Movie Minute: September 15, 2007

Dear diary...the dead are back. I seriously hope that's not the official tagline for George A. Romero's new zombie flick Diary of the Dead, due for release (apparently) later this year. (It's not by the way, 'Shoot the dead' is the real one)

I'm such a fan of this man who basically started the zombie revolution in horror movies. When I was a kid, I watched Dawn of the Dead (1978) and pretty much fell in love with it. Now, anytime I catch a whiff (pardon the pun) of the undead, I'm there.

Of course, the world turning into zombies is one of my biggest fears and I even have a 'Zombie Survival Plan' which inludes the amenities across the street from me and the fact I live on the second floor of my building...

Diary of the Dead is basically the story of some kids who are filming a zombie movie then real zombies show up. Nice! I mean, this has been done before, but not by George A...FREAKIN...Romero. I've mentally already bought my ticket.

Anyway you can read more about Romero by clicking here...and about Diary of the Dead by clicking here and here.

If you are a true zombie fan, one of my friends passed on an audio book to me that's pretty sweet. It's called World War Z by Max Brooks. He narrates it and you could swear it's Elijah Wood at times. It's basically a big collection of stories about certain characters from their point of view about what happened when half the world became flesh eaters. I used to listen to this on my morning walk to work...in broad daylight...and I'd get so scared that I would actually jump if someone passed me walking. Yes I'm an idiot, but this audio-book is very well done. Mark Hamill even does a voice!

That's all from me for now! Have a great weekend to all!

ps Go rent/buy Shaun of the Dead if you haven't seen it...genius!

NEWS: Bites

I've been net-trotting (kind of like globe-trotting but heaps sadder) and have made it my duty to pass on the knowledge I have gained.

1. I love Ricky Gervais, but somehow him starring in a buddy cop movie with Chris Rock really doesn't appeal to me. Your thoughts, opinions? Frankly I'd rather see Hugh Grant in Lord of the Rings.

2. WARNING, GRATUITOUS SELF PROMOTION: This Thursday I'll be interviewing the director of the St.Kilda Film Festival and young Harry Potter fans for their verdict on the new film. Tune in to your local Aussie radio and you might just hear what I have to say!

Do you think anyone will notice if I just pee right here?

3. Speaking of Harry Potter, the new film is getting the "enough already" thumbs sideways after the latest offering from the JK Rowling golden pot. I'll make my own mind up tomorrow night when I see the film, but knowing me I won't care and will love it anyway! (I'm great at ingoring faults). It's both wrong and scary that I now have the hots for Daniel Radcliffe.

If I sit here and grin long enough,maybe Travolta will leave me alone!

4. I finally saw a trailer for Hairspray and it doesn't look too bad. It looks like a mix between Grease and Dirty Dancing. It's based on a famous musical too (which was based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name), which doesn't often bode well for the film, but Dreamgirls worked so maybe this will. Despite John Travolta looking ridiculous in drag AND a fat suit, the adorable newcomer Nikki Blonsky (what a name) looks set to overcome the stain that is Travolta. Expect it to hit Aussie cinema early September.

5. America is finally getting Sunshine. This came out in Australia months ago. I'm at a loss. It was very 2001 and a little bit Event Horizon. I liked it, even though the pace was at times a little annoying and the last half an hour was a totally different movie.

Sally was so glad the diet had ended.

6. Finally, another of my favourite subjects...the DEAD. George A. Romero, who started it all (the Zed word that is), is very excited about his latest offering, Diary of the Dead. Who isn't??? I've always been up for a good zombie-fest and Romero does it best. One of my favourite all time movies is Dawn of the Dead (1978). The release date is touted as this year but i'm not so sure we'll be seeing it til '08. Anyway keep your rotten flesh peeled for more news!

PS That nutty JJ Abrams indeed!

Click Here for the teaser to his untitled project.