November 2004 – Page 2 – Suffering The Benz

Sam Reese is nothing if not enthusiastic. During our college days, it wasn’t uncommon to see him ricocheting around campus with a fistful of schemes and ideas.

He’s passionate about everything he does, but one passion has always been all-consuming: music.

The last time I saw Sam was a few years ago at the alternative music festival over in Nashville, he was talking about a public radio station he wanted to launch in Cambridge Springs, PA (the land that time forgot). After a lot of hard work, it’s on the air, and even the local media have taken notice.

It sounds like an incredible asset. Wish I could pick it up way down yonder is KnoxVegas.

Also, they’re looking for sponsors to help keep WXCS on the air. My check is in the mail …

I finally got around to seeing “Shaun of the Dead.” I was dubious. It’s billed as “A romantic comedy. With zombies.” Somehow, I wasn’t certain that even zombies could rescue a romantic comedy. Thoughts of “When Harry Met Sally” ran through my mind. But I purged them with high hopes of gore and brain eating.

The gore and brain eating won out. The film brought a neat English sense of humor to the table that was much appreciated. There also were a few nice allusions to the masters of zombie films. When Shaun and friends are talking to his mother on the phone, telling her the only safe place is the pub, he shouts, “We’re coming to get you, Barbra.” Definitely a toss to Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Also, not sure if it’s intentional or not, but Shaun’s buddy, Ed (Nick Frost), has definite echoes of Gnaghi, the faithful sidekick in Cemetery Man, perhaps the greatest zombie flick ever made, which features the incredible Anna Falchi, to boot.

Added bonuses: Lucy Davis from “The Office” is in the cast. And this is the first zombie movie I’m aware of where a cricket bat is used to dispatch the undead. Very cool.