Is there a correlation between social unrest and zombie movies? The bloggers over at i09.com seem to think so. They produced this chart showing US and Canadian zombie movies over time and argue that social unrest, wars, and catastrophes cause spikes in the number of zombie movies produced.

Personally I think the argument is a little flimsy. As we all know from our “Zombie Movie or Not?” series on the ZRC, the very definition of a zombie can often be contested. The authors here include mummies, but not vampires or ghosts. I don’t think that any of our readers would claim that 1943’s Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man could be classified as a zombie movie. They also point out that the list is focused on American and European movies, but a several Asian movies are included. Was Pakistani Omar Kahn thinking of the Iraq War when he directedZibahkhana-Hell’s Ground?

Furthermore, the idea that zombie movies depict an apocalyptic mirror of current events is not always true, particularly for early works in the pre-Dawn of the Dead era. Movies like I Walked with a Zombie and Zombies on Broadway can hardly be called reflective of the social climates during World War II. Modern movies such as Fido, American Zombie, and Otto; or Up With Dead People are mold-breaking films that further muddy the waters on what is a “typical” zombie film.

I think the evidence for any correlation between current events is weak at best. Fads, the increasing accessibility of video equipment, and a combination of the two (creating a rush to cash in on zombie movie popularity) are the main reasons we see spikes in the number of zombie movies.

What do you think? Is there a correlation there or is it just a case of fitting the data to justify the statement?

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We hope your Halloween is one filled with tricks and treats! Thanks to Scott, one of our readers who sent in this awesome pictures of a Dawn of the Dead pumpkin he created.

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It’s back…

Click here to read our last Halloween candy review of the season

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Ever wonder what would happen if the living dead invaded a 1970s blaxploitation film? That thought never crossed my mind, and unfortunately now I know.

Insane in the Brain starts with several zombies rising from graves. One of them stumbles into a brothel and engages a lady of the night, killing her in the act (sadly this is not the only movie I’ve seen featuring a zombie fellatio.) Several other prostitutes are found dead in mysterious ways, and two jive-talking cops are called in to solve the murders. They deduce that sex acts somehow must be attracting the zombies, and come up with a plan to cover bullets with condoms in order to take them down. Yes, it’s as dumb as it sounds. A posse is formed with a few cops and some prostitutes, and the group patrols the cemetery in search of zombies. They find some, shoot them, end of movie.

Gah, where to even begin with this waste of time? I should mention this was intended as more of comedy than a horror film, so I won’t knock it down for not being scary. But it’s not very funny either. One or two exchanges between the cops were kinda funny, but outside of that it was mind-numbingly dull. All the shots were far too long and the action was so interesting I wanted to shut it off.

Everything else aside, Insane in the Brain explored new lows in FX makeup. The zombies were literally made of leftover halloween masks and afro wigs and they they constantly groaned, “Brains… more brains!” despite not a single zombie in the film actually eating a brain. I really don’t want to even think about this film any longer so I’m gonna end this review here. Just don’t waste your time or money on it.

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Last year we told you about a species of wasp that could turn cockroaches into zombies, and today Discover Magazine has a gallery of 8 other animals that have the ability to be turned into zombies by their parasitic hosts. This is just fascinating science and it’s mind-boggling how these parasites have evolved into such small niches.

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George’s Intervention is an upcoming zombie movie currently filming in LA. In the world of the film, zombism is a disease much like alcoholism, and zombies are a normal part of society. “The zombieism in our film is accepted in society—there are tech support hotlines. It’s a given, it’s expected,” says director JT Seaton. Zombies can be cured with things like “tofu flesh”. Sounds like a very interesting premise for a film and we’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing this film upon its release.

Thanks to the Midnight Podcast for the link!

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Randlord wrote us last week with a link to My Zombie Pinup and said “These ladies are real hot and real dead….thought you might like to check it out.” I would have to agree. They offer a 13 month calendar where they say “Beauty eats Brains.”

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This summer we reported on a rumor that the popular Zombies!!! board game will be coming to XBox Live, and today we are happy to say the rumors were true! On a news post on their website, Twilight Creations announced that Zombies!!! will be available in 2009 as a download for XBox Live, Playstation 3, and PCs via the Steam download service, with the possibility of Nintendo DS and Wii versions in the future.

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Where do we draw the line on what is and what is not a zombie movie? We just can’t decide on our own, so every Monday we’ll post a new movie to be debated by, you, our readers and ask the question: Zombie Movie Or Not? Every Sunday we’ll post our findings and possibly strike that movie off our Zombie Movie List. The week should give you enough time to rent the movie if need be or you desire.

What every reader must keep in mind is that there are two basic types of zombie that every zombie movie based off of – the Voodoo Zombie and the Romero Zombie. The Voodoo Zombie, while not always raised by Voodoo necessarily, is basically a person, either undead or entranced, that is controlled by a person or entity for the purpose of completing tasks, often killing. Romero Zombies are basically mindless, flesh-eating undead whose bite will turn victims into zombies. Now, not all movies adhere to all of these rules, but if the basics are there, you got a zombie movie.

This weeks debate is over The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) Directed by Wes Craven.

IS: This movie deals directly with the source of real haitian zombies.

IS NOT: There are no walking dead in this movie. No dead = not a zombies movie.

Now it’s up to you, reader. What do you think? The Serpent and the Rainbow: Zombie Movie Or Not?

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The debate for Quarantine: Zombie Movie Or Not?, received 16 comments and 9 non-repeating votes. With 5 votes for and 4 votes against being a Zombie Movie, as far as this site is concerned, Quarantine IS a Zombie Movie.

Stay tuned for next week’s debate: The Serpent and the Rainbow: Zombie Movie Or Not?

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