Zombie-copia

Happy August, Zombiephiles!

Lots to talk about this week, so let's get started, shall we? First, in Zombie Pastries is this delightful cake of Audrey Hepburn as a zombie. Titled "Zombie at Tiffany's," it's an entry in this year's Threadcakes contest, sponsored by T-shirt company, Threadless. Uncle P's sister entered last year's contest, but realized that her sculpting skills just weren't up to some of the other entrants', so she decided to forgo this year's. I imagine if Ms. Hepburn were to rise from the grave, she'd be in much worse shape than this, considering she's been dead for over 17 years...

In Zombie News, here's a funny story I've been sitting on for a while (I honestly forgotten about it), but thought you might find amusing. Apparently, some revelers dressed in Zombie attire were involved in auto accident in Portland, OR. Can you imagine witnessing this accident? Or worse, being the first EMT on the scene?

And then (via) comes this fun story about a Zombie App for your iPhone. You take a picture of someone, and it "zombifies" them. Yup, there's an app for that. Personally, I hate iPhones (and all so-called 'smart phones,' for that matter). I think they are just one more device that is depersonalizing society - creating virtual zombies who are too "plugged-in" to experience and enjoy real life. But that's just my humble opinion. Of course, without modern technology, you wouldn't be reading this right now, so who am I to judge? You can download the free app here, if you so choose...

And in a Zombie Nonsense/Zombie Music combo-post, comes this rather amusing mash-up video from Barely Digital, Left for Dead Beatles:

Now where have I heard that "Paul is dead" line before?

Finally, tonight in Zombie TV -- by now you all know how excited I am to see the new AMC original series The Walking Dead, based on the Robert Kirkman comic book series of the same name, about a family struggling to survive in the aftermath of the Zombie Apocalypse. Via the flesh-eating maniacs at i09 comes the Zombie Clip of the Week, showing how the Walking Dead SFX makeup team created 'Bicycle Girl.' Enjoy:

At the risk of repeating myself, if anyone can do this series justice, it's Frank Darabont.

More gut-chomping, soon.
Prospero

The Creepshow Must Go On....

That's Toronto-based band The Creepshow* in the photo above, which must mean tonight's post starts with some Zombie Music! I found The Creepshow in an odd way. I was looking for images of traditional Haitian zombies (there aren't many that don't look like horrible racial stereotypes), I came across a photo of this band, Voodoo Zombie, a Chilean psychobilly band. Intrigued by that rather startling photo, I searched for them on YouTube and came across the first video posted below for their song "Amor Psycho." Musically, it's okay and the zombies all seem to be having a mighty fine time. My chief complaint is with the vocals.

But a suggested video on that page led me to The Creepshow and their "...country-tinged, psycho punk rock 'n roll..." (via). This is a video for the song "Zombies Ate Her Brain," from their 2006 debut album "Sell Your Soul:"

I will definitely be checking out more from this very amusing band. The Creepshow's website is here.

Let's move on to a bit of Zombie Nonsense, shall we? Total Film has this story about Miss Zombie Queen UK. I wish there was a video of it, somewhere. I searched YouTube, Vimeo and Flcker...

And segueing ever so-smoothly into Zombie Films, Miss Zombie Queen UK coincides with the DVD release of the positively wretched-sounding (and looking) Zombie Women of Satan, whose very unappealing tag-line is: 'It really was the wrong time of the month!' Really? The trailer says it all...

Is it just me, or does that look painfully bad in non-ironic way? I've seen better acting in David Decoteau's homo-erotic vampire movies and better special effects in a Sid and Marty Krofft TV show.

Also in Zombie Films, Salon.com is marking the release of Papa George's* 6th entry in his film Zombieverse, Survival of the Dead, with this well thought-out list of "10 Essential Zombie Movies." The list is interesting, though I would have made a few changes. Peter Jackson's outrageously over-the top Brain Dead/Dead Alive would have gotten a higher ranking, 28 Days Later, a slightly lower one and Lucio Fulchi's Zombi 2, with it's infamous Zombie vs. Shark scene, would not have made the list at all. For its sheer fun, I would have included Black Sheep, because it certainly fits the criteria, even if the zombies are sheep and the result of their bite is a were-sheep and for even more fun, I would have added Canadian director Andrew Currie's hilarious take on zombies and the coldwar, Fido. I would have replaced Romero's original version of The Crazies (an overrated, preachy and very talky picture) with last year's Zombieland and Dellamorte Dellamore with Evil Dead II, but that's just me.

Moving to some Zombie TV news, Rabid Doll shares the news that AMC has released a promo video for the their new series, "The Walking Dead," based on the very good comic of the same name. Directed by no less than one of few directors to make Stephen King *movies the way they should be made, Frank Darabont.*

Wow. I can't wait.

Almost finally, this week's Zombie Clip of the Week, Episode 2 of the web-based film, Universal Dead:

And I couldn't end without letting you know I finally decided on a title for my latest screenplay, formerly known under the working title, Redneck Zombie Nightmare. But I'm going to end on a tease and make you wait until the final draft is completed, before revealing the title.

*I'd rather like to think of all these King/Romero/Darabont references as synchronistic, as so many things in my life seem to be, but I suspect they are simply the result of of related information and have no other impact on anything other than this post. And there I go, getting all existential again. Uncle P needs to stop over-thinking, I think.

More unprocessed Soylent Green, soon.
Prospero

Jerky, Kitties and Other Assorted Nonsense

Several things to discuss tonight, the first of which has forced your Uncle P to create a new category, Zombie Snacks, because the item below certainly can't be described as Zombie Pastries:

Oh, those wacky Japanese! This is an image of the package for a new product available at select Japanese stores: Zombie Jerky. The actual product is dyed blue, like bloodless zombie flesh. The folks at i09, where I found this story, don't say what the jerky is actually made from, though Kobe beef would probably be cost-prohibitive (i09 reports that it sells for about $4.50 a bag, U.S.). And I really hope this isn't Soylent Blue, or something equally disturbing.

Of course, disgusting candies and other treats have been around for a long time. Take these Fear Factor Creature Parts or these Chocolate Dog Poo Treats for example. Not really something I'd want to eat, either. And since I'm not really a fan of jerky in any form (it always tastes like spice leather to me), I don't see myself buying any Zombie Jerky in the foreseeable future.

In Zombie News,:

The Wrap has a rather extensive interview with the Godfather of Zombies, George A. Romero, in which he talks about "the zombie business, Fred Rogers’ tonsillectomy and being paid to cut a fart in Hollywood." You can read the whole interview here. Romero's sixth entry into the genre, Survival of the Dead is currently available OnDemand and playing in select theaters, now. While I actually enjoyed Romero's hand-held, 1st person Diary of the Dead, I think he may have actually 'jumped the shark' with this Hatfields and McCoys tale of survivors on an Irish island battling zombies and each other. When I get a chance to finally see it, you can be sure I'll review it.

And then there is this story about family bonding and the 5th Annual Boston Zombie Walk, over at The Boston Channel. Oddly, it made me feel both old and relevant at the same time.

And this week in Zombie Nonsense, the clip below may not be new, but it's new to me. The Kitty Zombie Apocalypse never sounded so good as it does in this sick little crossover into Zombie Music. I give you "Meow:"

I don't know... Is there something really wrong about kittens committing suicide, or is it just me?

And this week's Zombie Clip of the Week is also an oldie, but a goodie. Night of the Zombie is a very amusing short about...

wait for it...

Zombie Abuse! Enjoy:

More shambling, soon.
Prospero.

O Zombie, My Zombie...

Let's start with a brand new label, tonight. Welcome to the Zombie Zone's first post on Zombie Art:

You may be wondering what Walt Whitman has to do with Zombies, and I'm certainly willing to admit that the answer is: Probably very little. But the image above, done by one of the many folks who specialize in modified toys as art (and in particular, My Little Pony) for some reason made the phrase pop unbidden, like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, into my head and would not go away. In addition to My Little Zombie there, I am also very enamored of My Little Edward Scissorhands, My Little Xenomorph, My Little Joker and My Little Cthulhu.

I imagine these artists are living well off of their work. Or at least I hope they are. They are very good at what they do. I don't have the patience to work with my hands. My fingers are so clunky, it's a miracle I can type (if you can call what I do typing - I'm fast, but it is entirely my own, inadequate system). Anyway, I wish I was as capable an artist as these folks. I'd be modding all sorts of toys into Zombie versions of themselves. I'd make some Zombie Toys children should never even be allowed to see, let alone play with. And yes, while I do own an RC Zombie, complete with a brain-shaped remote (a Christmas Gift from two years ago, he watches over me as I write, sitting next to Hannibal, the Bad Taste Bear which was part of a cast gift, picked out by D), I don't have any Zombie dolls. And honestly, I don't know which is more pathetic, my lack of one or my desire for one. I just know that a well-done one would make me very happy.

And since Zombie Fashion has a direct link to Zombie Art, here's a fun little Zombie Eyeball ring from the fine lunatics at BoingBoing.

And speaking of segues, also from BoingBoing comes this week's entry in Zombie Music:

This may be a stretch, but I know that if I were making a zombie movie that required a nightclub scene, I'd hire these guys, immediately. Quirky and oh-so-creepy, The Tiger Lillies are are a rather unique and interesting trio who manage to evoke early Oingo Boingo; Leon Redbone and Creole Funeral Music as sung by Alison Moyet. Chompers and Slayers, I give you "Living Hell" (May be NFSC - Not Safe for Coulrophobes):

The Tiger Lillies- Living Hell from Mark Holthusen on Vimeo.

Creepy, eh? And quite brilliant. I think I love them and must hear more.

And finally, the Zombie Clip of the Week.

Pet Sematary was Stephen King's first foray into the Zombie genre, and he infused it with omens, ghosts and Native American folklore, while maintaining his flair for the horrors of the mundane. Reportedly, while researching children's funerals for the project, King became so distraught at imagining his own son's death, he put Pet Sematary aside until his kids were older and he could handle the material. I'd say it's pretty impressive when a writer upsets himself with his own story.

Personally, I think Pet Sematary is one King's better novels and it deserved a better film version than Mary Lambert's 1989 attempt, starring TV C-Lister Dale Midkiff; future Tasha Yar, Denise Crosby and Herman Munster himself, the late Fred Gwynne. I will admit that while the movie doesn't come close to conveying the sense of dread that King builds so well in the novel, it does have its fair share of memorable moments: Rachel's twisted sister Zelda screaming in horrific pain, the picture of a Zombie if not actually one; the fight at the funeral; the scalpel attack on poor old Jud's Achilles tendon; the look on Midkiff's face as he waits for Rachel to come home. Goosebumps, every time.

There is a remake at hand (of course) though I think that may actually be a good thing, for once. Even though Lambert didn't completely crap on her source material (unlike many other directors of King's works), I think that in the hands of a better director and better cast (no offense to Mr. Midkiff, Mr. Gwynne or Ms. Crosby -- who are all fine in Lambert's film), a new version of Pet Sematary could be one kick-ass scary movie.

Lambert is currently listed as 'In Production' on the Vampire Western High Midnight, which could be interesting, but while she has continued to work since her most successful film, she's never come close to making a movie even half as good as Pet Sematary.

King visited the genre again a few years ago with the techno-phobic novel, Cell. The Zombies in Cell are all somehow controlled by an electronic signal, initially transmitted through the prolific use of cell phones, and forced to act as part a single hive-like entity (think insanely violent Borg without the tubes, wires and telephoto eyes). Director Eli Roth (the hilarious and zombie-inspired plague movie Cabin Fever) was attached to direct a film version at one time, though Roth has since moved on (as he always seems to be doing lately) and I can find no reference to it on IMDb. That's a shame, because I totally imagined it as a movie when I read it.

This has been a very long and surreal day. You can catch up on why at Caliban's Revenge, tomorrow (well, tonight, technically). I'll also have my review of Comedy Central's "Ugly Americans" there, tomorrow.

More brain nomming, soon.
Prospero

Zombie Babies and Other Disturbing Nonsense

Since I just did a whole nonsense post on Caliban's Revenge, I thought I'd keep the momentum going and start this week's post with a bit of Zombie Nonsense.

Of course, this adorable image is from I Can Has Cheezeburger, a site to which people submit cute and funny cat pictures and videos and then occasionally clever people caption them. But I always amused by the thought of a Zombie Baby,* especially when thinking about the ridiculously over-the-top zombie baby in Peter Jacksons Braindead/Dead Alive in which our hapless hero Lionel takes the spawn of a zombie nurse and a zombie priest (inexplicably named "Selwyn") to the park in a barbed-wire-covered pram.

I also thought you might think it was a baby picture of your old Uncle Prospero. Actually this is a baby picture of Uncle P.

Anyway, here for your viewing enjoyment, is that hilarious, dark and absolutely Pythonesque Zombie Baby clip from Braindead/Dead Alive:

*And yes, I am the first to admit that the thought of an actual zombie baby is rather dark and not exactly a laugh riot (see Grace) but when used in an obviously absurdist way, it's really very funny.

And this week in Zombie Music, an old friend (rediscovered via Facebook), posted this lovely little video of Nellie McKay's "Zombie" on my wall. How could I not share?



Fun!

Also at Caliban's Revenge, I posted about the movies I most want to see in the next three months. So this week in Zombie Films, I thought I'd talk about Zombie Movies I most want to see in the coming year. Of course, topping the list is George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead. IMDb lists its U.S. release date as November, 2009, but I'll be damned if I know a single person who has seen it. Hopefully, a wide release will actually play theaters, rather than go straight to DVD as Romero's Diary of the Dead did.

And then there's the Spanish horror sequel [Rec2]. I don't speak a word of Spanish, but if you never saw the original (or it's inferior, but still effective American remake Quarantine), you'll have no trouble figuring out what's happening in this film which picks up immediately after the original's end. Is it just me, or does it have an Aliens feel about it? It doesn't matter, I still want to see it.

I wish I could report on more, but most of the stuff listed on the various movie sites have no video available yet. And most of the video available on YouTube is for rather less-than-stellar fare like this:

Not exactly the kind of thing that makes you wanna run out to see that movie on opening weekend (or even it's on-line premiere). And I'm so sorry to do this to you, but because it is now stuck in my head, so why shouldn't it be stuck in yours? -- all I can hear in my head is: "Won't you take me to... Zombie Town?" Even Disco never really dies... sigh.

Finally, in Personal Zombie Film News, Uncle Prospero received a pretty exciting phone call last month from a rather well-known production company regarding his screenplay Army of the Dead. They are pitching it for certain genre cable network movie-of-the-week. And while I will admit that said basic cable channel's movies aren't always the highest quality, as long as I get paid, I don't care. Of course, you will the first to know as soon as I do. And I have also started a new Zombie screenplay, which I think adds an unusual, though familiar element to the genre. As soon as I have a linkable version, I'll be sure to post it.

More shambling, soon.
Prospero

Happy New Decade!

So, 2010 is upon us. Not just the start of a New Year, but a New Decade. And every blogger is posting lists. I'm even guilty of doing it over at Caliban's Revenge (which, by the way, has a whole new look for 2010). I've done the Top 10 Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies of the Decade. And I'll be posting my Ten Best Films of the Year and of the Decade, soon enough.

Of course, since The Zombie Zone is All Zombies, All the Time, I'm happy to announce Uncle Prospero's Top Ten Zombie Movies of the Decade.

A daunting task? Not really. There are plenty of really bad Zombie Movies. You and I both know it. But good Zombie Movies are few and far between, and to be quite honest, I had a hard time coming up with 10 to call "Best."

Still, I searched my memory, did my research and came up with a list of the 10 Zombies I most enjoyed over the past 10 years. And while I may have yet to see Dead Snow and Pontypool, I still managed to come up with 10 entertaining, gory and fun Zombie Movies to recommend. So, let's get started, shall we?

10. Dance of the Dead (2008)

When the dead rise on Prom Night, it's up to the geeks and nerds who couldn't get dates to save the day. Hilarious and original, Dance of the Dead is certainly worth adding to your Netflix queue.

9. Deadgirl (2008)

Two high school loners discover a zombie trapped in an abandoned mental asylum and use her as a sex toy for themselves and their friends. Disturbing on so many levels, Deadgirl takes the genre in a direction audiences may not prepared to go.

8. Planet Terror (2007)

I did not see Grindhouse in a theatre. Instead, I waited until the two films were released separately on DVD and only rented Robert Rodriguez's Zombie Actioner. Rose McGowan; Freddy Rodriguez; Josh Brolin; Jeff Fahey; Fergie; Naveen Andrews and Bruce Willis star in this hilarious homage to 70's gorefests. Oh, and there's Rose McGowan's machine gun leg!

7. [Rec] (2007)

This Spanish movie about a reporter, her cameraman and a team of firefighters trapped in an apartment building with teh victims of zombifying rabies strain is simply one of the most terrifying uses First Person camerawork since The Blair Witch Project. The inevitable American remake Quarantine, isn't quite as effective, though it stars Hostel's adorable Jay Hernandez.

6. 28 Weeks Later (2007)

The sequel to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later (more about that movie, in a bit) doesn't quite live up to the original, though the opening sequence in which Robert Carlyle leaves his wife to a fate worse than death is fascinating, horrifying and adrenaline-inducing. Rose Byrne ("Damages") and The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner co-star as American soldiers sent to assist in the rebuilding of Britain.

5. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Screenwriter James Gunn (Slither - a film that almost made this list) lends some clever updates to director Zach Snyder's (Watchmen) re-imagining of the Romero classic. Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames and "Modern Family" star Ty Burrell have a blast in this "fast zombie" tale about a group of survivors holed up in a shopping mall. What it lacks in the social commentary of Romero's original, it more than makes up for in action, gore and humor.

4. 28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) made the first "fast zombie" movie with this tale about a virus unleashed in England by animal rights activists. It introduced American audiences to blue-eyed beauty Cillian Murphy and terrified audiences worldwide.

3. Fido (2006)

Carrie Ann Moss (The Matrix); Billy Connolly and Dylan Baker star in Canadian director Andrew Currie's hilarious spoof of 1950's America with a zombie twist. Corporate greed, deviant sex and Lassie are all skewered in this brilliant parody.

2. Zombieland (2009)

An amazing cast and an hilarious script make Reuben Fleischer's 2009 movie about 4 survivors making their way to a "zombie-free zone" one of the funniest Zombie movies ever. Bill Murray steals the show, but Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisinberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin all hold their own in a movie that made my dear D hide his eyes more than once.

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

I snuck away from a dance rehearsal of a terrible production of "Kiss Me, Kate" that I was stage-managing to see a matinee of this movie, returning well before the choreographer was finished working a single number to death. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's brilliant 'Zombie-Rom-Com' may well be the funniest Zombie movie, ever. With amazingly funny performances from Pegg, Nick Frost and Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and, ironically, a British sit-com called "Kiss Me Kate"), Shaun is not only an hilarous parody of the genre, but an homage to Romero and the films that started the Zombie craze.

Sadly, I did not see every Zombie Film of the last 10 years, but the one I wanted to see most seems to have fallen through the cracks. I'm sill hoping to catch it on DVD. If you've seen it, please tell what you thought. Here's the trailer for Zombies of Mass Destruction, what may be the first (and only) mainstream* gay zombie movie:

And just because I feel like a bit of Zombie Music, here's the video for the Cranberries' song "Zombie:"

So, what were your favorite Zombie Films of the past 10 years? I'd love to know. Here's hoping that the next 10 years bring us bigger, better and gorier Zombie Movies than ever before.

*Otto (or any other film by Bruce LaBruce) doesn't count...

More flesh eating, soon.
Prospero

Ink, Pastries and Hooters

First tonight, a bit of Zombie Nonsense:

As both a lover of zombies and tattoos (I have two and want a third), I was actually almost appalled by this exceptionally bizarre Zombie Waldo tatt I found on Ugliest Tattoos, one of the non-zombie blogs I visit regularly. Now, I don't know if this actually qualifies as an ugly tattoo, but it's certainly a weird one. And weird is what we're all about here at the Zombie Zone. And of course, by 'we,' I mean me. It looks like this particular tattoo is a on a leg and I'd love to see what surrounds poor Waldo, who undoubtedly died while waiting to be found. And that wasn't cheap. All those colors meant many hours in the chair (or on the table) and plenty of bucks. And unlike many of the things on Ugliest Tattoos, it is rather well-executed. And I'm sure it must mean something to the person who spent all that time and money getting it done. Still... I find it rather ironic that someone put a picture of rotting flesh on their own flesh, which will inevitably become rotting flesh, itself. Circle of life (or should I say "Unlife?"), I guess.

Next, in Zombie Fiction:

Those aliens over at i09 have done it again, with these fun maps of Zombie Outbreaks Throughout Alternate History. With Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (and it's sister book, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters) being so popular, it's good to see so many other clever takes on Alternate History zombie fiction.

Originally, I wanted to call this section "Zombie Food," until I realized that meant "People." I guess it's probably best then to call it Zombie Pastries:

From Oddee.com comes this Zombie Cake. Perfect for the Un-Birthday Party of your favorite zombie lover, it comes complete with a marzipan zombie and raspberry braaaaiins. Or how about these Left 4 Dead Gingerbread Zombie Cookies over at Technabob.com? Yummy!

And finally, in Zombie Music:

A Facebook friend, knowing my love of zombies and 80's music, posted this video of 80's One-Hit-Wonders, The Hooters (best known for writing the Cyndi Lauper hit "Time After Time"):

Ah, the 80's. Big hair, weird clothes and zombie songs. I miss them...

Until next time, stay hungry.

More rotting flesh, soon.
Prospero

On Every Zombie's Wishlist

Plenty to chew on this week, so let's get started, shall we?

First, in Zombie Fashion:

Doesn't every fashionable zombie need a good pair of shoes? Michael Burk at ChooseYourShoes creates custom painted shoes (in other words, they ain't cheap) for fun-loving zombies everywhere. Pictured is one of three pairs of zombie shoes he's painted. I don't know that I'd wear these to anything but a Halloween party or a zombie flash mob event, but they're awfully fun (via).

In Zombie Blogs:

Meanwhile, over at Stacie Ponder's Horror Movie blog Final Girl, Stacie has been writing about zombies all week. You can read her best posts here, here and here.

And you may notice I've added a new blog to the list. Zombaritiville is from an anonymous blogger out of Seattle, who writes Zombie lyrics to the tunes of popular songs, with often hilarious results. His latest is "We're Craving Brains Again" sung to the tune of Eurythmics' "Here Comes the Rain Again."

In Zombie Science:

And also via, comes this disgusting little video about Zombie Snails:

And almost finally, in Zombie Nonsense:

I posted this on Caliban's Revenge a while back, but thought it worth posting again. Here's the very talented and hilarious Jonathan Coulton singing "Your Brains" with a live audience in L.A.:

This past week has been rather interesting for your Uncle Prospero and he may have some very exciting Zombie News of his own to report next week. Keep your rotting fingers crossed and send out your best undead vibes...

And please don't forget to send me your Zombie news, links, videos and whatever.

More skull chomping, soon.
Prospero