Interview With Tony Burgess (Pontypool)

Hopefully, most of you have taken my advice and watched Pontypool after its release last week. It was a movie I was extremely eager to see and one of the best I reviewed in 2009. Pontypool is based on the book, Pontypool Changes Everything, written by Tony Burgess. Burgess also brought his talent to the film by writing the screenplay.

So now that you have seen the film (right?) and know who Tony Burgess is, I'm sure you want to know what he has to say. Well... our friends over at The Zed Word had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Burgess. It's a great read and gives us some insight as to what we can expect with the sequels. Yes, it's plural!

Soooo.... go have a look at the interview with Pontypool author Tony Burgess.

Pontypool On DVD

Prior to becoming a cubicle zombie, I ran a chain of record stores for over ten years. The excitement of Tuesday being "new release day" never dies. Except that, before I was able to have those new releases the previous week. But I digress...

Today marks the release of one of the best movies I was able to review last year, Pontypool. For the full review, view my previous post.

After reading some other reviews, I will leave you with this: Pontypool is a eerily suspenseful film that frightens without getting in your face. The few negative reviews I have read were from folks expecting your typical zombie gore. Watch this film knowing that you will not get that and you will be fine. Whatever you do, don't miss it. It is available on DVD only and I have not heard anything about a blu-ray release yet. Most video stores will have it to rent and I saw it on the Best Buy website for $14.99.

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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Pontypool - Finally, The Review

Finally. Finally I get to share my take on Pontypool. If you are wondering why I say "finally", let's review my Pontypool post history: Feb 28th, March 2nd, March 4th, March 20th, May 20th, as well as several references not mentioned here. So, needless to say, I've been pretty excited to see this movie. Did it meet up to my expectations? Was it worth the wait? Does it actually contain zombies? Read on, my friends, and your questions will be answered.

First, huge thanks go out to Maple Pictures and IFC Films (especially Nat) for politely dealing with my bombardment of emails and for the screener to actually post this review. Pontypool is currently seeing a limited theater release and is available from IFC Films On Demand.

My immediate take? Go see it. For someone who has been waiting several months to see this movie and has been following its seemingly slow movement over the border from Canada, I can tell you I was not disappointed. Because I do not want to ruin the movie for anyone, I have several reviews listed. The first is as generic as you can get. The second, will disclose some plot details and may ruin a few surprises but definitely will not ruin the movie.

SPOILER FREE = Morning radio DJ, Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie), is making his morning commute to the radio station housed in the basement of the town's church. There, along with co-host Laurel Ann (Georgina Reilly) and producer Sydney (Lisa Houle), he begins his morning like any other. Confusion begins to erupt when their field reporter, Ken, calls in with the news that a mob of people are surrounding a doctor's office. Later reports indicate that the mob is chanting, seems possessed, and are devouring other people. Trapped inside the radio station, it is up to Grant and team to report on what they cannot see.

SPOILER FREE WITH DISCLOSED PLOT DETAILS = The first 20 minutes, like most other movies, simply introduces you to the three characters, their personalities, and their relationship. The morning starts to become interesting when their first few calls are not understandable. The situation becomes tense when their man in the field, Ken, becomes trapped. The army has become involved and quarantined the entire city of Pontypool trapping everyone, including the frightened reporter. Ken manages to hide himself out of the way but gruesomely details some of the attacks going on around him.

It is during this time that you begin to feel scared and panicked along with the trio inside the radio station. Facial expressions, mannerisms, and tone of voice from the cast pull you into their world. This is especially important because it is only these three main characters you are with for nearly the entire movie.

It eventually becomes apparent that the cause of the violence is the English language. Certain words posses hosts into becoming, well, zombies. These hunters are not lumbering, Romero zombies nor are they uber-quick 28 Days zombies. Just uncoordinated, mindless, flesh-tearing people. What words? How is it spread? Can it be cured? These are all questions you will need to answer yourself.

I will leave you with this: Nearly the entire movie takes place within the confines of the radio station. Nearly the entire movie focuses on the three main characters. You do not see the zombies until the last 30 minutes or so but you fear them throughout the entire movie. It's the situation and events that scare you. Yes, I would say the movie is scary. I would also call it tense. You fear the approach of the zombie mass. You fear the attack of the zombie mass. You fear the arrival of the zombie mass.

Pontypool is not an action-packed fright-fest and cannot be compared to any zombie movie before it. A unique and well-crafted vision that deserves a watch from any zombie lover.

Trailer: Does a great job of capturing the feel of the movie



Clip #3 SPOILER!



Clip #4 SPOILER!

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.

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.