by 27 people |
Best ever? How to choose!
One might ask the question: What's my deal with zombies, anyway? For that matter, horror movies in particular?
I seem like a down-to-earth-enough jerk, why do I geek out on this stuff? Well, we're getting into an aside, but here are 3 things you should know:
1) I hate torture flicks, or movies about people willfully being horrible to each other. Pass.
2) Horror movie is probably the wrong way to describe what I like... I *love* monster flicks in general. Totally supernatural shit. I think because it makes me feel the beauty of "anything's possible." Kind of like believing in aliens. (Come on, how is there NOT life outside of Earth).
3) But back to zombies. I think the number one reason I love zombie movies is that the apathy terrifies me... and usually makes me grateful, immensely grateful, that apathy is not the norm. Not in my world.
ANYway... without further diversion, read on for my list of the best zombie movies...
Photo credit to Archie McPhee.
"Inside every living person is a dead person waiting to get out."
--The zombie Reg Shoe, from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series
But first, the criteria for "Best"
what i look for in a zombie flick
- The Zombie Proliferation Method: How did these zombies become zombies? How did the zombie "disease" spread? Was it infected rain, rage, an astral aberration? This is usually the crux of the story, and a movie is lesser for ignoring the whys and hows of zombies.
- Are the zombies motivated by anything? What drives them? Why do they want to eat people, brains, flesh? What do they WANT from me?!
- The iteration of the zombie itself. Is it a fast, 28 Days Later kind of zombie? Or a classic, shuffling, slow-mo zombie? I don't force a preference on this list, but I do take into account and reward cleverness in the interpretations of what makes a zombie.
- Where you creeped out by the apathy, at least once? 'Cause if not, you're missing the scariest part of zombies.
- All that movie buff snobbery: cinematography, the director, the acting, the innovation, the music, etc. Here's what I dream of: A zombie movie directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Simon Pegg and Mila Jovovich, with music from Danny Elfman and Faye Wong and Brian Eno, and an in-person cameo from Tom Waits. Tall order?
- Rob Zombie ISN'T involved.
- Yes, of course ZomComs are fair game. Zombie comedy? Hell yeah.
- Other notes: For the purposes of this list, Frankenstein movies do not equal zombie movies. Neither do vampire moveis. Neither do mummies. Or ghosts. They all get their own niches. This is just. For. Zombies. D00d.
The Best Zombie Movies Ever
Go ahead, vote for your favorite.
Here are my favorites, plus quick commentary on each.
You're welcome to vote them up or down.
If you want to add a zombie flick to this list, click the "Add to this list" button below and be sure to enter why you think it's one of the best zombie movies ever.
Shaun of the Dead
I can't say enough about Shaun of the Dead. Aside from brilliant transitions, social commentary, and a totally unexpected fusion of horror, comedy, and heart, well... this is just about the perfect movie. The creepiest part? The sequence showing how our daily lives are more zombie-ridden, actually, than in our worst nightmares.12 points
28 Days Later
This one wins huge points for re-inventing the zombie. Fast-action zombies, Rage as the communicable disease, an apocalytic story... I'd give 28 Days Later one of the most innovative zombies movies in recent years.11 points
28 Weeks Later
The first 10 minutes of this movie are totally horrific. Ask yourself what you would have done in this situation. And shudder.10 points
Night of the Living Dead
The original Romero. You know what's amazing about this movie? How it defines the zombie canon for years to come. That slow moving shuffle, with one leg dragging off to the side? Pure Romero. Somehow even 6 year olds know it instinctively when playing zombie in the backyard.7 points
The Return of the Living Dead
It reminds me of Ghostbusters, only without Bill Murray or much wit, but still funny-scary. BRAINSSSS!! Bring more cops! LOL. But you know what? This movie surprised me by serving up one of the deepest and most humanized reasons for WHY zombies eat brains. They say it hurts to be dead, to feel yourself rotting. And the vitality of brains is the only thing that momentarily numbs that pain. Wow. Poor little zombies.1 point
Resident Evil
A pretty damn entertaining, though not brilliant, zombie action flick. Notable for Mila Jovovich, who is just about the only believable female action hero on screen today. And always a delight to watch.1 point
The Serpent And The Rainbow
The first time I saw this movie I wasn't blown away. But then I kept dreaming about it. And thinking about it. This one makes my list because it creates this loop between reality and dream and nightmare that is nearly impossible to get out of. Even after the movie is over. *Shudder*1 point
Black Sheep (Unrated)
Oh, and who says sheep can't be zombies too? This movie is hilariously absurd and evil and yet... not as fleeting as you might think.0 points
Fido
This is my latest addition (January 2009). I was blown away, seriously stunned, by how gorgeous this movie is. It doesn't take zombies very seriously, but watching the movie trying to give zombies some compassion made it ever more obvious: you can't. So you kind of have to work at the movie, but you could always just sit back and let the beautiful shots and colors wash over you.0 points
A few good zombie sites and stuffs
- Archie McPhee: Zombies and Monsters
- Great zombie gear and gifts. Don't miss the edible brains.
- The Shaun of the Dead Zombie Game
- A free online casual game that's totally addicting... just like brains... Play the lead character from Shaun of the Dead and beat your way through herds of zombies. Fun.
- Howstuffworks.com: "How Zombies Work"
- It cracks me up that this is listed under "Science" on How Stuff Works.
- Aint It Cool News
- If there's a new zombie flick out, you can bet Harry and the gang are covering it.
- The self-named "Zombies Central" website
- It's not the best site, but there's some great stuff lurking if you're prepared to click deeper.
- Wikipedia: The "definitive" list of Zombie Movies
- By alpha. Sans opinion or recommendation, alas. But that's wikipedia.
The most recent "zombie" pictures on Flickr right now
they're not mine, they're yours!
Zombie parts
Regular Zombie
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Zombie Me
YOU CAN'T SWIM, HA-H...
BlackWhite and Sun
Zombie Walk
What the hell, is it...
Psst ... you want ar...
Zombie painting
Zombie paintng (side...
260/365 - high key,...
Zombies to the left...
Zombies to the right...
cat walk.
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the funk
ahhh
lay where you're lay...
Of passing interest... here's how Wikipedia answers "What is a zombie?"
Category: File - :Bar zombies.jpg|thumb|right|People dressed as zombies for Halloween
A zombie is a mythical creature that appears in folklore and popular culture typically as a reanimated corpse or a mindless human being. Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled as laborers by a powerful sorcerer. Zombies became a popular device in modern horror fiction, largely because of the success of George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead.Zombie Maestro Lays Down Lore
Other cool zombie pages on Squidoo
not mine, but worth checking out
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Shaun of the Dead
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Shaun is a 29-year-old with no real ambition in life, much to the consternation of his friends, family, and fed-up girlfriend. With only a loyalty to his lazy best friend Ed, a dead-end job where his employees step on him, and the good-ol' days, Shau...
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Vote for The Top 50 Horror Movies of All Time
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I've always been a fan of horror, and I have my fair share of favorites, but this page isn't just about my favorites, it's about everybody's favorite horror movies. How many times have you read a list of top horror movies, only to find that your favo...
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The Horrific Top Ten
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The criteria used for ranking these top 10 horror movies were entirely personal. I like a good dose of humor and a strong original story with my creepiness. For horror devotees, there's a quote listed with each entry. Can you guess who sa...
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Zombies
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A zombie is traditionally an undead person in the Caribbean spiritual belief system of voodoo. Essentially a dead body re-animated by unnatural means, the zombie creates dread among the living. Zombies have become a staple of horror fiction, where th...
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The Complete List of Every Zombie Movie Ever Made
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The first zombie movie, White Zombie, was released in 1932 and starred Bela Lugosi. George Romero's 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead revolutionalized horror films and spawned hundreds of other films. 75 years since White Zombie, these film...
I need....
Latex Zombie Corpse"Do not be fooled by the crisp white button-down: this guy's a zombie. Despite the fact that being undead has turned his mouth rather blue, he displays a mouthful of surprisingly straight pearly whites. This Latex Stuffed Zombie measures 30" from elbow to elbow and reaches a height of 23"; the perfect size to lurk in your yard waiting to scare away pesky neighborhood children or door-to-door salesmen. Also works beautifully as the centerpiece for a goth buffet or a bedroom mascot for the youngsters!"
$89.95 ea.
Comments
What do you have to say for yourself.
StrangeConversation wrote...
...while I'm here, can I just mention my Top Scariest Movie Scenes lens (http://www.squidoo.com/scarymoviescenes), and Top 10 1980s Horror Movies (http://www.squidoo.com/tophorrormovies1980). Megan, if you could add them to your links that would be fantastic! :)
Posted June 21, 2009
StrangeConversation wrote...
I would have to go for Dawn Of The Dead or Night of The Living Dead as the best Zombie films. But, I do love Return Of The Living Dead - I've got a thing for things written by Dan O'Bannon (Alien is one of my favorite all time movies).
Posted June 21, 2009
Index
of what's on this page
- "Inside every living person is a dead person waiting to get out."
- But first, the criteria for "Best"
- The Best Zombie Movies Ever
- A few good zombie sites and stuffs
- The most recent "zombie" pictures on Flickr right now
- Zombies, blogged about
- Of passing interest... here's how Wikipedia answers "What is a zombie?"
- Other cool zombie pages on Squidoo
- I need....
- Comments
