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San Francisco, 9:59 AM
Sat Nov 28
16 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/15/09
10/15/09
My heart=torn (on this one) #2012
10/15/09
i just wonder if tis first or second term #2012
10/15/09
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10/15/09
And yes, it's just a movie. But you and I both know how many stupid and gullible people will take it seriously. This one stands just a hair's breadth below "What the #$^! Do We Know?" #2012
10/15/09
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10/03/09
10/03/09
I agree with your review mostly--a funny, feel-good, horror-comedy with romance. (Zomromcom?)
I do want to point out a few things. First, the "apocalypse as liberating" is not that uncommon--in fact, I'd say that most American sf apocalypses find something to celebrate in the return of frontier freedom. (Delaney once called this type of apocalyptic paradise "red Eden.")
Second, I'm not entirely sure how much pressure to put on the Red State aspect of the characters, although I definitely think there's something to be said about politics since the opening scene isn't just an upside-down US flag--it's in front of the Capitol, Washington D.C. If there's one thing the zombies have destroyed, it's our political system.
Also, I have to point out that Columbus is traveling from Austin--a pretty Blue City in a Red State. In fact, I might want to say something similar about Little Rock, AR (former home of the Clintons). The fact that the characters name themselves after cities I think is at least as important as the fact that the states they're coming from / going to are red(dish). I mean, if the whole movie is about finding some human companionship, I think it important that they all come from urban areas--areas with more people.
10/03/09
10/06/09
10/02/09
zombieland was almost worth paying $10.75 to see. almost
10/03/09
10/03/09
And, like my other favorite zombie movie (the original Dawn of the Dead), its message is universal. Whereas DotD has at its core the idea that consumerism turned us into unthinking, shuffling masses who think, dress, and act alike; SotD's message is that vegging out in front of the TV and falling into the same routine every night have become the ways that we act like directionless, shambling, brainless things today. Not that I don't love nerd-love movies, but since I haven't seen ZL yet, I can't comment as to the universality of its theme (as opposed to it being just a fun zom-rom-com). I'm super excited about ZL, but I think you guys should try a repeat viewing of SotD (do it with the director's commentary, all the hidden stuff really makes the movie for me).
Or don't. But I think you're missing out on it if you only saw it once. ^_^
10/03/09
ZL, for the record, had a totally different message (if I had to distill it, it's basically that people need people.) It gets bonus points because frankly, I found the chemistry between the entire cast surprisingly believable, though. (I want to compare the chemistry, if only slightly to something but might inadvertently spoil it in doing so).
10/03/09
But, if you've caught it more than once and don't like it, it's just not your cup of tea, I suppose!
Thanks for not spoiling ZL -- I'm happy to hear the actors share good chemistry (from you and the review). Sounds more and more like something I'll enjoy.
10/02/09
10/02/09
10/02/09
10/02/09
Though I wish people would stop saying it is the American version/answer of/to SOTD. Looking forward to seeing it, and film that mentions the phrase, "Zombie kill of the week", is fine in my book.
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