“Fun & Entertaining Zombie Films
Not to be Missed”
In the podcast
“Conversations in Horror” hosts Ron McLellen and I look at different aspects of
the horror genre in order to entertain and educate fans. This article is a companion to the show as a
means to touch upon things that the show doesn’t have time to. Enjoy.
Zombies are one of the most popular monsters in history and
most recently has taken pop culture by storm with the popularity of AMC’s The
Walking Dead (as well the comic and graphic novels) and films like Warm Bodies
(2013), World War Z (2013) and especially the Resident Evil franchise
(2002-2012) not to mention books, toys, Halloween costumes and more. Following is a list of10 zombie films that
might have gone missed but are worth looking for.
THE BATTERY (2012)
This is a recent zombie film that’s really a two-person
deconstruction that takes place during the zombie apocalypse. There are a lot of indie films out there
which are a slow burn like this one but using baseball adds to the allure of
the film. Unfortunately, there are a lot
of slow burning zombie films out there and this one may have been overshadowed
but it is worth searching out.
CEMETERY MAN (1994)
Michelle Soavi’s uncompromising adaptation of the popular
Dylan Dog comic book. Although this film
is a loose adaption of the comic book character it is more thematically
accurate than Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2011).
Its mixture of violence, gore, romance, and humor is better executed
than any other zombie film out there.
There are few other zombie films produced in other countries that
matches the lightning caught in a bottle like this film.
THE DEAD (2010)
Africa is not your typical place for a zombie apocalypse and
this film is not your typical zombie film as location is a key component to the
success and allure of this film. The
undead have never looked no menacing or desolate. Directors Howard and Jonathan Ford did an
exceptional job at infusing new life into the slow moving zombie genre which
continued in the sequel (which takes place in India). This is one of the films that should be on
every zombie fans watch list.
DEADGIRL (2008)
This is not your typical zombie film as there is no
apocalypse going on because there is only a single zombie girl found strapped
down in an abandoned building by a bunch of kids who decide to have their own
way with the undead. A disturbing look
at youth culture by way of the undead.
Not a film for everyone but an uncompromising film that stays with you
long after the credits roll.
FLIGHT OF THE LIVING
DEAD: OUTBREAK ON A PLANE (2007)
Zombie films don’t get as exciting and entertaining as this
film which manages to trap a bunch of zombies on an inflight plane. It’s a film that satisfies just about
everyone. It has everything that a zombie
fan would want. It’s a film that’s
better than the title declares and should not go overlooked.
I, ZOMBIE: THE
CHRONICLES OF PAIN (1999)
This is a very infamous film because it’s an extremely slow
burn character film about a guy who discovers he’s becoming one of the undead
and he must discover how to go on living as he’s slowly dying. Director Andrew Parkinson is known for his
slow burning character films of which watching a man slowly turn into a zombie
probably isn’t the most entertaining way to spend an evening. Also, this was Parkinson’s first feature so
the production values are that of an indie feature so the film has never been
given its due. The dark material should
not deter you from an otherwise very good indie zombie film.
MANIAC COP (1988)
Directed by William Lustig, this return from the dead cop slasher is one
of the most entertaining films of its kind and even though they made three of
these films this is the first and best of them all. The film stars Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell,
and Richard Roundtree but it is Robert Z’Dar as the title character that steals
the entire film. This is a crazy vengeance
themed film as only Lustig can do.
PONTYPOOL (2009)
I love non-traditional zombie films and they don’t get any
more non-traditional than this film where the wrong sounds can turn you into a
mindless automaton. This single location
thriller is anchored by one of actor Stephen McHattie’s finest performances. This is a film for zombie film lovers with a
taste for something a little different.
SUGAR HILL (1974)
A traditional voodoo zombie film as only the ‘70s can
craft. This is one entertaining film
from beginning to end. It is dated but
that does not deter from the fun that this film contains. Also, it’s one of the very few traditional voodoo
zombie films that get it right.
UNDEAD (2003)
Zombies. Aliens.
Australia. What’s not to like about this over the top zombie film to the extreme? No one does a good zombie film like Michael
and Peter Spierig. This is a
horror-sci-fi-action film that successful mixes all these genres to create one
of the very best undead films of the modern age. Not only is this one of the very best modern
zombie films it is also the Spierig Bros. first film who have gone on to
re-define the vampire genre with Daybreakers (2009) and time travel with Predestination
(2014).
Some of these films were discussed in the “Conversations in
Horror” episode but more importantly here is a list of just a few great zombie
films. Some people may agree with my
assessment while others may hate some of my choices. Because zombie films are a dime a dozen there
are hundreds of other films that could be on this list but I chose not to
include.
What do you make of these films and do you agree with any of
my choices?
To watch the episode of
“Conversations in Horror” go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNA7grOKX7U
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