Wednesday, November 25, 2009

In praise of a good zombie movie...

Hello again,

Something that I feel has been decidedly lacking up until this point in time has been my love of zombie movies and their importance in my film-education. So, let me make this very clear - I love zombie movies. The first feature film made by our company, True Hype Productions Inc. was a zombie movie and believe me that was neither a light-hearted decision nor a mistake. Horror movies are often the starting point for many up-and-comers in the film industry who want to sink their teeth in (pun intended). Peter Jackson is very well known for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong (2005), but started off with movies like Bad Taste (1987) and Braindead (1992). Ridley Scott directed both Gladiator (2000) and Black Hawk Down (2001) but it was Alien (1979) that really put him on the map (and yes, I DO consider Alien a horror movie. And of course Sam Raimi has the Spider-Man franchise now... but The Evil Dead (1981) was there for him in the beginning and will still be there at the end of the day (just like a zombie if you don't shoot them in the head).


(For Christ's sake shoot it in the head!)

When I hear people say that they don't like zombie movies, I think they just haven't seen a good zombie movie. Now, I generally like zombie films, but I am not so blind that I think all of them are fantastic. Indeed, I know a good many of them are absolute garbage. It's all just a matter of taste. I'm not a huge fan of the John Russo-lead Living Dead series... but I still realize that they have their place in zombie-lore. Personally, I find the George A. Romero-made (just plain) Dead series way more compelling. And it would appear that the box office would agree with me, I might add.

So what makes a good zombie movie and what makes a bad zombie movie? Ultimately, much like any other good movie from any other genre, I think it comes down to getting the audience member engaged in the story to such a degree that they end up relating to the characters and situations involved no matter how far fetched they might appear from the outside. I have never been to a concentration camp but I was deeply moved by Schindler's List (1993). I was not onboard the Titanic (1997) but I was incredibly compelled when I was watching it sink. WALL-E (2008) doesn't even exist anywhere but within our imaginations, but I still wept like a kid with a skinned knee in that film.

Like I said, a good zombie movie that stands the test of time will usually manage to do a number of things that are quite difficult when you put them down on paper, I discover. One - they will manage to generate fear out of the idea that slow-moving, easy to kill and/or outrun (by classic zombie movie "rules") ghouls are coming to eat everyone and anyone en masse. Two - the story will centre around some inevitably-flawed-in-some-way characters, some of whom you know will eventually die but cannot help but hope for against all odds. Three - the zombies themselves will be subtly used as catalysts to illustrate a bigger problem that exists within the humans themselves. The unthinking and uncaring hoard will make us stop and think about our own actions and what we would potentially do if in the same situation as the characters.

We are afraid of zombies because within them we see a grotesque reflection of our own humanity. They are walking reminders that we ourselves will die eventually and give rise to our uncertainty of what happens after that - none of us know for sure. They are unrelenting, will not listen to reason and will stop at nothing to consume what they desire...  elements that have been paralleled with human-nature in a couple of good zombie movies of mention. In the end, the audience member gets sucked in and willingly lets themselves go into the story. If you have not seen a good zombie movie, I suggest Night of the Living Dead (1968), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Fido (2006) and 28 Days Later (2002)... although there is some debate as to whether 28 Days Later truly adheres to being a "zombie movie." I think it is. All of these movies, have heart, good character development and use zombies to tell a bigger story that applies to a wide audience while still staying personal.

And what makes a bad zombie movie? The same thing that makes a bad drama, romantic comedy to science fiction - devices in story being used only for the sake of being used, empty effects and characters, writing without development or consideration and lack of integrity within the plot to name a couple. Don't get me wrong, a bad zombie movie that knows exactly what it is and delivers to such a degree that somehow the "bad" becomes "good" is fantastic! But a zombie movie that treats the audience like they are morons in a spiteful way will be easily forgotten by casual viewers and diehard fans alike.

So in conclusion, get out there are watch a good zombie movie. Do yourself a favor! And to all of you zombie movie fans out there reading this... also do yourselves a favor an go to a museum, read a book or write a letter or something. Yeah, I know who I'm talking to... I can smell my own. 'Nuff said.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Too Long Away...

Alright, wow it's been a long time since I last posted! Again... I let it happen again... I know...

And I don't even really have an excuse for it, either. Maybe if nothing notable had taken place or maybe I was in a coma or something but no, it's been pretty damned exciting over the past couple of months, I gotta say. Actually, it's been REALLY busy and exciting! So yes, let's go with that angle - it has been SO busy and exciting that there had really been no time to even think about posting... sure... yeah... that's the ticket...

What has happened? Well, to begin with the performance of Reefer Madness: The Musical went off with jubilation and exhilaration being felt by people in attendance both on and offstage. I will jump at the opportunity to work with Joint Effort Productions anytime in the future (take notice Vancouver theatre scene) and consider it to be an honor to be involved.

I have also began and finished production on a series called World War Geek that was the expansion of a short we did last year with the Crazy 8's Film Festival called Pi Day. I don't want to give too much away, but will only tease with the information that the series involves Luchadore wrestling, LARPing (youtube that for a hilarious education if you're not already familiar), math, love, friendship and a giant paper-mache' shark. Keep your eye out for this one - it will NOT be boring, to say the least

The film festival circuit for True Hype Productions Inc's first feature Yesterday has only gotten more and more bad ass in the time between when I last posted. I had the birthday of my life on July 18th in beautiful Montreal, Quebec (my first visit!) when our film played to a near sold-out audience and a truly great response! In fact, it was such a great response that some wonderful people present who represent the Austin, Texas-based Fantastic Film Festival (very accurately named) thrilled us all by inviting our movie to play out there - resulting in another first time (not the last time) visit to a beautiful city. The culture and people in both cities can only be described as breathtaking. After the viewing in Montreal we explored the older part of the city and rounded out the day with a party almost literally on the river with the local fireworks festival in full regalia. In Austin, I watched 16 awesome movies in 4 days which included the world premiere on Zombieland with Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone and Jesse Eisenberg in attendance! We also were privileged enough to meet Mr. Sam Rockwell (a great guy and [fun fact] the actor I would choose to play me in a movie about my life) in the airport on the return trip home and I am pleased to report he is as friendly and as amiable as I could have hoped. Great guy.

Other more than mentionable films included the U.K.'s The Children which scared me more than any movie has in a long time, Van Diemen's Land from Australia which was set down-under, featured English, Irish and Scottish characters and was narrated in Gaelic and House of the Devil which felt like watching a lost classic from the 80's. All in all, the Fantastic 'Fest in Austin had such a great line-up of movies that I had complete confidence to walk up to the box office at anytime and just get a ticket for whatever was playing. I, in fact, did that very thing many times out of that 16 and was never disappointed. I also cannot leave out the wonderful volunteers who seamlessly and graciously kept the event moving with a cheerful disposition (at 8 in the morning sometimes) and did it all just so they could "see the movies." Hardcore, my friends. My hat goes off to all of you.

The theatre was also spectacular! It smelled just like a theatre should smell with popcorn, candy and greasy heaven mixed into a darkened room. Yup, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema located on South Lamar in Austin, Texas is officially my favorite movie theatre. I will be back there again next year if they will have us.

Upon returning home to North Vancouver I began the re-rehearsal of the play The Thing About Men. We originally performed this piece at the Presentation House Theatre in 2008 and were lucky enough to have it remounted with the Arts Club Theatre Company in a touring capacity around the Greater Vancouver Area. It was my first time working with the Arts Club and look forward to the possibility of doing it again in the future. It was an absolute joy, both personally and professionally to be working with such great, warm-hearted people on the stage and off the stage. It was also my first time working on a Union show and it could not have been a better one.

Well... that pretty much brings us up to speed for the moment, I suppose. Yes, these postings should now become more habitual although I hope my life remains as exciting. Take care for now, anonymous readers who may or may not be there. 'Nuff said.