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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

10 Best Zombie Movies of All Time


The ten best zombie movies of all time is fan subjective, of course.  It really comes down to zombie fan preference.  Whether that be accurate and believability, humor, or gore.

1.  "Zombieland": Yes, it is a big production and not as home-grown as a lot of zombie movies, but there is no way to beat Woody Harrelson riding a roller coaster and picking off zombies with a rifle as he rides. The bar was set high by this 2009 movie that lays down precise rules for surviving a country overrun by zombies.

2.  "Shaun of the Dead": For zombie humor, this is one of the best. It is odd, a bit low budget and does not make much sense; precisely the ingredients for the best zombie movies. This British movie was released in 2004 and is a commentary of the zombie-like state that people allow themselves to fall into during their normal routines.

3.  "White Zombie": Being a fan of the classics I had to include 1932's first feature length zombie film.  Modern reception to White Zombie has been more positive since its initial release.   

4.  "Night of the Living Dead": A must see for any zombie fan, the original 1968 version of "Night of the Living Dead" is without question one of the best zombie movies ever. The 1990 remake is also a passable zombie flick. If you are into survival amongst the living dead, this one is one of the most important in the genre to see. It may just give you new ideas for keeping the zombies away. 

5.  "Fido": "Fido" has a truly inventive take on the zombie genre, combining it with a "Leave It to Beaver" vibe. The dynamic between a status-conscious nuclear family and its zombie domestic servant is an eye-opening commentary on the role of parents and their relationships with each other.

6.  "Dead Snow":  How could anyone say "I hate you" to a horror film that features an extended fist fight between a strapping Norwegian lad and an angry Nazi zombie? Hard to imagine, I know. Tommy Wirkola's thoroughly satisfying 2009 undead comedy Dead Snow (aka Død snø), despite wearing its many influences on its gore-encrusted sleeves, has just enough manic energy and undiluted charm to pull off its odd assortment of zany scenarios and rampant self-awareness without crossing the line into unwatchable absurdity.  The film fiend.com

7.  "Army  of Darkness":   Army of Darkness (1993) (the final installment in the Evil Dead trilogy) was produced on a fairly meager budget, and it shows: The set backgrounds are ridiculously obvious matte paintings and the execution of the special effects is really hit-and-miss. Still a great watch though, thanks to an incredibly creative director in Sam Raimi (who went on to direct the Spider-Man franchise) and a hilarious performance from B-movie king Bruce Campbell in the leading role.

8.  "Dawn of the Dead":  George Romero made five zombie movies, including Night of the Living Dead, the film that essentially invented the modern zombie film 1968. 1978’s Dawn of the Dead is one of the best. The film is set in a shopping mall, when shopping malls were a newer concept.  A great mix of character development and zombie battles. I have seen others say you can't claim to be a zombie fan without seeing this movie unless you want knowledgeable people to laugh in your face.
 
9.  "Evil Dead 2": A classic among zombie movies, "Evil Dead 2" has a famous disembodied hand sequence that is worth its price alone. The movie is the second installment of a classic three-zombie-movie franchise.

10. "28 Days Later":  Purists call it a zombie film without zombies, (2002) Directed by Danny Boyle – Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary as they try to run from victims who have turned into zombie-like psychopaths.

11.  "Planet Terror" (2007) - Directed by Robert Rodriguez - This great film in the Grindhouse collection, Planet Terror dominated everything it set out to do by putting an all star cast into the film, and by having a great script and great direction from Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico)."

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