I saw this film only because I'm working on a script that had a similar theme:  people surviving after the 'zombie holocaust' happened.  I can only say this:  it sucked!  George A Romero should retire from film.  His latest 'masterpiece' looked like it was written and shot by a film school graduate as a very long demo reel.

The story is about a small band of army reservists who, along with a kid, make their way to Plum Island, a small island of the coast of Delaware.  Supposedly, there are no zombies here but, surprise, there are.

The island is run by two feuding families that we'll call the Hatfields and the McCoys, as I can't remember their real names.  The reservists take sides with the Hatfield patriarch who feel that all zombies should be killed.  The McCoy patriarch feels that the zombies can be domesticated and trained to eat something else.


SPOILER SPACE

A lot of stupid and pointless shit happens and practically everyone dies without any resolution.

END OF SPOILER SPACE


The story could easily be condensed into a forty-five minute short.  The family feud was explained four or five times when once was enough.  On a good day, the characters are two-dimensional and cliche.  The dialog was only good enough to get the point across.

Romero should retire. The king of zombies has become a hack filmmaker.  Every second or third zombie kill ended up being a creative kill, or a stupid sight gag.  None of them gets Woody Harrelson's Zombie Kill Of The Week prize.

If you want to see a better zombie film (and there are plenty of them out there), rent Zombieland, Shawn of the Dead, or even the original Night of the Living Dead.


Phil

I want to see this just because I think George Romero is a great guy when it comes to directing, despite what Diary of the Dead had become and parts of Land of the Dead. His classics were great, and I just wish he still made it that way where it focused on just small groups of people and really gave you that "end of the world" feeling. I think I might see it soon, just for fun. I'm not expecting a masterpiece, but just something to have fun with with friends or something, and just because it's George Romero and it has zombies. At least it's not a "Day of the Dead 2: Contagium."


Sean

He's definitely lost his edge. Land of the Dead had its moments but Diary was just plain bad.

Won't be watching Survival. Lost interest in his work, unfortunately.

I don't know. For me, Romero always got a pass because he never steered me wrong. However, it's true, Survival was fucking embarassing. And, that was really disappointing because as I watched it, I enjoyed the opening scene, despite the visuals and all. I'll give him a pass for only being on a $2 million budget but the story (which is usually what his movies rely on) was awful.

If you're a fan of Romero's stuff, check it out but lower your expectations before you do. If you're not a fan, skip it all together.

I saw Diary  a couple of weeks ago and just could not believe how bad it actually was.  The edge Romero once had is long gone.  Amid all his attempts at social commentary, I think George forgot...the movie is supposed to be scary.  

Reading the reviews for Survival, looks like things went from bad to worse.  Maybe if its on at 2 am on SyFy I'll give it a look.  Couldn't be much worse than SS Doomtrooper.  Could it?

I think Romero got a pass his whole career... bad films that don't hold any value.

The only reason he came back was the popularity of zombie flicks and he should crawl back into his hole and be just another bad filmmaker.

I wanted to see The Crazies but after seeing the recent remake I don't care anymore.

And as far as I'm concerned the only reason to watch his films is through a commentary because my personal feelings about his so called career aside he does a half decent commentary track about the films.

The original Crazies was awful.  It went on forever and there was nothing good about it.

Perhaps Romero did get a pass for his carer.  He essentially started the zombie genre and a lot of people copied him because there was no other reference.  The fact that zombie films are relatively cheap to produce probably hurt it.


Phil

I don't think he got a pass. The first three Dead films were brilliant. Sure, the commentary was kinda overblown but they were still fun, clever and creative. The characters were interesting, likable and had genuine personality. Even the commentary wasn't all that hard to swallow because it wasn't nearly as topical as it is nowadays. Creepshow was also fun even though it was probably more of a lark.

The same cannot be said for Romero's recent films. Much more topical and overblown in their messages, the characters are dull and overly serious... even the zombies seem to be ripping off other movies. Land had its moments but wasn't great. Diary was criminally bad. I really felt cheated leaving the theater. Survival is supposed to be a continuation of Diary's universe. As it happens, the two films aren't even part of the original series. Romero has officially said that Land was the last of the original Dead films. That said, I have no interest in continuing to follow his work.

Oh and the Crazies sucked too.

Overall, I'd say the guy's just way hit and miss. I wouldn't discredit him for genuinely contributing something to the genre and films in general.

Lol. It's odd. I mean, I understand the logic behind it but everyone hates Diary. I feel almost all by my lonesome on this. Does anyone else out there NOT hate Diary?

Diary sucked, plain and simple.  The fact that the SOB with the camera refused to put the camera down when his girlfriend was being chased irritated the living shit out me.  I would've beaten him to death for that.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Diary sucked, plain and simple.  The fact that the SOB with the camera refused to put the camera down when his girlfriend was being chased irritated the living shit out me.  I would've beaten him to death for that. Phil

Didn't matter in the end. =)

Besides, people never change. It's just certain situations bring out who a person really is. Apparently, he didn't give a fuck about her.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Besides, people never change. It's just certain situations bring out who a person really is.

Hey, I love masturbating.  But when a zombie is chasing me, I'm dropping my dick and start running.



Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Hey, I love masturbating.  But when a zombie is chasing me, I'm dropping my dick and running.

It's obviously not really important to you, then. If it were, you'd find a safe place and start it all over again.

I'll echo Phil's sentiments about the main character and go further to say that every character was terrible. I hated all of them, wanted all of them to die and was pissed off every moment I had to spend with them, much of which was them going on YouTube and Myspace.

So here's my question? What's not to hate about Diary? It wasn't one of those films where the ideas were good but the execution was bad. All the ideas were bad and executed exactly the way Romero wanted. I'm not speculating either. One of the reasons he was so excited about Diary was the amount of control he had over it. So what about Diary was actually good?

Quoted from James McClung I'll echo Phil's sentiments about the main character and go further to say that every character was terrible. I hated all of them, wanted all of them to die and was pissed off every moment I had to spend with them, much of which was them going on YouTube and Myspace. So here's my question? What's not to hate about Diary? It wasn't one of those films where the ideas were good but the execution was bad. All the ideas were bad and executed exactly the way Romero wanted. I'm not speculating either. One of the reasons he was so excited about Diary was the amount of control he had over it. So what about Diary was actually good?

I didn't say it was good. I said I liked it.

If you're not saying it's any good (which it isn't), what did you like about it?

I thought it was piss poor.  The acting was atrocious.  The sets, non existent.  The dialogue, pathetic.  The actions and reactions of the characters...a fucking joke...like literally, a fucking joke.

Maybe the whole thing was a fucking joke?

This new Survival thing looks terrible.  Sad...

Quoted from Dreamscale If you're not saying it's any good (which it isn't), what did you like about it? I thought it was piss poor.  The acting was atrocious.  The sets, non existent.  The dialogue, pathetic.  The actions and reactions of the characters...a fucking joke...like literally, a fucking joke. Maybe the whole thing was a fucking joke? This new Survival thing looks terrible.  Sad...

I don't know what it was about it. It's like one of those indescribable things. And, technically, it was a joke. Like all satires and social commentaries.

But, Survival was terrible. We can agree on that, at least.

But, why do you keep mentioning zombies? You don't like the zombie genre. You said so. Stop hating on the zombies. What did they ever do to you?

I used to love zombie flicks, and still do to some degree.  I just feel that they've been done to death and most of them are so cheap and poorly done.

I'm still waiting to see Zombieland.  I'm a bit worried cause I don't like comedy in my horror, but have heard so many good things about it.  We'll see.  It's moving up my que and should be here within a week or so.

Quoted from Dreamscale I'm still waiting to see Zombieland.  I'm a bit worried cause I don't like comedy in my horror, but have heard so many good things about it.  We'll see.  It's moving up my que and should be here within a week or so.

That's kind of interesting. I remember seeing the trailer for Shaun of the Dead and wasn't interested. Then, people kept telling me how great it is. So, I see it and barely make it through, thought it was horrible. But, each time I watch it, I like it better. I pick up on all the subtle things that were thrown in there.

It goes the exact same way with Zombieland. Trailer didn't interest, everyone said it was good, I watched it and hated it. Thought it tried too hard to be cute. I haven't seen it again since, so I'm not sure if it has the Shaun of the Dead quality.

Be interesting to see what you think when you finally get to it.

Very interesting...I thought the trailer for Zombieland looked great, but for some reason, I never got around to seeing it.  Now that I have Netflix, I'm catching up on literally everything I missed over the years.

I thought the trailer for Shaun of the Dead looked terrible.  After all the positive word of mouth, I broke down and watched it.  Also, barely got through it.  Literally HATED it!  No way would I ever sit through it again.  Not my kind of humor at all.

Maybe I better move up Zombieland in my que...currently Orphan is up next...

Zombieland was a very good movie, as a comedy as well as a zombie film. I give it two gangrenous thumbs up.


Phil

Quoted from Dreamscale currently Orphan is up next...

That movie was slightly better than it had the right to be. It may help to ask if you've seen The Good Son, but I won't spoil anything. =)

Yes, I have seen The Good Son, and I already know all about Orphan, inclduing the ludicrous "twist".  I thought the trailers for Orphan were pretty weak, and was very surprised how well it actually did at the B O.

Quoted from Dreamscale Yes, I have seen The Good Son, and I already know all about Orphan, inclduing the ludicrous "twist".  I thought the trailers for Orphan were pretty weak, and was very surprised how well it actually did at the B O.

Ok, then, just making sure. But, yeah, despite the twist, it's better than it should've been. Not by much, but you know... =)

Quoted from dogglebe Hey, I love masturbating.

Now, THAT'S what you should put on a coffee cup.

better on than in.


Phil

Finally saw this and have to agree that it is piss poor terrible!  Shockingly bad, actually.

One of those movies that you can just tell immediately it's poorly done.  Story was awful.  Characters were terrible.  Zombie interaction and kills were also cut rate and poorly done.

It actually pisses me off how bad this was.  A guy like Romero shouldn't be making garbage like this.  IMO, it's so simple to do a decent zombie flick.  The premise and setup were so poor.

What a disappointment!  Pure shit!!

The problem, here, is that Romero could produce a 120 minute film of a person being chased down an empty highway by a horde of zombies, with nothing else happening but a lot of running.

SPOILER SPACE

That person would die in the end and become a zombie.

END SPOILER

and people will flock to see it.


Phil

I agree with the general consensus that this film is pretty damn poor.
I saw it months ago, but two things stick out in my mind:

1) I was sorely disappointed they did nothing with the twin sister thing.
    I thought we were going to get some interesting pathos there, no such luck.
    It was a great idea with some potential for good drama, oh well.

2) I can't stand CG overt CG blood kills in gore movies.
    I'm so tired of the lazy kill shot, pulls me right out of the film.
    I had the same problem with Machete, at least they did a bit better job there though.

Does Romero need a paycheck this bad? Sigh.

E.D.

Quoted from dogglebe The problem, here, is that Romero could produce a 120 minute film of a person being chased down an empty highway by a horde of zombies, with nothing else happening but a lot of running.

Beat him to the punch.
Write it first.

If I ever get around to that zombie feature, it will be a lot better than a stupid chase scene.


Phil

Yeah, I heard Cameron said something along those lines about that stupid ship sinking.  

Quoted from Dreamscale It actually pisses me off how bad this was.  A guy like Romero shouldn't be making garbage like this.  IMO, it's so simple to do a decent zombie flick.  The premise and setup were so poor. What a disappointment!  Pure shit!!

Like his entire career.

This is as bad as the super indy films being made by nobodies and for a name like Romero that is sad. I said somewhere else, he needs to make a good film before he dies or his comeback will have ruined his legacy.

Uwe Boll is a better filmmaker as it stands today.

Quoted from Dreamscale The premise and setup were so poor.

I thought the set and premise were actually good.  A remote island that, supposed, escaped the zombie infection, only to deal with a family feud.  Unfortunately it all went to shit about halfway through when Romero said, "Unleash the zombies!"

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Uwe Boll is a better filmmaker as it stands today.

Oh snap!


Phil

One of the worst Zombie movies I've ever seen... And I've seen them all.  Well, not all -- But I've seen 90% of them I'm thinking.

This, much like Land and Diary are huge disservice to his 3 main zombie films.  And that's what's sad.  When you put it into perspective like that, Romero has really only made 3 good films in his life.

Dawn
Day
Creepshow

Those are really, in all honesty, the only 3 films of his I really loved and learned from.  Night of the Living dead isn't that good.  Savini's remake was leaps and bounds better.  

Romero was a right time, right place and, at the time, no market saturation example of the Hollywood story.

Say what you will about Night of the Living Dead, but it was ground breaking...shocking...appalling.  It did an awful lot for film making in general - graphic violence, a black lead actor, and a downright shocking ending that goes against everything most film makers hold sacred.

Savini's remake was very good, IMO.  I've always been surprised how poorly it was received.