Saturday, November 28, 2009

Dawn of the Dead

(2004) ***1/2

As the world is overrun by a plague of fast-moving, ravenous zombies, a small group of disparate survivors seek shelter in a mall. Surrounded by a moat of zombies, they must make decisions as a group, and survival depends on making the right calls.

Umm, AWKWARD! I just don’t remember enough details about why I felt the way I did in response to watching this movie a month ago. Clearly I need to write up my reviews as quickly as possible and not give in to the wave of exhaustion and procrastination that sweeps over the blog in November. I remember loving the first half, feeling like the movie lost something in the second half, and my interest perking up as the credits rolled (that WAS awesome, wasn’t it?). I know all the boys gave DotD (2004) five stars, but even though I feel the pressure of their vastly superior zombie-related opinions, I can’t say I shared their experience (maybe because my expectations were too high?). As always in such situations, I remain open to the possibility that future viewings will convert me, and luckily I own the DVD (unrated director’s version, natch).

10 comments:

Jordan said...

Of course your interest perked up as the credits rolled! The credits are when you get to see the videotape played back. Just when the movie can't get any awesome-er (since it's, you know, over) it dips into the "found footage" candy jar, even making use of the "previous time the camera was used" trick from Cloverfield. I won't give anything away to the 0 Horrorthonites who haven't seen the movie, but suffice it to say it's a fantastic ending. Get down with the sickness!

Jordan said...

Gee, there's something wrong with Blogger and my comment isn't registering on the main page. I'll just add another comment to see what happens...

Catfreeek said...

AC I fear exactly what you are experiencing writing reviews a month later that's why I do them right away. However, my numerous daily posting of reviews was flooding the blog and that was overwhelming everyone so that's not a good plan either. I decided if I do delve into quantity again next year I will write my reviews at the same pace but leave them snug and secure in word and only post one or 2 a day throughout October & November.

That first picture you posted is bugging me. If his hands and face are rotty then shouldn't his belly be rotty too? I know, I'm nitpicking but either go all zombie or not zombie at all.

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Chicks. What do they know about zombie movies?

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Weird, now my comment's not registering...

Octopunk said...

That comment weirdness was harshing my calm as well. It seems to have righted itself.

AC, AC, AC... your honesty is refreshing and "moat of zombies" is a wonderful turn of phrase (and a gives me a good idea for my next castle), but, simply put, you're wrong.

Oh, I guess I don't mean that. I myself was very unkind to the original Night of the Living Dead for many years. Marooned-in-a-sea-of-zombie plots can be a bit wearing, especially if you've already watched a bunch of them.

I think the DotD remake gets all those five-star reviews for good reasons, and you'll probably, hopefully feel that way if you watch it again.

Jordan said...

Word.

Jordan said...

Listen, I think this movie would get five stars from me even if there was no second half, just because the first hour is so blindingly awesome. Hell, the first ten minutes is one of the scariest, nastiest, most excellent strips of film ever made. And Kyle Cooper did the opening titles, with the actual blood in the titles (really) and the Johnny Cash song (and that shot of the secret service machine gunning zombies on the lawn in front of the U.S. Capitol Building). Come on, five stars just for the aerial freeway shot. Boom! I'm going to watch it again right now.

Jordan said...

The guy who plays the asshole-security-guard-turned-nice-guy (the guy in the baseball hat, who makes it nearly all the way through) plays a big role in Clint Eastwood's Changeling.

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