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

(1-45 of 45 posts) | Reply

Young Turk writes:
on Feb 15 2008 05:45 PM

I really want to see this.

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Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 15 2008 06:21 PM

Romero is king.

(Reply to this)

jdale writes:
on Feb 15 2008 08:42 PM

I really lost faith in this series after Land. But I'm interested.

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Ruckas356 writes:
on Feb 15 2008 08:50 PM

Georg A is the F#CKIN MAN

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Product_of_You writes:
on Feb 15 2008 09:01 PM

Thats weird; I thought Land was his best film. Maybe Dawn was just a bit better, but they're on equal footing more likely. I thought Day of the Dead was terrible, and Night wasn't very good.

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reavus4983 writes:
on Feb 16 2008 07:22 AM

Night is my favorite, followed by Land. Dawn to me got too goofy with all the things making fun of consumerism. Night is so original and has so many creepy moments in it (especially the graveyard scene), and since Diary is his first independent since Night I really hope they compare again in their zombie-creepiness factor. Too bad it's a limited release.

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jarek writes:
on Feb 16 2008 07:32 AM

Diary is a great flick.

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ocmurer writes:
on Feb 16 2008 10:04 AM

Night of the Living Dead was goofy, because, duh, it's from the sixties. But it was still a very good movie. Dawn of the Dead was even better, but again, a little goofy. Day of the Dead was just incredibly stupid. And I forgot to see Land of the Dead. But I like the premise for Diary of the Dead (being a film student myself) and I want it to freaking open in a theater near me.

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punktuate writes:
on Feb 16 2008 02:32 PM

If it says Romero on it....it will be seen by me all of his movies kick *** no matter if it's actually about consumerism or whatever they are badass visually and just done so intelligently; Romero kicks more *** than a 12 year old a.d.d. kid at the Grand Canyon

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knowingtoast85 writes:
on Feb 16 2008 09:02 PM

Oh God I feel so bad saying this.

But Diary is the worst piece of **** I have seen in a long time, and that's coming from a huge fan of Night and Dawn. The movie could have been about 30% better without the incredibly pandering, didactic narration. As far as the nature of the narrative goes, I swear "Cloverfield" handled it far better, even with all its flaws. The camera movement in "Diary" won't make anyone sick though, just the script. I didn't want it to be this way any more than anyone else, but man what a ****burger.

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Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 16 2008 09:42 PM

Diary of the Dead is great. Don't listen to the stupid people.

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knowingtoast85 writes:
on Feb 16 2008 10:23 PM

I insist you make your own decision, sure. But I know I won't be alone in this once it opens wider.

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BigEarn writes:
on Feb 17 2008 06:13 AM

In reply to this comment (#1577715)
Bruce Campbell F'in Rules! Romero should try doing a nice romantic comedy.

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theunrulyone writes:
on Feb 17 2008 04:07 PM

In reply to this comment (#1580461)
I understand it had its issues, but I really think Diary is a better movie than Cloverfield. On all levels. One, the acting is better than in Clvoerfield, as were the characters. In Cloverfield I could have cared less about any of them, except maybe Marlena cause she seemed cool (and she was a hottie), but in Diary, I found myself interested in the fates of at least two of the characters. Romero has never been subtle in his commentary, but that's okay. Zombies are not exactly subtle things, after all. The only real issue I had with Diary was the repetition of scenes. I thought the attack at the beginning was cool, but I did not need to see it three or four more times.
Still, I really liked this flick and would rank it better than Day and Land.
Oh, and for those of you who are curious: YES there is a tone of blood and gore in this flick, but not quites as much as Day, but then, what movie can match Day for straight up goriness?

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sliknik27 writes:
on Feb 17 2008 08:41 PM

I'm excited for Diary, but Romero did little to woo me with Land.

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darrinsgoodman writes:
on Feb 17 2008 09:26 PM

as a huge romero fan i have to be like everyone else here and rank them in the order that i like them so here goes: dawn, land, day, & night. i haven't seen "diary" yet but cannot wait till it expands. speaking of - how much is this movie expanding to anyone know? and how soon?

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walkingdead09 writes:
on Feb 18 2008 07:28 AM

I've never seen any of his movies, is it best to start with the first and work my way through it or what? I'm not a big horror guy, let me know.

JD

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reavus4983 writes:
on Feb 18 2008 10:57 AM

In reply to this comment (#1580522)
If you're truly the Evil Dead Bruce Campbell, then I just bought one of your books today.

On the subject of this movie, I'm hopefully going into NYC to see it this week, regardless of the bad reviews. Zombie movies are zombie movies, and so they are always in some way good.

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meatcake writes:
on Feb 18 2008 11:45 AM

Either way, good or bad I plan on seeing it. I am such a fan of George's work, even the non-zombie stuff like "Martin" that I am bound to at least like it. While "Land" was not up to snuff, it was better than "Day" and "Diary" is bound to be leaps and bounds better than the 07 remake of "Day of the Dead" with Nick Cannon which was an utter travesty!

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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 �lan 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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mattdaddy36 writes:
on Mar 10 2008 06:11 AM

There is a ton of direct to video trash out there. I'm sure Diary is better than 90% of that crap. However, to those that hated Day Of The Dead and Land Of The Dead, they were what his vision for the series called for. He wanted to use the zombies for more than a plot device. He was looking to use them as an allegory on the human condition. While I was disappointed in both movies (although when I saw this movie in the theaters, I loved it - there was no gore movies like it at the time), I like aspects about both. There was some fun gore effects, some interesting ideas, and some great zombie effects. In Day, the claustrophobic feeling and impending sense of doom were really what made the lasting impression. I can't say Land Of The Dead gave me a lasting impression, but the belly button ring gag was inspired! In Day Of The Dead, some of the actors and the music made it hard to get into. Land Of The Dead humanized the zombies too much and the slightly "Mad-Max-ish" world they lived in may have put some people off. To the guy who watched it on fast forward. Watch the damn movie. Make a real decision then. Since you already hated it, you will probably hate it again. But to say you watched it on fast forward and make any sort of opinion is just lazy. As for the remakes...the remake of Dawn by Zack Snyder isn't really a remake. The only similarity is the mall and the basic story. As a zombie movie, it is by far the best I have seen. The sense of true world chaos and doom is really palpable in this one. The makeup and effects are excellent. The acting is really good (say what you will about Sarah Polley, but she really brought some excellent acting chops to the film. Jake Weber is a great hero, and Ving Rhames is a great badass. This movie, after I got out of the theater, made me check my back seat before I drove home. I was very unsettled by it and I am a horror movie VETERAN. I really did not want to like the movie, as the original Dawn Of The Dead was my favorite movie of all time. It blew me away. I have not heard about a Day remake, and Nick Cannon sounds scary.

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mattdaddy36 writes:
on Mar 10 2008 06:13 AM

There is a ton of direct to video trash out there. I'm sure Diary is better than 90% of that crap. However, to those that hated Day Of The Dead and Land Of The Dead, they were what his vision for the series called for. He wanted to use the zombies for more than a plot device. He was looking to use them as an allegory on the human condition. While I was disappointed in both movies (although when I saw this movie in the theaters, I loved it - there was no gore movies like it at the time), I like aspects about both. There was some fun gore effects, some interesting ideas, and some great zombie effects. In Day, the claustrophobic feeling and impending sense of doom were really what made the lasting impression. I can't say Land Of The Dead gave me a lasting impression, but the belly button ring gag was inspired! In Day Of The Dead, some of the actors and the music made it hard to get into. Land Of The Dead humanized the zombies too much and the slightly "Mad-Max-ish" world they lived in may have put some people off. To the guy who watched it on fast forward. Watch the damn movie. Make a real decision then. Since you already hated it, you will probably hate it again. But to say you watched it on fast forward and make any sort of opinion is just lazy. As for the remakes...the remake of Dawn by Zack Snyder isn't really a remake. The only similarity is the mall and the basic story. As a zombie movie, it is by far the best I have seen. The sense of true world chaos and doom is really palpable in this one. The makeup and effects are excellent. The acting is really good (say what you will about Sarah Polley, but she really brought some excellent acting chops to the film). Jake Weber is a great hero, and Ving Rhames is a great badass. This movie, after I got out of the theater, made me check my back seat before I drove home. I was very unsettled by it and I am a horror movie VETERAN. I really did not want to like the movie, as the original Dawn Of The Dead was my favorite movie of all time. It blew me away. I have not heard about a Day remake, and Nick Cannon sounds scary.

(Reply to this)

jrdamwijk writes:
on May 14 2008 12:35 PM

Land of the Dead, while good, was no where near as good as Day of the Dead or Dawn of the Dead. Anyone who thinks Day of the Dead was bad, I would like to hear some reasons as to why. All I hear from the naysayers is that the film was "Stupid", I'd like to know in what way. That film remains my favorite of the series, and the most rewatchable by far. It may not be the "Best", but its my fave, and its in no way "stupid", it was Romero's idea to go in that direction with the zombies, that they still held close part of what made them human in the first place, and it honestly makes since. It was in a way that way in Dawn of the Dead, as the zombies all came back to the mall, they had some sort of good memory, and unfortunately they all flocked to a place of consumerism, which is one of the main points of his series. So Day of the Dead was just a further extension of what was put forth in Dawn of the Dead, that they weren't completely stupid, that they had some semblance of brainpower going on in their heads. And, let us remember, they are walking dead, and none of us are talking about that being rediculous. So now they think animalistically and instinctually and have memories and now that is somehow "stupid"? Come on, people.

(Reply to this)

Gmince1 writes:
on Jun 17 2008 03:34 PM

Whewww! I had to go through signing up for an account just to say that George Romeros "NEW" movies are all freakin horrible! Absolutely ridiculous! I just rented Diary of the Dead today because even though I know it's gonna suck I just want to see how bad. Plus my girls cousin works at blockbuster so he gives me movies. (Trust me I wouldn't pay for this, I'll pay enough just by devoting an hour and a half of my life to watch it.) But all I'm saying is zombies used to be "slow" and "creepy". They used to "moan" and wear old suits that they were buried in. Now a days all the zombies are running around??? Now all the zombies are making screeching noises and don't tell me they're getting smarter??? My god, I can't tell if they're coming back from the dead or they're just infected like 28 days later! (Which was excellent, 28 weeks later sucked!) All I'm sayin is Georgie Boy says he doesn't wanna go too far and all this but he's pretty much gone overboard man. He needs to stop lol really though, just stop. Nick Cannon?? Wow. Let Rob Zombie do some zombie **** Romero's washed up. Just retire for Christs sake, your **** isn't even making theaters anymore. Alright how do I cancel this account!!

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Gmince1 writes:
on Jun 17 2008 06:38 PM

Well I just got done watching "Diary of the Dead" and I feel like doing to myself what "Mary" did to herself in the field in the beginning. Coming from a so called "Legendary" director of horror movies this was an absolute disgrace and as far as I'm concerned this movie belongs on FearNet for free, if anything at all. Was he unsure where he wanted the ending to go so he just sort of had the girl say "Don't Mess with Texas" and take the RV so they were stuck at the house???? Whatever. Sloppy.

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