Dawn of the Dead (1978)
October 28, 2022 11:17 AM - Subscribe
If you live near a Regal Cinema, you have a chance over the next 2-4 days to see the rarely seen in theaters Real 3-D version of this film. This is the full-on Avatar-style conversion that was announced in 2008, but didn't finish until 2016, and only played a handful of fests. It was supervised by members of Romero's own team at his request. Disgusting Tom Savini FX, in 3-D. YAAAAAAAAAS.
As hordes of zombies swarm over the U.S., the terrified populace tries everything in their power to escape the attack of the undead, but neither cities nor the countryside prove safe. In Pennsylvania, radio-station employee Stephen (David Emge) and his girlfriend, Francine (Gaylen Ross), escape in the station helicopter, accompanied by two renegade SWAT members, Roger (Scott Reiniger) and Pete (Ken Foree). The group retreats to the haven of an enclosed shopping center to make what could be humanity's last stand.
Written, directed, and edited by George Romero.
92% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Very briefly playing in theaters this weekend. Not currently streaming in the US. JustWatch listing.
As hordes of zombies swarm over the U.S., the terrified populace tries everything in their power to escape the attack of the undead, but neither cities nor the countryside prove safe. In Pennsylvania, radio-station employee Stephen (David Emge) and his girlfriend, Francine (Gaylen Ross), escape in the station helicopter, accompanied by two renegade SWAT members, Roger (Scott Reiniger) and Pete (Ken Foree). The group retreats to the haven of an enclosed shopping center to make what could be humanity's last stand.
Written, directed, and edited by George Romero.
92% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Very briefly playing in theaters this weekend. Not currently streaming in the US. JustWatch listing.
If that top link is not working, just go to https//www.regmovies.com and it's at the top of the page.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:01 PM on October 28, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:01 PM on October 28, 2022
Love this one! I have tickets Sunday. Is it underrated? Certainly was a while ago but I think people have come around.
I've enjoyed all your posts by the way DOT, I appreciate it!
posted by kittensofthenight at 2:44 PM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've enjoyed all your posts by the way DOT, I appreciate it!
posted by kittensofthenight at 2:44 PM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Appreciate the heads up, just got a ticket. This will be my first time seeing the film!
posted by rosary at 7:31 PM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rosary at 7:31 PM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I hope this theatrical release leads to a new blue-ray release; this film has been hard to get.
This film is a big favorite of mine; I love how slow the middle is and how bleak the ending is.
posted by octothorpe at 5:19 AM on October 29, 2022
This film is a big favorite of mine; I love how slow the middle is and how bleak the ending is.
posted by octothorpe at 5:19 AM on October 29, 2022
This was so much fun. People love turning up their nose at horror and at 3-D so I hesitate to share my real feelings on this because people are going to shit on this, but...
Real 3-D was not used in this case to provide an immersive experience that would make you reconsider the original film.
Real 3-D was used in this case to hammer home the gore gags in a way that would delight nerds that read Fangoria. It was used to make a better, more satisfying version of the kind of experience people had watching Friday the 13th III in 3-D.
So I guess what I am saying is, if you don't want eyeballs flying at you and head spray headed your way after a zombie is shot in the head, FUCK OFF, NERD, NOT EVERYTHING IS FOR YOU.
It was not done in a way that undercut the movie, which still works as a horror film, as a story, as a satire, as a commentary on consumerism and mankind as its own worst enemy. But the gags (and I'm using gag not specifically to mean "joke" but to refer to a gore effect, as is a genre custom) all got exclamation points.
Very, very fun.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:18 AM on October 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Real 3-D was not used in this case to provide an immersive experience that would make you reconsider the original film.
Real 3-D was used in this case to hammer home the gore gags in a way that would delight nerds that read Fangoria. It was used to make a better, more satisfying version of the kind of experience people had watching Friday the 13th III in 3-D.
So I guess what I am saying is, if you don't want eyeballs flying at you and head spray headed your way after a zombie is shot in the head, FUCK OFF, NERD, NOT EVERYTHING IS FOR YOU.
It was not done in a way that undercut the movie, which still works as a horror film, as a story, as a satire, as a commentary on consumerism and mankind as its own worst enemy. But the gags (and I'm using gag not specifically to mean "joke" but to refer to a gore effect, as is a genre custom) all got exclamation points.
Very, very fun.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:18 AM on October 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Went looking on YT to see if they had the opening scenes, and... the whole film is there, in 1080P even. How about that? (No idea how long it'll be there, but it's been posted for a couple of years.)
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:29 PM on October 29, 2022
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:29 PM on October 29, 2022
A solid and hugely fun zombie movie so my nose stays down on the horror aspect, but remains firmly turned up at wearing sunglasses in a movie theatre - - I'll stick with the nice bright 2D version.
posted by fairmettle at 8:03 PM on October 29, 2022
posted by fairmettle at 8:03 PM on October 29, 2022
My wife and I went to see this Saturday night with a small horror movie group. It was lots of fun. I had only seen it once before a year or so ago (not being able to find it on streaming I actually watched the youtube version that Halloween Jack linked to) and getting to see it on the big screen was great. Even my wife, who is not a horror fan but humors me from time to time, enjoyed it.
posted by Captain_Science at 8:29 AM on October 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Captain_Science at 8:29 AM on October 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
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If you haven't seen this, this is, all at once, a bloody, intense zombie movie that prefigures most of the subgenre to come, a searing sociopolitical satire, a very black comedy, and a survival epic.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:18 AM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]