LAND OF THE DEAD Comes In At #5 At The Box Office $10,233,000..
- Thread starter Justin
- Start date
Damn, this one will divide Horror fans for years to come...
Is it good? Yes. Is it really good? To me, yes. Masterpiece? No.
After suffering through eight hours of work on Friday I finally got to see it. I felt the first half lagged here and there. After the opening credits the viewer is dumped right into the thick of it. The middle on of the film maintains a high level of entertainment on through to the conclusion. Also there are little yet potentially interesting plot strings left undone. Like Cholo's secretive "garbage" duty. That's basically it with any quibbles I had with the film. Well, and it could have been longer and have its ideas a bit more fleshed out.
The film is a hybrid of sorts. It strattles the line between current major studio Horror action while maintaining elements of the old-school. It doesn't confuse overly slick, stylized shots with entertainment. Romero keeps things grounded but a majority of quality, no-bones direction. It was so pleasing to see a current major Horror film not striving to show-off in such a hollow fashion.
There are dollups of political and social allegory spread throughout. Hell, one could even go as far as saying almost everything is a reflection of America today to some extent. To be perfectly honest, I've never been much for Romero's messages in his Dead series. That's not to say I can't see or am not interested in the craft it took to weave such aspects in but I'm more entertained by the lighter stuff. Really the main reason I only watch Day of the Dead once in a blue moon. It's as serious as jackhammer with slim moments of levity. Land is simply a fun movie and certainly has a familiarity in relation to the three prior films. Still, if you do want to find underpinned commentary, it is there. Terrorism crossing the ocean, snap decisions made by those in power, those in power believing they are entitled by right not privilege, America's notion of power ultimately revolving around money regardless of any situation, spinter branches attacking the central symbol of power, having barriers designed to protect ultimately entrap us, and class division.
The acting is overall uniformly solid. It seems the cast put some real effort and enjoyment in delivering the degree of seriousness the material needed. Simon Baker is a rather stock-and-trade hero but plays the part well. John Leguizamo is the real standout of the film. Asia Argento is given a rather one-dimensional character but still works it. Dennis Hopper, despite some saying his acting is "flat", brings a stately mannerism to the part. Also he has some real delicious lines. I couldn't laughing when, fumbling with a phone in his would-be escape car, he frustatingly grunts "WHAT the F`!". I know it sounds slight but it was so perfect.
Now on to my favorite character, Robert Joy as Charlie. He portrays the loyal, mildly retarded, and physically deformed protector of Riley with a distinct charm and humility. He saved the parts that lingered abit in the first half. He's not as involved as the film progresses, which is ashame. Even the supporting actors are well done. Pedro Miguel Arce as Pillsbury is the standout, with his imposing entrance it's immediately apparant he'll be one to watch. I loved his "cars stolen" exchange.
Greg Nicotero knocked the effects completely out of park. Every zombie looked great. There aren't many that are "ultra decayed" but what's on hand is definitely the classic, staggering zombos of yore. The CG use is lite and even though you can discern between it and the practical effects, it doesn't hamper the affair too much. The blood and gore is definitely more abundant than recent mainstream Horror efforts. The gags are great too (Nictero's own zombie gag is awesome!) Pffft!
I've certainly heard much opinion about zombie evolution, mostly negative. To me, Eugene Clark sold Big Daddy for the most part. The emotion displayed in his eyes is undeniable. His howling do get a tad hammy but I like it when his screams acted as a calling to his fellow zombies. His moments of empathy towards other zombies aren't that huge of a deal and were handled well.
Also much has been made over Riley's final "They're just looking for a place to go." line. I will say it sounds a lot more "stupid" on paper than in actual practice. He adds to the end "like us" and I think that cushions much of the impact of the rest of the sentence. Riley is fed up with what society became within Pittsburgh with the slums juxtaposed with Fiddler's Green. He knew the zombies were somehow evolving and since there's basically billions of them, humans are now the minority and must find there own way. Humans are no longer the top dog and the undead can simply cannot be stopped. It would be definite suicide to think otherwise. They must find there own place along with the undead, somehow (if even possible) co-exist.
Overall the film isn't perfect but I'd personally place it a notch above Day of the Dead in terms of "repeatable" entertainment but certainly nowhere near the heights of Night... or Dawn... It's so amazing to see what a 65-year-old Romero accomplished with this budget and tight shooting regime. After I exited the theater my cheeks were blush and I felt drunk over the film. That hasn't happened in a long time. I'm seeing it tomorrow to iron my opinion out abit more with a few friends. I strongly believe the film will grow on me with repeat viewings.
After my second viewing yesterday the film was much better. Each line is vital to the film. It's a film you must pay attention to to fully appreciate.
Is it good? Yes. Is it really good? To me, yes. Masterpiece? No.
After suffering through eight hours of work on Friday I finally got to see it. I felt the first half lagged here and there. After the opening credits the viewer is dumped right into the thick of it. The middle on of the film maintains a high level of entertainment on through to the conclusion. Also there are little yet potentially interesting plot strings left undone. Like Cholo's secretive "garbage" duty. That's basically it with any quibbles I had with the film. Well, and it could have been longer and have its ideas a bit more fleshed out.
The film is a hybrid of sorts. It strattles the line between current major studio Horror action while maintaining elements of the old-school. It doesn't confuse overly slick, stylized shots with entertainment. Romero keeps things grounded but a majority of quality, no-bones direction. It was so pleasing to see a current major Horror film not striving to show-off in such a hollow fashion.
There are dollups of political and social allegory spread throughout. Hell, one could even go as far as saying almost everything is a reflection of America today to some extent. To be perfectly honest, I've never been much for Romero's messages in his Dead series. That's not to say I can't see or am not interested in the craft it took to weave such aspects in but I'm more entertained by the lighter stuff. Really the main reason I only watch Day of the Dead once in a blue moon. It's as serious as jackhammer with slim moments of levity. Land is simply a fun movie and certainly has a familiarity in relation to the three prior films. Still, if you do want to find underpinned commentary, it is there. Terrorism crossing the ocean, snap decisions made by those in power, those in power believing they are entitled by right not privilege, America's notion of power ultimately revolving around money regardless of any situation, spinter branches attacking the central symbol of power, having barriers designed to protect ultimately entrap us, and class division.
The acting is overall uniformly solid. It seems the cast put some real effort and enjoyment in delivering the degree of seriousness the material needed. Simon Baker is a rather stock-and-trade hero but plays the part well. John Leguizamo is the real standout of the film. Asia Argento is given a rather one-dimensional character but still works it. Dennis Hopper, despite some saying his acting is "flat", brings a stately mannerism to the part. Also he has some real delicious lines. I couldn't laughing when, fumbling with a phone in his would-be escape car, he frustatingly grunts "WHAT the F`!". I know it sounds slight but it was so perfect.
Now on to my favorite character, Robert Joy as Charlie. He portrays the loyal, mildly retarded, and physically deformed protector of Riley with a distinct charm and humility. He saved the parts that lingered abit in the first half. He's not as involved as the film progresses, which is ashame. Even the supporting actors are well done. Pedro Miguel Arce as Pillsbury is the standout, with his imposing entrance it's immediately apparant he'll be one to watch. I loved his "cars stolen" exchange.
Greg Nicotero knocked the effects completely out of park. Every zombie looked great. There aren't many that are "ultra decayed" but what's on hand is definitely the classic, staggering zombos of yore. The CG use is lite and even though you can discern between it and the practical effects, it doesn't hamper the affair too much. The blood and gore is definitely more abundant than recent mainstream Horror efforts. The gags are great too (Nictero's own zombie gag is awesome!) Pffft!
I've certainly heard much opinion about zombie evolution, mostly negative. To me, Eugene Clark sold Big Daddy for the most part. The emotion displayed in his eyes is undeniable. His howling do get a tad hammy but I like it when his screams acted as a calling to his fellow zombies. His moments of empathy towards other zombies aren't that huge of a deal and were handled well.
Also much has been made over Riley's final "They're just looking for a place to go." line. I will say it sounds a lot more "stupid" on paper than in actual practice. He adds to the end "like us" and I think that cushions much of the impact of the rest of the sentence. Riley is fed up with what society became within Pittsburgh with the slums juxtaposed with Fiddler's Green. He knew the zombies were somehow evolving and since there's basically billions of them, humans are now the minority and must find there own way. Humans are no longer the top dog and the undead can simply cannot be stopped. It would be definite suicide to think otherwise. They must find there own place along with the undead, somehow (if even possible) co-exist.
Overall the film isn't perfect but I'd personally place it a notch above Day of the Dead in terms of "repeatable" entertainment but certainly nowhere near the heights of Night... or Dawn... It's so amazing to see what a 65-year-old Romero accomplished with this budget and tight shooting regime. After I exited the theater my cheeks were blush and I felt drunk over the film. That hasn't happened in a long time. I'm seeing it tomorrow to iron my opinion out abit more with a few friends. I strongly believe the film will grow on me with repeat viewings.
After my second viewing yesterday the film was much better. Each line is vital to the film. It's a film you must pay attention to to fully appreciate.
___________________________________
My thoughts on the conclusion (after reading some posts about it here and elsewhere):
Riley saved the citizens who were living in the slums. Earlier he told Cholo that if he hit the tower, he'd kill a lot of innocent people. If he hit the city, he'd kill friends. The slum citizens knew how to deal with the zombies but most of the rich ran into something that was presumably funded by them to protect but ultimately lead to their demise. Sorta like the barriers you build around ultimately condemn. Big Daddy and his army were focused on taking out the beckon of power that is FG. I was reading a review a couple days back that noted that FG seemed like a big middle finger pointing out in all directions, thought that was an interesting way to see it. Riley and company thought they were too late for those living in the slum surrounds. The residents of FG weren't his primary concern. After the reluctant fall of the electric fencing you see the slum surviors walking out (I like how you almost think it's more zombies for a second). Mulligan speaks with Riley and alludes to him making a good leader, Riley brushes off the remark with Mulligan saying "We'll see." So I'm presuming the surviors are going in the same direction as the Dead Reckoning with the fireworks perhaps signalling the right direction. Riley will lead the way to the promise land.
I still think the "Looking for their own place..." comment works because looking at the situation, Pittsburgh was a powderkeg waiting to explode sooner or later. Either by what occurred in the film or by the poor revolting against Fiddler's Green. It was rotten, so humanity really needs to start from the ground up again, if possible. As Logan stated in Day, the undead have the remaining living in a hopeless situation, do you really think you can "blow the piss" out of them? All of them? Sure, Riley and his team could have gone gung-ho on the zombies that were right there, but after their ammo was gone, eminent death would have been followed. There are millions or possibly billions of them. At this stage in the game, humanity cannot win, either die or just keep moving. Finding our place, somewhere. It was better just to get moving North, the city was a lost cause that folded like a deck of cards. It wasn't just a lost cause because the undead invaded, as I said before it was rotten to begin with from what humanity became within it's borders.
Humanity on both sides of the coin had something that could have worked but screwed it up, so once again the dead have their day. Just like the farmhouse, the mall, and the underground installation. Just like in Dawn and Day, the living must move on. Both literally and in letting go of what we had long ago.
Riley did show empathy with the undead at the conclusion. After all, they were (and still are to a lingering extent) us. The main cusp of the film is that Big Daddy is angered into action by the living encroaching onto the undead's territory. It's not just that, they're wantoningly massarcing his fellow dead while doing it. A point even echoed by Mike while riding with Cholo who says something along the lines of "I thought this was a mission, but now it's a massacre." as the Dead Reckoning blasts the hell outta dozens of zombies even though it's not needed. Perhaps if the living didn't step on the dead to this extent they wouldn't have struck back. There is evidence in this film (and the slum survivors are leaving the city at the conclusion) but more so in the entire series. The real turning point in siding with the dead more than the living is in Day of the Dead. The humans are in a fury and some are dancing of the frayed ends of sanity. The dead are just there, still desiring to feed but they're food supply is draining. Bub is becoming more and more aware.
In Land, The zombie "species" is drastically changing, not just to the extent they now use tools. Maybe they're even beginning to feel just enough to realize their days are numbered. Not at the hands of the humans, but merely by time. There's an imbalance between the numbers of the dead and living species. Perhaps the dead are realizing this too. They want to fed upon humans in order to continue their existence, but what does a zombie become after there are no humans left? If you think about that through the eyes of Romero's current "undead condition" it's quite chilling. Big Daddy may be aware he's doomed to shamble, never being able to feed his innate need. I think this could be why he didn't "eat" in the film. What happens if/when the rest of the zombie population becomes this aware?
This film showed the zombies asserting their place as the new top dog by using much the same force the living brought upon them, but still they could be carrying a much more heavy burden upon their rotting shoulders.
The more I dig my way into it, the more I like it. I'm seeing it again very soon.
My thoughts on the conclusion (after reading some posts about it here and elsewhere):
Riley saved the citizens who were living in the slums. Earlier he told Cholo that if he hit the tower, he'd kill a lot of innocent people. If he hit the city, he'd kill friends. The slum citizens knew how to deal with the zombies but most of the rich ran into something that was presumably funded by them to protect but ultimately lead to their demise. Sorta like the barriers you build around ultimately condemn. Big Daddy and his army were focused on taking out the beckon of power that is FG. I was reading a review a couple days back that noted that FG seemed like a big middle finger pointing out in all directions, thought that was an interesting way to see it. Riley and company thought they were too late for those living in the slum surrounds. The residents of FG weren't his primary concern. After the reluctant fall of the electric fencing you see the slum surviors walking out (I like how you almost think it's more zombies for a second). Mulligan speaks with Riley and alludes to him making a good leader, Riley brushes off the remark with Mulligan saying "We'll see." So I'm presuming the surviors are going in the same direction as the Dead Reckoning with the fireworks perhaps signalling the right direction. Riley will lead the way to the promise land.
I still think the "Looking for their own place..." comment works because looking at the situation, Pittsburgh was a powderkeg waiting to explode sooner or later. Either by what occurred in the film or by the poor revolting against Fiddler's Green. It was rotten, so humanity really needs to start from the ground up again, if possible. As Logan stated in Day, the undead have the remaining living in a hopeless situation, do you really think you can "blow the piss" out of them? All of them? Sure, Riley and his team could have gone gung-ho on the zombies that were right there, but after their ammo was gone, eminent death would have been followed. There are millions or possibly billions of them. At this stage in the game, humanity cannot win, either die or just keep moving. Finding our place, somewhere. It was better just to get moving North, the city was a lost cause that folded like a deck of cards. It wasn't just a lost cause because the undead invaded, as I said before it was rotten to begin with from what humanity became within it's borders.
Humanity on both sides of the coin had something that could have worked but screwed it up, so once again the dead have their day. Just like the farmhouse, the mall, and the underground installation. Just like in Dawn and Day, the living must move on. Both literally and in letting go of what we had long ago.
Riley did show empathy with the undead at the conclusion. After all, they were (and still are to a lingering extent) us. The main cusp of the film is that Big Daddy is angered into action by the living encroaching onto the undead's territory. It's not just that, they're wantoningly massarcing his fellow dead while doing it. A point even echoed by Mike while riding with Cholo who says something along the lines of "I thought this was a mission, but now it's a massacre." as the Dead Reckoning blasts the hell outta dozens of zombies even though it's not needed. Perhaps if the living didn't step on the dead to this extent they wouldn't have struck back. There is evidence in this film (and the slum survivors are leaving the city at the conclusion) but more so in the entire series. The real turning point in siding with the dead more than the living is in Day of the Dead. The humans are in a fury and some are dancing of the frayed ends of sanity. The dead are just there, still desiring to feed but they're food supply is draining. Bub is becoming more and more aware.
In Land, The zombie "species" is drastically changing, not just to the extent they now use tools. Maybe they're even beginning to feel just enough to realize their days are numbered. Not at the hands of the humans, but merely by time. There's an imbalance between the numbers of the dead and living species. Perhaps the dead are realizing this too. They want to fed upon humans in order to continue their existence, but what does a zombie become after there are no humans left? If you think about that through the eyes of Romero's current "undead condition" it's quite chilling. Big Daddy may be aware he's doomed to shamble, never being able to feed his innate need. I think this could be why he didn't "eat" in the film. What happens if/when the rest of the zombie population becomes this aware?
This film showed the zombies asserting their place as the new top dog by using much the same force the living brought upon them, but still they could be carrying a much more heavy burden upon their rotting shoulders.
The more I dig my way into it, the more I like it. I'm seeing it again very soon.
I AM A HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGE ZOMBIE MOVIE FAN
I SAW THE FIRST SHOWING OF LAND OF THE DEAD
I WAS FUCKIN PISSED
how could ANY human being not walk away pissed??? The dude WONT KILL ZOMBIES AT THE END because "THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO????"
give me a fuckin break. Dennis Hopper screaming "You have no right" to the zombies???? ARE YOU FUCKIN KIDDIN ME??? George Romero owes me 9 dollars and should be SHOT IN THE FUCKIN FACE
I SAW THE FIRST SHOWING OF LAND OF THE DEAD
I WAS FUCKIN PISSED
how could ANY human being not walk away pissed??? The dude WONT KILL ZOMBIES AT THE END because "THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO????"
give me a fuckin break. Dennis Hopper screaming "You have no right" to the zombies???? ARE YOU FUCKIN KIDDIN ME??? George Romero owes me 9 dollars and should be SHOT IN THE FUCKIN FACE
9 bucks G, damn i payed 6.....
another thing that pissed me off was, the city was protected by some weak ass electric fence thats ment to keep cows out get real, + no one had any type of weapons when the zombies rushed em... whata joke. G remero is the man but he got screwed on this deal..... zombies are mainstream now watch out for the new gap commericals lol
that train/ whatever the fuck it was, was strapped with 2-4 50 cal. and they wernt smart enough to make them 50's rotate 2 kill zomibs a foot in front of them , give me A 50MILL budget fora zombie flick and ill make kids shit their pants on their parents up in the movies.
g remero was too hardcore for resident evil, but too weak to complete the dead series
another thing that pissed me off was, the city was protected by some weak ass electric fence thats ment to keep cows out get real, + no one had any type of weapons when the zombies rushed em... whata joke. G remero is the man but he got screwed on this deal..... zombies are mainstream now watch out for the new gap commericals lol
that train/ whatever the fuck it was, was strapped with 2-4 50 cal. and they wernt smart enough to make them 50's rotate 2 kill zomibs a foot in front of them , give me A 50MILL budget fora zombie flick and ill make kids shit their pants on their parents up in the movies.
g remero was too hardcore for resident evil, but too weak to complete the dead series
Oh thank you Footballstar, thats EXACTLY the response I was looking for.
My "little brain" is a virtual wealth of vast knowledge and would just love to go tit-for-tat with your obviously superior mind. If you are actually going to try to find sense out of this movie, then you were probably sucked into Scientology and believe that Xenu is going to save the martian soul that was attached to your human body many eons ago LOL. BTW Footballstar, I was IN THE THEATRE watching Nightmare on Elm Street the year you were born, I just realized I'm even bothering to argue with someone born in 1984 haha. Don't get me figured wrong here buddy, this is an arguement you are going to lose with all that small brain talk, hoss.
Dawn of the Dead ( both versions ) are classics. Both give the viewer what HORROR movies are supposed to give them - HORROR. They end how ALL horror movies should end ( but rarely do ) - WITH A HORRIBLE DEATH FOR THE "GOOD" CHARACTERS. I don't know about you but I want to see the evil forces win when I see a horror movie. If I want a sappy nice little ending, I'll rent a Rob Riener romantic comedy. If I want to seriously deconstruct a movie, it sure as hell won't be a ZOMBIE movie.
My "little brain" is a virtual wealth of vast knowledge and would just love to go tit-for-tat with your obviously superior mind. If you are actually going to try to find sense out of this movie, then you were probably sucked into Scientology and believe that Xenu is going to save the martian soul that was attached to your human body many eons ago LOL. BTW Footballstar, I was IN THE THEATRE watching Nightmare on Elm Street the year you were born, I just realized I'm even bothering to argue with someone born in 1984 haha. Don't get me figured wrong here buddy, this is an arguement you are going to lose with all that small brain talk, hoss.
Dawn of the Dead ( both versions ) are classics. Both give the viewer what HORROR movies are supposed to give them - HORROR. They end how ALL horror movies should end ( but rarely do ) - WITH A HORRIBLE DEATH FOR THE "GOOD" CHARACTERS. I don't know about you but I want to see the evil forces win when I see a horror movie. If I want a sappy nice little ending, I'll rent a Rob Riener romantic comedy. If I want to seriously deconstruct a movie, it sure as hell won't be a ZOMBIE movie.
That was one hell of a movie from the Grandaddy of modern day horror. And the creator of the zombie horror genre.
It blows away all these half assed zombie flicks as of late.
It's up there in the same league as the other Living Dead movies.
Personally, this is either the best of the bunch or pretty damn close.
I love the political satire and metaphors through out the movie.
George Romero is a lot like George Lucas in the sense that he knows how to reflect the world through his movies. And he does it real well.
So please youngans, enough with the bitching about the ending.
Let me explain it to you:
Fiddler's Green = America
Zombies = the rest of the world.....
It blows away all these half assed zombie flicks as of late.
It's up there in the same league as the other Living Dead movies.
Personally, this is either the best of the bunch or pretty damn close.
I love the political satire and metaphors through out the movie.
George Romero is a lot like George Lucas in the sense that he knows how to reflect the world through his movies. And he does it real well.
So please youngans, enough with the bitching about the ending.
Let me explain it to you:
Fiddler's Green = America
Zombies = the rest of the world.....
