ZombieHood, 2014

    The story is a basic one: In Nottingham, England, an unexplained outbreak of Zombism forces random survivors to work together. 

    ZombieHood, however, starts off in a very different manner. Through a series of random and frequently quite graphic attacks, a core group of survivors comes together. Sounds simple enough, but throughout these attack scenes, a survivor is not guaranteed. Many of these scenes do nothing more than to display the ubiquitous nature of the outbreak. Others simply to remind the viewer that a zombie attack is a very bloody, gory and unpleasant affair!

    Among the living cast are two friends who escaped an outbreak in a nightclub, a guy who was trying to pick one of them up, a gun-toting bad boy, a cop, an old man, and a little girl. Occasionally, one of these people dies, and someone else comes along. 

   You see, and I liked this - I don’t know if its because these are all local actors and not big name stars, but NO cast member is safe. If a person is out in a zombie apocalypse, that person has a really good chance of not seeing the end credits. So, no stars, no guarantees.

    The zombies are Romeros in nature and adhere fairly strictly to the Rules of Romero. Their make-up and effects was also pretty decent - Surprisingly so for a smaller-budget film. And some of  killings these ghouls do is of a very, graphic nature, (the tub scene, while not so gory, had screams that were absolutely convincing… until they turned into gurgles. Nothing like an attack when you’re at your most vulnerable.)

    ZombieHood chugs along at a good clip, propelled by further, if not necessarily related attacks from the undead on the unsuspecting. No slow backstory development here or grieving scenes. This is a “He is already dead! Let’s move!!!”-type of movie.

    Critiques are few: The plot line is fairly non-existent, the characters aren’t given time to be developed, (the trade-off price in favor of a fast-paced film, I guess,) and the sound quality varies scene to scene. With all this said, and despite the local, non-big-name actors, and smaller budget, ZombieHood doesn’t carry too much of that 'Low Budget' feel.

My Zombie Movie Reviews Rubric board seemed impressed, too! Held up to its cold, unblinking eye of judgement and ZombieHood scored a solid 2.5 points out of a possible 4. This translates into a better than average, recommendable, re-watchable little addition to any zombie fans personal library of undead films. 

    And, of course, YouTube has a trailer to further pique the interest: ZOMBIEHOOD

 

   For a second opinion, or just some further research, check the flick out at zombiehood.co.uk or at the movies Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Zombie-Hood-232575326768828/

Re-Kill, 2015

Named after a reality-style show that airs five years after the zombie outbreak that wipes out 80% of America’s population, Re-Kill, (the television show,) features a COPS-style format that follows a squad of SWAT-type police who are charged with ‘re-killing’ the ‘re-ans,’ or re-animated dead.

Most encounters involve a tip-off that some family has secured a deceased loved one hoping for their return or the development of cure. The R-Division gets called in, handles the re-ans, the accompanying Re-Kill cameramen film it, and great television is made for what is left of the American viewing audiences.

Re-Kill, (the movie,) however, is centered around the men and woman of one particular R-Division,  (‘R-Div 8’,) and its mission/episode, which takes them inside on of the largest cordoned-off infected-occupied zones, Manhattan Island.

The movie never steps outside format, and even features commercials breaks from sponsors like The Coalition To Repopulate America, Desert Eagle .50 Calibre Handgun, and a cigarette advertisement that claims their product “won’t kill you before the re-ans do!” 

These commercial breaks provide some nice comedic relief without taking away the gravity of the situation or the character of the show’s stars. It also reinforces the whole T.V. show feel. It was a nice and welcomed touch.

The re-ans, (zombies,) are the running kind. Very fast, snarling zombies, that seem even more frantic by the almost intolerably shaky camera work. Oh, that camera work.

I mean, I understand that the feel of a field cameraman with a handheld camera under stressful situations was the intent here, but the amount of twitch going on here is pretty distracting! After all, these are supposed to be professionals with high-end equipment. This approach also takes some focus, (pun intended,) off of the zombies and the gore and carnage inflicted. Which is too bad, because they were really well done, despite being so athletic.

So, these zombies, combined with some decent acting, good effects and nice pacing all add up neatly on the Zombie Movie Rubric, (my objective rating tool,) scoring scoring Re-Kill a solid 2.4 out of 4.

This score adds up to a recommendation, too. It is a decent and different addition to the genre with some good scares, good gore, and with a different approach.

Of course, you can view the YouTube trailer by clicking here: RE-KILL

 

 

Zombie Night, 2013

    The dead rise and attack the living, and some folks are caught up in it and struggle to survive. Uh, that's the plot. That is it. Seriously. Absolutely nothing original here. It is Zombie Night.

    There is something 'phoned-in' feeling here. As if someone at Asylum pictures said, "Get some big names, some special effects, a decent budget and keep it 'old-school,' and it can't lose."  (An’ yet, I knew I was in for it when the disc had previews for Sharknado!)

    So, the big-name cast includes Anthony Michael Hall, Daryl Hannah, Shirley Jones, and Alan Ruck. But clearly, none of them considered this resumé material, because their performances were perfunctory at best. Not bad, just not really into it. (Maybe they, too, were bored with the absolute lack of story!) 

    Of course, if the characters were given ANY TYPE of back-story, perhaps they would be more interesting to watch.

    The titular zombies had good make-up, and were fairly convincing. (One MIGHT be mean and say they were more convincing than the living!) These dead were full-on 'Romeros', creepy, scary, and fun to watch.

    So, there are my slams. On the plus side, the 'Rules of Romero' are in full effect: shambling, slow dead, eating the flesh of the living, contagion through bites, & dispatched only with head shots. The only new twist anywhere in this film, (SPOILER ALERT!!!) is the part where the dead, uh, 'de-animate' at sunrise, and become regular ol' dead again. This is never explained and only mentioned  in passing mid-film about a news report from Europe, and became the focus of hope for the survivors, to get through until sunrise. To me, this seems kinda like a cheap 'out' to wrap up the movie. But since there was no explanation for the outbreak, an explanation for its conclusion is asking for a bit much.

    There is nothing overly horrible about Zombie Night, it just has a noticeable lack of good to it. I mean, it is watchable, and could quell a zombie-movie craving, but I think re-watching Dawn of the Dead, (the 1978 original, NOT the 2004 pile of... I mean, version,) would be much more satisfying. The Zombie Movie Rubrik granted it a 2.5 with the zombies doing all the heavy-lifting on the scoring.

    Go into it knowing that it is a made-for-tv movie from SyFy and you may enjoy it. Like a nice slice of dry, toasted, white bread. 

The official trailer on the ol' YouTube  ➜ ZOMBIE NIGHT

Rammbock: Berlin Undead, (2010)

    Well, after seven years, Gabi dumped Michael. 

    In a last ditch effort to woo her back, Michael, armed with a tissue-thin plan about returning her keys, travels from Vienna to her new apartment in Berlin. Instead of Gabi, Michael finds a couple of plumbers working on the building. The senior plumber starts acting... well, strangely, and attacks Michael and Harper, the young apprentice plumber. The two quickly chuck him out the door and barricade it.  Then, attracted to the sounds of a riot, the two's eyes turn towards the balcony. Looking down, they watch the first signs of the outbreak unfold in the apartment complex's courtyard.

    So, the lovelorn Michael and the plumber's apprentice, Harper, find themselves under siege, accompanied by an ever dwindling number of other residents, who can only communicate through their windows across the open courtyard.

    The pervasive deceased continually tighten the spaces and create a claustrophobic atmosphere, to couple with the sense of hopelessness, as melancholy Michael, and resourceful Harper, and the other living occupants struggle to meet challenges of survival and, eventually, to hatch a plan to escape to the seaport.

    A few sides notes here: The zombies in question seem like your traditional zombies, (with the exception of running and growling!) but there is no definitive proof that they are, in fact, dead and/or undead. The radio called it a virus, and it might just hijack the person through the infection, à la Rabies. Okay, true. There is, of course, the English language name, "Berlin Undead," which STRONGLY implies that they have, in fact, shaken off their mortal coil. But aside from that minor detail, it is only implied.

    Also, there is also no evidence of destruction by damaging the brain. In fact, no zombies were harmed in the making of this film. Seriously. There are no guns, or projectile weapons of any kind, (Harper's eye-gouging slingshot made from old forks actually broke during its virgin attempt!) and the one pipe that was used against some walkers* in one scene was minimally effective. (*Forgive the Walking Dead vernacular, -especially considering these guys are runners- but the synonyms list for "zombies" is a short one.)

    Ingenuity and perseverance prevail, (to some extant,) and a plan is put into action.

    But will Michael and Gabi EVER get back together? I mean, this is not by any means a love story, but this Michael guy is so pathetically lost without her. And when she does appear... Wait. No. I am gonna minimize the spoilers because this is a film that I want to recommend. I like this one and have seen it a coupla' times. Oh sure, it is subtitled, but the conversation is minimal and the subtitles are quick. Conversation is NOT a priority during the Zombie Apocalypse! 

And, like I've said before, just read the F'in' subtitles! It's not that hard!

    Rammbock / Berlin Undead scored a whopping 3.0 out of 4.0, (and an even more rare complete agreement between myself and the Zombie Movies Rubrick.) I mean, there is nothing out of the ordinary or groundbreaking here, just another tale from the (forthcoming) Zombie Apocalypse. But it is a really well done one without annoying characters shouting "What the hell are those things?" or flinging more bullet casings around than a Robocop moviethon.

    Enjoy now the trailer for it from the ever-reliable youtubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErSQdtSNniA

The Horde, (2009)

    Imagine if Die Hard took place during a zombie apocalypse instead of Christmas. There ya go. Lemme 'splain.

    The murder of a French police officer incites the revenge of his fellow cops against the gang responsible. Things go wrong. And then, things go VERY f'in' wrong! A surprisingly abrupt and widespread outbreak envelops Paris turning the dead into ravenous, animal-type zombies. The surviving cops and the surviving criminals must form an uneasy truce to stay alive.

    This film is not, (read that with some emphasis,) NOT played with any tongue-in-cheek, quirky cuteness or remotely lighthearted "zom-comedy." This is a straight-up, action/horror film. The Horde delivers on suspense, action, a metric shitload of zombie gore, and some good, spot-on scares. The fact that the characters are developed, identifiable, and engaging is complimented by the decent acting of the cast.

    The zombies are of the "Runner' type: All a-growly and angry, but in this tight and claustrophobic environment, it works well. 

    This is definitely for those zombie movie fans who like the 'action' element of Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, or even World War Z. Okay, sure. It IS in French, (but trust me, read the damned subtitles. Voice over-dubbing only screws the pooch on these things!) but the action pushes the character development as much as the dialog, so it is not that much of an intrusion to the story. 

    The Zombie Movie Rubric gave it a respectable 3.0 which translates to watchable and even re-watchable!

    Don't avoid it because of the 'foreign-ness!' It is worth the French! See for yourself with this trailer found on YouTube: THE HORDE 

The Night Eats The World, 2018

Sam stops by his ex-friend’s to collect his ‘tapes,’ only to find a raging party happening. He has a few drinks and eventually passes out in a locked room. When he wakes up the following morning, the world is quiet and everyone is dead… Or undead.

    Sam begins the task of cleaning up and clearing out the Paris apartment building, and fortifying it for a long haul. He must forage the former residents pantries, and meticulously budgeting his finds, all while desperately trying to stave off boredom and paranoia.

After what seems like months, Sam meets Sarah. But Sarah has a different philosophy and tries to convince Sam into finding a way out, instead of just staying put.

The whole movie plays on that ‘desperation and loneliness,’ theme, but still works in quite a few good zombie scares.

And those zombies were great! Squarely Romeros, but not TOO slow! And they were completely and totally silent. No growling, no gasping, nothing. Now you might not think this is huge, but, I’ll tell you, there is a massive creepiness factor to that, and really makes being moving around risky in a dead quiet world.

Aside from that, it is a standard ‘guy wakes up and everyone else is dead’ movie, (file along with ‘#Alive’ or ‘Rammbock,)’ but still done really well, and served with a deep look into the psychological trauma of enforced isolation.

But let’s see how it holds up to the completely objective, and totally non-biased grading tool - The ZMR! 

Well, the movie’s slow pace and the overall lack of originality may have dragged it down a bit, but those  awesome undead, big budget production quality, and cool special effects earned The Night Eats The World a 2.66 out of a possible 4.0. This puts it as an above average entry in the Zombie Apocalypse film world!

But overall, it is just a fun, scary, creepy, zombie movie!

Oh yeah, there is also pretty cool YouTube trailer here:

 THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD

 

Rabid, 1977

 

A motorcycle accident outside of a remote plastic surgery center prompts an emergency experimental procedure on an otherwise terminal victim.

Some side effects ensue.

Written and directed by David Cronenberg, (The Fly, Shivers, Naked Lunch, Scanners, Videodrome, et cetera,) so a viewer should go into this knowing not to expect the expected.

So, bike wreck/medical guinea pig, Rose, (played quite capably by former adult film star, Marylin Chambers, BTW,) comes around after a month or so, with a whole new medical issue...

    And need.

In short, Rose craves human blood. Her new, (and experimental,) skin grafts have developed an unusual, um ‘appendage?’ that emergences from a new, well, ‘orifice,’ I guess you’d call it, through which she feeds on her victims.

"Armpit stinger!"

And, her attack is contagious. Those upon whom she has fed become all angry and bite-y, foaming at the mouth and irrational. Very shortly, the whole hospital is full-on bedlam.

So, Rose, packs up and blows the scene, hitting the road, all hitch-hike-y and sampling some of the highway denizens. These human ‘meals-on-wheels,’ once infected with Rose’s armpit venom, become, (wait for it…) RABID! Yeah. She’s making zombies and doesn’t even know it.

Not long after, epic status is reached and the streets of Quebec are under martial law.

This was a tough one, I won’t lie. The premise was just plain weird, but the setting, soundtrack, atmosphere, even the acting! was all pretty decent. It being an older film, (1977) it was obviously influenced by Romero’s work, most noticeably ‘The Crazies.’ (Not bad for source material!)

    Held up the a more objective grading measure, the Zombie Movie Rubric, and Rabid earned  itself 2.22 out of 4 points.  Which is fairly respectable given its bizarre starting point.

Not sure if it earns a ‘hearty’ recommendation, but I’ve seen a lot worse. (Heck! I’ve seen a lot worse this week alone!) 

    And it was good to see Marilyn Chambers with her clothes on.

Still interested? Well, here is the YouTube trailer: RABID, 1977   

And, if you have a little more time on your hands, here is the full-length death, also available on YouTube. RABID, 1977 

Zombie Brigade, 1986

         A rural Australian Outback town has plans to develop a Japanese-funded ‘Robot Man' theme park. Only problem - It’s on a Vietnam War Memorial Cemetery. No biggie! Just get rid of the whole thing before the investors can see it!

I mean, what could POSSIBLY go wrong!?!

So, after a very awkward ‘meet & greet’ with the locals and the backers, a small gathering is planned to commemorate the deal. As the back-country, outback planning committee of ‘Lizard Valley’ and the slick, urbane, Japanese investor celebrate and scheme to impress/take advantage of each other, dead, or rather ‘undead’ soldiers are emerging from the new destroyed war monument seeking revenge… And human flesh!

After a long night, (actually VERY brief, cinematically speaking!) of the undead ravaging, chasing, and biting townsfolk to death, some survivors gather together to figure out what is happening, (and provide the audience with some exposition!!!)

Apparently, during the war, the Vietnamese soldiers, out-gunned, out-teched, and out-financed by the Yanks, turned towards their own form of ‘chemical warfare,’  a sort of ‘living dead’ serum, that turned soldiers into, well, the living dead. The soldiers were sealed up in the cemetery and there is some mention of ‘inert gas’ and more, but it is so fleeting that any sense really depends on the viewers inference.

As the ‘day after’ progresses, the townsfolk all assume the undead will return at nightfall. (I call them 'undead' and not zombies, because their status as such remains unclear. They have fangs and fear daylight, and have been killed by wooden stakes through the heart, but are not intelligent or verbal, and move as lumbering ghouls.

(There is, however, a great scene where a priest attempts to repel said ghouls with a crucifix… That did NOT go how he thought it’d go, I dare say!!!)

Furthermore, it is learned that the government has mined all of the exits out of town in an effort of containment. 

    Also, Jimmy and Yoshi begin the absolutely worst romantic flirting ever.

(Well, they WERE warned!)

Eventually, a terrible plan is arrived at - to resurrect OTHER dead soldiers to combat the first group using Jimmy’s Aboriginal Uncle Charlie’s “Black Fella” magic.

And then, THEN, things get weird.

So, now you've got the undead soldiers raised by the destruction of the monument, and the undead “White Fellas” raised by the Uncle Charlie’s Dreamtime Magic, (Now That sound’s like a great Prog/Psych band name right???) Well, all of these recently resurrected undead soldiers, they uh, well, they team up! Yup. Shake hands and welcome each other, and INSTEAD of doing battle, they decide to burn and raze the town. They then use carts and metal detectors to to plot a way out of the town and through its government-installed land mines to remove the coffins of the dead. Somehow, not too surprisingly, the remaining living survivors are kind’ve okay with it.    Hey, who I am I to judge, right?

    Okay, let’s tally this turkey up! 

    Nothing all too original, here, with its weird and inconsistent zomb…, uh, I mean, ‘undead,’ and absolutely terrible special effects, (let’s just call them ‘effects,' m’kay?) 

    And the few and far between action shot being filmed at night made nothing easy to watch, especially with this ‘pocket-change’ budget.

On the plus side, some of the characters were entertaining, and the Australian Outback made for a great setting. Fun accents, and quirky, small-town humor keeps this from being a total pooch.

But when held up against the Zombie Movie Rubric, Zombie Brigade earned itself nothing more than a 0.88 out of a possible 4.0. Sadly, this does NOT earn a recommendation!

I also found this rather enthusiastic write-up!

    Finally, Here is a YouTube Trailer for the film. See for yourself: ZOMBIE BRIGADE 

And what would a Zombie Movie be without a musical interlude - Here's The Sons of Gums (?) with Yoshi for an impromptu jam sesh! "An Offer I Can't Refuse"