The one, the only! |
|
In horror movies, there's a few stand-bys if you're in need for a scary plot; a serial killer, vampires, and ghosts will all do in a pinch. However, these can be overdone and made become boring. There have been so many freakin' teenage, hey-let's-have-a-gothic-club-scene vampire movies I could throw up. Yet one is never overdone, and is always awesome. Zombies.
Zombies flicks have been around since the thirties, with the first most likely being WHITE ZOMBIE (good band too) made in 1932. It wasn't until 1968 though that they blew up, that was the year NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD was made. George Romero directed, edited, co-wrote and was the cinematographer of the movie that made the undead a staple of the horror genre. He then went on to create three more films (DAWN, DAY and LAND) in his "Dead" series. Renowned Italian horror director Dario Argento (SUSPIRIA) re-edited and re-scored DAWN OF THE DEAD for Europe and called it ZOMBI, and then another Italian horror director, Lucio Fulci, created an unauthorized sequel to this film called ZOMBI II. This was only the beginning of the zombie craze. Romero had created a monster of sorts. From then on, zombie movies have been popping up all over the place.
Zombies are real too, kind of. It is believed in the religion of Caribbean voodoo, that an undead person can be brought back as a zombie. No evidence to confirm this has ever been brought forth though. However, it is believed a live person can be zombified through the use of certain drugs. They are made to become mindless, and can supposedly become your slave. So although they might not eat your brain, they might be a little dazed and wander around aimlessly and 
"We can't bury Shelly. S-She's a friend of our's." |
|
hopefully bring you some snacks.
This brings me to Zombie characteristics. They're re-animated dead things, people and animals usually. This can happen through chemicals (RE-ANIMATOR), demons (EVIL DEAD series) a disease (28 DAYS LATER) and a bunch of other stuff. They don't think, and usually want to eat some part of you. Now there is some debate on whether they trudge around slowly as is normally portrayed in film, or have the ability to run. When the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake came out, many fans of the original were outraged that the zombies could run. They felt this was untrue to the original, and to zombie culture in general. In my opinion, they shouldn't be able to since they're decomposing and most likely the muscles are weak/falling apart. But who cares, it's a horror movie! And zombies can have sex, if they are so inclined. In Peter Jackson's (KING KONG) grotesque and hilarious BRAIN DEAD/DEAD ALIVE, not only do zombies have sex, but produce zombie offspring as well! Ha ha I love this genre so much.
Now, what do you do if they're a bunch of zombies around you? Go for the head. As the newscaster in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD says, "Kill the brain, and you kill the ghoul." Decapitation is your best bet, though it takes some skill. Many people would opt for a gun, but not me. You take a shot and miss, or hit the head, but it's not enough to kill the brain and you're screwed pal! Lop the head off and you're sure to be ok.
Zombies are the "cool" horror villain. Mostly because we can kill them without remorse. I mean, who doesn't want to just start decapitating lots of people at will? Ha ha, I really hope it's more than just me. For your sake. DUN DUN DUUUUNN.
 email this column to a friend
Comment on this Column:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to columns.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
| The Lair of the Mad |
Every other Tuesday
'The Lair' discusses the many aspects and qualities of the horror genre. From actors, to make-up, to music, James Shafie explores everything the "cult" genre spews up.
|
| James Shafie |
James Shafie is an avid watcher of movies of all sorts, but the horror genre is closest to his heart. He loves to read and is addicted to music, mostly metal and it’s thousands of sub-genres. He was once fired by Blockbuster, which we see as a strong character trait.
|
| Contact |
If you have a comment, question, or suggestion, you can send a message to James Shafie by clicking here.
|
|
