|
Post by kingstownted on Apr 26, 2010 20:21:09 GMT -5
George A. Romero. A name held in reverence amongst fans of the undead. The strength and lasting impact of his original zombie 'trilogy' is hard to deny but...he made another three. In a two part episode dedicated to the "...of the dead" series we'll take an in-depth look at the filmmaker's love affair with the zombie. Of course the opposite of in-depth would be the 16x speed commentaries we did for each film installment. First up is Night of the Living Dead. Since we've already done an audio commentary to the film we just spend some time giving it the respect it deserves. The well known strengths and perhaps underspoken weaknesses of Dawn of the Dead are visited, and the pros and cons of Capt. Rhodes' arguments are debated along with the rest of Savini's effects achievement Day of the Dead. These are nihilistic films which is a big part of why we love them so much. If you're looking for happy endings, there are parlors for that. This week's Italian Horror pick is yet another Bava film - The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963). Considered the first true giallo film and while we don't get into an examination of what giallo is comprised of this certainly fits the mold. A controversial drunk call to the voicemail line and a bunch of plugs round out the show. We always welcome your comments: horroretc@gmail.comGive us a call on the voicemail line: (206) 337-5324
|
|
doug
Creeping Corpse
Posts: 62
|
Post by doug on Apr 26, 2010 22:51:14 GMT -5
Just so we're clear in advance; I did not agree to be part of a show called Romero Is Dead, I was told the title would be Romero's Dead.... might seem like semantics, but that's a big difference.
The reason i bring this up is because George receives a lot of criticism theses days (deserved and otherwise). I'm sure there are at least a few other Romero fans out there who are sick of listening to the bitching, and wouldn't download yet another podcast about how much he sucks. That's not what this is. This is an honest discussion of the good and bad things about his "dead" movies.
|
|
|
Post by Scary Gary on Apr 27, 2010 7:35:30 GMT -5
Romero's Dead does have a nice ambiguity to it. It leaves it to the reader to decide, is it a contraction or is it possessive? Just my two cents.
|
|
Tom
Creeping Corpse
Posts: 53
|
Post by Tom on Apr 27, 2010 10:15:25 GMT -5
I think there may have been some confusion as to which cut was Argento's cut during the podcast. Argento's one is actually the shortest cut which if memory serves gets rid of some of the meandering scenes of them becoming numb and detached in the mall - it's a lot more dynamic and focuses on the action more.
The theatrical is Romero's preferred cut, and the extended cut that is sometimes labelled as the directors cut, was more of a first cut if anything, that he chopped down.
A minor point. Great show gentlemen.
|
|
|
Post by kingstownted on Apr 27, 2010 10:36:25 GMT -5
Romero's Dead does have a nice ambiguity to it. It leaves it to the reader to decide, is it a contraction or is it possessive? Just my two cents. Interesting that the semantics of the title have been raised. One could take the stance that 'Romero is Dead' implies that Romero's films define the zombie genre and serves as a tribute to his legacy. Guess it's all in how one chooses to read it To be fair, it wasn't discussed beforehand but the comments have served to spoil the title of part 2...oh well. That's what we get for trying to be clever. Double meanings all around.
|
|
Tom
Creeping Corpse
Posts: 53
|
Post by Tom on Apr 27, 2010 15:57:00 GMT -5
Okay, finished listening now! It's funny you mentioned how realistic Captain Rhodes' guts were. They were actually pig guts that were left in a fridge that was accidentally switched off over a long weekend. They used them anyway, so when Joe Pilato had to do the scene, he was gulping in lung-fulls of putrid air. Check out the documentary on the DVD's for some footage of when Romero shouted cut and Pilato looks as if he's going to throw up! I'd recommend Dead fans check out the latest UK blu ray release from Arrow Video. Gorgeous transfer, region free, and includes a mini comic book of Bub's origin. www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Dead-Blu-ray-Joseph-Pilato/dp/B002XT38BE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1272401680&sr=8-1
|
|
|
Post by Scary Gary on Apr 27, 2010 16:05:00 GMT -5
Interesting that the semantics of the title have been raised. One could take the stance that 'Romero is Dead' implies that Romero's films define the zombie genre and serves as a tribute to his legacy. Guess it's all in how one chooses to read it To be fair, it wasn't discussed beforehand but the comments have served to spoil the title of part 2...oh well. That's what we get for trying to be clever. Double meanings all around. DOH! Didn't mean to rain on your parade. My Bad.
|
|
|
Post by mundays on Apr 27, 2010 21:01:28 GMT -5
blimey, I really hope that was a drunk caller and not someone with learning difficulties or you guys are all going to hell!
Good episode!
|
|
808synikal
Creeping Corpse
Sippin Molotovs
Posts: 29
|
Post by 808synikal on Apr 27, 2010 21:58:08 GMT -5
hmmm so Doug hasnt seen Memento. really missing out. Christopher Nolan the god. Hey Doug, make the night a double bill. Start with his first movie... Following www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilYnB9u72ygthen Memento. Both really good movies. Let me know what you think.
|
|
|
Post by smurfwreck on Apr 28, 2010 8:35:30 GMT -5
Just a quick thought, I think part of the reason that Francine was depicted as "with child" during Dawn of the Dead is also a way to bring hope to an otherwise doom and gloom film. It gives her a reason to survive, something to protect that is important on a completely different level in the zombie apocalypse. It also gives the others a reason to protect her, for the innocence in her belly.
It also changes up the dynamic that from Night, where Judith O'Dea plays it somber and shocked and eventually useless in the situation. In Dawn they get a similar duo established, but with different character traits. You want Francine to survive, while honestly, Judith O'Dea was just hampering weight.
|
|
|
Post by torontoscott on Apr 28, 2010 9:09:10 GMT -5
Great show - I'm not as big of a 'Dead' fans as many, but I have certainly enjoyed the films over the years.
I do think that the 'public domain' nature did help spread Night of the Living Dead. I know it was only Toronto TV stations a lot during the 80s (especially around Halloween). I caught Day and Dawn on VHS back then.
I still don't love 'Day' all that much. Some great gore scenes, but the dialogue just doesn't work for me. I normally don't like to pick apart acting in lower budget horroro movies, but it is just really rough here. It hasn't aged as well as the other two. It does, however, inform a lot of what goes on in Walking Dead.
As for pregnancies - I agree that it generally adds a whole new layer to survival. This also becomes part of Walking Dead, and ws the entire basis of Children of Men.
As for the drunk call - funny stuff.
In a way, it's kind of fun to have never done something everyone has done. I've never seen certain movies, and in some way I know so much about them that I feel as though I've seen them and I don't know how much actually sitting down to watch them would actually benefit me.
I've never been to Vegas. I doubt I'll ever go. I feel like keeping it a mystery is actually more interesting that actually seeing it.
As for Romero in general... I'm looking forward to your eventual episode of the non-Dead films, as some of them are interesting and worthy of discussion.
|
|
doug
Creeping Corpse
Posts: 62
|
Post by doug on Apr 28, 2010 17:43:23 GMT -5
hmmm so Doug hasnt seen Memento. really missing out. Christopher Nolan the god. Hey Doug, make the night a double bill. Start with his first movie... Following www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilYnB9u72ygthen Memento. Both really good movies. Let me know what you think. Both those movies are on my "to-watch" list. I'll try to get to them soon.
|
|
|
Post by wallygatorca on Apr 28, 2010 18:09:38 GMT -5
Great Episode once again. The 16x thing works pretty well.
As for the drunk... guilty here.
Until today I forgot I even made the call. It stemmed from mid-week, an after Hump Day/Night bit of good business news celebration. Had to be damn late when I called.
Tony you have to explain absolutely nothing, I posses only about 10% of your knowledge when it comes to film. Please pardon the indulgence, and keep doing what you're doing. Just breaking balls, being a douche. I owe you guys a round, Tony I'll get ya two.
If its any saving grace...Lots of Ales = I had a decent hangover.
Listened to it a 2nd time around now and I guess it's only fitting now that I had Social Distortion's "I Was Wrong" playing in the background.
|
|
|
Post by Scary Gary on Apr 29, 2010 18:54:12 GMT -5
I just finished this episode today. You guys threw out the question about which was the right call; barricading the ground level and using the basement as a means of last resort; or hunkering down in the basement from the get-go and wait for the cavalry to arrive.
If you look at it Mythbusters' style, Option A (ground level) is clearly busted. The reason being is that it is an indefensible position. Too many points of entry and not enough manpower or guns to fend off the raging horde.
Option B is plausible at best. Ben's logic of not going downstairs was sound. Yes it was more defensible, but it was also a potential trap. Not knowing that the local good ol' boys were going to arrive in the morning, locking yourself in the basement added the risk of starvation and dehydration as there would have been no chance to get out for supplies.
I would like to suggest option C. I think they should have went upstairs to the upper floor. There was only one set of stairs to get up there, so the position was much more defensible then Option A. In addition, the group could have started the barricading of the ground level, as they did, to buy time to move the refrigerator and any other essentials to the upper floor. Once they were stocked, and before the horde broke through, they could all go upstairs and rip some of the stairs up behind them. From that position, they would have the benefit of the high ground, no points of entry for the shamblers to harm them, much time to sit back and formulate their next steps, and multiple means of egress should they need supplies (assuming a prolonged siege).
Anyway, that's how I think I would have done it had I been there.
Fun show, guys. I loved the lightning quick commentaries. Can't wait to hear then sequel.
|
|
|
Post by deckard on Apr 30, 2010 1:38:59 GMT -5
I suggest option D: Never stop running. Provided we keep moving, the zombies will never get to us. The key problem in most of the shuffling zombie films is people stop. People stop, Zombies don't.
To aid in your quick movement, I would suggest travelling to a nearby car sale and stealing their fastest car(s), heading to a garage, locking all the doors and fixing it up, Mad Max style.
Then, as you are forced to drive slower if passing through gridlocked towns, you're still heavily armoured with a vast array of spike and blades etc.
The one thing you must remember during the zombie apocalypse is to HAVE FUN. The likelihood is you'll die soon, so you may as well enjoy the type you have, picking off straggling zombies in increasing ridiculous and hilarious ways. Plus you'll probably have the joy of killing one of your zombified enimies.
Just drive around with razors sticking out from your wheels a la Death Race 2000, removing lower legs from the hordes while simultaneously helping anyone who is still in said town, as legless zombies are easier to avoid.
Any other options you can think of - besides the depressing (Suicide, Sacrifice etc.)?
|
|