George A. Romero's latest Dead flick "Diary of the Dead" follows a long line of other Living Dead flicks by many other directors as well as Romero himself. So, one cannot help to compare this one to all the others, yet that can only set up some good movies for disaster, therefore it is always good to judge movies by their own "stand-alone" merit as well. In this case Romero's Diary was an Average flick that really could have been made by any number of directors. Matter of fact, there are many other lesser known directors who have done much better. What this film lacked was the most basic ingredient in any horror film - FEAR! I simply was not scared. So, compared to other Zombie flicks, including his own, it was almost below average. As a stand-alone movie it had some merit hence the Average rating. A Reality/Documentary top Dead flick has been something in the written word for a long time now yet not on the big screen. Add Romero's experience and production in the genre and thats a good thing. What might actually be taking place is Romero has become more concerned with trying to send a message than make people scared. Each of his movies had a so-called message, and this one comes across almost like a Michael Moore video about instant information and reality news coverage. Instant news, just add water. Unfortunately, his messages are slowly taking the place of fear in his Dead films. And there is simply nothing like knowing that you are of the remaining few "living" humans on the planet, and that there are "undead" corpses trying to consume your flesh at every turn. Put all that and a plot-line in a blender and you should have yourself a pretty good Zombie flick. Enjoy!Read full review
I give an average rating with heavy heart. Suffice to say I'm a long time "of the Dead" fan and what I appreciate most in Romero's work is the way the characters interact and drive the story. The zombies in his works are but the setting in which we are able to appreciate his character-driven plots. Unfortunately - and admittedly what Romero was intending - throughout Diary of the Dead, we are left staring at a commentary on the new state of media and our shared responisibility in reporting (see YouTube.com if you've been asleep for the past ten years). The characters take a previously unheard-of backseat to Romero's message, "Beware what you watch for," and provide us with less than ever before. Recently, and perhaps this is a sign of his age (or mine), Romero has failed to enlighten. I would have given this a higher rating had the entire story included two characters' interactions inside a shack while one zombie threatened from outside. Mr. Romero, take heart in the fact that most of us still look for that character-driven tale of zombies! Don't chicken out, we don't need eight characters nor eighthundred zombies! We just need you and your genius!Read full review
There isn't a director out there that I can think of where there seems to be that point in time or picture in general they seem to have peaked. Everything else pales in comparison. Unfortunately, that can be said about the latest Romero zombie entry as well. He attempts to go back to the flavor of his original success and use unknown actors. While this worked WONDERFULLY in his early zombie epics (Night, Dawn and Day) it fails rather badly with this movie. Poor dialog, unrealistic reactions to extreme situations....well, to be frank just bad acting overall. To be fair the special effects were great, just what you would expect from the zombie godfather. It's not a BAD picture, but if you compare it to his earlier entries it really is just a so-so picture. Great to rent, but only purchase it if you are a hardcore zombie/Romero fan or a completist (as this is the prequel to Night of the Living Dead)Read full review
Extremely amatuer offering from the often brilliant George A Romero. Pales in comparison to earlier work. If Romero was trying to make a statement about media's desensitizing nature when put into the hands of the consumer, he failed. I HAD read all the hype about this in-production film, most of it from Romero saying how it was his best work. Oookay. Night of the Living Dead used unknown actors like Duane Jones and Judith Odea. They were believeable. The unknowns in this film are not believeable. It's supposed to be a documentary filmed by Jason Creed and friends the day the dead rose. It's supposed to feel real, but the bad dialogue and bad acting take you out of the film. Their unrealstic reactions to hazardouz situations makes you want to see them get their comeuppance. George Romero's movie dialogue is up there with another recent George's dialogue lately. George Lucas that is. Very disappointing, from the same man who brought us Dawn of the Dead 1978, Night of the Living Dead 1968, Day of the Dead 1985 and Martin. Piece of advice, download this one, don't waste your money on the DVD or theatre. See another film called REC (from Spain) for a more realistic depiction of an unfolding epidemic.Read full review
First off, I'm a huge fan or Romeros' films, so this is my honest opinion based on that statement. As far as story goes, it had a good idea. People are filming the " living dead " with a camcorder while the events of the film take place. A student is trying to film the event for a class project, and he becomes quite moronic by putting his life and others on the line to get the shot. Just plain stupid actions, that absolutely no one whould do. The gore is is most definately at a miniumum compared to say Land of the Dead or Dawn of the Dead. Don't waste your money, unless your a completest of Romero films, but it is by far the worst of the series. I suggest " zombie Diaries " on dvd. I think this is what Romero could have done with this film. Much better acting, gore, and more true to what people whould do if this where to happen. I'd give Diary of the Dead a 2 out of 5, and that's pushing it!Read full review
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