Reviews - Movies in January - Part III - "The Wonderful World of Zombies"

OK, I warned you that I tended to see a strange variety of films. I started with some classic comedies, moved to children's films, and now to the wonderful world of zombies...

6. Zombieland (2009)
7. Dead Alive (aka Braindead) (1992)

Saw these films a week or so apart and was taken with how little the zombie film has progressed over the years - not that it's a bad thing.

"Dead Alive" is an early Peter Jackson film. Yes, THAT Peter Jackson, he of "Lord of the Rings" fame. It's basically a New Zealander version of Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead," except that it's a Sumatran rat monkey's fault and not the Book of the Dead. The blood flows at an almost orgiastic rate in this film and the special effects are most cheeseworthy, but this film has a sense of humor and if you stick with it, you will be entertained. The scene in the children's playground with have you laughing your ass off, and then feeling guilty about it.

"Zombieland" is also entertaining and amusing, but if you've seen "Shaun of the Dead..." Well, you'll see what I mean. On the down side, there's Jesse Eisenberg (the poor man's Michael Cera) playing his umpteenth Jesse Eisenberg character. On the upside, you have Bill Murray playing... Bill Murray. I'll leave it at that.

If you and your school buddies have nothing better to do on a Saturday night, then these films would make an interesting double feature / drinking game. Every time a limb is severed, you have to take a drink. The dorm will be full of zombies in no time...

H