Movie of the Week: Dawn of the Dead

So first things first. I know I'm not breaking any new ground by praising this movie and saying it's a great four star movie. But I think that some people tend to forget just how great this movie is, and how much it did to inspire other people to make "zombie" movies. Now this film is clearly dated, but I'm okay with that. Yes the Zombies in this film look goofy, but you have to remember that the previous film in the series was in black and white, so at the time there was no real established look for Zombies in color. So with all of that being said, lets take a look at the original Dawn of the Dead...shall we?

For me, this is just one of the many movies I saw as a kid that inspired my love for the horror genre. That might also explain why my mind is so fucked up, but that's a conversation for another day. Think about this, if it wasn't for Night of the Living Dead, and more so Dawn of the Dead, there wouldn't be a Zombie sub genre. Although with all of the overflow of Zombie related shit that comes out these days, I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse. The Walking Dead should be on it's knees sucking this film's dick on a daily basis.

This film just has so much to offer. There's an emotional connection with the characters in this film. Some you love and want to survive, and others you hate and just hope to Allah that the fuckers get what's coming to them. There's also a hell of a lot of suspense in this movie. Plenty of awesome Zombie deaths, and a shit load of blood. So if you're into all of that shit...well you've probably already seen this...so never mind. But if you haven't, do yourself a favor and give this a look. It's fantastic.

With all of that being said, I guess I should end this by saying that I absolutely adore this film. George A. Romero WAS a fucking genius. I say was because...well...he's made quite a heaping handful of shit in the past 15 years or so. Instead of dwelling on all of that, I just sit back and enjoy in my opinion his masterpiece. I love you, Dawn of the Dead.

Movie of the Week: A Nightmare on Elm Street

So up until now when I do a movie of the week, I have always suggested a documentary. But I've finally decided to switch things up this week, and suggest one of my all time favorite films. Clearly, I'll be talking about A Nightmare on Elm Street. (By the way, there is a FANTASTIC documentary about the entire series called "Never Sleep Again". If you haven't seen it, check it out.) So I'm going to do my best to explain why I truly love this movie.

First of all, the first time I saw this movie...I was scared absolutely shitless. Even to this day, there are moments that freak me the fuck out. Movies don't really do that to me anymore, but for obvious reasons, this movie does it. This was one of the only movies in this series where Freddy isn't a wise cracking Anti-Hero. He's just a burnt up, scary, child murderer/molester, and a complete mind fuck. He gets his rocks off by building up to the kill.

Now I guess I should explain the "back story". Freddy killed and molested local children. He got caught. For the sake of the movie, he got away with it because some bull shit. The parents were all angry and shit...so they hunted him down and burned him alive. And for reasons not really explained until the 6th fucking movie in the franchise (Don't watch it, it's terrible.), he can now haunt their children's dreams. I guess if you molest and kill children and are then killed by local parents, you end up with special haunt the people who killed you's children's dreams powers...with the ability to kill them in the dream, leading to them dying in real life.

But any how, back to why I love this movie. It's absolutely unique. Freddy isn't just a faceless and silent killer. He's absolutely terrifying. Seriously, look at him. That's fucking scary. Back around the time this movie came out, and pretty much the rest of the 80s for that matter, there was a flood of shitty generic slasher flicks. To me, this is one of the absolute best horror movies...ever. Sure you have some pretty mediocre acting, but you also have Johnny Depp! Yay! I really wish I could have seen his entire death scene. From what I've heard, the idea for the full death was fantastic.

I suppose to wrap this whole thing up, I adore this movie. Great and creative death scenes (especially for the time), a very unique story, and one of, if not THE best horror movie villains of all time. Of course Hollywood had to go ahead and ruin this by making a bunch of really shitty sequels, and a remake....THAT I FUCKING HATE AND WISH IT NEVER HAPPENED...AND FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! But seriously, if you are one of the unfortunate few who has never seen this movie, do yourself a favor and watch this movie. It's an absolute treat.