Category: Zombie Bob

Dr. Zeus has posted a guide to surviving zombie onslaughts over on Kuro5hin.

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.

Looks like a remake of the George Romero masterpiece Dawn of the Dead is in the works. My Tivo downloaded a preview that I watched immediately. Then I went to the website for more details. Not a lot there. But it looks promising. It’s supposed to be released in March.

I do have some concerns, as every card-carrying zombie fan will after the remake of Night of the Living Dead. That remake just didn’t stand up, but the original was a tough act to follow. I did like the way Barbara’s character was recast from catatonic terrorized victim to an ass-kicking woman of the ’90s.

I’m particularly interested in how the new Dawn will handle the whole consumerism/mall satire that the original did so well. Also, the original was filmed in a mall a few miles from where I grew up, which added considerably to my experience of the film. It was pretty cool seeing zombies feast on bikers in front of stores that I’d actually shopped in.

A few worthwhile zombie links: