Pick of the Week

This weeks pick is a film that I actively wanted to despise during it's production and leading right up to the day on which I saw it. The movie is Dawn of the Dead. I am not one to be against remakes, or reimaginings, but I am a big fan of the original. Romero's original film stands as one of the greatest zombie films ever made, how could any modern remake of it be any good? How surprised was I to discover that not only was it a pretty gory horror film, that it was also a good movie.

This is more of a reimagining than a remake. It takes the idea of a group of survivors holed up in a mall and takes it in a new direction. The characters were actually well developed and had a good tale of survival to tell. The zombies are a different variety, faster, seemingly smarter, but just as hungry as ever. The bottom line is that this is a fun movie, well worth a horror fan's time. Also, it is being released in an unrated director's cut which gives us more gore and more character development. What more can we ask for? I recommend it.

Other picks for this week:

• Mulan: Special Edition. I have never seen this one, but now I have a strong desire to.
• Control Room. Excellent documentary about the events in Iraq through the eyes of Al-Jazeera.
• Alive: Director's Cut. From director Ryuhei Kitamura, I really liked his film Versus and want to see more of his work.
• The Thing: Collector's Edition. Finally remastered and upgraded. Gory goodness.
• Garfield Holiday Celebrations. Garfield's Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas specials in one package.
• That 70's Show Season 1. I love this corny show, still surprised it's still on.
• Shikoku. I've heard middling reviews on this Japanese chiller, but I'm still interested. It co-stars Chiaki Kuriyama (Go Go from Kill Bill Volume 1).