ThinkGeek + Zombies = Fun

This is not the first mention of ThinkGeek on this site. I've mentioned and even reviewed their Dismember-Me Plush in a previous post here. After mentioning Entertainment Earth's latest zombie painting, I felt I should inform everyone of ThinkGeek's latest zombie wares.

I'll start with their radio-controlled zombie since this is the item featured in the previously mentioned painting. Available here for $24.99 through ThinkGeek, the transmitter is a brain. It seems pretty basic but fun none-the-less.

New on their site is a zombie geletin mold. Start planning your Halloween party now and serve up some jello zombie torso goodness. Available for $14.99 by clicking here.

Another new zombie goodie (and probably my favorite) is this baby bib. If only this was available about a year ago I would own one. Now I'm stuck giving it as a gift instead of enjoying it in my own home. Go pick one up here for only $7.99.

New Zombie Oil Painitng

What home is complete without an oil painting of a zombie? Seriously, does it get any better than a classy oil painting of a zombie? How about if it's a painting of a toy zombie? You get the best of both worlds! A painting of a toy that's a zombie.

Entertainment Earth just updated their site with this very item. A painting of the remote-controlled zombie by accoutrements in front of the Seattle Space Needle. You can grab one here for $32.99.

Zombie Attack Simulator

I snagged this info from MadMex over at October Toys: It's a program that allows you to view the effects of a zombie attack!

You set up how many humans and zombies to start out with. Some humans will hunt, others will freak out. But you sit back and watch as the survivors and zombies interact. It's interesting and there are definitely worse ways to waste time.

Sound interesting? Click here to check it out.

Francis Hates Everything

Has anyone not played Left 4 Dead yet? Didn't think so. I, for one, am entertained by the ramblings of the game's four survivors. Apparently, I'm not the only one. I Hate Vans has taken the griping of one Francis "The Hater" and added them to Twitter. "What?" you may ask.

From what I can tell, you can follow Fake Francis and he will hate whatever you hate. Does this serve a real purpose? No. Is it entertaining? Possibly. Click here to follow Francis and find out for yourself. For details, click here to go to I Hate Vans.

Colin - The Trailer

Colin, the $75 zombie film I posted about earlier, is taking Cannes by storm. I hope everyone has seen the trailer already. If not, here ya go:

S.G. Browne, An Interview With The Author Of Breathers

S.G. Browne is the author of several books but is most recognized right now (and especially to Zombies & Toys' readers) for his recent accomplishment, Breathers: A Zombie's Lament. Not only was Mr. Browne kind enough to send us an autographed copy for this month's contest, he also took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for us.

Browne started writing screenplays and short stories in the early 1990’s while working in Hollywood doing post-production work for the Disney Studios. After three years in the business, he abandoned Hollywood and fled to Santa Cruz, where he proceeded to write the bulk of his four dozen short stories and first three novels.

After more than 10 years of writing horror, Browne took a break. A little more than a year later, he was inspired to turn his 2000 word short story, “A Zombie’s Lament”, into what would eventually become his fourth novel — an 82,000 word dark comedy titled Breathers.

You can read more about Browne at SGBrowne.com and read about and order Breathers at Undead Anonymous.com.

What was the first zombie movie you saw and what about it still sticks with you?

Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead, which I saw for the first time in 1977. The stark, terrifying reality of it and the death of the hero at the end are what stick with me the most. It’s still the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. And I have the line “They’re coming to get you, Barbara” on my iTunes.

If you had to pick a single, favorite zombie film what would it be and why? I’ll even cheat and allow you to name your other favorites too. So what are they?

Night of the Living Dead, because it’s the benchmark of zombie horror and the archetype for the modern conception of zombies. Other favorites? Lucio Fulci’s Zombie, Dawn of the Dead (the remake by Zack Snyder), and Shaun of the Dead.

What zombie books are you most fond of?

To be honest, I haven’t read a lot of zombie fiction, though I have World War Z by Max Brooks and The Living Dead (a collection edited by John Joseph Adams) on my To Be Read list. Oh, and Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum was a kick in the pants.

Most readers don’t know that Breathers actually began as a short story. How much time lapsed between the completion of the short story and the beginning of Breathers as we know it?

I completed “A Zombie’s Lament” in 2001. I wrote the first scene for Breathers two years later in a hotel room in Ventura, CA, but I didn’t really start writing the novel until early 2004. So three years. Or maybe technically two. Is that a vague enough answer?

What was it about this particular story that brought you back to it?

The dark comedy. I’d written three novels that were straight supernatural horror a la Stephen King, but I’d never attempted a full-length novel in this style. And at the time, I’d never seen or read anything from the zombie’s POV. I thought that would be fun to explore.

How long did it take you to write Breathers?

Two years, though I didn’t work at it every day. I sort of binge wrote it. And I went through a divorce halfway through, which sort of puts the kibosh on having much of a sense of humor.

I have read that over 80 agents actually passed on Breathers before it was finally published. What types of rejections did you get and how did you stay motivated in the face of so much rejection?

Most of the rejections I received were positive. My favorite rejection showed up two months after I’d signed the publishing contract. I framed that one. As for staying motivated, it’s called masochism.

Breathers takes a bold and entertaining stance by giving “life” to zombies. What defining moment is behind this vision of yours to explain their consciousness through their eyes?

I don’t know if I’d call it a vision. Thomas Edison had vision. I just wanted to tell the story of an ordinary zombie and create enough sympathy for him so that when he started eating human flesh, the reader would be right there with him, cheering him on.

Any plans for more zombie novella? If so, do you intend on using the same formula that made Breathers such a success or will you visit a different angle to the zombie persona?

If I can come up with something fresh, then I’d definitely revisit the zombie mythology. But at the moment, I’ve already written my next book (also a dark comedy, this one about fate) and am working on another, as well as a screenplay with a sci-fi edge.

I’m sorry, Scott, you’ve just been bitten by a zombie. As your friend do you ask me to cap you in the brain or leave you to wander with the rest of your ilk?

I never liked the word “ilk.” It feels incomplete. Like it’s missing its soul. Like zombies. Plus I don’t eat a lot of read meat. So cap me in the brain.

You’ve mentioned looking for the humanity in zombies and question their life prior to becoming undead. What zombies in film have you particularly wondered about or drawn to and were any of them the inspiration behind Andy?

While I can’t say I consciously drew on any zombies for inspiration for Andy, the first one who comes to mind is Bub, from Romero’s Day of the Dead. I think he was probably the first heroic or sympathetic zombie.

What information are you able to share about the upcoming Breathers movie (timeline, cast, etc)? Many of us are dying to know more information (pun intended).

Timeline? Sometime between now and the zombie apocalypse. Cast? So long as Christopher Walken and Bruce Campbell want in, I’m happy. I should know more once the script is finished, hopefully sometime this summer.

Did plans for the movie begin prior to the official release of the book? It seems news of the movie hit immediately after the book was released.

Although the deal for the film rights was announced the week before the book release, the wheels had been in motion for nearly a year. I’ve learned to be patient. Sort of.

What’s your plan when the zombie apocalypse inevitably happens?

I plan on screaming a lot. And maybe filling up a bunch of water balloons with guacamole and dropping them on the zombies from the roof of my apartment. I’m not much of a survivalist.

Being a long-time zombie fan yourself, what are your thoughts regarding the increase in popularity of zombies lately?

You could make the argument that zombies are an allegory for the end of the world as we know it. That the popularity of zombies is a direct reflection of global fears regarding the economy and terrorism, much the same way aliens were popular in the 1950s during the Cold War. I don’t know if I believe that, but zombies are a great vehicle for making commentary on society. After all, they used to be us, which is ultimately why I think we find them so compelling.

Do you feel that being saturated with too many new zombie books and movies will reduce the quality or prohibit studios and publishers from moving forward with new projects?

I think as long as zombies remain popular, studios and publishers will pursue any zombie project that has something to offer. But I think eventually it’s going to get harder to sell something that doesn’t offer a fresh or original take on the mythology.

Are there any zombie toys or memorabilia that you collect? Tell us about your inner geek.

I used to have a collection of gargoyles, skulls, monster action figures, and wind up robots. But after I got divorced, I realized having them out on display might have an adverse impact on my ability to date a woman more than once. So I ended up giving most of my collection away to my nephews. But I still have some of my favorite pieces, along with movie posters from the original Frankenstein, The Mummy, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Alien, and Night of the Living Dead.

Scott, thank you so much for making yourself available. If any readers want to thank you in person, where can you be found over the coming months?

You can find me at a number of events and book signings, which I keep updated on my web site: http://www.undeadanonymous.com/breathers
Just look for the Next Scheduled Resurrection…

New Contest! Win An Autographed Copy Of Breathers!

Here it is, June's contest! The prizes just get better and better. This month's give-away will be for a copy of Breathers: A Zombie's Lament autograhed by its author, S.G. Browne.

Breathers takes place at a time when zombies are, er.... alive ... and are trying to cope with being dead. New medications, support groups, and rules are all a part of a zombie's new routine. An extremely original and enjoyable read. Here's the actual synopsis:

Meet Andy Warner, a recently deceased everyman and newly minted zombie. Resented by his parents, abandoned by his friends, and reviled by a society that no longer considers him human, Andy is having a bit of trouble adjusting to his new existence. But all that changes when he goes to an Undead Anonymous meeting and finds kindred souls in Rita, an impossibly sexy recent suicide with a taste for the formaldehyde in cosmetic products, and Jerry, a twenty-one-year-old car-crash victim with an exposed brain and a penchant for Renaissance pornography.

When the group meets a rogue zombie who teaches them the joys of human flesh, things start to get messy, and Andy embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will take him from his casket to the SPCA to a media-driven class-action lawsuit on behalf of the rights of zombies everywhere.

Darkly funny, surprisingly touching, and gory enough to satisfy even the most discerning reader, Breathers is a romantic zombie comedy (rom-zom-com, for short) that will leave you laughing, squirming, and clamoring for more.

To enter: Please send an email with your name and address to zombiesandtoys@gmail.com and please put "Breathers" in the subject. One lucky winner will receive a copy of the book that Mr. Browne was kind enough to provide and autograph. He was also kind enough to dedicate some time to answer a few questions for Zombies & Toys. Click here to read the interview. Entries must be received by Friday, June 19th.

A HUGE "Thank You" to Scott Browne for sponsoring this month's contest and for all of his time.

How Zombies Work

Found a nice article that looks into the science of zombies. Click here to head over to How Stuff Works and read about their findings. It starts with Haitian culture and the findings of Dr. Wade Davis (The Serpent and the Rainbow) and continues into modern movies and games. It's a nice read and the website resources at the end are entertaining to read as well.

Some Zombie-Themed Wallpapers

Stumbled upon a site where you can download free horror and zombie-themed wallpapers. The site is Headstone City and the wallpapers can be found here. They also sell horror inspired shirts. Click here to head to their main page.

Prototype Review Posted

A new zombie-featured game is being released next month. Prototype looks as action-packed as Devil May Cry on steroids. Head over to Kombo.com to read about their hands-on take of the game.

Dead Snow - Finally, A Trailer

Kids and snow and zombies, Oh My! Just a quick update and trailer from another film I posted about a few months back.

Dead Snow tells the tale of a group of Norwegian teenagers who go away for a snowmobiling vacation. They come across a box of cursed gold in the cabin they are staying in. Unfortunately the area they are staying in was used by the Nazis in the German occupation of Norway during World War II, and the gold belonged to them. As a result undead Nazi-Germany soldiers come back to reclaim their gold.

Interview With The Creator of Plants vs Zombies

OK... So I'll admit that I posted a lot about this game, in part, because of the contest. But you can't deny that news of this game is all over the place. For those who haven't played it, yes, it is that fun.

Anyway, Gamezebo has an interview with the creator of Plants vs Zombies, George Fan. Head over here to read up!

Plants vs Zombies Contest Results

The Plants vs Zombies contest concluded on Friday and all winners have been contacted. Thank you to PopCap Games for sponsoring and to everyone who entered. I want to share some of the zombatars I received. But, first, let's congratulate the winners:

Diane B. and her zombie, Charlie Zomb; from West Bloomfield, MI.

Christine L. and her zombie, Shirlie; from Cleveland, OH.

George G. and his zombie, Hank; from Sherman Oaks, CA.

Shawn W. and his zombie, Zook; from Janesville, WI.

Matt L. and his zombie, Ima Braineater; from Grand Rapids, MI.

Kim G. and her zombie, Bum Face; from Brewood, Staffordshire.

Kyle T. and his zombie, Milton McDiggerson; from Des Moines, IA.

Pontypool Finally En Route

Pontypool, a Canadian film being brought to us by IFC Films, will be in select US theaters on May 29th and On Demand May 27th. In preparation, the new one-sheet pictured above has been released.

I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to view this unique zombie film and will (hopefully) have a review posted sometime soon. Already approved for a sequal, the film mostly takes place within the confines of a radio station. Clips and reviews I have seen already leave me with the impression that the film is intense and well-acted. The lack of actual zombie mahem is a bit of a bummer, but if done right the suspense should make up for it.

UPDATE: Aaron over at Zed Word (another great zombie news site, by the way) posted a review of Pontypool here. Thanks for posting your comment prompting me to search for it. Sorry, also, to my readers for not mentioning Zed Word sooner.

The History of Zombies in Video Games

Just wanted to mention that cinemablend.com has an article posted chronicling zombies in video games. The article, titled Z-Day Approaches: A Look At The History Of Zombies In Games, can be found here.

Contest Updates!

The Plants vs Zombies contest concluded on Friday. All winners were emailed on Sunday. I will post the winner's names as well as some of the adopted zombie's names and zombatars that were created this week.

I would like to thank everyone who entered. Your creativity was extremely entertaining and your participation appreciated. I would also like to thank PopCap Games for their time and generosity by sponsoring.

If you did not win, I strongly suggest heading over to PopCap. Download the free trial version of Plants vs Zombies and put some serious thought into purchasing. The game is extremely addicting and fun and my son loves watching me play. Plus, there's a "zombie bowling" mini-game that he has a great time with!

A new contest will launch sometime next week. What zombie goodness is in store for June's winner you ask? How about a signed copy of S.G. Browne's latest novel, Breathers: A Zombie's Lament! I first mentioned Browne's book here in March, along with the information that Diablo Cody is set to produce the upcoming movie adaptation. Since then, Browne has been kind enough to not only sign and donate a copy, but also take the time to answer a few questions for us!

Thanks for reading and look forward for details soon. As a reminder, follow me on Twitter for exclusive updates!

Colin - The Next Zombie Movie We Hope To See

I read about this movie a little while ago but it's really starting to pick up steam now. Colin is the name of a zombie movie that is looking to be the surprise hit at Cannes.

Filmed for under $70 on a video camera, Colin is named after the filmmaker's steel worker father. The 97 minute long film took 18 months to shoot throughout London and Swansea. Writer/director, Marc Price, placed ads looking for actors and effects artists who were willing to donate their time and materials for credits in the movie.

Says Price, "It's crazy to be arrogant about it. It's a small film which is really about story and character. It's a dirty little film, but we really hope it's got a lot of heart."

What's extremely unique about Price's film is that it's shot from the point of view of the zombie. That's right, the main character is already a zombie.

With companies already bidding on distribution rights, we can hope to see this one soon.

The Road - finally, a trailer!

Alright, so you can count this one as another one of those "not necessarily zombie news" posts. BUT, this movie adapted from Cormic McCarthy's book does take place in a post-apocalyptic world and does contain people who hunt, harvest, and eat human flesh. Sound interesting?

I fell in love with this book instantly and with the movie not due until this fall, you have plenty of time to read it and find out why yourself. Quite simply, it's the story of a father and son and their journy along a road.

The Zombie Research Society

Just stumbled upon the Zombie Research Society and thought some of you may find this interesting. It is an actual organization whose mission statement is: The Zombie Research Society seeks to advance the cause of Zombie knowledge and understanding in the Arts and Sciences.

I think all of us enjoy the concept of zombies and enjoy zombies in our various forms of entertainment and media. Well, for those who take the zombie threat seriously or who are interested in the actual science behind zombies, check out the Zombie Research Society.

On a related note for those who don't think that it could happen, the news has been plenty regarding the recent zombification of the fire ant. You can read the National Geographic article here as well as view the pics of this process in action. For those who haven't been up on the news, a particular breed of fly has been introduced in the ecosystem of Texas to help control fire ants. This fly injects eggs into the fly and when the eggs hatch the larva makes its way to the brain. There, it controls the ant until the head eventually falls off and the new fly emerges.

This isn't the first time we have heard of such things happening in nature. We've seen it in snails, fish, and other insects. Who's to say this type of parasite won't evolve to find other hosts? Go prepare by reading up on the ZRS.

Plants vs Zombies - contest ends tomorrow!

The Plants vs Zombies contest brought to us by PopCap Games ends tomorrow! Good luck to everyone who has entered already.

Five lucky winners will receive a free copy of the game Plants vs Zombies. There will also be two winners of a "goodie bag" full of fun, PopCap Games merchandise. The goodie bags will contain:

2 buttons - 1 zombie & 1 of a plant
2 seed packs – 1 energy-boosting sunflower & 1 zombie-zapping peashooter
1 can of Brain Ooze – fun-dead energy drink
1 copy of Bejeweled Twist
1 copy of Peggle or Wizard’s Pen (one pack will have Peggle, the other Wizards Pen)

Entering is easy, email me at zombiesandtoys@gmail.com with "PVZ" in the subject. Include in the email your name, address, and what name you would give an adopted zombie pet. If you're a FaceBook user, you can visit the game's page and actually adopt and name a zombie for your page! Want an extra entry? Click here to head over to the PopCap Games site and create a zombie avatar (zombatar) and email me a copy.

For your viewing pleasure, here's another one of the many, many zombatars my four-year-old created:

Winners will be announced and contacted next week. Good luck!

New SWAG Available

Just a quick update directing your attention to the SWAG link on the right. Or click here if you're lazy like me. In addition to the stickers, buttons, and keychains; I just received a limited number of keychain pocketwatches. If interested, price is $6 shipped anywhere in the US.


Thanks to those who have purchased some items already. Here's a pic of the new keychains (they are silver; the pic makes them look gold-ish):

I Sell The Dead - IFC Films Brings Us More Zombies

Our friends over at YouBentMyWookie dropped me a line with some zombie news. IFC Films, who are bringing us Pontypool, have another zombie-laden film headed our way. I Sell The Dead stars Ron Perlman, Larry Fessenden, and Dominic Monaghan.

I Sell The Dead tells the tale of Arthur Blake, an 18th Century British graverobber. In prison, convicted for his crimes, he awaits the final judgement of the guillotine. A priest (Perlman) comes to talk to him about his life's sins. As Blake confesses, he brings us back to when he was taught all about his vocation by his partner Willie Grimes (Fessenden).

Why am I mentioning this movie here? Because they live in a world populated by ghouls, vampires and, you guessed it, zombies. With some added comedy twists, this one sounds like another winner.

Army of Darkness, Evil Ash - mini bust review

Sorry it's been awhile since my last review. However, the recent lack of new news to report has permitted me the time to post a new one. While not your typical zombie, it's hard to argue that Evil Ash from Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness doesn't qualify. I mean, he's dead and moving around right?

Released by Diamond Select Toys, this bust was released in 2003 to commemorate AOD's 10th anniversary. Sculpted by Gabriel Marquez, Evil Ash was limited to 1,993 pieces. Why 1,993 pieces? Take a guess when the movie was released (hint: it's the same year as there are Evil Ash busts).

Overall, he's a nice piece to add to your collection. The sculpting is great with amazing detail on his rotting face. Paint applications are spot-on with no running from one area to the next. The pose is dynamic without being distracting and allows you the opportunity to view some of the details in his wardrobe.

Speaking of... the folds and tears on the shirt and cape look good and are accentuated by the shading and weathering effects of the paint application. They also did a nice job capturing that particular and familiar looking shade of blue for his shirt. Weathering is also adequate on Ash's armor giving it an authentic medieval feel.

My favorite details, however, are on the hands and face. It's easy to botch these areas but here they are gruesomely accurate with textures and tones. Another common and appreciated tactic employed here is the use of a gloss paint to enhance the torn-flesh areas and eyes.

With this much detail and Army's fan base, I'm surprised this piece isn't more popular. It can still be found for its original retail price of $50 and if you have the room on your bookshelf, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Contest Reminder

Just wanted to remind everyone that there is still one week left to enter this month's contest. Final day to enter is next Friday, May 15th. Selected winners will receive a copy of PopCap Games' latest addiction, Plants vs Zombies.

Reviews have been outstanding. This game has been my latest addiction. Aside from the main game, there are several mini-games I previously unlocked and recently discovered. Head over PopCap Games to play the trial game. While you're there, create a "zombatar" and email it to me at zombiesandtoys@gmail.com for two chances to win a free copy of the game!

For full details, click here or on the picture to your right.

I'm also excited to announce that other contests this summer should be just as fun! Thanks to those who have sponsored, I'll be giving away some toys, books, collectibles, and decorations. There is also more planned events including several reviews, some exclusive interviews, and information regarding some new films.

Sideshow Collectibles Priority Pre-Order of The Butcher

Just a heads-up that non-attendees of the San Diego Comic Con are able to pre-order Sideshow Collectibles' The Butcher today at 10am PST by clicking here. The Butcher is the latest zombie creation in Sideshow's The Dead line. Sorry I'm a little late with the notice.

Mama - Guillermo del Toro To Frighten Us Again!

Sorry to do it again.... There's no zombie news to report on but I have to share this:

One of my favorite writer/directors, Guillermo del Toro, is getting involved in what looks to be a tremendously terrifying movie! Looking beyond his visions in Hellboy, I'm more fond of Pan's Labyrinth and the lesser-known Devil's Backbone. And let's not forget that he helped to bring us another personal favorite, The Orphanage. With his unique visions and ability to add amazing ambiance to film, a full-length of Mama has me extremely excited.

Apparently, del Toro is mentoring the Argentianian brother and sister duo who created this short film which he saw at the Sitges film festival. So watch, enjoy, and let the minutes feel like days as we wait for the full-length.

Don't Forget About Mother's Day!

With Mother's Day approaching, I wanted to remind you all to send some greetings to good 'ol Mum. IfYouWereAZombie.com has a section of e-cards which are not only a great way to lighten someone's day with a bit of humor but also express some sentiment. They have added a new card for Mother's Day so take advantage.

To send a card to mommy and check out the other free e-cards available to send, click here.

Eminem To Fight Zombies In New Game

Eminem + new album + iPhone + zombies = portable, zombie-attacking video game.

Yup. Eminem is releasing an iPhone game to accompany the release of his new album, Relapse. The game is said to be based on the rapper's music video, 3 A.M.

Left 4 Dead Cookies

Just a small report to let you know that Snack or Die has a recipe for Left 4 Dead Survivor Cookies!

Plants vs Zombies Review

IGN has a review of Plants vs Zombies posted here. So now you don't have to take just my word that the game is a blast! With an overall rating of a "9" and brain loving zombies what's not to enjoy? And if you need more proof...

I4U News

GamePro (4 1/2 Stars out of 5)

Destructoid (a flawless score of 10)

GameZebo (4 1/2 Stars out of 5)

Shamless plug time... don't forget to enter the Plants vs Zombies contest to win a free copy of the game! Click the image to the right.

New Zombie Video Games This Week

For those of you on PopCap Games' mailing list for Plants vs Zombies, you should have received an email today allowing you to play the trial game. Personally, I love it! Easy to learn, fun, and addictive. Plus, watching the various zombies march towards the goal is a riot!

Plants vs Zombies is available for purchase tomorrow for $19.95. And don't forget that the contest to win one of 5 free copies is still open for entries. The final day to enter is next Friday, May 15th. Click here for info.

Also available this week is Zombie Wranglers, a downloadable game available through Xbox Live. You can view my earlier report on this title here.

An Interview With Max Brooks

The Chicago Tribune has posted a brief interview with Max Brooks. Click here to read the full interview (all three questions of it). The one tidbit I got most excited about was the introduction. In the introduction paragraphs, Christopher Borrelli, makes reference to the World War Z movie adaptation being released next summer. Not an official statement, but still a small reason for some excitement:

A graphic novel adaptation of "Survival Guide" is coming this fall; a
movie of "World War Z," produced by Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster ( "Quantum of Solace"), is expected next year.

Not A Zombie Post

It's rare when I don't post zombie news here but if you're reading this blog chances are we share more common interests other than zombies. That being said...

Go rent the movie Martyrs. It's another movie brought to us by the French and if you like some of the other French films I've mentioned here it's a must! To me, it's a blend of Frontiere(s), High Tension, and Sunshine. The synopsis makes the movie sound pretty basic. But the movie is intense, brutal, and deep. The synopsis is so basic, in fact, it would be like describing Saving Private Ryan as "a movie about a man taking a scenic view through Europe" or Dawn of the Dead as "a movie about some people hanging out a mall to avoid some sick people". Seeing Martyrs just makes me that much more excited to see The Horde!

What else? I found this cool picture over at geekologie and felt the need to share:

Zombies vs Vampires

Alright, you will see this theme brought up again later this summer... Zombies vs Vampires. So many angles to take with this one. Who would win the apocalypse? Who's the beez-neez? Which group is scarier? Start thinking about it because, again, a future contest here will depend on your thoughts on this great debate.

In the meantime, Time recently posted on their website how zombies are the new vampire. It cannot be disputed that zombie popularity continues to rise, but I never thought I'd see zombies mentioned in Time. Regardless, head over here to read the article Zombies Are the New Vampires and help prepare yourself for the upcoming debate.

Carriers - Upcoming Movie From Paramount

Due for release in September, Paramount is bringing us what looks to be a good post-apocolyptic movie. The only place to view the trailer is here. It hasn't been said to officially be a zombie-type movie, but there are a few hints if you watch closely. Even if not, the plot and trailer have me excited! Here's the synopsis:

A deadly virus has spread across the globe. Contagion is everywhere, no one is safe and no one can be trusted. Four young attractive people race through the back roads of the American West to the pounding beat of a vacation soundtrack. Their aim is to retreat to secluded utopian beach in the Gulf of Mexico, where they could peacefully wait out the pandemic and survive the apocalyptic disease.

“Carriers,” follow their getaway through a surreal and dangerous world where laws and rules no longer apply. Their plans take a grim turn when their car breaks down on an isolated road starting a chain of events that will seal the fate of each of them in an inexorable and horrifying voyage of hell through a western landscape populated by only the hideous dead or the twisted living. Their desperate retreat south turns into a deadly battle against infected children, homicidal doctors, crazed survivalists, rabid dogs, and, finally each other. The virus is the least of their problems as horrible choices must be made in the face of lost humanity