Check out the upcoming George Romero Blu-ray box set from Arrow Video!

  If you are a DVD/BD collector, you probably know that Arrow Video is one of the best film companies out there. They have made some amazing box sets lately, but this upcoming set looks to be one of the best yet!   It's called GEORGE ROMERO:  BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAWN and it features three of his films that he made between his zombie classics NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and DAWN OF THE DEAD.    The films included are 1971's THERE'S ALWAYS VANILLA, 1972's SEASON OF THE WITCH, and 1973's THE CRAZIES.    This limited edition box set comes with tons of special features!  Here is the complete list:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations

English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

Limited Edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing on the films

THERE’S ALWAYS VANILLA

Brand new restoration from original film elements

Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford

Brand new interviews with actors Judith Ridley and Richard Ricci, producer Russ Streiner and sound recordist Gary Streiner

Digging Up the Dead – The Lost Films of George A. Romero – archive interview with Romero looking at his early films There’s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch

Trailer

SEASON OF THE WITCH

Brand new 4K restoration from original film elements

Alternate extended cut

Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford

When Romero met Del Toro – celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro sits down with George Romero for this candid career-spanning conversation

The Secret Life of Jack's Wife – archive interview with actress Jan White

Alternate Opening Titles

Trailers

THE CRAZIES

Brand new 4K restoration from original film elements

Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford

Romero Was Here – featurette revisiting the Crazies filming locations in Evans City, PA

Never Before Seen BTS footage

2016 Q&A with Lynn Lowry from Abertoir Film Festival

Alternate Opening Titles

Trailers

 GEORGE ROMERO:  BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAWN will be released on 10/24/17, but is available for pre-order now from the MVD webshop.

 CLICK HERE to pre-order the box set

Check out the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD documentary film, BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD!

  One of my all time favorite horror movies is George A. Romero's 1968 film, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.   It is the film that is considered the first real zombie film, and we have it to thank for every zombie film that has come since.  We would not have THE WALKING DEAD if it weren't for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!  The movie is a true classic and still holds up today, over 40 years since it was made!  There is a new documentary about this legendary film coming out called BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Here is the basic synopsis of this new documentary:

  In 1968 a young college drop-out named George A. Romero directed “Night of the Living Dead,” a low budget horror film that shocked the world, became an icon of the counterculture, and spawned a zombie industry worth billions of dollars that continues to this day.

  “Birth of the Living Dead,” a new documentary, shows how Romero gathered an unlikely team of Pittsburghers — policemen, iron workers, teachers, ad-men, housewives and a roller-rink owner — to shoot, with a revolutionary guerrilla, run-and-gun style, his seminal film. During that process Romero and his team created an entirely new and horribly chilling monster – one that was undead and feasted upon human flesh.

  This new documentary also immerses audiences into the singular time in which “Night” was shot.  Archival footage of the horrors of Vietnam and racial violence at home combined with iconic music from the 60s invites viewers to experience how Romero’s tumultuous film reflected this period in American history.  “Birth of the Living Dead” shows us how this young filmmaker created a world-renowned horror film that was also a profound insight into how our society really works.

BIRTH OF THE DEAD is screening now at select locations, and the film is scheduled to be released on DVD January 7, 2014.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the official website

Blu-ray Review: MIMESIS (2011)

MIMESIS
Written & Directed by Douglas Schulze
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

 I didn't know much about MIMESIS until I read about it on another horror website.   The full title is MIMESIS:  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  I assumed this was just another bland, lame NOTLD remake, but boy was I wrong!  I guess it would have helped if I would have known the meaning of the word "Mimesis".  According to dictionary.com, Mimesis is "imitation of the real world, as by re-creating instances of human action" or "the showing of a story, as by dialogue and enactment of events".  Well, now after seeing this film, I completely understand the title.  Here is the plot synopsis from the Anchor Bay website:

What begins as a horror convention after-party for a group of fans will quickly become a genuine flesh-and-blood nightmare: Trapped inside an isolated farmhouse, they must now survive attacks by hordes of hungry zombies while desperately attempting to escape. But is this gore-soaked siege a twisted prank, an elaborate trap, or has NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD actually come to undead life? Sid Haig (THE DEVIL’S REJECTS) and Courtney Gains (CHILDREN OF THE CORN) star in this award-winning indie shocker from co-writer/director Douglas Schulze that walks the razor-sharp line between edgy homage and depraved reality...then proceeds to rip its guts out. 

 This was a very fun film.  The acting is just so-so, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this film.  There is some good gore and it is fun to see NOTLD come to life again for this current group of kids.  I love how original this concept is while using NOTLD as the basis.  This definitely brings something new to the table that has not been done before with all the films that remake or pay homage to NOTLD.

MIMESIS is available now in DVD and Blu-ray.  I highly recommend this one, it was a lot of fun!


CLICK HERE to watch the red band trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: FAN OF THE DEAD (2007)

-------------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------------------
   
FAN OF THE DEAD
Distributed by:  Cheezy Flicks

  Let’s face it: to fans like me, George Romero is almost a deity. The man has an amazing imagination and his track record of films prove it. He is a myth, a legend, and a reality, all rolled into one. So when Hayes offered me this documentary to review, I knew it was right for me.

 

  If you’re not familiar with FAN OF THE DEAD, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Cheezy Flicks website:

 

  In 1968, George Romero traumatized a whole generation with his legendary and revolutionary "Night of the Living Dead", which truly marks the birth of modern horror movies. This movie was followed by the cult classic "Dawn of the Dead" in 1978 and the apocalyptical "Day of the Dead" in 1985 and Night of the Living Dead (1990). The George Romero trilogy became instant classics. With a worldwide community of fans, the phenomenon is not without evoking the Star Wars mania! Camera in hand, Nicolas Garreau crossed the Atlantic Ocean from France to realize his dream. Roaming the steep roads day and night of a sometimes lugubrious Pennsylvania countryside, he found the locations and people who made the Romero zombie trilogy come alive. This DVD contains exclusive interviews with cast and crew members and reveals all the filming locations of the trilogy including locations not known to the public, like the missile launch pad of "Day of the Dead" and the real basement used in "Night of the Living Dead - 1968", a guided tour of the mall with Ken Foree and others, along with extras and bonus footage.

 

  I was surprised to find out that this documentary was actually a French-made production. The narrator/director is Nicolas Garreau and this film is actually a compilation of video clips that he put together from a trip he made to the United States a few years back. But what makes Garreau’s trip unique is that he used it to visit several of the filming locations of Romero’s films.

 

  In addition to the DEAD films, Romero had other noted works, such as CREEPSHOW. Garreau visits several locations in the DEAD genre as well as a couple from CREEPSHOW as well. During each visit, he manages to squeeze in some history as well as notable facts for each location.

 

  Probably the best section of FAN OF THE DEAD for me was when Garreau visits the Pittsburgh Comic Convention and gets to interact with several of the stars of the original DAWN OF THE DEAD, including Ken Foree and David Early. He then gets to tag along with them as they visit the mall where much of the film was shot. The stars point out specific locations for scenes in the film and tell interesting stories about the shoot as well.

 

  Because it’s a documentary, there’s really nothing to note as far as cinematography, acting, or special effects go. But there is plenty of information crammed into this hour-long film. Give this one a look if you want to see one man’s pilgrimage to his zombie-Graceland. 

 

-MSB-

 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Blu-Ray review: SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD (2009)

H
SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD
Directed by: George A. Romero
Distributed by: Magnet Releasing/Magnolia Home Entertainment
Production Year: 2009

Every Horror fan should be very familiar with the name George Romero. Considered the Father of the modern Zombie film, he brought us such classic movies as NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD, and DAY OF THE DEAD. He then took a break from the Zombie films but 20 years later came back with 2005's LAND OF THE DEAD, then quickly followed that up with 2007's DIARY OF THE DEAD. 2 years later and we are given his latest entry into his 'DEAD' series, SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD. Here is the basic plot from the Magnet Releasing website:

The newest film from horror master George A. Romero (legendary creator of the Night of the Living Dead franchise) picks up where Diary of the Dead leaves off. On a small island off the coast of Delaware, live two families locked in a struggle for power and control over the fate of the undead. The O’Flynns approach the zombie plague with a shoot-to-kill attitude. The Muldoons feel that the zombies should be quarantined and kept “alive,” in hopes that a solution will be discovered. For both families, existence on Plum Island is a nightmarish world where humans are the minority and zombies rule.

As stated above, this film takes off right were DIARY OF THE DEAD leaves off, and even contains some of the same characters. For those that saw DIARY, then it is really neat how it is tied all together, but what is great is that it is done in a subtle way, so that it is not the least bit confusing to those who haven't seen DIARY. You don't have to have seen the past few 'DEAD' films to get this one, but if you have, then that is a bonus for you.

I love Romero's original DEAD trilogy (NIGHT, DAWN, DAY), and was super excited when LAND OF THE DEAD was released back in 2005. Unfortunately, I was, like many fans, greatly disappointed in that film. I enjoyed DIARY OF THE DEAD a little more, but was still not 100% satisfied. Well, 3rd time's a charm apparently, as this latest film in the 2nd trilogy, if you will, left me with a smile on my face and a feeling like I had when I watched the films in the original trilogy.

The film has some great Zombie effects, and some great attack scenes. My only complaint is that many of the Zombie kills were done with CG, instead of practical effects. I guess it had to be that way though, as CG provides the effect you need at a fraction of the cost. Some great Zombie kills includes a flare gun to a Zombie's chest....heating up his insides until the Zombie's head burst into flames, and a hilarious death by fire extinguisher! Another great thing about this film is the humor throughout it. The Zombie fishing scene is especially funny!

One really cool aspect of this film is that while the O’Flynns just kill any Zombie they come in contact with, the Muldoon family is really trying to co-exist with the Zombies. In fact, they are trying to find a way where they can make Zombies eat things other than humans, such as animals. This is a unique twist on the Zombie genre that I have not seen before.

This film goes much deeper than most Zombie films, as it really makes you think about the 2 sides to dealing with the Zombies. The Muldoon's keep their loved ones shackled and chained, so that they can't harm anyone, in hopes that someday a cure will be found. The other family, the O’Flynns, have the opposite approach and kill off anyone that has turned, and sometimes kill them before they have even had a chance to turn. While Romero's films usually hold a deeper meaning than just Zombies, I can't help but wonder if this film holds a deeper sub-plot of how people deal with those loved ones who have terminal diseases or those that are comatose with no signs of waking up. Do you "pull the plug" so to speak, like the O’Flynns, or do you act like the Muldoon's and keep them around in their current state in hopes that a cure will be found someday and bring your loved one back to how you remember them being. While I may be reading way more into this film that I should be, it definitely makes you think.

A great story, great acting, and great Zombie action is the perfect recipe for a fun and entertaining Zombie film! This is one you will want to check out for sure.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the standard DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the 2-disc Ultimate Undead Edition
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED (2009)

Wild Eye Releasing and MVD Visual are releasing NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED next Tuesday, September 21st. I got a chance to watch an advanced copy, and I have to say that this is one DVD you will want to add to your collection for sure.

The premise behind this project is very interesting. Mike Schneider was the director/organizer of this project, and he got over 100 different artist to re-create George Romero's classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD using nothing but different art forms and types of animations. Each artist took a certain scene from the film and animated it in their own, unique way. Almost every form of animation you can think of is used to recreate this film, including Oil Paintings, comic illustrations, stop motion, simple sketches, even sock puppets! All this was then edited together and placed in sync with the original audio track! What you are left with is a movie you don't just watch, but experience.

Imagine going to an art museum. Usually that is a very boring thing to do, in my opinion anyway. But imagine you were going to an art museum that had nothing but scenes painted and drawn from NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD! I bet you would go to that! Well this movie puts all the paintings, drawings, etc. together on one disc for you to look at! It really was fun to sit back and just enjoy all this great zombie themed art.

I was surprised at how well it was edited all together. With so many different styles and looks meshed together, and with some scenes only lasting a few seconds, I was really worried about the movie seeming to choppy to really enjoy. I was relieved to see how well this film was put together.

If you have never seen the original film, then first off, you need to re-evaluate your priorities in life. Second, go see the original film NOW! (You can actually watch it free online here) It is a true classic that kick started zombie cinema as we know it today. Then, watch this new "Reanimated" version. It could be hard to follow if you have never seen the original, so you definitely need that prior knowledge of the original film to follow along and just enjoy the awesome artwork.

This is a perfect meshing of two art forms. The film mixes visual art such as drawing/painting with the art of film making. This is a must have for any fan of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD or any fan of art in general. Either way, it makes for a very enjoyable experience.

The DVD come loaded with extra features, including a behind the scenes look at the animation processes, 2 different commentary tracks, alternate/deleted "scenes", trailers, some short films, and more! There is even a cool introduction of the film from the legendary Count Gore De Vol!

Be on the lookout next Tuesday, 9/21, and purchase a copy of this awesome DVD, or, you can order on line from the link below.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the official website

MUST WATCH! 4 new clips from the upcoming remake, THE CRAZIES

Back in October of last year, I posted about the remake of George Romero's 1973 classic, THE CRAZIES. Now, Upcominghorrormovies.com has posted 4 new clips from the new remake! This movie looks great and I for one, will be there opening weekend! The remake of THE CRAZIES is scheduled for theatrical release on February 26th.


CLICK HERE to view the trailer and new clips from THE CRAZIES
CLICK HERE to view the official website for THE CRAZIES

First clip from George Romero's new Zombie film: SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD

Good news for all your George Romero fans! Twitchfilm.net has just debuted the first clip from Romero's newest Zombie film: SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD.

Here is the basic premise courtesy of Twitchfilm.net:

In a world where the dead rise to menace the living, rogue soldier Crocket (Alan Van Sprang) leads a band of military dropouts to refuge from the endless chaos. As they search for a place "where the shit won't get you," they meet banished patriarch Patrick O'Flynn (played with zeal by Kenneth Welsh), who promises a new Eden on the fishing and ranching outpost Plum Island. The men arrive, only to find themselves caught in an age-old battle between O'Flynn's family and rival clan the Muldoons. It turns out that Patrick was expelled from the isle for believing that the only good zombie is a dead zombie, while the Muldoons think it's wrong to dispatch afflicted loved ones, attempting to look after their undead kinfolk until a cure is found. But their bid for stability on the homestead has turned perverse: the undead are chained inside their homes, pretending to live normal lives - and the consequences are bloody. A desperate struggle for survival will determine whether the living and the dead can coexist.

Click HERE to watch the clip from SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD...comment and let me know what you think!!