Night of the living dead/zombies

This movie was amazing.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a zombie movie that looked like it came from the early 40's (and to my astonishment was actually made in the late 60's) but it did not disappoint. The movie was an independent film on low budget which is probably why it looked so old fashioned "I love Lucy" style of black and white. However the cinematography was brilliantly made with wonderful camera angels and creepy shots of random objects, it just appeared horrifying. Especially the ending scene where it just showed photographs of everything that had happened which looked like a coroner's report with bad photography. Something similar to the remake of the texas chainsaw massacre intro with the eerie sound of the Polaroid camera noise for creepy effect.

Anyway, one of the things about this movie that threw me off was that the main protagonist was african american. I didn't know that this movie was shot in the 60's and I thought it was shot earlier than that so I kept thinking that it was strange that the cast of the movie's main character, and longest surviving character was african american. But as we talked about in class the other day it turns out that when casting, the actor was just the best one for the part and nothing racial from the time period took play into the selection.

This movie really set up all of the major points for zombie movies to come. It sort of laid down the laws/rules of how zombie work. The infectious bite, people becoming zombies, the slow walking zombies and the fear of fire which came into play in the movie. HEADSHOTS. makes perfect sense.

Also Ramero's whole situation with the copyright of the movie is pretty horrifying and hysterical at the same time. That man would at this point in life be filthy filthy filthy rich (so much zombie) if he managed to copyright his movie correctly. But sadly for him that is not the case and anyone can title their movie "night of the living dead" due to such a flaw (and people have)

Frankenstein

Before reading the book Frankenstein, I have been exposed to much of the pop culture that was influenced by mary kelly's novel. This includes the movie adaptation in black and white. because of that, my notion of what to expect in the book was swayed to the portrayal of the common era. For example, I had no idea that the monster of Frankenstein could talk, or was even capable of talking in such an intelligent manner. I was expecting a mute juggernaut who grunted and moaned and he stomped about with his arms locked in position. I also expected there to be an Igor character in the book but he was absent as well.

I have to admit that I actually like this adaptation of the book much better than what hollywood portrays the classical novel as. It has more of a sense of adventure as well. Especially in the beginning with Walton's letters about how he's in the arctic and discovers Dr. Frankenstein in the barren tundra. I had no idea that was part of the book and I was very confused the first time I read this because my expectations were to be reading of the Doctor rather than reading the book in an epistolary form with characters I'm unfamiliar with.

I was aware however, that the monster created is not called Frankenstein but is the creation of the Doctor himself, who is named Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein to be exact.

This also explains the Wonderful illustrations by Bernie Wrightson as they depict the literary version of the story and not what is seen in pop culture.

This includes the hanging of Justine with beautiful compositions and mastery handling of pen and ink.

I also managed to find the book on tape, which made reading it much easier and more enjoyable because the melodrama portrayed in the book is exaggerated and spoken with such energy that it makes the novel come to life even more. Especially when victor first encounters the monster and he describes his hatred to him for murdering his brother.

and again, the illustrations are just amazing. very fitting for Shelly's novel.

Elements of Horror

What are the elements of horror that you see in horror movies?

Cob Webs

Rats

Castles/old buildings

Candlesticks

Moving bookshelves

Old Dusty things

Darkness

Creepy slow chiming music

Old Pipe Organ music

Blood, gore, slashing

Bad sex scenes

Phantoms and Ghosts

Body parts in jars

Ye olde England

Graveyards

Kills

Slow walking people

Sudden Jumping out

Flashing Lights

Coffins

Human Denial

Murderers

Monsters and aliens

Electricity

Skeletons

Skulls