Get the Shovel. We’re Done Here.
So. I’ve reached a major milestone. I’ve watched 100 zombie movies. I’m not about to stop. I definitely want to keep going. I mean, I’m not tired of them yet. And it’s a great way to kill time at my last remaining day job. Before I go on, though, I’d like to do one or two posts reflecting on my methods, my choices, things I’ve learned, and some highlights from the experience. But first, some stats! – I have watched 8491 minutes of zombie footage. – Or 141.5 hours. – Or 5.9 solid days. – I began this project on July 3rd, 2009. I logged my 100th review on March 20th, 2011. This means that I’ve spent 632 days on this project so far, during which I watched approximately 13 minutes of footage every day, or 94 minutes per week. 632 days works...
Tall, Dark, and Dead – 101 – Army of Darkness
Title: Army of Darkness Year: 1992 Director: Sam Raimi Leads: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert Favorite quote: “This is my boomstick!” Thoughts: I started with a classic. I’ll end this group of 100 films with a classic. Army of Darkness has always struck me as a live action cartoon. It’s bombastic and twitchy – and the deadites are positively spastic, the very definition of undeath as a form of exaggerated life. Even Ash himself is an animated, leaping kettle of contradictions – he plays virtuoso piano and is apparently a chemical and engineering genius, and yet he’s an obnoxious, immature man-child who works at S-Mart. In fact, that might be why I like his character so much – no one can say that...
Tall, Dark, and Dead – 100 – Evil Dead II / Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn
Title: Evil Dead II / Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn Year: 1987 Director: Sam Raimi Leads: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks Favorite quote: “We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound “fine”?” Thoughts: I took my latest viewing of Evil Dead II quite seriously, because I am aware that it is the weakest zombie-related entry in the series. I evaluated it honestly and critically, prepared to own up to it not being a zombie film and skip it. After all, Ash is the main possessed character in the second film, and he’s quite alive. While I will argue for certain living zombies until I’m blue in the face, I will not argue for demonically-possessed living people. It’s just a personal line in the sand. However,...
Tall, Dark, and Dead – 99 – Tombs of the Blind Dead / Mark of the Devil, Part 4: Tombs of the Blind Dead / La Noche del terror ciego
Title: Tombs of the Blind Dead / Mark of the Devil, Part 4: Tombs of the Blind Dead / La Noche del terror ciego Year: 1971 Director: Amando de Ossorio Leads: Lone Fleming, César Burner, María Elena Arpón Favorite quote: “She doesn’t know what she’s getting into.” Thoughts: Notes! Because I’m lazy! Train porn! Oh, to ride such a train! Early lesbian experience for Bet and Virginia – this would explain why meeting her former boarding school chum/lover and potentially losing her not-serious boytoy to her is fraught with so much emotion. Virginia jumps off the train and heads toward Zombieville. I like this, solo female – fairly rare. Either going to end really badly, or really awesomely. Yes, put on your clothes to...
Tall, Dark, and Dead – 98 – Dance of the Dead
Title: Dance of the Dead Year: 2008 Director: Gregg Bishop Leads: Jared Kusnitz, Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby Favorite quote: “You can have all of me, Lindsey, my love! Cut me open, take my heart – it is yours! Wow, I feel the same way, Froggy.” or “You give me ten minutes, I’ll have this place wired like a crackhead on Red Bull.” Thoughts: I am incredibly glad that I decided to start TDD – because it’s made me seek out and watch some fantastic movies that I might not’ve, otherwise. Dance of the Dead (no, different one) is definitely amongst these. DotD is an independent zombie teen comedy that, although silly in parts – and then, delightfully silly – charmed my skull-print socks off....
Tall, Dark, and Dead – 97 – Last of the Living
Title: Last of the Living Year: 2009 Director: Logan McMillan Leads: Morgan Williams, Robert Faith, Ashleigh Southam Favorite quote: “Oh, that’s my bat. I made it. Well, I didn’t make it, I actually bought it – from a shop. …I stole it. Because that’s what I do. Because I’m a badass.” Thoughts: I loved this one. There were a few “huh?” parts, but they didn’t stick with me for long – I soon fell back to laughing. It also passed the “noooo, I LIKED HIM!” living death test, which is always a difficult note to hit with me. And it has its own theme song, performed by two distressingly attractive men from New Zealand! Well done, guys. The opening shots were formulaic...
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