ROTTEN TOMATOES: George A. Romero on Diary of the Dead: The RT Interview Comments

George A. Romero on Diary of the Dead: The RT Interview

by Fred Topel | February 15, 2008

Summary

With sequel talk already on the horizon, RT chats up horror legend George A. Romero about zombie movies and the latest addition to his Living Dead series. Back to Article

(21-40 of 45 posts) | Reply

FlailingArm writes:
on Feb 18 2008 12:22 PM

FYI, HollywoodChicago.com in its 4.5 out of 5.0 review of "Diary of the Dead" makes the interesting point:

"This is serious stuff that's done with serious élan from a young cast. There is sensational exhibition in Romero's filming technique, and in pushing the zombie envelope, the director makes a poignant statement on our selfish, fear-based society."

The full review is here:
http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/reviews/1307/horror-master-george-a-romero-reveals-veteran-zombie-lock-in-diary-of-the-dead

(Reply to this)

Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 18 2008 12:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#1583777)
It's kind of a ''restart'' so no.

But I couldn't suggest Night, Dawn, Day and Land more.

(Reply to this)

Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 18 2008 12:59 PM

In reply to this comment (#1583971)
Thanks for putting bread on my table. You rule.

(Reply to this)

erupt2001 writes:
on Feb 18 2008 02:35 PM

Here we go, Dawn of the dead part 3. The same recycled zombie movies as all the other ones. Yet everybody laps it up like it's movie gold. I have failed to see a difference between dawn of the dead and land of the dead and will probably fail to see the difference between the third one and first two as well.

(Reply to this)

Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 18 2008 02:54 PM

In reply to this comment (#1584547)
Well that's because you're an idiot.

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erupt2001 writes:
on Feb 18 2008 08:34 PM

In reply to this comment (#1584564)
Haha, instead of calling someone an idiot, why not try to give evidence as to why my opinion is wrong? So sorry if I offended the George Romero fanboys, but it's funny because I have yet to hear a convincing explanation from anyone that his movies aren't the same with slight variations here and there (i.e. - the titles). Calling someone an idiot instead of telling that person why you disagree with them makes you sound like an idiot.

(Reply to this)

Young Turk writes:
on Feb 19 2008 12:30 AM

Someone needs to get Zach Snyder to do another Zombie flick. The remake of Dawn was awesome. I am not saying it was better than the original Dawn because it wasn't even the same film, I just think Snyder's style fit very well with that movie. Running zombies = f*ucked!

(Reply to this)

Young Turk writes:
on Feb 19 2008 12:49 AM

In reply to this comment (#1585843)
Well for starters the first is really nothing like the second, third and fourth because IT'S IN BLACK AND WHITE. Sorry I had to state that obvious change given your apparent knack for spotting details. Second, it was the first in a series of movies that follows the same overall plot so it's only natural that there will be similarities (i.e zombies in all 4 movies and not a brief change to aliens for the 2nd or 4th one). The first film was incredibly dark and macabre; it did not have the upbeat hysterics of the 2nd film or the campy futuristic city of scavengers side-plot. It was a microcosm for the plot as a whole, people cannot get along and work together even in the face of a horrible disaster, we are our own worst enemies. The first movie set up the tone for all the sequels to follow. The second film we see the world is slowly descending into chaos and madness as the zombie affliction is no longer a spreading disaster but it has turned into an all out war (hence the crazy opening scene with swat tearing through a building of rebels zombies). The film is also critique of materialism and the highly materialistic society of the time. Even the zombies wanted to be at the mall, there is that famous line which answers the question of why: "Some kind of instinct. Memory, of what they used to do. This was an important place in their lives." This is a pretty big departure from the 1st 3rd and 4th films which do not attempt to make the same sweeping assertion about people. The 3rd film takes place almost entirely underground after the Earth has been overrun with zombies; this film re-visits one of the running themes that mankind is most dangerous to itself. There are 3 factions living together (albeit not in peace) for a small time until their minor conflicts finally erupt and tear them apart (literally!). The 4th film (in my opinion the weakest) is all about themes of racism and segregation with the zombies slowly regaining some of their human aspects (empathy and simple motor skills?). Now all of that aside I understand you think just because there are zombies and violence in all 3 films that they are suddenly the same movie. You should re-watch the films and pay close attention, because if you actually focus on the film as a whole and not just the action you'll notice that they are not all the same movie.

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PornAgainChristian writes:
on Feb 19 2008 10:34 AM

"Dawn to me got too goofy with all the things making fun of consumerism. "

Dawn of the Dead never made fun of or had any comments about 'consumerism'. That's just what tiresome people say to try to justify liking a zombie movie. It's a zombie movie. End of story.

That said it was 100x better than the horrible remake with "I'm going to lecture you on everything even though I'm a millionaire actress" Sarah Polley and a frickin' zombie baby.

(Reply to this)

Raziel66 writes:
on Feb 19 2008 12:42 PM

He sounds like kind of an a** in my opinion. Thanks for the spoilers in the damn article though. Great to know that the main character dies and in the end it's set up for a sequel. What the hell??

Anyway, Day of the Dead (both versions, even though he didn't make the new one) were the worst. As long as he can do better it should be entertaining.

(Reply to this)

cypress550 writes:
on Feb 19 2008 01:32 PM

ive been waiting a long time for this to come out. i plan to see it as soon as possible.

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Punishingwombat writes:
on Feb 19 2008 02:10 PM

pretty much every review, including CHUD, has said this movie is heavy-handed, unfunny, garbage, but I'm still willing to try it. his "dead" movies get worse each time, Night is the best, Land is the worst, in my humble opinion

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Sarge77 writes:
on Feb 19 2008 06:32 PM

Another Cloverfield seasick flick by a left-wing nut.

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AntonChigurh writes:
on Feb 20 2008 02:24 AM

Hes a hack.

(Reply to this)

Young Turk writes:
on Feb 20 2008 08:08 AM

In reply to this comment (#1587245)
PornAgain you're right, it's not like Romero specifically talks about those themes in interviews on the DVD or anything. All these years it's been a ruse so people can justify some sort of zombie fetish. But hey, who cares what Romero says I mean he only created the movie and pioneered the entire genre into an endless number of sequels, spin offs and end even a video games series.

(Reply to this)

reavus4983 writes:
on Feb 20 2008 08:20 AM

In reply to this comment (#1587245)
Yes, it's clearly a big conspiracy by zombie fans. How could I defeat such logic? You've convinced me.

(Reply to this)

killfists writes:
on Feb 20 2008 11:05 AM

You guys really need to watch Zombie Diaries.
It's a low budget film, but it is actually a really great movie.
It came out before plans of this movie were made and it has the same point as this movie.
Check it out for real.

(Reply to this)

Bonowski writes:
on Feb 20 2008 04:38 PM

I wasn't blown away by Land of the Dead...I definitely enjoyed it. It was fun, scary, funny, etc...but it wasn't new. I feel Diary of the Dead has a new, original twist to Romero's series. I also dig the low budget/indie aspect. Hopefully I'll be able to see it this weekend.

(Reply to this)

dangerousbob writes:
on Feb 21 2008 12:45 PM

Land of the Dead blew BIG TIME ***. It was sooo bad. I watched it on fast forward. And this coming from a hardcore Zombie film lover.

Romeros old and out of ideas. He just milking his own series. Night, Dawn, and Day were masterpieces. I mean this would be like if Peter Jackson decided to make Lord of the Rings 4: Sharons New Ring.

Zombie movies have evolved. IE 28 Days/Weeks Later, I AM LEGEND etc
The shuffling slow mindless zombies are outdated and overdone.

I will still see Diary and keep an open mind.
But I feel Romeros glory days have long past...

(Reply to this)

dangerousbob writes:
on Feb 21 2008 12:48 PM

In reply to this comment (#1588671)
Thats about 2/3 of Hollywood right there.

(Reply to this)

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