar, which have a mysterious history (at least their last days). While this movie is not perfect, suffering from many of the low budget elements that plague the other entries in the series, it is a step up in quality from the first entry. The performances are decent, the scripting and dubbed dialog isn’t bad, and there are a few action packed moments. Of course, some of the effects do not stand up to time and some of the cinematic choices seem to drag down the tension. In the end, this one is a sound picture and a movie that helps pass some time on a quiet night. If you are looking for some vintage low budget zombie action, give it a shot. This is an entertaining series that should be seen by all zombie fans.

The House of Seven Corpses (1974)

I have definitely been on a retro kick lately, although I did sneak in a viewing of Repo: The Genetic Opera. To continue my retro feel, I went way into my youth for the 1974 horror flick The House of Seven Corpses.

Plot/ A director is filming on location in a house where seven murders were committed. The caretaker warns them not to mess with things they do not understand (the murders were occult related), but the director wants to be as authentic as possible and has his cast re-enact rituals that took place in the house thus summoning a ghoul from the nearby cemetery to bump the whole film crew off one by one.

Horror movies of the 1970s were a mixed bag, as the genre seemed to be in a period of transition. While this one is not technically very good, I feel that is often overlooked as a piece of horror history. Yes, there are some flaws with the way the movie is scripted and paced, but there is a certain charm that will draw fans of early 1970s horror in. The cast is solid and there are some decent performances (John Carradine is definitely creepy), the atmosphere is dark and heavy, and the storyline is entertaining and interesting. Sure, there is not a lot of blood or gore, there is little action, there could have been some more supernatural elements added in, and the effects are nowhere near the quality of today, but for a lower budgeted film of that era, they are not that bad. In the end, this is a nice retro piece and a fun movie to help pass some time. Is it perfect, by no means, but it is a fun slow burn haunted house flick that is good on a cold windy night.

Plan Z (2016)

After spending last night getting caught up on a few of the films that I watched in between trips to Family Video, it is now time to get back into the swing of things. The next movie that falls closer to the horror genre up for review is the 2016 zombie entry Plan Z.

Plot/ One man has a plan for a zombie outbreak, when one occurs it will take all his will to stick to it and all of his courage to change it.

I went into this unsure of what to expect, but was excited by the independent aspects of the film. This was definitely more of a zombie themed character piece than straight zombie entry. This movie definitely had some of the elements that are prevalent within independent cinema, but it also had enough positives to make it at least entertaining. While I do not think, it reached its potential; the atmosphere and performances were at least solid. Unfortunately, the storyline was somewhat thin, the cinematography was uneven, and overall the film lacked memorable qualities that would make a lasting impression. In the end, it is a decent character piece that will help pass some time on a cold evening. Other than that, there is nothing new. Watch it, but be warned it is far from perfect.

The Other Side (2014)

Last night I decided to find something at Family Video that could help me pass some time. With the conspiracy driven prognosticators talking of a great apocalypse heading our way (asteroid, Clinton, Trump, ISIS), I figured that zombies would be a good way to pass some time. After walking through the store, I decided on the 2014 no-budget indie flick The Other Side.

Plot/ A man searches for his wife and protects his daughter during the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.

When I read the premise of this one at Family Video, I had to pick it up. Sure, this came across as typical no-budget zombie entry, but for me, that is usually a positive as Hollywood has gone stale. While this will never be a blockbuster, it does have a dew interesting twists that I really enjoyed. This is especially impressive once you consider that the flick was an elongation of what was originally a short film. Because of the ultra small budget, the movie does suffer from the typical flaws that that plague this type of film with some rough areas such as sound quality and selection, uneven performances, abrupt editing, and some patchy dialog. I did enjoy the storyline and could see the potential was there to be something more with a larger budget. In the end, unless you are a fan of no-budget cinema, you will probably not enjoy this movie as much as I did. But, if you are a fan, this indie zombie flick is out there to help you pass some time.

JeruZalem (2015)

After spending some time in the world of documentaries last night, I decided that I wanted to take a trip into something darker. After some debate, I decided on the 2015 found footage flick JeruZalem.

Plot/ When a couple of American young adults fly to Israel to visit the city of Jerusalem, a biblical nightmare falls upon the city.

This film is definitely one that will be polarizing, especially viewing it as strictly a found footage film. Yes, this one suffers from many of the flaws that plague the genre with overdone acting and a narrow view of everything that is happening in an around the city (yes, I would have loved to see more of the demons). To me, the historic references, biblical overtones, and some of the underlying social conflicts make it interesting on a higher level than most mindless horror that comes out in this age. While it is found footage, the idea of using something similar to Google Glass is a thought-provoking approach to filmmaking and there is just enough creepiness with the creatures (Nephilim?). Yes, the acting is a bit uneven and there are some giant holes in the storyline, but those should be expected with this type of found footage entry. In the end, this is not the best movie in the genre, but it is far from the worst. If you like this style of film, give it a shot. If you do not, I would likely stay away.