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Reviews3
cropduster35's rating
When I saw this film at the local video store, I was turned off by the horrible cheesy box art (Artisan, what were you thinking?). But I decided to rent it anyway, having heard about it in Fangoria magazine. I have to admit it though: I liked it! Tor Ramsey has proven his chops as a director. The opening sequence got my mouth watering. The camera swoops through the trees and on to a grassy field (eerily swayed by a breeze) where hordes of ghouls lurch toward a squad of zombie hunters. Ramsey give the scene an creepy effect with a haunting blue lighting. Tom Savini is great as the arrogant hunter; it's a shame he only had a minute role. The other performers are good (though a few are clearly overacting).
The story centers on Abbott Hayes, a serial rapist, who still haunts the town. After the opening, we skip forward 15 years-where the zombies have been eradicated. Greedy land developers, however, disturb Hayes; he calls forth his horde of hungry ghouls to make the town sorry for their actions. The zombie make-up is good, recalling both DAWN and DAY OF THE DEAD. Ramsey keeps things rolling at a swift pace, and the cinematography is good. The score by Alan (HALLOWEEN 4) Howarth is also quite eerie and sets the mood. The climactic battle in a diner (maybe the same one referenced in NIGHT) is intense and quite juicy. The sequence with its blue lighting also reminds me of the end battle of MUTANT (another great zombie film).
My only quabble (and it's rather large): Did DAWN or DAY never happen? Supposedly this immediately follows the events of NIGHT: The opening is obviously a remake of the end of NIGHT (but the characters say it happened in 1986-not 1968!) but we jump into 2001 where the zombies have been wiped out. The plot makes it seem like an isolated event but DAWN and DAY portray the attacks as world-wide. It seems as if the filmmakers needed to do a little more homework. The ending leaves it open for a sequel which will probably NOT happen given the film's lack of release. The movie would have been a whole lot better had the creators let this been a prelude to DAWN. In DAY, the world had pretty much been wiped out by ghouls. In fact, they should have broken all ties with the DEAD series and let CHILDREN be a stand alone story. If you can get passed this, then you'll have a most entertaining night of laughs and chills! Grade: B-
The story centers on Abbott Hayes, a serial rapist, who still haunts the town. After the opening, we skip forward 15 years-where the zombies have been eradicated. Greedy land developers, however, disturb Hayes; he calls forth his horde of hungry ghouls to make the town sorry for their actions. The zombie make-up is good, recalling both DAWN and DAY OF THE DEAD. Ramsey keeps things rolling at a swift pace, and the cinematography is good. The score by Alan (HALLOWEEN 4) Howarth is also quite eerie and sets the mood. The climactic battle in a diner (maybe the same one referenced in NIGHT) is intense and quite juicy. The sequence with its blue lighting also reminds me of the end battle of MUTANT (another great zombie film).
My only quabble (and it's rather large): Did DAWN or DAY never happen? Supposedly this immediately follows the events of NIGHT: The opening is obviously a remake of the end of NIGHT (but the characters say it happened in 1986-not 1968!) but we jump into 2001 where the zombies have been wiped out. The plot makes it seem like an isolated event but DAWN and DAY portray the attacks as world-wide. It seems as if the filmmakers needed to do a little more homework. The ending leaves it open for a sequel which will probably NOT happen given the film's lack of release. The movie would have been a whole lot better had the creators let this been a prelude to DAWN. In DAY, the world had pretty much been wiped out by ghouls. In fact, they should have broken all ties with the DEAD series and let CHILDREN be a stand alone story. If you can get passed this, then you'll have a most entertaining night of laughs and chills! Grade: B-
"The Return of the Living Dead" has held a special place in my heart for a very long time. This satirical take on Romero's classic (if you don't know which one, you shouldn't be reading this) is one of the greatest horror films ever made and is also one of the most respected. The direction by Dan O'Bannon, writer of "Alien" (also one of the greatest), is superb and Jules Brenner's cinematography is stunning for a film not shot in a widescreen aspect ratio (it was shot 1.37:1 full frame to save money). The scene with the rising of the zombies is best described as hauntingly beautiful yet chilling. The cast gives great performances and the special effects are astounding, as is Matt Clifford's rousing score. The nasty going-ons is highlighted by a powerful metal soundtrack featuring The Cramps and Billy Idol.
The plot concerns some nasty chemical that has the ability to bring the dead back to life. When a barrel of the stuff is accidentally opened, all hell breaks loose: the cast is forced to do battle with scores of zombies (this time hungry for brains). Twists and turns abound as the cast is trapped at Ground Zero-the epicenter of the plague, if you will. All of the characters are likely even though they are mostly sleazy and corrupt. Linnea Quigley is great as Trash as is Clu Gulager as the corrupt warehouse owner. The zombies themselves are fun to watch; be warned, however, that they are not the usual slow, shuffling stiffs we've all come to love.
All in all, "The Return of the Living Dead" is an amazing thrill ride that will remain in your mind long after it's over. Do yourself a favor and seek out this cult classic. You won't regret it!
The plot concerns some nasty chemical that has the ability to bring the dead back to life. When a barrel of the stuff is accidentally opened, all hell breaks loose: the cast is forced to do battle with scores of zombies (this time hungry for brains). Twists and turns abound as the cast is trapped at Ground Zero-the epicenter of the plague, if you will. All of the characters are likely even though they are mostly sleazy and corrupt. Linnea Quigley is great as Trash as is Clu Gulager as the corrupt warehouse owner. The zombies themselves are fun to watch; be warned, however, that they are not the usual slow, shuffling stiffs we've all come to love.
All in all, "The Return of the Living Dead" is an amazing thrill ride that will remain in your mind long after it's over. Do yourself a favor and seek out this cult classic. You won't regret it!
When I first viewed this film (on USA Network), I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. But after seeing the film, I had realized I must eat my own words! "Cherry Falls" is the best genre film in ages. There are plenty of scares and plenty of humor as well. For those not familiar with the plot, allow me to sum it up. In Cherry Falls, there has been a recent string of murders, all VIRGINS! When the sheriff's daughter hears this, she is terrified. She and her friends realize what they must do: have sex to survive.
Well, folks, this is only the start of one of the most audacious horror films in a long time. The scares and the comedy are perfectly balanced (well, there are MORE scares) and director Geoffrey Wright knows how to direct. He generates a lot of suspense with the eerie night scenes (beautifully shot, by the way). This is an awesome movie. NOT TO BE MISSED!!!
Well, folks, this is only the start of one of the most audacious horror films in a long time. The scares and the comedy are perfectly balanced (well, there are MORE scares) and director Geoffrey Wright knows how to direct. He generates a lot of suspense with the eerie night scenes (beautifully shot, by the way). This is an awesome movie. NOT TO BE MISSED!!!