Night of the Living Dead (1968) with Spooky Black Forest Waffles, Pigskin (Bacon) and Mimosas
The first Romero zombie movie sets the standards for the whole genre in this atmospheric thriller full of social commentary and a high amount of gore for the time period. Overall, I was impressed with the realism of human behavior in this movie. People are traumatized, arrogant, contentious, and some feel they know exactly what to do, while others try to brainstorm both best things to do and what could have possibly caused this.I was also struck by how much technology impacted the story. The radio and TV are the primary sources of information and the survivors depend on them. Cars don't seem to help us very much either. Both scientists and politicians offer possible causes and solutions. Disease and radiation are the primary suspects with no mention made of superstitious or religious causes. For the most part, the things humans see as making us more advance are the very things that fail us: technology, government and society itself.
And of course, zombies are not mentioned because this term wasn't even in the public consciousness yet. The creatures in this movie don't even eat brains but any flesh they can get, more ghouls than zombies, and the movie calls them that. It is established here that a headshot or burning is necessary to defeat them. Oh, and these creatures are smart, too. Slow but smart and very, very determined.
As for horror standards, strong men/weak women are the primary stereotype with some exceptions. Nakedness makes a showing, as well as punishment for those who exhibit "weak" behavior like cruelty, selfishness, and doubt. Strikingly, the strongest character and most likely hero is a black man. This had to be intentional. He has most of the dialogue; he is in charge; and ultimately he is the only survivor, until the ending, where the authorities once again assume that the black man is dangerous and shoot him on sight. I feel like I only scratched the surface of a good analysis of this great film. If you've never watched it, you definitely should.
The Ballerina (2017)
Can't find a trailer on Youtube for this one, but it is an intriguing independent horror film about a girl and her father who have lost everything and now live in a tent in the swamp. She keeps seeing strange creatures in the forest trying to steal her away.
We give this one a resounding, "Meh." It wasn't terrible but it was pretty slow and forgettable. The middle was nicely creepy and atmospheric, but we figured it out quickly and the melodrama factor was far too high.
Get Out (2017) with Radioactive Wings, Ectoplasm dip (ranch), and Skin flakes (popcorn)
Undeniably one of the best movies that came out last year, not just one of the best horror movies. It was the top film for 2 whole months. Jordan Peele is a genius!
Like Night of the Living Dead, this one is strong with the social commentary. It's about race, class, oppression, and even body horror. One of my favorite parts is how the title subverts the genre itself by not being a threat but a warning. The acting is superior, especially Daniel Kaluuya. He is unbelievably expressive, intelligent and approachable. Also amazing were Lakeith Stanfield, Marcus Henderson, and Betty Gabriel.
Personally, I think it should have won not only best screenplay but also best director and best motion picture. The awkward crap that the white people keep saying is spot on. Also the brother's weird aggression, the mother's hypnosis powers and the father's awful genetic comments. But they're not "racist," right? The scenes that most impacted me were the hypnosis scene, the slave market party bidding, and pretty much every scene with Georgina. And just when you think it can't get any weirder, a mad scientist shows up.
Oh, and don't forget Rod. He is fucking awesome. He gets all the best lines and he saves the day in the end. Don't mess with the motherfucking TSA, man!
The Executioners (2018)
The second new film of the marathon, this one begins like a bad porn movie. And then it just gets gross, gory and kind of pointless. Probably not even worth the $1.50 we paid to rent it. Watch it if torture porn and bad acting are what you are looking for.
BTW, the "cabin by the lake" is really more of a McMansion. That should have been my first clue...
The Burrowers (2008)
Now for a Creature Feature. Starring the often underestimated Clancy Brown and William Mapother, this Western horror is surprisingly good. Begins when a family is attacked by what appears to be Native Americans and a posse sets out to find some of the missing members of the family. Along the way they discover that the Sioux are the least of their worries and that if they don't band together, the Burrowers will kill and eat them all.
The monsters in this one remind me of Anthropophagi, man-eating creatures described in historical documents with no head and their mouths in their stomachs. The best portrayal of these creatures is in the teen novel The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. Coincidentally we just finished reading this book together, so it was interesting to see a different take on the monster. 
Not short on social commentary either, it involves lots of cultural misunderstandings and races coming together against a common enemy. Also references the over hunting of buffalo that led to a rise in predator attacks on humans and livestock. In this case, the monsters have no buffalo to eat so they begin hunting people. As we are all seeing now, an imbalance (or several) in the ecosystem can lead to severe consequences even today. And of course the racial tensions return once the creatures are defeated. Or are they?
Oh, and dinner: Sandwich Monsters, Warm vomit (spinach and artichoke dip) with dried sharks teeth (pita chips), Devilishly rotten eggs, and Creature Cupcakes for dessert.
28 Days Later (2002)
Another zombie movie but one with fast zombies. Instead of radiation this one purposes a man-made cause - a rage disease that infects through the bloodstream. Very realistic about how the apocalypse could happen from eating junk food to the soldiers luring women to their stronghold.
There is definitely some homage to several movies from Night of the Living Dead to Day of the Triffids. You can also see a lot of the inspiration for The Walking Dead and similar stories that are popular now.
Oh, it doesn't hurt that Cillian Murphy spends a good part of the movie shirtless or nude. Add in other great British actors like Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, and Brendan Gleeson and you can't go wrong.
Fallen (1998)
And to end the marathon, demons! Probably one of the best movies about demon possession, filled with unexpected twists and creepy singing that sticks with you. Denzel is at the top of his game. the demon passing scene above will creep anyone out. The only part that creepier is the young woman saying "But I'm still having fun" after Denzel's character, Hobbes, shots a possessed man who tried to shoot him. If you think about this movie too much, you will freak yourself out. And you will never hear "Time is On My Side" by the Rolling Stones the same way again.
Well, that's it for the marathon this time. Join us again on July 13 for the next Horror Movie Marathon!
