Greetings litter-mates! For this meeting, I thought we might venture beyond our usual meeting place and take a trip to the graveyard! Don’t be afraid, kitten; I prepared a sweet treat to munch on along the way. We have to hurry, or we will miss it. You see, around this time every year, the dead crawl out from graves and have a sort of gathering. It is really fun. They have a name for it, but I can’t remember… just watch, you’ll see!
ZOMBIE! That’s the word. Now I know what you’re thinking, zombies are the most horrific and terrifying creatures in the horror genre! There can not be any zombie movies that fit the criteria for The Scaredy-Cat Club. I would have agreed, but recently, a fellow Couch Soup contributor, Ian McParland, helped me dig up a couple of films to add to the club watch list.
The Road To Survival Could Be A Dead End!
This film was written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. I also believe the trailer is right when it says, “The Greatest Zombie Cast Ever Disassembled!” Bill Murray, Adam Driver, and Tilda Swinton.
(Check out the rest of this cast list!)
Plot:
As the warm, bright sun refuses to set, and a series of equally perplexing events start to take place, the world and the blissfully unsuspecting residents of the sleepy town of Centerville are about to face the effects of ‘polar fracking’ which causes the earth to be thrown off its axis, and the dead to rise from the grave!
What the heck did I just watch? I am still trying to process what I have seen. If you have seen this film, then you know. If you haven’t, then you should, really, YOU SHOULD! The chemistry between Adam Driver and Bill Murray is perfect! Tilda Swinton is fantastic as the town mortician! I can tell that Jim Jarmusch really loves the story he is telling, and the way he tells it seems to me to be a fan letter to George A. Romero. This is a must-watch!
Warm Bodies is based on the New York Times best seller written by Isaac Marion, who also co-wrote the screenplay with the film’s director, Jonathan Levine. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, and John Malkovich.
Plot:
With much of the world’s population now an undead horde, R is a young and oddly introspective zombie. While fighting with and feeding on a human scavenger party, R meets Julie and feels an urge to protect her. The two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.
This film is so atypical for a rom-com, and I love it! R’s conflict is relatable even though he is a walking corpse. Crazy, I know, but it’s true. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. The way it is used, it almost seems like an unseen character/narrator that helps carry the story along. I was so immersed that I talked back to the screen several times. This story has layers to it that I will be thinking about for quite a while.
In a time of crisis, a hero must rise…from his sofa.
Shaun Of The Dead shuffled into theaters on September 24, 2004. It was directed and co-written by Edgar Wright with Simon Pegg. It stars Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Kate Ashfield.
Plot:
Life isn’t too good for Shaun (Simon Pegg). He lives with his best friend Ed (Nick Frost), neglects his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), and despises his stepdad Philip (Bill Nighy). When Liz dumps Shaun, he vows to get his life back on track. Unfortunately, this is the day that the dead have decided to come back to life. Simon has a cricket bat and a plan, but will they all make it to Winchester for that pint?
I saved the best for last! Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are like Abbott and Costello or Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. They are a great comedic duo! This film has some really funny moments and some really tender ones as well. My favorite scene is when Simon and Ed throw records at the zombies. This movie is just plain fun!
The meeting is adjourned. Be Careful where you tread… Don’t wake the dead! If you do, aim for the head!
Did you enjoy this topic? Which of these is your favorite?
