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My Favourite Movies

The Dead Series

In the 1960's, George A. Romero released "Night of the Living Dead", at the time, one of the MOST controversial movies of its time. This was mainly because of the zombie attacks caught on film (zombies eating intestines, livers, et cetera). In my opinion, it was also because the only member who survives the night (but, gets shot at the end) is African-American. Hey, it was the sixties. Anyway, this movie was the first of its kind, and the first of a three (and maybe four) part series, each one portraying a more societally desperate situation than the last. "Night of the Living Dead" is the story of seven people trapped inside of a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania threatened by a small army of flesh-eating zombies. As they try to survive the night, lives are lost and, eventually, everyone dies. A great movie, though now, it can only be appreciated, in my opinion, as a piece of wonderfully classic, well-written, well-directed, and well-acted piece of cinema. It's one of the best movies ever made, but due to the extreme age (thirty+ years seems somewhat old to someone who's 18) of the film, I don't think that many of those in the younger audience would enjoy it like we did.

Romero's 1978 film, "Dawn of the Dead", is by far, in my opinion, the best of the "Dead" trilogy! It is also the most disturbing of the three, placing four people in a seemingly hopeless situation: trapped in a shopping mall, surrounded by legions of the living dead just waiting to rip them apart...and faced with an insane motorcycle gang ready to search and destroy. This film's cast of main characters is by far the best of all three movies, as they are all representative of a different facet in society at the time. An "African-American authoritative figure", a "white, suburban white collar man", a "pregnant, middle-class, white woman, destined to be a single mother", and a "white authoritative figure". I hate to be stereotypical, but that's the way things are played off. If you disagree, please E-mail me and explain why...maybe, I'm missing something. Anyway, in this second installment of the "Dead" trilogy a group of people decided to steal a helicopter in order to escape the threat of marshall law. Running low on fuel and supplies, they come across a mall in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (again) and decided to land on it and scrounge up what supplies they can. After killing all of the zombies in the mall (and one member getting bitten in the process), the four make the mall their permenant (or so, they think) home. However, a motorcycle gand attacks the mall and lets all the zombies back into the mall (including Zombie Nurse!!!) and all hell breaks lose. With only two members of the party surviving, they leave the mall with little fuel and even less hope of survival.

Romero's 1985 film, "Day of the Dead", takes place in 1987 Florida, with the situation and the hopes even less promising. The premise of the film is that this is one of the last (and possibly THE last) of a group of survivors holed up in an old military base. The group is composed of a small group of civilians pitted not only against the millions of zombies, whom they hope to "civilise", but also against the military personel within the complex, ready to kill any of the civilians at the slightest provocation. However, the zealous manner of the military personel ultimately leads to their own demise, as one of them escapes and lets the hordes of zombies in...and, boy, are they hungry. This third (and possibly final) installment in the "Dead" series fails and succeeds in many ways at being the best of the three. In terms of how it affects the audience, the movie falls short, often alienating the audience from the story. The struggle is far too unfocused to keep a consistent story-line. However, the movie does succeed in many respects: the zombies' make-up (done by Tom Savini) is by FAR superior to any other "Dead" movie. The flesh-eating scenes are also more interesting and gory...a plus in my book. Bub's story-line makes his character almost lovable. It definitely shows much advancement in the "flesh-eating zombie" plot. Overall, this is a great movie, but not as good as "Dawn...".

"Heathers," the cult classic 1988 film starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannon Doherty, set the precedence for later movies such as 1999's "Jawbreaker." It's use of great actors and actresses, as well as black humour really set the tone for the comedically dismal events which took place within the plot. Heather Chandler, Heather Duke (Shannon Doherty), and Heather McNamera were members of the most powerful clique at Westerburg High, and Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) would kill to get out of it. That's when she met Jason Dead (Christian Slater), the answer to all her problems. Charming, attractive, deadly...he encompassed everything that you could want in a boyfriend. But, are they going to prom, or to Hell? I highly suggest you rent this movie, where ever you are. It is a screen classic, offering up such wonderfully 80's quotes as "Fuck me gently with a chainsaw!" and "Heather, why can't you just be a friend? Why do you have to be such a Megabitch?" This movie is a must-see for any fan of great cinema.

"Bram Stoker's Dracula," from director Francis Ford Coppola, is yet another fine example of a talented director and screenwriter taking a classic novel into a new and unexplored direction. While this film was by FAR the most faithful to Bram Stoker's visionary novel, it also capitolises more upon the aspects of the characters which makes them more human, namely Mina Murray and Count Dracula. In all honesty, while I treasure the novel with all my heart, I believe that Francis Ford Coppola succeeded where Stoker perhaps failed, focusing more on Dracula's risque and forbidden relationship with Mina. Stoker, in my opinion, failed to develope either character as well as he could have, mainly because of the fact that he wrote the entire book in journal form, focusing only on the thoughts of individuals instead of providing a more omniscient point of view, allowing the characters to seem more human and vulnerable. The cast of this movie really made it what it was, in my opinion. With a veritable bevy of talented actors and actresses, Coppola could not but help to make a classic film. Gary Oldman- Count Dracula Winona Ryder- Wilhelmina (Mina) Murray Anthony Hopkins- Dr. Van Helsing Keanu Reeves- Jonathan Harker

"Drop Dead Gorgeous": Trashy; Over the Top; Outrageous; Hilarious! All of these adjectives pretty much sum up my feelings on this movie. From the excellent cast (Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Kirsty Ally, and Denise Richards) to the strange and bizarre talent portion, DDG holds itself above the other mockumentaries as one of the best and most hilarious.
Amber Adkins (Kirsten Dunst) has many talents; she has an after school job; she wants to be a just like Diane Sawyer. The only problem is, she is POOR WHITE TRASH!!! And Becky Leeman (Denise Richards) isn't about to let her forget it. With her mother (Kirsty Ally), they will get to States if they have to kill to do it. Watch as Becky gracefully glides with "Jesus Christ on a cross" during her talent. You won't want to miss this "Drop Dead Funny" hit. BUY IT!!!! BUY IT NOW!!!!!!

"Girl, Interrupted" is perhaps one the most compelling books and films that I have ever seen. Constantly blurring the line between telling a story and having the audience live the story, Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder) tells us the tragic and heartfelt story of her experiences in a mental institution. It is hard for one to watch this movie and be unmoved by its sheer power, both cinematic and narrative. With a soundtrack that is as brilliant as it is moving, the movie can do nothing more than simply entertain its audience. LOVE this movie for everything that it is and always will be.

Email: mjh1984593@aol.com