Book Review: Feed

As a bribe to get to use the computer more often, my boyfriend took me to Barnes and Noble a few days ago so I could get a book. Initially, I wasn't looking for anything about zombies, or even really horror for once. However, this is Florida. There's not as big of a selection as I'm used to. When I passed by Feed it was facing forward and stuck out more than most of the books there. After a quick glance at the back of book, we bought it.

Feed is the story of a brother and sister team, George and Shaun, who blog about life after the "rising". It's been over 25 years and life has gotten back to being about as normal as it can be when everyone is infected with a disease that turns them into a flesh eating ghoul after they die (or if they exchange bodily fluids with someone whose infection is "live"). When George, Shaun, and their friends get chosen to cover the next presidential campaign, their love for the truth and each other is the only thing separating them from the rest of the crazy world.

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed it. Normally books, especially books about zombies start off slow. Not so, this one starts off right in the middle of the action, watching brother and sister haul ass and out run a horde of the living dead. As the story unfolds, you learn more about their world and the initial outbreak, as well as the mystery that is leaving people they know and love undead. The end was a real shocker, and I can't wait to go get the sequel when I can.

The day I met George A. Romero

So, I'm sure a lot of you out there have idols. What would you do if you got to meet one of them? Today I'm going to tell you about the day I met mine.

One day my best friend, Jill, texted me and said that George Romero was going to be in Harvard Square the next day. After my initial freak out of "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG", I texted her back, asked for the deets, and discussed transportation options with the boyfriend. Since Massachusetts has a wonderful thing called "Public Transportation", it was decided that the two of us would bus/train it, and meet up with her before the Meet and Greet. Then all three of us, as well as a mutual friend all went to the mall to get us some DVDs for signing. I got Day of the Dead, which is my favorite of all of his movies. The boyfriend got Diary of the Dead, and I believe Jill got Dawn.

The next day, we woke up bright and early and set off for the bus stop, with my little brother in tow, because, how could we leave him behind? We got there about 2 hours early, and there was no line. Just a few people sitting on a bench outside the store who continually left and came back. So we ended up being 3rd in line (no idea how that happened) and we saved Jill a spot for when she got there. As you can imagine, the wait was excruciating. Everyone standing there, talking about zombies. Until that is, the crowd roared, and a very tall man with a long gray pony tail and thick black glasses came in. He sat behind the register, and the signing began. Apparently I was more excited than I thought, as everyone kept asking me if I needed to sit down. What can I say? I wear my emotions on my face.

Finally, the moment came. Super nervous, I walked over to the man himself, Mr. George Romero. He asked me my name and signed my movie, then I went on to wait for the others. As far as I could tell, he was a nice guy. Of course, I only met him for a minute, so it's not like I can really judge. Afterwards I think we went for pizza or bubble tea (or both!), I don't really remember, but the day it's self is something that I'll never forget.

Movie Review: Survival of the Dead

Well folks, I finally got to see George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead, which I've been very excited about for a long time. Mr. Romero is my favorite director and I always look forward to his movies. Truth be told, I was a little nervous that after making so many, he'd run out of ideas and this one would fall flat. But after watching it, I'm proud to say, he's still got it!

Survival of the Dead follows the story of the ex-soldiers from Diary of the Dead (the ones that robbed the main characters of that title). After watching their brothers in arms fall and then rise again one too many times, the 4 decide that they'll be better off on their own and desert. They come to meet a man who has a score to settle on a nearby island, and they all sail over under the premise of starting a zombie free life.

Near the beginning of the movie, there's a really bad exploding head effect, which lead me to think that we were in 'B' Movie territory (and we all know that modern b movies aren't as good as the oldies were.), but that was the last of the cheese. The rest of the gore checked out beautifully.

I was happy to see Athena Karkanis in a lead role. She was previously on a show called 'The Best Years' and she had a small role in Repo! The Genetic Opera. The Best Years was a flop, and I was hoping to see more of her acting in roles without the over-dramatic teen writing. Kudos to Mr. Romero for finding this obscure, talented young woman.

Overall, I am overjoyed to give Survival of the Dead 5/5 skulls. Keep 'em comin' George!