Alice Jacobs Is Dead Screening

Do you live near Jersey City, NJ? If so, make plans on attending Saturday Nightmares on March 20th. There will be a screening of Alice Jacobs is Dead as-well-as some exciting guests. Alice Jacobs is Dead is a great and unique zombie short film that I had the pleasure of reviewing in an early post. Seriously, it's great and if you have the opportunity to see it you must. Not only will you have the opportunity but star, Adrienne Barbeau, will be there to introduce the film!

Other guests include none other than the Godfather of modern zombie cinema, George Romero. George will be accompanied by some of the cast from his original trilogy of zombie films including Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Tom Savini and more!

Chemical 12-D

So my list of excellent zombie short films is quickly going to become longer than my list of excellent full feature zombie films. My first taste was I Love Sarah Jane. My second was Alice Jacobs is Dead. These films, 15 and 20 minutes respectively, were both absolutely amazing. Now, I have also had the pleasure of watching Chemical 12-D.

Chemical 12-D is short. We're talking about 8 minutes short. But this also means that each second is vital. There is no down time, the film is deep, and it is shocking. First of all, everything about this film is top-notch. The effects, sound, picture quality, and acting are all first-rate. Watching this made me that much more disappointed in Romero when thinking back to when I watched Diary.

Water Cooler Productions brings us this film written and directed by Mac Eldridge. Chemical 12-D is making the rounds at various film festivals and is starting to build quite a reputation amongst critics online. If you're in an area (like mine) that doesn't exactly get an abundance, if any, film festivals hope is not lost. For a limited time, Water Cooler Productions is giving you the opportunity to pick up this film on DVD for $8. Taxes? Shipping? Bonus features? All included! But I digress...

Chemical 12-D tells us the story of Michael Frank and his mission to find a cure. Reminiscent of I Am Legend in this regard, Frank is a scientist performing tests on whatever infected subjects he can get his hands on. Streets are vacant except for the occasional wandering zombie. But the true story is why he is performing tests. Whom is he performing tests on. What is the cause of the infection. Is anyone else alive? Tension and curiosity build minute after minute until the shocking final scene. I know I couldn't predict it.

For your chance to watch this amazing film and be the envy of all your friends, visit this link to purchase Chemical 12-D for a flat $8. Like supporting local music or independent artists, you are not only getting a direct benefit, but also contributing to a great cause ensuring we'll get to see more films. The DVD is loaded with extra goodies as well!

2 Documentaries:

The Making of Chemical 12-D

The Making of Water Cooler Productions

4 Commentaries with Mac Eldridge, David Wagenaar, Rob Davis, and Matt Nikilla.

The Deleted scene of Chemical 12-D

The Past Work of Water Cooler Productions:

Timmothy O'Toole's Commercial

In A State Of (Water Cooler Productions first zombie movie!)

Knife

A plot synopsis of the upcoming Water Cooler Productions film, The Old Man and His Dog.

Alice Jacobs Is Dead - Film Review

I caught wind of this short film later than most but promptly posted about its discovery. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I love the suspense more than the action when it comes to zombie films. And this is where Alex Horwitz shines with his creation, Alice Jacobs Is Dead.

The film takes place during a time after the effects and devastation of the zombie outbreak. We are given a glimpse of this early on with a view of a recovering world. It is obvious and the tone is quickly set that we are recovering from the outbreak. One man, Dr. Ben Jacobs (John La Zar), created the drug that allowed us to fight back against the z-virus. One of the driving forces behind his discovery? His wife, Alice (Adrienne Barbeau), is infected.

So, Alice Jacobs is dead. But how dead? Dr. Jacobs still comes home from work and is able to talk, eat, and even make love to his beloved wife. You see, Alice has been injecting herself with her husband's miracle drug. With the help of Dr. Jacobs, Alice has been kept in their home for about a year delaying the inevitable. But how far will the doctor go? The love of his life is harvesting a virus that could bring about the end of humanity. The movie is a race against time as Dr. Jacobs tries to find an antidote before Alice is completely consumed by the z-virus.

This short film is amazing and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have seen it. My only complaint is that it's too short. That's not to say that the film is not satisfying. There is a conclusion and it is one that is not rushed or forced. It will leave some happy and others disappointed. As much as I love movies that take place in a world of zombies, even I think that two hours would have been much for this film. Our views are limited to the Jacobs' home and the doctor's lab and there are only three key players. Acting and chemistry are spot-on, music is subtle and effective, and image quality and direction are first class.

I am one who firmly believes in not giving away spoilers so let me just spit-out some key points: We do get to see zombies. The ambiance and feel of the movie is ominous in a post-apocalyptic way. The effects are good. I did jump once or twice. There is some gore. The movie is about the characters and the back-drop is the zombie infestation.

My bottom line is see this movie. Don't expect Dawn of the Dead or 28 Weeks Later action. But if you dream of zombies and enjoy wandering about the "what ifs" of living in a zombie world, this film is for you. Visit the official Alice Jacobs is Dead website.

Alice Jacobs Is Dead

I would like to think we have all learned that it doesn't have to be an expensive Hollywood film to be a great zombie movie. Colin has been a hot topic for several months and not just because it was a mere $74 to make. I Love Sarah Jane is one of the best 15 minutes a zombie film fan can spare. And now Alice Jacobs Is Dead is the next zombie short I can't see soon enough.

The plot?

In the aftermath of the devastating Z-virus which has all but obliterated mankind, Dr. Ben Jacobs has created a drug that appears to prevent early stages of the virus from spreading. Now the scientist is trying to decimate the disease once and for all, but what happens when his emotions get in the way of his work?

Every review of this film has been outstanding and I just wanted to give everyone reading a heads-up in case the opportunity to see it arises. Like The Walking Dead and Pontypool, the suspense and fear of living in a world occupied by the living dead can be just as terrifying as any action-filled scene.

...Stay tuned as I'll post more info as I come across it!




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