Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 13:47:42 GMT -5
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
I think it's pretty safe to say that Night of the Living Dead is to zombie movies what Psycho is to slasher movies. Truth be told, I'm not that big on the zombie subgenre of horror, but when looking at George A. Romero's deeply influential film for it, there's just no denying its effectiveness. And, much like Psycho and the slasher movie, I think this is another case where a movie made many years ago still has the ability to outshine the vast majority of others of its kind that have been made since. A large part of why Night of the Living Dead is so effective is its simplicity. Granted, this was made in 1968 -- when making a zombie film on the level they're at today would be next to impossible -- but still, this film focuses in on the fear and terror inherent in the situation at the heart of the story, and that's why it's so strong. The black and white photography certainly adds to that as well, but the fear and panic on display by each of the characters adds to the tone and the tension. On that note, I want to single out Judith O'Dea as Barbra, one of the first two characters we meet at the start of the film and who's part of the attack that kicks everything off. After the first ten minutes or so, Barbra goes into catatonic state of fear and becomes barely responsive to everything around her, and O'Dea plays this marvelously. I really liked how the first thirty minutes or so after the opening sequence was just her and Duane Jones, who plays Ben a.k.a. the lead character, going around boarding up/battening down the house they take shelter in. Speaking of Duane Jones, he's great as well and I thought it was pretty awesome how a movie like this, released at this time, featured a black man as a lead and had the character be pretty take-charge and in-command. Of course, that also feeds into the film's ending, which definitely makes a statement about racism while tying back into the central premise. I also really admired how the film felt intense without being that gory. Sure, you do get some quick scenes here and there, but it says something that Romero was able to achieve such a level of intensity while working around those limitations that were in place. Overall, I can say Night of the Living Dead is worthy of its reputation. It might take me one or two more viewings before I can more fully embrace it, but it is certainly one of the pillars of the horror genre. ***1/2 /****
Nice. It is indeed the best zombie movie, though Dawn of the Dead is also pretty awesome in its own way. And Day of the Dead
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 13, 2020 13:51:21 GMT -5
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
I think it's pretty safe to say that Night of the Living Dead is to zombie movies what Psycho is to slasher movies. Truth be told, I'm not that big on the zombie subgenre of horror, but when looking at George A. Romero's deeply influential film for it, there's just no denying its effectiveness. And, much like Psycho and the slasher movie, I think this is another case where a movie made many years ago still has the ability to outshine the vast majority of others of its kind that have been made since. A large part of why Night of the Living Dead is so effective is its simplicity. Granted, this was made in 1968 -- when making a zombie film on the level they're at today would be next to impossible -- but still, this film focuses in on the fear and terror inherent in the situation at the heart of the story, and that's why it's so strong. The black and white photography certainly adds to that as well, but the fear and panic on display by each of the characters adds to the tone and the tension. On that note, I want to single out Judith O'Dea as Barbra, one of the first two characters we meet at the start of the film and who's part of the attack that kicks everything off. After the first ten minutes or so, Barbra goes into catatonic state of fear and becomes barely responsive to everything around her, and O'Dea plays this marvelously. I really liked how the first thirty minutes or so after the opening sequence was just her and Duane Jones, who plays Ben a.k.a. the lead character, going around boarding up/battening down the house they take shelter in. Speaking of Duane Jones, he's great as well and I thought it was pretty awesome how a movie like this, released at this time, featured a black man as a lead and had the character be pretty take-charge and in-command. Of course, that also feeds into the film's ending, which definitely makes a statement about racism while tying back into the central premise. I also really admired how the film felt intense without being that gory. Sure, you do get some quick scenes here and there, but it says something that Romero was able to achieve such a level of intensity while working around those limitations that were in place. Overall, I can say Night of the Living Dead is worthy of its reputation. It might take me one or two more viewings before I can more fully embrace it, but it is certainly one of the pillars of the horror genre. ***1/2 /****
Nice. It is indeed the best zombie movie, though Dawn of the Dead is also pretty awesome in its own way. Is Dawn of the Dead meant to be in the same universe?
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 13:52:19 GMT -5
Nice. It is indeed the best zombie movie, though Dawn of the Dead is also pretty awesome in its own way. Is Dawn of the Dead meant to be in the same universe? Yes
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Jul 13, 2020 14:01:31 GMT -5
Romero's first three Zombie movies are all sort of a series. Continuity isn't huge but there is a really clear progression. You could argue the same thing for Land of the Dead but it's a lot less essential.
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PhantomKnight
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 13, 2020 14:10:37 GMT -5
Cool. I mean, I kinda figured about the continuity thing, but still, that's interesting.
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 14:13:12 GMT -5
Cool. I mean, I kinda figured about the continuity thing, but still, that's interesting. There’s also an Italian version of Dawn by Dario Argento which was then spun off into the infamous Zombi series.
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 13, 2020 14:15:13 GMT -5
Let me get to Day and Dawn first.
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 14:17:34 GMT -5
Let me get to Day and Dawn first. We'll leave Zombi for Round 200.
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Post by PhantomKnight on Jul 13, 2020 14:25:38 GMT -5
I'm surprised 1godzillafan hasn't brought up a certain movie for Round 200 yet.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 13, 2020 14:28:58 GMT -5
I'm surprised 1godzillafan hasn't brought up a certain movie for Round 200 yet. Playing with Fire wouldn't work because I've already seen it. That's why I'm team...
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Post by Doomsday on Jul 13, 2020 14:52:26 GMT -5
Yeah, though I might pick up Crave if i can get it for a good price. donny can you get Ian a new Netflix-streaming friendly list?
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Jul 13, 2020 14:56:22 GMT -5
Let me get to Day and Dawn first. We'll leave Zombi for Round 200. All building up to Zombi 2
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 14:59:42 GMT -5
We'll leave Zombi for Round 200. All building up to Zombi 2 Zombi 2 is really Zombi and Zombi is really Dawn of the Dead. Unless you’re in Deexan’s UK and it’s Zombi Flesh Eaters.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 13, 2020 15:01:13 GMT -5
What about Zombi 5: Killer Birds?
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 15:05:44 GMT -5
What about Zombi 5: Killer Birds? Zombi Flesh Eaters 4
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Jul 13, 2020 15:07:44 GMT -5
All building up to Zombi 2 Zombi 2 is really Zombi and Zombi is really Dawn of the Dead. Unless you’re in Deexan’s UK and it’s Zombi Flesh Eaters. I just want the one on the island.
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Post by Dracula on Jul 13, 2020 15:09:34 GMT -5
All building up to Zombi 2 Zombi is really Dawn of the Dead. Unless it's actually spelled "Zombie" with an "E" in which case it's Zombi 2 What about Zombi 5: Killer Birds? Actually just the movie Killer Birds, retitled Zombi 5 in Italy like Dawn of the Dead was... called Zombie Flesh Eaters 4 in the UK because of the franchises' dedication to clarity.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 13, 2020 15:10:31 GMT -5
What about Zombi 5: Killer Birds? Zombi Flesh Eaters 4 How about an episode of Joe Bob we haven't seen?
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Post by Neverending on Jul 13, 2020 15:12:32 GMT -5
Zombi is really Dawn of the Dead. Unless it's actually spelled "Zombie" with an "E" in which case it's Zombi 2 What about Zombi 5: Killer Birds? Actually just the movie Killer Birds, retitled Zombi 5 in Italy like Dawn of the Dead was... called Zombie Flesh Eaters 4 in the UK because of the franchises' dedication to clarity. What about Troll 3?
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thebtskink
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Post by thebtskink on Jul 13, 2020 15:14:36 GMT -5
This board's slow transformation to pure shitposting during the pandemic had been a marvel to witness.
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1godzillafan
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Post by 1godzillafan on Jul 13, 2020 15:18:34 GMT -5
This board's slow transformation to pure shitposting during the pandemic had been a marvel to witness. I don't know about anybody else, but I haven't changed a thing about how I post.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Jul 13, 2020 15:24:34 GMT -5
Unless it's actually spelled "Zombie" with an "E" in which case it's Zombi 2 Actually just the movie Killer Birds, retitled Zombi 5 in Italy like Dawn of the Dead was... called Zombie Flesh Eaters 4 in the UK because of the franchises' dedication to clarity. What about Troll 3? Actually The Crawlers (1990) and/or Quest for the Mighty Sword (1990), actual licensed "sequel" to Troll 2 is the 2019 German film Under ConTroll aka Goblin - That is really Troll. That would be another franchise that might want to go the reboot route if it wants to continue.
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donny
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Post by donny on Jul 13, 2020 16:19:40 GMT -5
Yeah, though I might pick up Crave if i can get it for a good price. donny can you get Ian a new Netflix-streaming friendly list? Yeah, I thought the last one some were on Netflix. Give me a little bit and I'll put something together.
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donny
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Post by donny on Jul 13, 2020 16:31:53 GMT -5
IanTheCool DoomsdayLet me know if these are on Netflix, Ian. I looked at a couple of lists that seemed to indicate they would be. Eighth Grade Leave No Trace Shoplifters The Death of Stalin Wild Life Wind River Good Time
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Post by IanTheCool on Jul 13, 2020 16:32:51 GMT -5
I'll figure it out donny, dont worry
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