Happy Death Day to You

 

It's been a while since I've updated this blog. I've been busy podcasting with Monster Men and the Final Guys.

Incredibly, the Final Guys podcast just celebrated our first anniversary. Where does the time go? It's been fun so far and it's only getting better. Recently we added movie and book reviews to the site and we are featuring articles by a variety of writers from the FG community.

Here's my first submission to get you started. Check it out.
Happy Death Day (2017)

My 13 Favorite Horror Movies of 2015

Here it is, my thirteen favorite horror movies of 2015. I’m happy to say, it was a really good year for horror. It was very hard to narrow down this list. I hope you walk away with a few new movies to check out and hopefully enjoy them as much as I did. Before we begin, let’s talk a little about how I made my selections.  

First I ask myself, "Would I ever watch it again?" If yes, that’s huge. Then I think about how I felt immediately after I watched the film. The bottom line? The better I felt about the money or time I invested in the watching film, the better it did on my list. 

So here we go. 

13. Hidden – I heard positive things about this movie about a family that is hiding in a bomb shelter after some sort of zombie-like breakout, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how good it is. This movie takes an unexpected turn that elevates it from good to great. I don’t want to give anything away. Just see it. 

12. Gravy – Gravy is a horror-laced comedy directed by James Roday, best known as the star of Psych. On All Hallow's Eve, three quirky, cannibalistic, costumed misfits seize a Mexican cantina and the captured staff members end up on the menu. Hilarity and violence ensues. If you want to watch a cannibal movie from 2015, I’d pick Gravy over The Green Inferno. 

11. Creep – I know Mark Duplass from the TV shows The League and The Mindy Project, and he’s great in both. So when I saw he was starring in a found-footage horror movie that he co-wrote and produced, I was curious. I did not think of him in that light. Turns out, this is a heck of a movie, and as the title suggests, it’s genuinely creepy. Duplass gives an outstanding and courageous performance that carries the film. Creep is also one of the best executions of found-footage you’ll ever see. It’s a movie you have to see to believe, and you’ll probably say “WTF" a few dozen times throughout.  

10. Let Us Prey – This is a hell of a movie. And I mean HELL. It’s kind of like Assault on Precinct 13 meets Event Horizon. A mysterious stranger comes to a small town jail and all hell breaks loose, figuratively and literally. Good stuff.

9. Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead – This outrageous movie has been described as Mad Max meets Dawn of the Dead. That’s a pretty good place to start, but there’s so much more to this wild, over-the-top film. It’s crazy. When I initially saw the trailer, I wanted nothing to do with it. It looked like a SyFy channel reject, but luckily the rave reviews I kept reading changed my mind. This movie is an action-packed, blood soaked romp with a ton of laughs. It goes places no other zombie movie goes, and that’s a good thing.  

8. Girl House – I probably have Girl House way higher on my list than most people, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. It reminded me of those old B slasher flicks I’d rent in the 80’s. Impossibly hot girls, a crazy masked killer and stylized kills throughout the film. What more do you need?   

7. Bone Tomahawk – I was not sure where to put this movie, because it’s really more of a western that has a secret horror movie surprise inside. But, when you factor in how great the cast is, how entertaining the movie is and just how awesome the horror parts are, you’ve got to put this right up with the best of the best. Plus, it’s got Kurt Russell, and he’s the man. The savages in this movie are terrifying and brutal. You’ll never forget them.   

6. The Voices – The Voices is listed as a psychological horror comedy, but that might not be doing it justice.  This is a very smart movie, dressed up like a silly movie. Don’t be fooled and don’t miss out. Ryan Reynolds stars as Jerry, a simple, child-like fellow who lives with his the cat and dog. His pets also speak to him. You see, Jerry suffers from delusions and hallucinations. One night, after accidentally killing the co-worker he has a crush on, things start to go down a disturbing path. This movie can be light and funny, but has a dark side, and by dark, I mean pitch black. Bolstered by stellar performances by Reynolds, Gemma Arterton and Anna Kendrick, this is one of the most entertaining and thought provoking films of the year. 

5. He Never Died – This bloody horror comedy came to my attention at the very end of 2015 and was one of the last movies I saw before I finalized this list. It rides on the shoulders of Henry Rollins, who gives an amazing deadpan performance as a seemingly immortal loner with a taste for flesh and blood, who really just wants to be left alone. The writing in the movie is fantastic. There are so many terrific lines and quirky moments to savor in this film.  Plus tons of brutal action, violence and gore. This movie is a blast. 

4. Deathgasm – A heavy metal-fueled horror comedy that has elements Evil Dead, Dead Alive, Bill and Ted and maybe even a little Spinal Tap. It has some spectacularly funny moments along with a lot of crazy, frenetic violence and a lot of blood. Plus, this movie boasts a kill via a “sexual implement” that is one of the best scenes you’ll ever see in a horror flick. You really have to check this movie out. 

3. What We Do In the Shadows – This is the only movie on my list that I have bought, and it’s the one I will watch the most for years to come. What We Do In the Shadows is a hilarious horror-themed comedy about a group of vampires sharing a flat and trying to cope with modern life. It very cleverly takes on many of the tropes of the vampire mythos. I love Flight of the Conchords and I am a huge vampire fan, so it’s right up my alley. Plus, it has the best quote of the year; “We're Werewolves, not Swear-Wolves.”

2. Ex Machina – Ex Machina is probably the best movie on this list, but I gave it the number two slot only because it’s more of a sci-fi movie with nice horror undertone to it. There are all kinds of classic horror themes floating around here, in the vein of Frankenstein and Blade Runner. It’s the whole “man playing God” thing. This movie boasts a killer cast and amazing writing. It grabs you from the first frame and never lets you go. It also has the best dance scene of the year, by far.  

1. It Follows – This gets the number one spot on my list, not because it’s necessarily the best movie, but because it is the most interesting and polarizing movie. (For the record, I really liked it.) The sexually transmitted curse is such an original concept; it could win on that premise alone, but this a movie that builds tension like few others. You never know when or where the killer will appear, or what it will look like. It’s also a love letter to John Carpenter. Like it or not, It Follows is the must see movie of the year.  

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Click here check out my Monster Men partner Hunter Shea's list and see what his favorites were. Then watch for our new show where we compare our lists and discuss every film on both.

Monster Men Ep. 78: The Horror Movies of IFC Midnight

A new Monster Men is up. If you are looking for a good horror movie to rent tonight, look up the films that IFC Midnight distribute. It's your horror TV Guide for the next year.

Monster Men Top Horror Movies of 2014

It’s the Monster Men Top Horror Movies of 2014! We compare our lists of 13 favorite genre films of 2014. You’re sure to pick up a few good flicks for Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Top 13 Horror Movies of 2014 (Jack's Picks)

2014 was an interesting year for horror movies. A lot of the mainstream offerings, like Dracula Untold, Annabelle and Deliver Us From Evil simply did not grab me with their trailers and I skipped them. I have to admit, I also missed a few movies that I have heard good things about, like Honeymoon, Dead Snow 2, Exists and As Above, So Below. They are on my "to-do" list. However, I did see enough good horror movies to make this list… even if not all of them may be considered “horror” to a purist. I don’t care. This is my list and these movies are really good and worth watching.

Read this then check out my Monster Men partner Hunter Shea's list over at his blog.

1. The Babadook
The boogieman is here and your mother may not be able to protect you. This movie is getting rave reviews and it deserves them. This well written, well-acted film draws its scares from both the terrifying title character and the real life fears of a single mother and her troubled child. It is a very intelligent and artistic horror movie. To be honest, The Babadook is not for everyone. If you are into CG heavy movies, jump scares and torture/gore fests, this might not be for you. It deals with depression, despair and isolation… as well as the monster hiding in your closet.  Not just a scary movie, The Babadook is a horror film.

2. Nightcrawler
This movie may not show up as a horror movie on a lot of lists, but it is showing up on a lot of Oscar prediction lists and it deals with some pretty frightening subject matter. A socially awkward loser finds his groove as a crime scene videographer with a knack for getting to the scene first and getting the money shot… no matter what it takes. It’s brutal, edgy and disturbing. Jake Gyllenhaal’s transformative performance as Louis Bloom is on par with Heath Ledger’s Joker. It could win him an Academy Award. He’s clever, dangerous, manipulative and creepy as hell. Not technically a horror movie, but I’d guess that horror fans will really like this film.

3. Nurse 3D
Okay, my top two movies are pretty intense and serious films. Now it’s time for some fun. Nurse 3D is a blood soaked blast. Paz de la Huerta and Katrina Bowden turn up the sex appeal to 11 in this romp about a demented (and horny) nurse that doles out punishment to cheating men, or anyone else that gets in her way. This movie is a blast.

4. Shock Value
I had heard a lot good things about this movie and I am glad I decided to check it out. The premise is that a horror movie director decides to blackmail a real serial in order to get him to play a serial killer in his low budget slasher film. This is a horror / dark comedy that derives a lot of its laughs from the conversations and reactions of the people in the film, rather than from gags. It’s a great movie that kicks into high gear in the third act. Stellar performances and great writing really take this movie to the next level. Don’t miss this one. 

5. Housebound
What happens when a troubled teen is placed under house arrest in her mother’s country home, when that house just may be haunted? Shawn of the Dead meets The Conjuring comes to mind. Housebound is an excellent horror comedy movie from New Zealand that is also an impressive murder mystery. It’s an extremely clever film that has moments of genuine suspense and horror along with plenty of laughs. This movie keeps you guessing, laughing and at the edge of your seat the whole time. 

6. Life After Beth
Life After Beth, the zombie movie with Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Recreation, is a very polarizing film. I’ve seen this movie on many best and worst horror film lists. As you can tell, I enjoyed it. More of a fresh, new twist on the zombie genre than a traditional horror movie, this film boasts an all-star cast and a twisted sense of humor. It’s not a flat out comedy, but it’s a very funny movie, even though many of the characters are playing it totally straight.  I happen to like Aubrey Plaza and I think she knocks it out of the park. I also think you’ll be astonished by the parade of familiar faces that grace this movie including Dane DeHaan, Molly Shannon, Matthew Gray Gubler, John C. Reilly and many more. A much better Zom-Rom-Com than Warm Bodies, in my opinion. 

7. Afflicted
Just like I enjoyed Life After Beth because it was a fresh take on zombies and I can say the same for Afflicted for vampires, as well as the found footage genre. Afflicted follows two friends on a trip across Europe and the aftermath of a strange encounter with a lovely, and toothy, young lady. The movie was actually able to do something original with a vampire story and also make a found footage movie that did not induce groans from its ridiculousness. It actually had a good third act and ending... that’s pretty rare for a found footage movie. 

8. Snowpiercer
Again, not a classic horror movie, but a tremendous genre piece with plenty of horror elements. Chris Evans was in two of my favorite movies this year, as was Tilda Swinton. This one takes place in a world covered by deadly cold and snow thanks to a failed man-made global warming solution. The survivors live in a special train that circles the globe, with the wealthy and privileged in the front and the poor crowded in the rear. Don’t miss Snowpiercer, it’s a sci-fi movie with traces of horror throughout it. A terrific action movie with amazing writing and a great story.

9. Tusk
Kevin Smith’s walrus themed horror movie left me speechless. Imagine Clerks meets The Human Centipede. Now add a walrus, Canada and a podcaster. I am still not sure what I think of Tusk except that I think you need to see it. It is ridiculous, funny, disturbing and certainly original. And memorable. I’m not sure if it’s a “good” movie or not, but it’s a must see, just so you can talk about it. It seems destined to be a cult classic.

10. Only Lovers Left Alive
This is another movie that is more of a new spin on vampires than a bona fide horror movie. Still, makes my list because of its stellar cast and originality. Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton play two vampires/lovers who must deal with the burden and boredom of immortality along with an out of control sister who complicates and threatens everything. Have patience. The movie is more of a slow burn, but it is an interesting and entertaining look at the long life of a vampire in an ever-changing world. 

11. The Sacrament
It was a good year for found footage movies. The Sacrament was basically The Blair Witch Project in Jonestown. We are taken to a remote village by a documentary film crew where a community lives under the guidance of the Father, a leader clearly inspired by cults like Jim Jones and Heaven’s Gate. Naturally, the film crew’s visit happens to occur at a very inopportune time and we get to watch as all hell breaks loose. Ti West continues to produce quality horror films and is really making a name for himself in the genre. 

12. The Taking of Deborah Logan
Here’s another found footage movie that does something new and does it pretty well. This time the focus is on an Alzheimer’s Patient who is possessed. This a pretty cool approach to a possession movie and Jill Larson, who plays the title character, turns in a very courageous performance. It’s a fun movie and a perfect Netflix pick. 

13. All Cheerleaders Die
This is just a fun and silly horror movie that feels like it could have been made in the 80’s. Don’t think too much, just crack open a beer and enjoy the show. 

Honorable Mentions:
A few non-horror movies to check out.

First of all Guardians of the Galaxy was my favorite movie of the year. Action packed, spectacular and hilarious. The most fun I had at the movies all year and the best soundtrack by far. I AM GROOT!

Captain America: The Winter Solider. Man, Marvel was on a roll this year. This movie rocked and it flipped the Marvel universe on its head. The inclusion of Black Widow and the introduction of the Falcon only helped elevate this movie. Hail Hydra!

Birdman: The trailer is very deceiving, but this movie is an example of great film making and is filled with top notch performances and incredible cinematography. Michael Keaton is amazing. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past. A movie that attempts to fix the mistakes of the prior X-Men films. Ignore the continuity problems and enjoy one of the best X-Men films of them all. The Quicksilver scene alone is worth the price of admission.

This is the End! - Monster Men Ep. 61

On this episode of the Monster Men video podcast, we discuss and review two great movies that could not be more different. First we tackle the apocalyptic comedy "This is the End" starring Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and James Franco... and a ton of other stars playing themselves. The end of the world has never been funnier. (WARNING- SPOILERS in this episode.)

Then we turn our attention to a movie that has gotten a lot of critical acclaim, but you may have not seen yet. "We Are What We Are" is an American remake of a Mexican film with the same title. It's a dark film with a slow burn and a creepy premise involving a family of cannibals living in modern day society. 

Finally, we review "Redheads," a great horror novel by Jonathan Moore. This is a book you've got to check out. Here's the synopsis.

A killer far worse than insane.
Chris Wilcox has been searching for years, so he knows a few things about his wife's killer. Cheryl Wilcox wasn't the first. All the victims were redheads. All eaten alive and left within a mile of the ocean. The trail of death crosses the globe and spans decades.

Netflix Horror Picks

On this episode of Monster Men we present our Netflix Horror Pix. With so many horror movies to choose from, it can be tough to find one that's actually worth watching. That's why Hunter and I are introducing this new segment to the show to help guide you to the good stuff.

So check out the show and then stream yourself a silly.

Top 13 Horror Movies of 2013 - Monster Men Ep. 55

Okay, the Academy Awards have come and gone. Oscars Shmoscars, that's what we have to say about that. On the new Monster Men we'll talk about movies you may actually want to see. 

Here you go, it's our favorite horror movies of 2013. 


The Monster Men Video Podcast: If you love things that go bump in the night, you’ll fit right in.  

The Monster Men take on all things horror and paranormal with their special brand of graveyard humor. If you're into vampires, zombies, UFOs, werewolves, ghosts, movies, scary books, movie reviews, the supernatural or just about anything dark and monstrous, welcome home.

Find more episodes of Monster Men at:

www.themonstermen.net

Facebook at www.facebook.com/monstermen13

Horror author Hunter Shea at www.huntershea.com

I See a Bad Moon Rising

Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors.

Beware the moon, lads. 

Truer words have never been spoken… at least in the English countryside. That of course was the warning that Jack and David received shortly before they wandered off the road and on to the moors… during the full moon. We all know how that ended.

It ended up being An American Werewolf in London, one of the greatest werewolf movies of all time.

On this episode of Monster Men, Hunter Shea and I sat down and off the tops of our heads try to think of as many werewolf movies as we could, and comment on each as we went along. How did that end? I’d say pretty well… but see for yourself.  And while you are at it, let us know what we missed, which werewolf movies are your favorites and which are for the dogs.

Cue the Wolf Man, he’s on in five. It’s time for Monster Men!

Blumhouse Productions: Masters of Modern Horror

It's a new Monster Men video podcast! This time we discuss modern horror favorites like Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister and The Purge. Most of the most popular and important horror movies of the past decade came from Blumhouse Productions. You may not love every movie they have released, but you have to applaud them for keeping horror relevant in the 21st Century. 

 

Pacific Rim: It’s Giant Monsters vs. Giant Robots

Pacific Rim.

It’s giant monsters vs. giant robots.

That’s all you need to know. 

Okay, giant monsters vs. giant robots, and it is directed by Guillermo del Toro. That’s all you really need to know about this movie.

Guillermo del Toro is the guy who directed the Hellboy movies, Pan's Labyrinth, Blade II and Cronos among others. This guy knows his way around a visually stunning and exciting movie and I am happy to report he delivers here.

If you are old enough to remember the old 4:30 Movie on ABC, then you might recall that every so often they would do MONSTER WEEK. This was when they would show a Japanese monster movie every afternoon for a week. It was always a highlight of the year and I could not wait to get home from school each day. It’s where I first met Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Mothra, Gammera and the rest of those classic and humongous creatures.

Well, Pacific Rim is like they squeezed the five days of MONSTER WEEK into two hours to make one hell of a summer movie.

Too young to remember MONSTER WEEK? Then imagine Voltron vs. Godzilla times 1000.

In a summer full of remakes, reboots and sequels like Star Trek Into Darkness, Man of Steel, and Iron Man 3, Pacific Rim has gone bit under the radar… which is funny, because giant monsters and robots are normally very visible on radar.

Here’s the Google Movie Trailers synopsis of Pacific Rim: 

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes -a washed up former pilot and an untested trainee who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

If you are looking for intricate plots, lots of subtext, deep character development and Oscar worthy performances, this might not be the movie for you. However, if you love really fun, amazing looking movies that involve giant monsters fighting giant robots, then this flick is just what the doctor ordered.

First of all, the special effects are tremendous. We’ve come a long way from the "man in a monster suit destroying a model city and some toy tanks" days. Plus, this is actually a movie where I noticed and appreciated the 3D.  Most 3D movies these days seem like a waste of money.  Here it actually enhances the experience. Bottom line: the robot/monster fights are spectacular.

Second, while the characters are very much right out of a cartoon, they get the job done. As a kid, I always loved monster movies, BUT, I would occasionally get bored to tears during the scenes between the monster attacks. Not so in this movie. The Jaeger pilots are fine, but it’s Charlie Day, from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Ron Perman, from Hellboy and Burn Gorman, who you might recognize from The Dark Knight Rises, who help make this movie more than just a big budgeted version of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. They add an entertaining, humorous and somewhat silly side-plot to the movie that keeps it from taking itself too seriously.

Another great thing about this movie is that it does not have the baggage that Star Trek Into Darkness, Man of Steel, and Iron Man 3 all have. Each of those movies were very polarizing, with many people either loving them or hating them based on deviations from the source material and expectations based on prior versions of the characters. With Pacific Rim, you are dealing with new characters, a new story and best of all, no baggage.

No, this film is not rocket science, nor is it brain surgery; but is does feature a lot of rockets and some cool monster brains. Look, this movie is not for everyone, but if you are a fan of this kind of stuff, or you just enjoy action-packed, escapist fun, summer popcorn movies, Pacific Rim is worth a look. Don't over-think it, just enjoy it.

I mean really… it’s giant monsters vs. giant robots. What else do you need to know? 

Bonus: Rock out to the Gammera Song!

 

Monster Men Ep. 41: Ghost Movies That Will Keep You Up at Night

The new Monster Men is all about the best and worst ghost and haunted house movies.

There is something about a good ghost movie that scares you like no other kind of film. The suspense, chills and outright terror can give you nightmares or maybe just keep you up all night. We'll cover some of the newer entries to the genre, like the Paranormal Activity movies, Sinister and Insidious as well a few of the all-time classics like Poltergeist, The Sixth Sense, The Amityville Horror and The Haunting. And we could not leave out a few of the funnier ghost movies like House and Ghostbusters.

What's your favorite ghost or haunted house movie? Check out the show and then let us know what you think. 

The Monster Men video podcast is a lighthearted chat about dark matters. We talk about all things horror and paranormal with our own brand of graveyard humor. Horror movie and book reviews, paranormal TV, ghost stories, UFOs, urban legends and more. 

Find more episodes of Monster Men here on my blog, on our YouTube channel: Monstermen13 or at horror author Hunter Shea's web site. You can also join us on our Facebook page.

Review: Scary Movie V is a Surprise Hit

The term "don’t judge a book by it’s cover" has never been more applicable that in the case of Scary Movie V. The franchise that started out as an amusing, farcical romp with Anna Faris had worn out it’s welcome after a couple of lame sequels. Once it was announced that part five was on the way, the movie going public collectively rolled their eyes.  By the time we learned that Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan would be making an appearance, the nails might as well have been driven into the coffin lid.

Imagine my surprise when I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of the movie from a friend in the media. I popped in the DVD expecting the worst, and I am delighted to report that I was pleasantly surprised. Scary Movie V is the funniest horror comedy movie I have ever seen.

Let me say that again. Scary Movie V is the funniest horror comedy movie I have ever seen. 

And I am a grizzled veteran when it comes to both horror and comedy movies. This is like Mario Batali saying these are the best meatballs he’s ever had. 

Here’s the synopsis:

A couple begin to experience some unusual activity after bringing their newborn son home from the hospital. With the help of home-surveillance cameras and a team of experts, they learn they're being stalked by a nefarious demon. (IMDB)

I’ll get to Lohan and Sheen in a minute. The real star of the show is High School Musical alum, Ashley Tisdale, who proves she is not just another pretty face. She is the key to the movie because she is able to pick-up the comedy baton from Anna Faris and inject some real humor into this installment. Her comedy timing is reminiscent of a young Lucille Ball.  The rest of the cast is stellar, but this is a star-making role for Tisdale.

As for Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen, they open the movie in a scene that is worth the price of admission alone. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say that it was great to see them able to have a sense of humor about their infamous reputations.

The writing is also spot on. Whether they are poking fun at recent horror films like, Mama, Paranormal Activity and The Devil Inside or paying loving tribute to classics like The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror, Scary Movie V does not just rely on foul language and fart jokes to elicit cheap laughs aimed at an adolescent audience. 

So put those preconceived notions aside and reserved your tickets to Scary Movie V.  And remember, if you read a movie review on April first, it just may be an April Fool's joke. 

So there you have it. This whole article is a joke. I have not seen this movie and I expect the worst from Scary Movie V. Happy April Fool's Day! Go see Evil Dead.

See you at the snack bar. If you get there first, order me a large popcorn.

Why WARM BODIES Might Just Work on Film

If you've been watching TV lately you must have seen the trailers for the new zombie romantic comedy WARM BODIES. I guess you could call it a Zom Rom Com.

WARM BODIES is a movie based on the novel by Isaac Marion, which is described as a "zombie romance" and is often dismissed as TWILIGHT with zombies. I had never heard of it until my Monster Men podcast partner Hunter Shea reviewed it way back on our third episode, a show dedicated to all things zombie. That was over a year ago. I have included a link to the video below so you can watch the episode. I'll spoil it a bit by telling you that Hunter loved the book. He also added that it essentially moved his wife to tears. Naturally, I was curious and anxious to read it myself.

Shortly thereafter, I read the book. It's definitely a different take on the zombie genre. The story revolves around a zombie known only as "R". He cant remember his entire name. Give him a break, after all he is dead. One day, during an attack on some teenagers, R eats the brain of a guy named Perry and begins to experience emotions for Perry's girlfriend, Julie. R ends up protecting Julie from the rest of his zombie cohorts and takes her back to his home at the airport. Slowly but surely, R continues to regain his humanity and a relationship blossoms between these two unlikely people. What follows is a story of forbidden love between a couple from different worlds, the living and the dead. And these two worlds to do not mix. 

If this all sounds a bit familiar, it's because WARM BODIES is not so much TWILIGHT with zombies, but rather ROMEO and JULIET with zombies. Just look at the two main character's names; R and Julie. 

(I know, I know... TWILIGHT is basically a take on ROMEO and JULIET with vampires. But WARM BODIES is much closer to Shakespeare's actual story.)

I have to admit, I was not as big a fan of the book as my podcast partner was, and to his credit, he is a published horror author and I am not. So he may know literature better than me. However, while I did not "love" the book, I did think it was a pretty good read and an interesting new direction to take the zombie genre. I mean really, how many more DAWN OF THE DEAD ripoffs do we need? If you are looking for something different in a zombie book, it's definitely worth a look.

Not long after I read the book I learned that a movie was in the works. I have to say, at first I did not think it was a good idea. A film version of this book seemed like an inevitable "TWILIGHT with zombies" if there ever was going to be one. Also, the idea of a zombie/human romance might work in a novel, but not everything translates from book to screen that well.

Then, after many months, a trailer finally came out. The first thing that struck me was that
Rob Corddry, from THE DAILY SHOW, OLD SCHOOL and HOT TUB TIME MACHINE, was cast as R's best friend, M. That was unexpected and a good sign. I am a big fan, but he's a funny guy and not one you'd think of for a romantic horror movie. My interest was officially peaked. Then I watched the trailer and I realized that the film was taking a more comedic approach to the material. I have to say, that's pretty smart, or as R might say, "That's using your braaaaaiiiins."

I don't think a serious approach to this adaptation would have worked. Particularly the "Bonies", who are the skeletal elders of the zombie hoards. Also, I just don't know if the general public would buy a zombie/human romance with a straight face. Edward in TWILIGHT may be a vampire, but he's handsome, charming, can talk and does not stink of death. I mean, does the typical movie going female really want to be intimate with a rotting corpse or James Dean with fangs? And does the typical movie going male want to see zombies being all lovey-dovey or does he want to see them eating the flesh of the living? But turn it into a comedy and you suddenly have a lot more leeway... and you'll attract a much larger audience. Girls get their romance (without the hardcore horror) and guys get to see a funny movie, with zombies, that counts as a chick flick for date night. It's a win/win.

This has made me more optimistic about seeing WARM BODIES on the silver screen. Hopefully it works, provides a lot of laughs and maybe even captures some of the spirit and heart of the book. Perhaps it could even join SHAUN OF THE DEAD, ZOMBIELAND and FIDO among the all-time great Zom Coms. I don't know if it will be that good, as the bar is set pretty high, but I am always rooting for a zombie movie to succeed. It's good for the genre and the future of movies of this kind in general. 

Plus, I love the fact we, the Monster Men, told you about this book long before it was on the radar. Not to say "We told you so.", but... we kinda did.

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Click here to see the Monster Men podcast episode with Warm Bodies book review. 

The Monster Men video podcast: A lighthearted conversation about dark topics. We cover horror movies, books, ghost stories, sci-fi and other spooky subjects with a sense of humor and a sense of the macabre. Co-hosted with horror author Hunter Shea. 

The Warm Bodies Trailer: (In theaters 2/1/13.)

Ten Great Movies in 2012

2012 was an amazing year for movies. It was a dream-come-true for super hero fans, James Bond aficionados and Hobbit-Heads, among others. The Avengers assembled, Batman rose and Abraham Lincoln had two films made about his life. (Only one, however, documented his vampire slaying exploits.) Joseph Gordon Levitt became a household name thanks to rising with the Dark Knight and looping with Bruce Willis. We saw everything from the Hunger Games craze to the successful reboot of the Spiderman franchise. Plus, we got to take a shower with Alfred Hitchcock!

I have not yet seen every movie that I want to see from 2012, but here are ten movies that made 2012 for me.

The Avengers:
My favorite movie of the year and the triumphant culmination of the Marvel superhero films. It features great action, amazing effects, lots of laughs and the best portrayal of the Hulk ever. Plus, the two most crowd-pleasing moments in superhero movie history, both featuring the big, green guy. The most fun I’ve had at the movies all year.

Ted:
The funniest movie of the year. Mark Wahlberg is the unsung hero of this flick. His acting against an animated bear is convincing and hilarious. Ted is worth the price of admission in Flash Gordon references alone.

Django Unchained:
Quentin Tarantino nails the Western with his usual flair.  Fox, Waltz, Jackson & DiCaprio are magnificent. Typical Tarantino: great dialog, music, wit, violence and maybe just a few minutes too long. You will leave with a smile on your face.

Silver Linings Playbook:
This one took me by surprise. The story of a man with mental illness, coming home to his family, and the equally conflicted woman who comes into his life. Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and the rest of the cast create a funny and thoughtful movie, with a slight edge, that will make you laugh and think. Come for the Philadelphia Eagles references, stay for the dancing. 

The Dark Knight Rises:
The rousing conclusion to Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s a lot of fun. Anne Hathaway stole the movie for me as Catwoman and the last hour is some of the best Batman action ever filmed…. Capped with the best movie ending of the year.

The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey:
Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth. It’s more fun and lighter in tone than The Lord of the Rings movies, just like the novel, but just as grand. Lot’s of action and laughs. The movie suffers a bit from Jacksons penchant for going long and the fact that they are making three films from one book. However, you will love Bilbo Baggins and the scene with Gollum is not to be missed.

Skyfall:
I have not cared much for James Bond since Roger Moore stepped down. I thought Daniel Craig was a great choice as the new 007, but his first two films, like Chinese food, left me hungry again after about 20 minutes. Skyfall is the most straightforward Bond movie in years and a great springboard for future films. Javier Bardem plays a captivating villain who is quite a departure from his role in No Country for Old Men.

Chronicle:
The superhero genre finally meets the found-footage craze. The results are surprisingly good. At a party, three high school friends gain superpowers after making a discovery in an underground cavern. Things start off great and get dark real quick. Sure, there are a few forced moments where characters implausibly keep filming. You just have to roll with it. This one is worth a look.

The Cabin in the Woods:
A love letter to horror fans and Joss Whedon fans alike. It looks like a typical horror flick, with all of the clichés intact, until it all gets turned upside down. Nothing is what it seems. This movie is a blast; funny and original. Just don’t miss the last 30 minutes. That’s where the magic happens.

The Expendables 2:
The biggest guilty pleasure of the year. It’s pure, escapist fun. The Expendables 2 is much more entertaining and satisfying than part one. Great moments from Arnold, Willis and Chuck Norris are the icing on this explosive cake. Bring on The Expendables 3!

There were many others I enjoyed that I did not mention here. Like I said, it was a great year for movies. What were some of your favorites?

Now if you'll excuse me, I still have a lot of 2012 movies on my to-do list, including; 

Argo, Savages, Zero Dark Thirty, Le Mis, Sinister, Moonrise Kingdom, Dark Shadows, Frankenweenie, Wreck-It Ralph, Para-Norman, Rock of Ages, Life of Pi, Cloud Atlas, The Dictator and The Campaign.