Day of the Dead(1985)

 In this third film of George A Romero's "Dead" series, survivors of zombie apocalypse are taking shelter in the underground missile base.  Tension mounts between the soldiers, and researchers who are studying, trying to understand the living dead.

Acting is lacking, level of production value pales in comparison by today's standards.  Zombie fans should still check this one out, because 1) Survivors are riding out the zombie apocalypse in a missile base! and 2) It's a landmark zombie movie by the Godfather of zombie flicks.

•  Acting - 2 out of 5
• Story - 5 out of 5
• Production - 4 out of 5
• Realism - 2 out of 5

Netflix Series: Kingdom(2019)

This Netflix zombie series takes place in ancient Korea, where Prince travels to investigate mysterious  disease outbreak threatening faraway provinces, all the while his enemies plot against him for the throne at home.

This South Korean Netflix series can seem like a epic foreign film at times.  Great storytelling, masterful cinematography & acting.  Season Two just became available.  Let us hope they don't milk this series & ruin it like ABC's Lost.  Rating based on Season One: 

• Acting - 5 out of 5
• Story - 5 out of 5
• Production - 5 out of 5
• Realism - 5 out of 5

Dawn of the Dead(2004)

In this remake of George A Romero classic, survivors of the zombie apocalypse takes shelter inside the local mall.  

 

This was the first time many of us had heard of Zach Snyder, or seen Jake Weber, Ty Burrell & Michael Kelly, etc.(there's more)  Perfect cast, perfect story, perfect production, perfect action, perfect SFX, perfect.... you get the point.  It's perfect.

• Acting - 5 out of 5
• Story - 5 out of 5
• Production - 5 out of 5
• Realism - 5 out of 5

The Dead(2010)

American soldier survive plane crash, trying to escape the zombie apocalypse in Africa.  He joins forces with a local soldier while trying to find a way back home.

Rare gem in the zombie genre.  It can be slow, deliberate, might be bit exotic too, but the story & the two main characters will keep you engaged.  Cinematography brings out the beauty of Africa.

• Acting - 3 out of 5
• Story - 5 out of 5
• Production - 4 out of 5
• Realism - 4 out of 5

Chernobyl Diaries(2012)

Group of American young adults joins independent tour of the abandoned Chernobyl site.  Car trouble strands them onsite in the dark & it doesn't take long before they realize they aren't alone.

Technically not zombie, but it's the perfect low budget horror.  Amazing locale, decent cast playing reasonable characters, solid story line, etc., this one has it all. 

• Acting - 3 out of 5
• Story - 5 out of 5
• Production - 5 out of 5
• Realism - 5 out of 5

Dead Earth/Two of Us(2020)

Two young women somewhere in SE Asia are surviving the zombie apocalypse in a abandoned resort.

Unbelievably slow tempo, then it's crazy random running around.  Acting is awkward & lacking, characters nor story doesn't make much sense.  It is "different" and has exotic location going for it, but not much else.

• Acting - 1 out of 5
• Story - 2 out of 5
• Production Value - 2 out of 5
• Realism - 1 out of 5