I <3 Zombies, I cannot lie. So when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing ‘Zombieland’ for blu-ray, it was a no-brainer! Who am I to deny the coolness of zombies and Woody Harrelson as the gun-toting zombie-killer from Tallahassee?

Zombieland is a very funny take on how to survive if the entire planet (or in this case, country) had become overrun by zombies. With Jesse Eisenberg as the narrator and ‘WoW playing nerd-cum-zombie survivor’ “Columbus”, Zombieland is a survival of the fittest (or craziest, take your pick) journey of four strangers trying to survive, with often hilarious results. It all starts with rules – there are rules to surviving the zombie holocaust and Columbus has them all figured out. If you follow these rules to the letter, you’re bound to survive… or at least live a little longer.

After meeting up with zombie-killing bad-ass ‘Tallahassee’, Columbus realises that there are times when rules don’t apply and survival really is all about who gets the best ‘Zombie Kill of the Week’. After falling victim to a cleverly orchestrated scam by two sisters named ‘Wichita’ and ‘Little Rock’, Tallahassee and Columbus find themselves without transport and weapons until as luck would have it, they run into the same girls again and again, they are made to feel like chumps and are taken hostage. After a few disagreements and exchanges, it is tentatively decided that the group must stick together to survive (well, as far as the girls are willing to go, that is).

Zombieland is an extremely entertaining ride wrapped up with some very smart humour and great dialogue. Admittedly, the best parts of the movie are all about blowing zombies away but hey, that’s what you kind of expect in a zombie movie with Woody Harrelson at the helm. Jesse Eisenberg brings some ‘nerd-lovin’ to the table, as only he can and proves to be one of the least obvious leading men in an action movie I’ve ever seen.

The blu-ray disk comes with additional features which are pretty interesting including how the crew reacted to creating Zombieland and how first-time director Ruben Fleischer envisioned the creation of Zombieland.

<3 Thanks to Danny at Metroexp PR for the review disk.

Zombieland is not due out until the 19th of May but it’s zombie-tastic!

A new day dawns and so the vampire creeps, creeps, creeps its way slowly back into the shadowy depths of mythology. Or does it? Has Hollywood had its fill of blood-letting and bloodlust? Do we finally bid farewell to Edward Cullen, Angel, Eli and Bill Compton? Or does the vampire continue to dig its nails into the everlasting flesh of Hollywood, holding it in its eternal embrace.

With Daybreakers just released in the US (doesn’t arrive on NZ shores until March this year), it’s possible we’re about to see a huge decline in vampire related movies/books/tv shows and the like. Obviously True Blood has found its niche and with current trends aside, will probably continue for a few seasons yet, given its popularity. Other than the continuance of the Twilight movies this year (Eclipse releases in New Zealand in July), it seems the vampire may have had its time in the limelight. Perhaps Hollywood really has had its fill of vampires. Let’s take a quick recap over the last few years and look at just how popular the vampire has been in the entertainment medium:

1. Twilight (books and movies) – based on the books by Stephanie Meyer. Made vampires look hip again and even trendy caus’ they mention google
2. Let the Right One In (movie based on the novel) – back to more traditional roots, you can’t deny the understated creepiness and allure of Eli, the 12 year old vampire that befriends a lonely boy on a swing. Just awesome.
3. True Blood – bringing the vampire wayyy down south made this TV show with its raunchy and sexy appeal something to really sink your teeth into. Also based on books and starring New Zealand starlet Anna Paquin in the lead role.
4. The Vampire Diaries – also based on books and started a little bit of controversy when it was revealed by the author’s legal representation that Stephanie Meyer allegedly plagiarised parts of the book to create her own. Wow, vampire politics even!
5. Daybreakers - features Ethan Hawke as a cool looking vampire dude who befriends a group of humans. Kinda weird when you think about a world populated by vampires where humans are the endangered species.
6. The Vampire’s Assistant – apparently we didn’t get enough of the teenage vampire running amok with Twilight. The Vampire’s Assistant does however feature some other freaky looking people like Salma Hayek with a beard!
7. The Underworld trilogy – started off so very well with Kate Beckinsale bringing sexy back to the vampire that fights werewolves. So much promise with this story but not too sure what happened along the way. Even the brilliant Michael Sheen couldn’t save this vampire story from the harsh critics of hollywood.

So if Vampires have had their day (or is that night?), what -  if anything, could replace them? We’ve got Wolfman with Benecio Del Toro and Emily Blunt clawing its way to theatres soon but I doubt that’s going to spawn a million and one stories/books/movies about werewolves. And without the vampire in hollywood, things just wouldn’t really be the same. Or would they? I guess only time will tell but one thing’s for sure, the vampire has had one hell of a ride over the last few years. Maybe it’s time the vampire got some of that eternal rest we keep reading about… you know, until hollywood needs to feel its cold, vice-like grip on its throat once again.

Distributor: Icon Film Distribution Released: 2009 Genre: Thriller/Horror Credits: Director: Oren Peli Written by: Oren Peli Starring: Katie Featherston (Katie), Micah Sloat (Micah) Rating: M

Considering the budget for this movie (only $15,000 USD) and the millions it made at the box office opening weekend (9.1 million USD according to IMDB), Paranormal Activity is by all accounts, a blockbuster. Don’t be fooled by the minimal marketing strategy for this (nor the opening credits which look extremely b-grade) – if you’re any kind of horror fan, you’d be stupid to miss it.

The good…

The atmosphere. It will literally scare the crap outta you without even trying. But try not to see this with anyone who doesn’t get into their horror movies – you’ll regret it if someone starts calling out ‘show us your boobies’ during one of the scariest scenes in the movie (and if you’re reading this assuming you can even read, you should die in a fire, dude, seriously…)

The bad…

In all honesty, aside from a few of the acting quirks on behalf of Micah Sloat (maybe it’s just me but when you’re being terrified for nights on end, do you always have to ask ‘what the fuck is that?’ everytime something unexplainable occurs), Paranormal Activity has very few faults for a movie made in 10 days. And bear this in mind when you go to see it – you won’t be seeing Avatar or the Exorcist (which cost millions to make). Nope, this is true-blue homegrown run around with a camera type stuff. And it’s fantastic.

Look out for… (SPOILER)

The dragging from the bed scene – omfg… scary as hell!

A few tips for ya…

To prepare yourself, check out Blair Witch Project. Both of these movies share a whole lot more than just genre. The creepiness that drips from practically every scene will have you well prepared for what’s to come in Paranormal Activity.

Distributor: Vendetta Films Released: 1978 Genre: Horror Credits: Writers: John Carpenter and Debra Hill Director: John Carpenter Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance, Nancy Kyes, P.J Soles Rating: R16

This blu-ray DVD was kindly provided by Vendetta Films for review.

When you talk classic horror, there are a few movies that come to mind but none that epitomise the genre quite like Halloween and its iconic harbinger of death, Michael Myers. Easily one of John Carpenter’s best horror’s if not the best, Halloween on blu-ray has to be seen to be believed. The clarity is amazing, the 1978 original footage looks crystal-clear in high def. Just don’t focus too much on the blood (which doesn’t look so real in HD).

The cast of Halloween is one aspect that makes this movie so great with actors such as Donald Pleasance bringing some of that hardened ‘brit’ stability to an otherwise fairly unknown list of young actors. Jamie Lee Curtis’ rising star was more or less born with her role in this movie. So with that kind of background, who wouldn’t consider Halloween a classic?

The 30th anniversary blu-ray version offers some tasty extras that reveal a whole lot of behind-the-scenes information and commentary from most of the stars and crew including John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis.

There’s no mistaking that Halloween on blu-ray is a straight-up collector’s item if ever there was one, and for horror fans, it should be a serious consideration for the xmas stocking this year. Michael Myers never looked so crystal-clear creepy, even if his mask was the ugliest mold of William Shatner’s face ever created!

Buy this DVD from Vendetta Films

Distributor: Madman Entertainment  Released: 2008 Genre: Thriller/horror Credits: Writers: James Watkins Director: James Watkins Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kelly Reilly, Jack O’ Connell Rating: R18

This DVD was kindly supplied by Madman NZ for review

Some of the most hidden gems of the Madman catalogue are the horrors and thrillers. If you’re a a thrill-seeker fan or you just really like the ‘edge of your seat’ feeling you get from being scared, you won’t be disappointed for looking up Eden Lake.

Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) and Kelly Reilly are Steve and Jenny, two young lovers who have planned a nice, cosy get-away for the weekend. Shortly after their arrival at Eden Lake, they are met with curiousity and disdain from a group of local kids. As it turns out, these kids are more like thugs than children and as time passes, become slightly more irritating and annoying to Steve, who makes a heroic attempt to confront the kids at one of their houses. After an unfortunate situation escalates, he narrowly escapes the house and realises that he may have bitten off slightly more than he could chew.

One thing leads to another and the holiday from hell for the couple begins shortly after they realise their car has been taken and they are trapped in an area surrounded by woods. A cleverly written script allows for the harrowing ‘cat and mouse’ chase between the thugs and the holidaying couple to keep us in nail-biting suspense.

The intensity of the movie creeps in slowly but eventually leads to some seriously graphic stuff  as each scene becomes more gruesome and horrifying. Without giving too much away, Eden Lake is very similar to ‘Funny Games’ with the same sort of premise leading to an unfortunate ending. You just know it’s going to end badly, and that’s partially why movies like this keep you interested. Macabre, I know but hey, that’s what a good horror/thriller is all about and Eden Lake is good horror.

Michael Fassbender is great in his role as is Kelly Reilly but the standout actor award goes to the leader of the thugs Brett (played by ‘Skin’s’ actor Jack O’ Connell), who manages to portray the vindictiveness of his character with precision and gritty realism.

Another gem from Madman. Don’t miss this at your local video store!

Buy this DVD

Distributor: Madman/Eastern Eye Released: 2009 Genre: Action/Horror/Thriller Credits: Writers: Chris Chow and Kenji Kamiyama Director: Chris Nahon Starring: Gianna Jun, Allison Miller, Koyuki, Colin Salmon Rating: TBC

This is a preview of the media screener version of Blood: The Last Vampire courtesy of Madman New Zealand.

Loosely based on the anime (animated movie) of the same name, Blood: The Last Vampire follows the story of Saya, a mysterious young woman who has a deadly secret and the equally mysterious organisation ‘The Council’ who work with her.

The character of Saya is well played by Gianna Jun who has just the right physicality and look to pull it off. The wire work and martial arts may look like something out of The Matrix or a John Woo movie, but I found the action scenes to be quite impressive (if you like special effects, you’ll really enjoy this).

If you’re a fan of the anime, you might find this rendition of Blood: The Last Vampire a little different to what you’ve read. The storyline has had a few ‘tweaks’ here and there, including one that involves Saya’s infamous Katana sword. This aside, if you enjoy vampire/action/thriller movies with loads of kick-ass martial arts action, keep a look out for Blood: The Last Vampire at your local dvd store.

Blood: The Last Vampire releases in New Zealand on January 14th, 2010.

Check out the trailer:

Pre order this DVD from Madman now:

I first read about The Crazies via Twitter and started following it. Now it’s getting closer to release! The movie stars Timothy Olyphant (Hitman) and Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill) and although it’s kinda like another zombie movie (of which we’ve had a huge influx of recently), it’s really not about zombies at all…

The Crazies is a remake based on the original George Romero classic. It looks great!

Check out the trailer:

The first teaser trailer for the new Freddy Krueger movie is here! A Nightmare on Elm Street delves deeper into the psychology of nightmares and into the life of Freddy himself… as if what we’ve already seen isn’t disturbing enough!

Check out the trailer, courtesy of Trailer Addict!

Are people in hollywood that desperate that they need to be in sequels that should NEVER even be considered let alone made?

The Lost Boys was a cult classic. I don’t think there has been another movie that even came close to the coolness that exuded from it nor one that could blend both horror/vamps/cool people with comedy and successfully pull it off. Why ruin that memory for the fans? Why would you want to drag tired stars who have (obviously) had their day back into the spotlight? Excuse the pun, but I think there should be a casting call for some ‘new blood’ at least.

Sure, I get it. It’s about money… but as a fan of the Lost Boys, that just makes it suck all the more. The straight-to-dvd mass of crud that was Lost Boys 2: The Tribe went, well…straight-to-dvd so again I ask, why make another movie?

I duno, I guess that’s just how they (sometimes) roll in Hollywood…

You can read all about the awful scripting ideas here.

Thanks to /film for the update.

Wentworth Miller from Prison Break fame is the newest star to join the ranks of the growing cast list for the new Resident Evil movie, RE4. There is yet to be confirmation of his role in the movie but we’re betting on Leon… maybe? He’ll make a great Leon.

In other news, Ali Larter from Heroes is also set to return in RE4 reprising her role as Claire Redfield.

Thanks to Empire for the news.