RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / American Zombie
American Zombie

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

American Zombie (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
72 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:18

Fresh:13

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6.5/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins

Genre: Theatrical Release, Los Angeles, California

Theatrical Release:Mar 28, 2008 Limited

Synopsis: Filmmakers Grace Lee (The Grace Lee Project) and John Solomon (Nonsense Man) team up to shoot a documentary about high-functioning zombies living in Los Angeles and their struggles to gain... Filmmakers Grace Lee (The Grace Lee Project) and John Solomon (Nonsense Man) team up to shoot a documentary about high-functioning zombies living in Los Angeles and their struggles to gain acceptance in human society. Despite their wildly different working styles, the two manage to chronicle the hopes and dreams of four fascinating subjects: IVAN, a convenience-store clerk who longs for a career in publishing; LISA, a florist trying to recover her lost memories; JUDY, a hopeless romantic who learns to accept her true nature; and JOEL, a committed political activist striving for zombie rights. As Grace strives to get to know the zombies “on their own terms,” John is eager to uncover their darker side and rallies to get the crew permission to shoot at a three-day, zombies-only retreat called Live Dead. What transpires there is beyond anything the filmmakers could imagine, as they are forced to reevaluate their ideas about tolerance, identity politics, and the future of the human race. Although unquestionably a dark comedy, AMERICAN ZOMBIE, unravels and expands into the realm of personal documentary and horror, providing a fresh take on the zombie movie genre. The film blurs the line between fiction and reality, incorporating verité and found footage and borrowing elements from the filmmakers’ and subjects’ own backgrounds to create a personal horror film about life in 21st century America. [More]

Starring: Austin Basis, Suzy Nakamura, Al Vicente, Jane Edith Wilson

Starring: Austin Basis, Suzy Nakamura, Al Vicente, Jane Edith Wilson, John Solomon

Director: Grace Lee

Director: Grace Lee
Screenwriter: Grace Lee, Rebecca Sonnenshine
Producer: In-Ah Lee
Composer: Woody Pak
Studio: iHQ

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 8

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Jul 8, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Despite their wildly different working styles, Grace and John manage to chronicle the hopes and dreams of four fascinating subjects: IVAN, a convenience-store clerk who longs for a career in publishing; LISA, a florist trying to recover her lost memories; JUDY, a hopeless romantic who learns to accept her true nature; and JOEL (pronounced "Ho-El"), a committed political activist striving for zombie rights. As Grace strives to get to know the zombies "on their own terms," John is eager to uncover their darker side and rallies to get the crew permission to shoot at a three-day, zombies-only retreat called Live Dead where the documentary takes an unexpected - and dangerous - turn. What transpires there is beyond anything the filmmakers could imagine, as they are forced to re-evaluate their ideas about tolerance, identity politics and the future of the human race.
  • Source: Cinema Libre Studio
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for American Zombie

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 18 (sorted by rotten rating)
    Text View
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    If Lee intended primarily to spoof documentary conventions, she should have chosen a theme less commercially overexposed -- and worked harder at making it more than just sorta-kinda humorous.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/23/07
    Dennis Harvey
    Dennis Harvey
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The film satirizes well-intentioned socially conscious documentaries, examining how zombies have been integrated into the general population. It has a rewarding last half hour if the viewer can wait it out.

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    03/14/08
    Mark R. Leeper
    Mark R. Leeper
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    It is essentially a one-joke premise and while it might have played beautifully as a 30-minute short subject, there just isn't enough to it to sustain itself as a 90-minute feature.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    03/27/08
    Peter Sobczynski
    Peter Sobczynski
    eFilmCritic.com

    The best zombie movies shock us into a realization about ourselves and the world in which we live, but how much can zombies teach us when their world so closely resembles 1995?

    Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
    03/27/08
    Sam Sweet
    Sam Sweet
    L.A. Weekly

    Performances vary widely in quality. Some of the "experts" who expound on zombie culture are portrayed by such amateurish actors that the film threatens to collapse.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
    03/24/08
    Stephen Farber
    Stephen Farber
    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Lee wants to make an up-with-dead-people portrait that shines light on how the diverse zombie community integrates into the city.

    Full Review Source: I.E. Weekly | comment Comment
    03/31/08
    Amy Nicholson
    Amy Nicholson
    I.E. Weekly

    The mere fact that [director Grace] Lee can make both a media satire and, in the end, a creepy horror flick, while at least alluding to bigger social issues, suggests the breadth of her wit and intelligence.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    01/24/07
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Salon.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    If you're looking for zombie horror, this is not the film for you (not enough gut-ripping and arm-chewing), but if you're looking for zombie fun, check it out.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
    05/29/07
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    TheMovieChicks.com

    American Zombie is hands-down the best film I've seen so far this year.

    Full Review Source: MovieWeb | comment Comment
    04/02/08
    Devin Faraci
    Devin Faraci
    MovieWeb

    Proves that there's still lots of humor and insight to be found in the walking dead.

    Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
    04/02/08
    Devin Faraci
    Devin Faraci
    CHUD

    [Director] Lee covers all bases and when we least expect it, she also manages to sneak in a creepy zombie flick...

    Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
    07/08/08
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Cinema Crazed

    Doesn't add much to the contemporary zombie genre or even the horror comedy genre but does provide light entertainment, especially if you like jokes about filmmaking.

    Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
    04/04/07
    Jette Kernion
    Jette Kernion
    Cinematical

    A clever kind of documentary hybrid.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Jonathan W. Hickman
    Jonathan W. Hickman
    Entertainment Insiders

    A cleverly-comedic, high-concept adventure, artfully-executed, and thought-provoking, too!

    Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
    03/25/08
    Kam Williams
    Kam Williams
    NewsBlaze

    Besides managing to be a statement on racism, a parody of a documentary, and an enjoyable character conflict between two egotistical directors, it's also a straight up zombie comedy!

    Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
    03/29/08
    Karina Montgomery
    Karina Montgomery
    Cinerina

    American Zombie works on several levels of satire.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    03/27/08
    Rob Gonsalves
    Rob Gonsalves
    eFilmCritic.com

    Lee's film proves that it's a genre as viable as ever, endlessly flexible and perpetually illuminating.

    Full Review Source: Projection Booth | comment Comment
    03/27/08
    Rob Humanick
    Rob Humanick
    Projection Booth

    Quippy send up of identity politics documentaries offers some occasionally biting moments.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    03/28/08
    Sara Schieron
    Sara Schieron
    Boxoffice Magazine
     
     
    1 - 18 (sorted by rotten rating)
    Text View
    all

    Latest News for American Zombie

    March 26, 2008: Grace Lee mockumentary with mission to humanize zombies. Opens in new window
    More...

    March 09, 2008: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
    More...

    January 25, 2007: Slamdance: Interview with "American Zombie"'s Grace Lee
    Director Grace Lee's first film, "The Grace Lee Project," was an exploration of identity that asked the question, "What's in a name?" In her latest, "American Zombie," she looks... More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    77% 77% The Hangover
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    24% 24% G-Force
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    90% 90% District 9
    86% 86% 500 Days of Summer
    63% 63% Extract
    06% 06% All About Steve
    78% 78% It Might Get Loud

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Best of the Decade

    Best of the Decade

    Find out what movies made our list!

    Iron Man 2

    Iron Man 2

    Watch the brand new trailer now!

    Clash of the Titans

    Clash of the Titans

    Prepare to Clash with Titans in this trailer!

    Total Recall

    Total Recall

    RT looks back on Jude Law's best movies!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    69
    • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
    24
    • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
    14
    • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
    16
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
    19
    • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
    32
    • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
    28
    • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
    9
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Soars to #1 Spot
    261
    • RT's Best of the Decade!
    154
    • Brittany Murphy: 1977-2009
    115
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    69
    • Total Recall: Jude Law's Best Movies
    56
    • Critics Consensus: Sherlock Holmes Is Worth Investigating
    33
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: District 9 and (500) Days of Summer
    32
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    23
    • Friday Harvest: Sherlock Holmes, Toy Story 3, and more!
    10
    • What We're Watching on Blu-ray from Disney!
    9
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    69
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    21
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    24
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    16
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • American Zombie at Rotten Tomatoes

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Dozen of the Decade
    Best Dozen of the Decade External Link

    Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

    Top 50 of 2009
    Top 50 of 2009 External Link

    Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

    Santa's Naughty List
    Santa's Naughty List External Link

    Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo
    About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
    IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
    By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
    IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.