strtfghtr
02-11-2009, 08:52 PM
Diary of the Dead (2007)
I finally got around to checking out the latest entry in the zombie sub-genre from demi-god-director George A. Romero. While not his best work this movie does hold up on its own in an ever growing sea of zombie/infected titles.
As you are probably aware, this film takes a drastic departure from the other "of the dead" titles Mr. Romero has put out so far. There's 2 big differences:
1. This entry does not fit in the timeline of the previous flicks, this takes place in the present day as a zombie outbreak is beginning. His last film, Land of the Dead took place in a post apocalyptic zombie infested wasteland where survivors are grouped together in a secured outpost. So IMO Diary should be considered a standalone zombie movie that just happens to be made by the same guy.
2. This was not shot in the typical omnipotent viewpoint of a normal movie, the movie takes place in the form of a documentary, filmed by a young director. The audience sees through this character's eyes for the majority of the film.
Acting:
While no one is going to get any academy awards for this movie it isn't completely terrible, except for that "tough guy" I was begging for him to get out of the shots. The characters were likeable, especially the professor and of course the deaf Amish guy, who ever thought of that deserves a gold star.
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Gore:
This is where the movie definitely falls short of his other films. Without the assistance of Mr. Savini and Co., we are left with the dreaded CGI effects. Some are decent and barely noticeable (gunshots and blood splurts) others are pathetic and make you cringe as this is what Mr. Romero was reduced to using (sickle through the head). I'll take good old fashioned blood packets, pig intestines, exploding heads, and squibs any day of the week over the CGI crap used in this movie.
Nudity:
A quick boob shot that the audience sees coming from a mile away, but it is still welcomed as the girl is hot and it fits into one of the only comedic shots of the movie.
Structure:
As described earlier, this movie takes to the hand held camera shots 95% of the time, every now and then we are treated to security cam video or cell phone shots. While many people complain about it I find that in this instance it was really well done; much better than in Cloverfield, and not nearly as motionsickness inducing as Blair Witch.
The locations used are much more diverse than in other "of the Dead" flicks. We get outside, warehouse, car, house, mansion, hospital, and a few others that really spread out the feel of this movie and give it the impression you are on a road trip with this group of wackos. The plot is decent but then again the movie pretty much writes itself and there are no twists or unexpected happenings in this.
I only dislike the ending, which is prettymuch the same thing as NotLD, can't you come up with something else George? We get it…humans are the monsters…
Overall:
Not as bad as a lot of people try to make it out to be, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and while it may not be as well put together as Romero's other movies it is a solid zombie movie and can even keep you in suspense multiple times throughout. Don't listen to the haters and give it a shot, you might be surprised with what you get out of it.
8/10
I finally got around to checking out the latest entry in the zombie sub-genre from demi-god-director George A. Romero. While not his best work this movie does hold up on its own in an ever growing sea of zombie/infected titles.
As you are probably aware, this film takes a drastic departure from the other "of the dead" titles Mr. Romero has put out so far. There's 2 big differences:
1. This entry does not fit in the timeline of the previous flicks, this takes place in the present day as a zombie outbreak is beginning. His last film, Land of the Dead took place in a post apocalyptic zombie infested wasteland where survivors are grouped together in a secured outpost. So IMO Diary should be considered a standalone zombie movie that just happens to be made by the same guy.
2. This was not shot in the typical omnipotent viewpoint of a normal movie, the movie takes place in the form of a documentary, filmed by a young director. The audience sees through this character's eyes for the majority of the film.
Acting:
While no one is going to get any academy awards for this movie it isn't completely terrible, except for that "tough guy" I was begging for him to get out of the shots. The characters were likeable, especially the professor and of course the deaf Amish guy, who ever thought of that deserves a gold star.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Gore:
This is where the movie definitely falls short of his other films. Without the assistance of Mr. Savini and Co., we are left with the dreaded CGI effects. Some are decent and barely noticeable (gunshots and blood splurts) others are pathetic and make you cringe as this is what Mr. Romero was reduced to using (sickle through the head). I'll take good old fashioned blood packets, pig intestines, exploding heads, and squibs any day of the week over the CGI crap used in this movie.
Nudity:
A quick boob shot that the audience sees coming from a mile away, but it is still welcomed as the girl is hot and it fits into one of the only comedic shots of the movie.
Structure:
As described earlier, this movie takes to the hand held camera shots 95% of the time, every now and then we are treated to security cam video or cell phone shots. While many people complain about it I find that in this instance it was really well done; much better than in Cloverfield, and not nearly as motionsickness inducing as Blair Witch.
The locations used are much more diverse than in other "of the Dead" flicks. We get outside, warehouse, car, house, mansion, hospital, and a few others that really spread out the feel of this movie and give it the impression you are on a road trip with this group of wackos. The plot is decent but then again the movie pretty much writes itself and there are no twists or unexpected happenings in this.
I only dislike the ending, which is prettymuch the same thing as NotLD, can't you come up with something else George? We get it…humans are the monsters…
Overall:
Not as bad as a lot of people try to make it out to be, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and while it may not be as well put together as Romero's other movies it is a solid zombie movie and can even keep you in suspense multiple times throughout. Don't listen to the haters and give it a shot, you might be surprised with what you get out of it.
8/10