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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
comprehensive history and reference guide for zombie movies, October 13, 2008
This review is from: Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)
With a light style, yet with obvious expertise, Kay takes the reader through the highs and lows and the wide middle ground of zombie movies. The highs are when effects invoke the intended emotion (e. g., fear, revulsion), preferably within a sensible narrative. The lows are when effects are inane, useless, and comical, as in a Keystone Cops' skit. This is done with a decade-by-decade review of zombie movies from their beginnings in the 1930s down to the 1990s. Each decade is characterized by a particular, though not exclusionary development. In the 1950s, the "radioactive zombie" reflecting fears relating to the atom bomb made its appearance. In the 1970s, coinciding with multiculturalism, movies with Hispanic and black zombies came onto the scene. The 1931 movies Dracula and Frankenstein are pointed to as the classic, originating zombie movies. But the 1932 White Zombie more directly tied in with the idea of the "zombi" found in the practice of voodoo in Haiti which is the model for the zombie character. The "zombi" was a person whose body was supposedly reanimated by a "bokor," a voodoo priest. This zombi was characterized by "slow mannerisms, low intelligence, and a lack of willpower or soul"; hence the traits of zombie characters in the movies.
The definition of a zombie film cannot be given with finality. Reflecting the current social concern with diseases, recent movies usually seen as zombie movies (e. g., Dawn of the Dead) "have broadened the definition beyond the walking dead to include still-living characters infected with an incurable disease that extinguishes their personalities and turns them into bloodthirsty killers." Throughout the decades, the varied types of zombie movies mirrored both traditional artistic themes and new social developments. A group of automaton-like zombies could stand for a mindless mob against a few freethinking, nonconformist individuals; or an individual zombie could represent the return of a loved one, bringing with it all the psychological conflict
entailed in this for one of a movie's characters. Zombie movies have also been used to critique profligate scientific experiment and environmental destruction.
The author was drawn to zombie movies for their "depth and diversity." Reviews of every zombie movie he could find are in appropriate chapters. Fay's reviews are an extension of his historical, sociological, critical, and humorous text for each decade. The book's not only an entertaining overview of zombie movies, but also a comprehensive, informative reference for selecting zombie movies for viewing.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT BOOK, December 4, 2008
This review is from: Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)
Over 300 reviews ! + interviews (ex; Antonella Fulci - Tom Savini and Greg Nicotero) review for zombie movies from the old black and white (white zombie) up to 2008 (George A. Romero's Diary of the dead).Their is even a review for the Micheal Jackson Thriller video and an episode of The Simpsons (treehouse of horror 3) At the end of the book their is a list of the 25 highest-grossing zombie film of all time (night of the comet was number 21 - $14.4 million!!!) plus a list of his 25 all time favorite zombie movies. Great book from a great canadian writer (+ a foreword by Stuart Gordon) and a great cover !
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most comprehensive guide on Zombie Cinema yet available., December 8, 2008
This review is from: Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)
I have just purchased this book today at a local Used Bookseller for the reasonable price of 11.98 and have to say it was quite a buy!
Being the film fan I am,and having a special love for Horror,I purchased this book to read more about one of the funnest of it's sub genres.
Absolutely entertaining book that covers the history of this genre from it's inception in the 30s with White Zombie(1932) through today's splatter fests.
I could not believe how many classics were covered in this volume,and it was a pleasant surprise to find an intelligent author who offers valuable criticism,while understanding his audience.
Now,I did not agree with all that Mr.Kay says(He has a top 25 at the end of the book that includes John Carpenter's "Prince of Darkness!)
However his enthusiasm and knowledge of the genre makes up for my minor quibbles,and the interviews that he got for the book were fine and insighful,ranging from Director Stuart Gordon to make-up artist,Greg Nicotero.
It's also fun to read about his opinions on what constitutes a "zombie" film.
There is a chapter that excludes ghosts,ghouls and Frankenstein's Monster,and he makes a valid point that Friday the 13th's Jason is indeed,a super zombie!
This is a fun read,and an absolute must for the Zombie and Horror fan,particularly in this age of constant DVD releases of several vintage releases,this could be very handy.
A fine read.
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