UPDATE: Zombie fans might also be interested in checking out another new underground flick coming soon called THE BOOK OF ZOMBIE. You can check it all out over at http://www.thebookofzombie.com/
Recently, I've been finding myself on a bit of an "undead kick" with my movie purchases; as I seem to be catching up on my zombie flick collection. Most of my recent DVD buys have either been part of or remakes of George Romero's Dead series - or have something to do with zombies in some way or form.
I don't seem to be the only one with this rekindled fascination of reanimation. Over the last couple of years, and in the coming months and years, there's been a observable increase in the amount of zombie flicks being made - and there are more on the way. From new interpretations of or by George Romero, to Will Smith revisiting a horror classic, it's time to get ready for a new slingshot of post-apocalyptic zombie goodness on its way to the big screen.
Let's take a look at what the good, the bad, and the downright ugly that they've got lined up for us then:
Resident Evil: Extinction:
The third installment of the film adaptation of Resident Evil hits theaters this year - and yet again follows Milla Jovovich as Alice. Set approximately four years after the events of the second film, Alice is a survivor hiding in the Nevada desert, and she continues her quest to eliminate the zombie virus. The Umbrella Corporation, however, needing her blood, continue to hunt her down. Basically, it's more of the same as before - with loads of action and tonnes of crunchy zombie goodness.
Release Date: September 21, 2007 Director Russell Mulcahy When to see: Check it out in theaters.
I Am Legend:
Many might not view the tale of I Am Legend to be a zombie flick in the traditional sense - though some would also argue otherwise. The "undead" creatures from the novel upon which this film is based, are infected humans that exhibit both vampire-like and zombie-like behaviors and hungers. While the novel by Richard Matheson is the basis for this film, it would appear that this remake will be closer to The Omega Man interpretation of the tale, where there was much more of a focus on the humans who were able to resist the more common symptoms of the infection, though not without mutation. Having said all that, it still isn't totally clear how the film makers are going to portray the "infected" in this film (vampire-like, zombie-like, or like the intelligent mutants from The Omega Man; or a combination of all of the above) - so the jury is still out on that one. The focus of the story is mainly on the last man alive, who in this case is Will Smith acting as Robert Neville, wandering the abandoned wasteland that Manhattan has become.
Release Date: December 14, 2007 Director Francis Lawrence When to see: Lawrence, as he did with Constantine, went for a grand-scale feel with this one - should be worth seeing opening weekend.
Day of the Dead:
The upcoming remake of Day of the Dead seems to be getting some mixed reactions from horror fans. The purists obviously feel that the classic Romero flick shouldn't be remade; but there had been some other concerns raised - such as the fact that this remake is not intended to be a sequel to the recent Dawn of the Dead remake. Writer Jeffrey Reddick confirmed that the Day remake has no connection to Zakk Snyder's Dawn remake, stating, "It's going to be a separate movie. We wanted to pay homage to the original with the military and the scientists and the socially relevant stuff that George Romero always does". The original film focused on events following Dawn of the Dead where scientists begin experimenting with the reanimated corpses. It would appear that the remake is going along with a similar direction, though with a much stronger military presence. Ving Rhames, who starred in the Dawn of the Dead remake, also stars in this film, though his character reportedly has no connection to the one he portrayed in the 2004 film. However, at some point, as some fans have already speculated, it could be retconned at a later date to make the two characters related.
Release Date: Originally scheduled for April 2007, but has obviously since been delayed for release during the latter part of 2007. Director Steve Miner When to see: Definitely one to see in the theaters, but don't rush out on opening weekend.
Diary of the Dead:
Diary of the Dead is George Romero's next chapter in his Dead series - though it does not follow the events of Land of the Dead. Instead, this film is considered to be somewhat of a reboot of the story but taken from a completely different perspective. Occuring during the events of Night of the Living Dead, the film follows a group of film school students who are making their own horror movie in a forest area - when they are attacked by zombies. The story line is not intended to change or contradict the events of the classic Night of the Living Dead; but be more of a "meanwhile, elsewhere" telling of the chronology. Despite the rumors and talk online that the feel of the film is like Dawn of the Dead meets The Blair Witch Project, Romero has clearly stated "This ain't Blair Witch". Knowing Romero, it will have its own unique feel and style, with some form of underlying social commentary. Unlike his previous film, Land of the Dead, this project is being completely filmed independently.
Release Date: The film still does not have a North American distributor, but Romero is aiming for a release during 2007 Director George Romero When to see: It would be worth the time to check this one out in theaters - if you're a Romero fan, it's definitely going to be an opening weekend viewing.
Flight of the Living Dead (Plane Dead):
Night of the Living Dead meets Snakes on a Plane. Pathetic, right? Maybe - but it is cheesy zombie horror goodness, and there's nothing better than that. The premise is an obvious one: zombies, reanimated via infection, cause mayhem on an aeroplane in transit to France, terrorizing the crew and passengers. The zombies seem to exhibit similar characteristics to the Dawn of the Dead remake, with them being faster and more aggressive. The film doesn't have a wide release schedule yet planned, though it may still be picked up by a distributor in light of some of the positive receptions to some festival screenings during 2007.
Release Date: Late 2007 into 2008 Director Scott Thomas When to see: You're kidding, right? Wait for the DVD, champ.
Outpost:
Outpost is a story set in a war-ravaged Eastern Europe, where an elite team of ex-soldiers escort a businessman into an old military bunker. The "mission" turns into the discover that the outpost was actually the scene for gruesome and torturous experiments during the Second World War - in which they find a survivor. The film, from this point, turns into a pure zombie fest, as the team of ex-military mercs and the businessman and picked off one-by-one...
Release Date: Late 2007 Director Steve Barker When to see: Worth a viewing in the theaters.
28 Months Later:
It won't be out until 2009, but the internet was abuzz when Danny Boyle announced he was interested in doing a third film in the 28 Days Later Series. 28 Months Later will follow the events of the first two films, though there is no solid word on whether the film will have any of the characters established in these films, or whether it will be a clean slate of new faces for the third. Gathering from the progression of the series thus far, it has been presumed the main action will happen in France. Boyle is intending to return as director for the third film.
Release Date: 2009 Director Danny Boyle When to see: This is a Danny "Trainspotting" Boyle film, for crying out loud - be there for the midnight screening!
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