28 Days Later (2003) / 28 Weeks Later (2007)

Next year, the modern zombie movie will celebrate its 40th anniversary marked by George A. Romero's 1968 flick Night of the Living Dead. Zombie movies have moved away from just providing cheesy horror to symbolizing a sign of our times.

In my continuation of the Halloween/Zombie movie review, I'd like to focus on a film called 28 Days Later that
provides a revisionist theory about zombies. This movie introduced two new twists on the classic film. First - these zombies could haul-ass. They moved with lightening speed to eat you alive. The second twist was that these zombies were not "undead" but rather still living humans infected by disease.

Cillian Murphy awakes in an empty hospital in an all but abandoned London to find that this disease has affected the most of the population - and “zombies” are wiping those not infected out with relative ease. He (along with a select few others) learns to survive in this post apocalyptic world. The story is a compassionate tale of survival while maintaining on-the-edge-of-your-seat hysteria as to what lurks behind every door.

No spoilers here - but there is another unique twist to the story regarding the fate of the zombies and their own survival. This flick is definitely worth viewing.

Which brings me to its sequel, 28 Weeks Later. Picking up, as the title suggests, a mere six months after the infectious disease has presumably wiped out entire populations, I had little hope of this film's success since the major players from the first (director & writer) were not returning. However, while professional film critic reviews were mixed, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Once again, here is a tale of compassion while providing the heart pounding fear of not being able to escape creatures that move at the speed of light. Once again, a twist prevails - regarding adaptability and survival of the fittest (zombies? humans?) - You will have to decide for yourself.

End.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

In honor of Halloween, I thought I'd dedicate October to horror films. The lucky film this week is "Shaun of the
Dead" - a great comedy/horror movie that doesn't spoof other horror flicks, but rather pays homage to them. This British film stars Simon Pegg as Shaun - a slacker who works in an appliance/electronics store who lives with his college roommate, can't quite seem to commit to his girlfriend and doesn't get along with his step-dad - but he does luv his mum.

Shaun and his pal Ed (Nick Frost) slowly begin to realize their town is overrun with zombies and their dimwitted realization is what makes this movie so funny. The scenarios they find themselves in are hilarious - particularly with how the zombies are portrayed, as slow moving, but deadly forces. In a moment of infinite wisdom, Shaun decides the safest place for him and his friends to be is at the local pub (which just so happens to be his favorite place, much to the consternation of his girlfriend) and so the journey to safety (and pints of beer) begins.

Great performances abound, including Bill Nighy as Shaun's step-dad and Lucy Davis (of the BBC's "The Office") as a friend along for the ride. Also, for "The Office" fans - a quick cameo by Martin Freeman - in a fabulously funny scene where Shaun and his troupe cross paths with his ex-girlfriend and her troupe on their way to safety.

If you love the dry wit of British humor - this film is for you. It is a great mash-up of horror and comedy and a perfect flick to watch on Halloween night.

End.

Alpha Dog (2007)

While my favorite entertainment magazine did not give this movie a good review - I couldn't disagree more. There is no doubt that this movie is disturbing - made only more so by the fact that it is based on the true story of Jesse James Hollywood.

The story centers around the kidnapping and murder of a 15 year old boy in 1999 in California over $1,200 in drug money. The circumstances leading up to his death are baffling. It is as if all of these young men were not living in the real world. They were all somehow involved in drug dealing, but (according to the movie) kidnapped this kid on a whim and didn't really think about taking it to the next level in regard to what happens when you add kidnapping to your list of crimes (and then finally murder). The amount of witnesses to the crime are staggering - and nobody knew what they were witnessing.

Other reviewers felt the story was a bit choppy because it jumped (inconsistently) back and forth between an interview-style of storying telling with a documentary feel (as it chronicles the witnesses) to a fictional story-telling style. I really didn't have any problem with this because I was so blown away by the story itself.

While many of Jesse's accomplices have been tried and convicted, Jesse's trial has not started yet. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of his trial is and close the book on this case - to give the victim's family closure.

The acting was great - Emile Hirsch (as Johnny Truelove - aka Jesse) was scary good. You just didn't like the guy. And Justin Timberlake did an excellent job (I was very surprised at his performance). Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Harry Dean Stanton were also stand-up.

Check this movie out.

End.

The Bourne Trilogy

Since 2002, Matt Damon has played Jason Bourne - a spy with an identity crisis. Recently I watched all three Bourne movies to see how the story played out over time. The first movie "Bourne Identity" was just the film Mr. Damon needed to resurrect his career which had been in the doldrums really since he'd become an Academy Award winner for "Good Will Hunting". (I know - he received critical acclaim for "The Talented Mr. Ripley - but I never liked that movie - and this is my blog).

Anyway - at first I thought that Mr. Damon came across as a bit stiff - but I think (in retrospect) that played in nicely with the fact that he (as Jason Bourne) had his guard up - he didn't know who he was. I thought that Doug Liman did an excellent job directing and Franka Potente was fabulous as Bourne's companion on the run (which reminds me - you should check out "Run Lola Run" starring Potente - fantastic flick).

I believe the second film, "Bourne Supremacy", is the best. Now because, not only is Jason Bourne trying to find out what happened to him, he is also seeking revenge (spoiler alert!) for the loss of the one he loved. It seems to give him even more purpose and make the film that much more urgent.

The third film, "Bourne Ultimatum" was superbly directed by Paul Greengrass (as was the second film). Mr. Greengrass' style of hand held cameras almost makes me queasy to watch, but it sure is a roller coaster ride. I didn't like this film as well as the second one only because of a supposed romance that happened in the past (I didn't give too much away) that seemed forced. But the action was fantastic.

I've really enjoyed watching Mr. Damon as Jason Bourne - he has truly made the role is own - and if the right script comes along, I would not mind seeming him reprise the role.

End.