Dawn of the Dead - We're all Zombies!

I've never been a big fan of horror movies, probably because I've found real life to be scary enough that I didn't need the frightning parts squeezed into a tighter format. And it always brings to mind the inevitability of mortality which is a less than uplifting topic to start with. But I've found myself drawn to watching Dawn of the Dead (2004) on TV lately. So I started to wonder why.

The reason is it's just a plain well made movie. It's not life altering or deep, but sets up its premise early and follows it logically and mixes realism with fantasy effectively. Dawn of the Dead is a remake of a 70's horror classic about survivors of a fast spreading Zombie disease barracading themselves inside a Shopping Mall. The disease is spread by Zombie bites, that is if they don't eat you completely first. Like many movies of this type, the Zombie virus can be taken as a metaphor for SARS, AIDs, etc. The remaining humans hole up in a shopping mall where they fight against Zombies and each other to stay alive.

I've read the original was an indictment against modern consumerism but there's none of that in the remake. The film takes many different angles: the moral indifference of death, the pull between survivalism and decadence. For example, the mall security guards subject the remaining humans to their own form of martial law to try to stay safe. Dawn also has a demented sense of humor, such as the survivors shooting Zombies in the head based on if they look like famous actors.

No, there's no depth here. Just a thrill ride of exploding heads, snapping Zombies and an able cast (Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames) that is able to handle the tonal shifts with ease. All the while, the dread builds to the hopelessness of their situation. Dawn of the Dead will never win best picture but is a more than competent horror movie workout.

WOW

A quick add on post, this is the Mach 5 from the upcoming Speed Racer film set for 2008. It's going to be directed by the Matrix director brothers so it has potential. It will take some adjustment to see Christina Ricci as Trixie as I usually associate Ricci with edgy, depressing roles. But the car-they really got it right. Looks dead on like the Cartoon. I hope it still has the button for the hydralic jumping legs from the bottom. And the buzz saw blades from the front. And, And...I can't remember any more gadgets. Go Speed Go!

Movie Roundup

I've squeezed in a few movies here and there lately on television and DVD and now is the time to tell all! I've seen some classic Jackie Chan, Danny Devito get laid and the Purple one in all his majesty (not a Devito reference). First up...

Project A (1983) stars Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung as 19th Century sailors and scam artists in Hong Kong. It has bad audio dubbing and the picture wasn't cleaned up, but that couldn't stop the greatness of this film. This is Chan in his prime when he rolled out one death defying stunt fest after another (Wheels on Meals and Police Story come from this era). Chan indulges his Buster Keaton / Howard Lloyd jones in this one, an action comedy about a bumbling Navy trying to stop Pirates. The stunts are amazing, it's laugh out loud funny and as my wife commented, plays out better than Pirates of the Carribean. Good fun!

The Oh in Ohio (2006) has been on tv a bit lately, an interesting comedy about an uptight PR exec (Parker Posey) who's husband leaves her because of her inability to fully enjoy sex. Posey's character then goes into an exploration of her, um, self to find happiness. It's an odd premise for a mainstream film but the movie has the right balance of realism and humor to keep the viewer interested. A strong supporting cast including Danny Devito as a pool salesman and Paul Rudd as the clumsy, burnt out husband adds to the film's drive. Oh manages to be a movie mostly about sex without being unnecessarily lurid, it's an engaging film.

Last night I re-watched the 1984 classic Purple Rain. It was fantastic to watch the fey Prince in his purple Revolution get up riding that crazy motorcycle with his oversized shades on. I was really impressed with how director Albert Magnoli managed to make a cohesive movie with amateur actors and sketchy plot about bands battling for nightclub supremacy and the love of a beautiful girl. Prince is in top form, a whirling dervish of music and poofy shirts. Like Project A, the film is charged with a creative genius in his prime delivering a visceral performance. I wonder what ever became of Apollonia? Did she ever find Lake Minnetonka?

That's given me an idea for Rush Hour 4. Jackie Chan and...Prince! Now that's a movie. And unlike Rush Hour 3, maybe it would even play in China. Purple Hour? Rush Rain?? LovesexyShanghaiNooner??? The potential is endless.