Random Five: Zombies! October 1, 2009
Posted by Matt in Random Five.Tags: 28 Days Later, Cell, Dawn of the Dead, movies, Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, zombies
trackback
I’m normally not a big horror movie kind of guy, but there is something I find quite appealing about zombies. I do not know if this fascination has to do with easily placed metaphors of society or bloody shotgun blasts to the head, but for whatever reason I like good zombie entertainment. The key word here is “good,” by the way, because there are plenty of terrible pieces of zombie entertainment.
So, I am excited about seeing the latest the latest entry in the canon of the undead, Zombieland, which lurches into theaters this weekend. Most likely I will wait until it is on my Netflix queue before I see it, but, make no mistake about it, I will watch it.
But I digress, today’s random five deals with good pieces of zombie entertainment. Let me know what you think should be on the list.
5. Cell, by Stephen King
I’m not a huge King reader, but his novel Cell is one of the better of his in recent years that I have actually read. The book has to do with a mysterious signal sent over the global cell phone network that turns people into zombies. As you might guess, it is really cool.
4. 28 Days Later
This film deals with a “rage” virus that is transferred from animals to humans and soon spreads around the world, turning people into violent zombies. The main character in the film awakens from a coma to be greeted by an eerily empty London and soon finds himself joined with other survivors who have escaped the virus. It’s a very cool piece of apocalyptic cinema.
3. Shaun of the Dead
Who knew that zombies and comedy could go so well together? This film, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, proves that they are a perfect match.
2. Dawn of the Dead
George Romero’s second zombie film takes a different track than the first, which was released some 10 years prior. In this chapter the survivors hole up in a mall and fight off the zombie hordes. The film deals with themes that have been discussed many times over – consumerism, corporate America, etc. – and it is considered a classic of the genre.
1. Night of the Living Dead
Romero’s first zombie film is probably the spookiest one on the list. It is a low budget affair from 1968, whose black-and-white cinematography adds to the malevolent atmosphere. It is often considered a subversive piece of late 60’s culture, but, besides that, it is just a cool movie.
Thoughts? What should I have included?
Død snø (Dead Snow) (2009)
Tag line: Ein! Zwei! Die!
Plot: A ski vacation turns horrific for a group of medical students, as they find themselves confronted by an unimaginable menace: Nazi zombies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1278340/
As if regular zombies weren’t bad enough…
I may have to add that one to my Netflix queue.
It also features snowmobiles, hammers and sickles.
It’s over the top.
If we’re looking for any zombie media, we need to include Resident Evil for video games, and The Walking Dead is a fantastic zombie comic book.
We have to stay away from the violent video games in our house, but I will check out The Walking Dead sometime. We’ve got a decent sized section for comics and graphic novels at the local BAM, so I’ll see if I can find it.
ME, I searched online for that movie last night but it isn’t on Netflix yet. I did, however, find a site where you can stream it – with the only caveat being that it is in Norwegian with Spanish subtitles.
I think I’ll wait ’til its on Netflix.
Goodluck finding Dead Snow! I haven’t found it anywhere.
The Walking Dead is phenomenal. And look for Max Brooks new graphic novel. If you haven’t read Day by Day Armageddon you must!
I agree with the original Living Dead and Dawn. Shaun of the Dead is my favorite. Zombieland was better than expected. Zombie 2 is a classic that must be watched. And let us not forget the slap stick comedy stylings of Return of the the Living Dead 1 and 2.
I love Zombies!