when feeling dead, one must watch the dead.

During a recent bout of bronchitis/influenza, I spent a couple days in bed, wishing for the pain and illness to stop, but also watching some Romero films as well. Nothing helps pass the time (and fever) like watching horrific zombie gore.

I'd seen the original Dawn and Day before, but hadn't made it through Land in one sitting since I'd owned it.

I am a big supporter of zombie movies, no matter how awful, and am even more in love with Romero's zombie films, because no matter what, his always come out smelling like roses. Or rotting flesh. Something.

With the upcoming DVD release of Diary of the Dead, I felt it proper to post my review of the last three of Romero's (at the time) quadrilogy.

Dawn of the Dead

* * * * 1/2

The ultimate zombie film. So good on so many levels. Creepy. Gory. Intense. Lots of good moments throughout the entire movie. Probably one of the greatest zombie movies ever made, and one of my favourite movies of all time.

Day of the Dead

* * *

Day is actually a somewhat weak movie. There isn't much zombie gore until the last half hour or so. There are some plot points that don't make sense, but the movie is still fun. Except for the zombie lovingly referred to as Bub. I didn't like Bub too much. But what are you gonna do? I understand why Bub is there, and what it means, but I just didn't like him.

Land of the Dead

* * *

Land is a fun movie. With the zombies behind held outside the "last fortified city" in North America, people are trying to live the "perfect life" they can. But when the zombie start communicating and lead an assault on the city, all hell breaks loose. Nice casting in this one, and with the progression of the zombie movies, the special effects become more realistic and the gore gets more disgusting. I had a fun time watching this one.

If you aren't a fan of Romero's zombie films, you should be. They're all amazing in their own right. Dawn because it just is. Day because the guy that plays the army commander and "leader" of the group is hilarious and so over the top. Land because it's neat to see some of the main characters turn into zombies and who wouldn't want to see Dennis Hopper in a zombie flick? I can't wait to see Diary of the Dead.

I wonder what Romero will cook up next? Whatever it is, I hope it can only provide at least a quarter as much entertainment the next time I'm sick.

Call it, Friendo.

No Country For Old Men

* * * *

I love the Coen Brothers. I love a majority of their movies. I like their simplicity, their creepyness, their intrigue, their heart, their humor. Everything. Granted, No Country for Old Men has none of the humor of Raising Arizona, The Hudsucker Proxy or Fargo, but it is still an incredible movie.

When Llewelyn Moss finds two million dollars in drug money in the middle of a slaughter, he thinks maybe things are turning around for him. When Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, all hell breaks loose.

This is the basic premise for the cat and mouse game that is, No Country for Old Men. Anton is one bad-assed mofo, who, with the help of his wonderful inginuity and cattle bolt gun, is looking for Moss and the stolen two million dollars.

I found this movie to be subtle and creepy. Creepy in that, what would you do sort of way? If someone with all the resources you can think of was hunting you down, what would you do?

Great performances by Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones. Great directing by the Coens. Amazing cinematography.

And creepy.

And amazing.

Again, not a taste for everyone though. Very subtle and, to some, dry. But I liked it a lot. Check it out.