my thoughts on.... 'Ravenous' aka 'Les affamés'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Zombie are everywhere. I've written so many reviews covering this sub genre and have talked about them time and time again that you'd think I was over them.... you'd be wrong. It's films like 'Ravenous' that remind me why I fell in love with these monsters in the first place. However, in this film, are they really the undead or more like plague victims? There's a fine line and in this particular outing, it's hard to say for sure which they are? Despite all of that, this film has so much going for it. The acting is superb. The special effects are fantastic. The score and lack thereof, is spot on. There is so much to love in 'Ravenous' that I'll let the cat out of the bag, this film is already at my top spot for this years 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018'. Now, that certainly could change, as there is a long time to go still. But this is just such an incredibly strong piece of cinema, that I can't see it not being on the list, no matter what else comes out. As I said, it's hard to find a new way to tell the same old story and this film really doesn't break too much new ground. You've got a band of survivors, who are just trying to stay alive while the world around them is going to hell. You've got a leader, a child, a woman who comes into her own, a straight up weirdo and some peripheral characters to round out the lot. Some people might say this one is by the numbers, but I would have to politely disagree. This is anything but that. I will say that you need to be a fan of the slow burn, as this film takes its time. There's no rushing, when you want to tell a good story about characters you actually care about their survival. I think too often, a lot of horror films just go for the jugular. That's all fine and good, but you can't really appreciate the danger if you don't care who lives or dies. That's good storytelling 101. This film also has a legitimately scary design for the make up effects, not too mention they way they scream. It's unsettling. Also.... stick around after the credits. Just a heads up.

The plot, you may ask? (Taken from Wikipedia) “In the aftermath of a zombie-like outbreak, the rural regions of Quebec are decimated with few survivors remaining. Bonin and his friend Vézina patrol with shotguns, shooting the infected while amusing each other with doctor jokes. While out, Vézina is drawn out into the forest, surrounded, and attacked. Another survivor, wife and mother Céline, drives, alone, and kills the infected as she finds them with a machete. Céline wanders onto the property of two elderly, armed women, Therese and Pauline, who tell Céline to strip so they can see if she has been bitten. Upon seeing Céline is clean, they take her in. Bonin meets Tania, a young woman with a bite mark, who swears she was bitten by a dog and not an infected. While Tania is initially tied down for safety reasons, Bonin unties her and drives her away as the infected close in. They pick up a little girl, Zoé. Bonin also spots infected in a field and spies on them. He observes that they are gathered around a stack of found objects they have assembled, in a mysterious ritual. Bonin, Zoé, and Tania head back to Therese and Pauline's house, as Bonin knows them. Together, the group realizes the house is on the path of the infected invasion. As the infected swarm in, the group flees. They encounter two other survivors, the elderly former insurance agent Réal and the young Remi, who is armed with a rifle. The group unites and finds a cabin. Inside, they find a note from an anonymous survivor warning anyone who reads it to stay away from town and stating the author is looking for survivors on Quebec Route 113. Pauline is bitten and shot by Therese. Réal, having been bitten earlier, turns, bites Remi, and is dispatched by Céline, who also kills Remi before he can turn. The advancing infected overrun the remaining survivors. Therese stays behind so Bonin can escape with Zoé and is killed. Surrounded, Céline begins hacking against the oncoming undead. Bonin gives Zoé to Tania and leads the infected away, as Tania hides Zoé in a tunnel and tells her Zoé is the strongest. Tania disappears as the infected continue to swarm. When Zoé emerges, she finds Bonin pointing his shotgun at his own head. Bonin tells her to go look for Tania, and Zoé sets off alone for Route 113, passing another infected-made structure. On the road, she is picked up by another survivor.”

There's so much to love about this film. While it sticks to the tried and true tropes of the old school zombie/infected film, it still feels very fresh. Not unlike last years 'Here Alone'. Writer/director Robin Aubert seems to have a very firm grasp on how to create tension and drama out of thin air. I found myself glued to the screen from the opening credits until the ending cut sequence and was left wishing there was still more to come. That's the sign of good film making, when you leave your audience wanting more. Now, before you go run off to Netflix to fire this one up, there is one thing you should know, as some people have strong opinions on this matter. This is a Canadian film and it is all in French. While I have no issues with subtitles, there are some audience members who are not fans and that's okay. To each their own. I felt it should be something you're all made aware of, as it can be a deciding factor for some. One stylistic choice that I very much enjoyed, was the fact that the creatures seem to have some level of instinctual intelligence. Not that they are smart, but that they don't just always kill everyone immediately. They are seen, several times, just standing and waiting. It makes some of the scenes that much more intense because of it. As, we the viewer, are put in a position of waiting for something to happen, just like the people in the movie. It also leads us to another oddity in the film, which is the large monuments of various items that they seem to be building into some kind of tower or towers. It's never really explained, but between that and the fact that the creatures seem to communicate with each other, it leads me to believe there may be an alien component. Now, that's not a new trend in zombie films. There have been several other examples of alien races utilizing the undead as part of their master plan to take over the earth. The only difference is, in this film, it's never explained. It just kind of just.... is. The last thing that I wanted to mention, that was a reason this film worked on so many levels, was the sound. Once again, I'm bringing up the sound aspects of a film. I feel it's highly undervalued and in this film, it plays a central role. Because the creatures are drawn to life and the sounds of life, there is a lot of silence. There is still a score to the film, but there's more silent moments than ones filled with orchestral swells and sweeping violins. It digs the reality of the situations that much more under your skin.

What more can I say? Other than I waited too long to sit down and talk about this movie. I strive to write my reviews as quickly as possible, as the longer they sit in my brain, the more likely the hordes of other films will push out any memories from the one I want to write about. Case in point, 'Ravenous'. Despite my own shortcomings, this is a story that is worth your time to watch. It once again breathes life into a genre that is filling every aspect of our society. Not just the horror world, but the general population at large. This also reminded me why I love scary movies and watching them, because they spark my imagination give me a release from the true fears of every day life. It's also one of the many reasons I love film in general. It provides all of us a chance to live out the lives of others and to wallow in the excitement of being in situations we may never be in or never want to be. It's the magic of cinema. For this film, it's a solid 4 ½ stars out of 5. While it couldn't reach perfection, it came damn close. I had a few misgivings about the way it ended and some of the choices made by the characters, but the world that was created and the way it sparked my imagination was far and beyond anything else I've seen yet this year. If you have Netflix and some spare time, I highly recommend you sit down and enjoy a little escapism. I'll be curious to see where this falls around December, when I'm making my final decisions on the year. I feel like this one may have cemented its spot, not just for this year but for the long run. It's a fantastic film and one that has burned itself into my memories. Also, what's up with the accordion?



If you like this, check out: 'Here Alone', '28 Days Later' and 'The Battery'

my thoughts on.... the passing of George A. Romero

In about 1995, I was hip deep in my self education on film history. I had taken, what was once a personal course of studies, and decided to make it a reality by entering film school. About that same time, I was working at a local video store and taking full advantage of the large archive of films I had at my fingertips. Bringing 6 or more movies home a night, I was quickly expanding my film vocabulary. This was before the days of the modern internet and IMDB was in its infancy. Therefore, everything I was doing, was based off of books about film, that I owned, and old issues of Fangoria magazine. For some unknown reason, I brought home something called 'Dawn of the Dead' (1978). I had no idea, that this harmless little VHS tape, would change the course of my horror landscape forever. To be honest, I don't even think I realized that it was the sequel to 'Night of the Living Dead', which I hadn't even seen at the time. After it's 2 hour run time had ended, I sat there in front of the television, unsure how to process what I'd just seen. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before and it blew my mind wide open to a whole different world of what was frightening. Not that the zombies, themselves, were terrifying, but the situation the protagonists were in was horrifying to me. The fact that the world was overrun by an army of the living dead put a new fear into my head. Creatures that didn't need to sleep and that were relentless in their need to feed, at any cost. Maybe they were slow moving and purely working on instinct, but when you have that many things coming at you from all sides, there is no escape. It was incredibly effective and at that moment, my whole view on horror and even a little bit on life, changed. This was all because of one man, George A. Romero, the father of the modern zombie.

Today, that same man, shambled off this mortal coil. Born George Andrew Romero on February 4th, 1940, he finally lost his battle with lung cancer, at the age of 77. Born in The Bronx, New York, George had moved to Pennsylvania to go to college and ended up staying there, where he started his career in film making. In 1968, at the age of 28, he gave birth to the zombies that we all know and love today, when he co-wrote and directed 'Night of the Living Dead'. Widely considered a modern day horror classic, it still stands as a testament to what independent film making can produce. Made on a minimal budget, by friends and family, that were learning their craft as they went, it is just as potent today, as it was when it was released. He also was laying the groundwork for all of the mythos that we use to make our zombie films of today. Prior to this, zombies were merely people under the spell of voodoo priests and priestesses, that were more like henchmen, rather than undead killing machines. He was also doing something else, that hadn't been done before.... he was creating something the world hadn't seen before. Up to this point, the monsters in the movies, were the stuff of novels written in a different time. Stories that had been created, sometimes, before film making even existed. George, however, was creating something new and the world welcomed it with open arms. From that humble beginning, he segued it into a lifelong career in film. Although, he made other movies that had nothing to do with zombies, he always seemed to come back to the well time after time. Using each chapter in his ongoing 'Of the Dead' series, as way of commenting on society and the very real fears that plague all of us. The zombies were simply metaphors on those themes. Up until his early passing today, he was continuing to carry on his legacy and it saddens me to think that there will be no more films from the man who started it all.

In Romero's world, zombies were slow moving. Relying on sheer numbers to overcome the remaining survivors of the apocalypse. They weren't skeletons rising from the grave and over time, their bodies would decay to a point where they could no longer function, but that didn't stop them from trying to get the flesh that they all seemed to crave. The fact that his monsters could only be killed by a shot to the dead or some kind of blunt force trauma, made them that much scarier. No matter what other methods you used to try and stop them, only that one thing would guarantee that they would be stopped for good. The problem was, that for every one you brought down, there were always more, waiting to take its place. Not too mention, that every person that was still alive, had the potential to join the ranks of the living dead either by dying or being bitten. It was a never ending cycle and eventually, the dead would overtake the living. It was a bleak world that his characters inhabited, but yet they continued to persist. Never wanting to give up hope that humanity could one day be restored. The only thing that would get in their way, aside from the undead, was man itself. As seen in all of his films, there were other human beings that took advantage of the situation or were selfish. These people were as much of a problem as the zombies themselves. In a world where you have to band together to survive, there can be no room for those who aren't willing to put aside the way the world was, in order to make a brave new world. This was a constant in all of the stories he told. Man's inhumanity to man. We could all learn something from George's work and thankfully, even though he's gone, his legacy lives on.

From the day I saw 'Dawn of the Dead', I fell in love with the zombie genre. It became my bread and butter and I carried the banner high and with pride. I began to seek out all of his other work and then expanded my search to see what else the world had to offer on the subject. It became a bit of a passion. So much so, that in 1999, I made a pilgrimage to Monroville Mall in Pennsylvania (where they filmed 'Dawn of the Dead' (1978) ). I wandered the mall, taking photos of the places that were still recognizable from the original film. It was like my Mecca. That day, I was in zombie heaven. After that, it started to bleed into my work as a writer, artist and I even attempted to make my own zombie film. George A. Romero had a huge impact on my life and he gave me a monster that I could relate too. Over the years since then, zombies have become part of mainstream pop culture. Infecting television shows, countless Hollywood and indie films, comic books, novels, board games, toys and video games. Any more, you can't throw a rock without hitting something containing a zombie. It's as if they've become a reality. They have overwhelmed the populous and become the norm. No longer do they while away the hours in obscurity. Zombies are now woven into the fabric of everything. It's gotten to the point where they are almost looked upon as being passe. A fad, a joke, something that people scoff at when they see another take on the story that was started so many years ago. For me, I'm a die hard fan for life and revel in the fact that they've become so popular. It makes me proud to have been there early on and happy that George lived long enough to see his monster invading all aspects of the world culture. From it's humble beginnings as a seedling he planted, with a little film he made on a shoestring budget, to a modern media juggernaut. My only regret, is that even though he is credited with the creation of the zombie, he never really got the true recognition he deserved. Maybe in our circle of horror fans, he was looked upon as a hero, but in the world at large, he was somewhat of an unknown. However, from seeing interviews with the man, I have a feeling he was okay with this. For him, I think just knowing that something he created was sparking the imaginations of generation after generation of artists, was enough.



Rest in peace, George. Thank you for everything you've given to me and the rest of the world. You will never be forgotten and your legacy will continue to live on forever, just like the undead monsters you created.

my thoughts on.... 'Burying the Ex'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Whenever you end a relationship, there's always that romanticized version of what used to be. Granted, the reality is never what you remember and sometimes you go back to that ex and realize that what was in your head.... was just that, in your head. In Joe Dante's 'Burying the Ex', he takes that notion and turns it into a near pitch perfect zombie/romantic/comedy. We've all been in this situation at one time or another and we all have wondered 'What if?'. However, what if the person that you left hadn't just left your life, but had lost their life? Then, in some bizarre twist of fate, they're resurrected as the living dead. Not only would you see that the image of that person you created was not that person at all, but that they were a monster. A true monster. Sure, not all relationships end because your significant other was a horrible human being, but there's no fun in that scenario, when you're making it into a horror film. Right?

'Burying the Ex' tells the story of Max (played by Anton Yelchin) and Evelyn (Ashley Greene). A couple that couldn't be farther apart. Max is a horror loving employee at a year round Halloween type store. Evelyn is an environmental blogger, who's overbearing and controlling, and seems to hate everything that isn't what she loves. Max is considering leaving her, but in the process of trying to end things, Evelyn is hit by a bus. Just before this all plays out, Max meets Olivia (Alexandra Daddario). Olivia is everything that Max needs in his life. A fellow lover of horror and a real life nerd, just like him. He also makes an unknowing pact with Evelyn, using a cursed item that winds up in his shop on accident. After Evelyn's death, Max sinks into a depression, not seeing his life being the same without her. He then meets up with Olivia again and they realize that they should be together. After an amazing first date, Evelyn returns from the dead. Brought back to life by the accidental curse that's placed on her. Max tries to juggle both relationships, meanwhile trying to figure out how to either end things with Evelyn or send her back to her grave. Things get incredibly messy and romantic chaos ensues.

This is one of those little hidden gems of a film, that slips underneath the radar, only to be discovered after the fact. I'm honestly not sure how or why this one didn't do better. Considering that Joe Dante is at the helm and it has a cast of very popular young stars. This really should have been on more people's radar. My only thought is, that it got overshadowed by the similar 'Life After Beth', which was not nearly as charming or fun as this one. Hell, I would go so far as to say that 'Life After Beth' isn't even in the same league as this one. It's still worth seeing, but even though it was marketed as a similar type film, it really isn't. 'Burying the Ex' has all the earmarks of any modern day romantic comedy, but with more blood and guts. Ever since I first saw it, I kind of fell in love with it. After repeated viewings, it's continued to grow on me, as a wonderful little love story with a lot of heart. Anton and Alexandra both shine in their roles and prove why they are (and were) such rising stars in young Hollywood. Sadly, we lost Anton last year and he left a rather noticeable hole in the acting world. He will be missed. That's all the more reason for you to go out and see this film. It's part of his legacy and one that you should partake of. Anton would have wanted it that way.

'Burying the Ex' is an easy 4 out of 5 star film. There's nothing for a horror fan not too like. Even though it's a love story and a comedy, it still has enough guts and gore in it, for those of us who like our horror a little more dark. It also plays out every fantasy you've probably ever had, about owning your own Halloween type business and finding that special someone to share it with. If there's one romantic/zombie/comedy that you see any time soon, please make it this one. I just can't say enough good things about it. Easily, one of my favorite films of recent memory.



If you like this, check out similar fare: 'Night of the Living Deb', 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Life After Beth'

On this day in horror history.... May 24th, 1979

On this day in horror history.... my favorite zombie film ever, is released, 'Dawn of the Dead' (1978). Setting the standard for what a zombie film truly can be, 'Dawn of the Dead' stood head and shoulders above all the others. Building on a concept and taking it to the next level, all the while commentating on the world at large. A true masterpiece, brought to us by the godfather of the modern zombie, George A. Romero.