George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead

Review 1 of 7

rodster6 writes:

Not Rated

Im not sure how anyone could have a problem understanding what Mr Travers is saying? What big words? I only have a high school and some college education yet have no trouble reading words with more than six letters.
Anyway thats off topic. I was so disappointed with this film. The acting is terrible, dialogue rubbish and it is not scarey at all. The characters are boring, unlikable and uncharasmatic. It seems like an amateur film but not in the way it sets out to.
I enjoyed Land of the dead. Not a classic like the others but still an entertaining film and interesting continuation of the story. This film however is just dreadful. The ending is as boring as the rest of the film, as it seems to just stop as if Romero got bored and ran out of ideas. Though I dont think a good ending would have saved the film at this point.
I love the other living dead films and was really looking forward to seeing this. Worst film I have seen in a long tim.

Oct 23, 2008 10:24:20

Review 2 of 7

edenscancer writes:

4of 4 Stars

I've been reading a large number of reviews on "diary of the dead" directed by Mr Romero, Which I by the way saw recently. Why the negativity?! I'm going to address several posts on this thread now.

First off Uptopar, where the hell do you get off telling him to dumb down his writing? This was a magnificent and unbiased review of "Diary of the dead". Just because a 100k education can't buy you the ability to understand intelligent writing doesn't mean you have to ruin it for everyone who has a higher reading level than a gnat.

Next I believe someone said this was a biased review because Romero told the author something personally? He's a journalist. He talks to famous people that he writes about. Deal with it.

To everyone else now, who gave this movie a negative review. Romero is doing what he does best and simultaneously realigning the zombie genre. The movies were NEVER based on the zombies, but on the situations the zombies invoke. He has successfully mixed mankind's voyeuristic tendencies with many other elements over the years that have always made his movies great. If anything Romero is going back to his roots. Land of the dead strayed too far into turning the zombie into an evolving creature which made the movie (sorry George) blow, and even that movie had decent points. Zombies will always be the fear of our inner self, the unknown, and what we are capable of... or incapable of. What Romero touched on here is REAL, even in fiction. Real people, Real situations, Real things people could do.

Anyone who also says they would never live though a camera at the outcome of these events could also say "hmmm, i would never try to escape from reality in a time of crisis". It's bull. You would do anything you could to escape the menace. Mentally, and physically.

The acting was on the line of Realistic and bad. Which is where he wanted it. These are real people, and they acted like it. VERY believable. So sorry Jon woo couldn't direct this movie for all the negative reviewers. Maybe he would make some more shiny lights and explosions to dazzle you.

This movie was fantastic, scary as hell, and a gem that will be heralded as a cult classic in years to come.

Psssst... by the way guys all of his other movies were hated when they came out too. It takes a person of actual intelligence to enjoy this move. open your mind and see it for what it is. If you stand it next to your favorite idolized movies of course it flops. This movie stands on it's own

4 FRIGGIN STARS ****

Sep 28, 2008 19:25:37

Review 3 of 7

TravisC writes:

Not Rated

How can you possibly give this movie 3.5 stars? It's unbelievable that a journalist like yourself would pass off such a waste of film (or is it Digital) as a good movie.

I love what Romero has done in the past but it was obvious after watching "Land of the Dead" that he no longer has what it takes to be relevant in the genre he created.

"Diary of the Dead" is one of the worst, if not the worst, zombie movie I have ever seen.

I'm all for using no-name actors, but he picked a cast devoid of acting ability. Sure, you can make a case that maybe the problem wasn't the actors themselves, but the material they were given. I say it was both.

It's as if Romero hasn't watched a movie himself in the last 20 years. The advances made in film-making over the past four decades, only make "Diary of the Dead" seem more antequated and amatuer.

If the industry still had faith in Romero's ability to entertain, and scare, then this would have had a theatrical release.

Another thing to think about Mr. Travers: If you're going to give an honest and objective review, then leave out the quips about how "Romero told me recently.." Your connection to the Director of a film your praising, only brings question to the legitamacy of your review.

Jul 13, 2008 16:39:01

Review 4 of 7

Varnor writes:

1of 4 Stars

After reading the RollingStone review, I have to wonder if I somehow ended up watching a different version of Diary of the Dead. I have been a fan of Romero's films since the original Night of the Living Dead, and yet cannot help but feel that this movie is actually worse than his first zombie movie all those years ago

The acting is absolutely terrible. Lines are delivered in a very fake way, and people don't act very realistically. I am almost sure he must have picked a handful of fans and said "hey want to be in a movie?". It wasn't to save money either as the budget was apparently $10 million. What it was spent on boggles the mind because there are few special effects in the film

There is even the token British "professor" complete with fake english accent (we don't talk like that you know... no, REALLY we don't!) who can spout Shakespear, fence and do archery! Wow! You don't get any cornier than that!

Now for the story itself. The world is collapsing, everyone is dying, so what do you do? Walk around filming teenagers with a handcam and say it's going to be uploaded to YouTube... what?! Does anyone seriously get their news from YouTube?! Electricity would be a scarce thing anyway after a few days of the apocalypse so all this would ultimately be pretty futile

At one point there is no doubt meant to be an ironic part where reality happens the way their own film was meant to go at the start. This actually shot worse than a Hammer Horror movie and was far from funny. Instead of helping the woman being chased by the zombie, the guy can't resist filming it (The entire film goes along these lines in fact. It's handcam city these days when it comes to movies, it must save a fortune on rigging, lighting and expensive cameras, but it makes for a truely crappy movie)

Plot holes also abound. The kids enter a locked and alarmed home to find the family eating each other in the living room. How they didn't set the alarm off while doing this I have no idea.

Also the story leaves it's origins where only a bite would normally bring the person back as a zombie. Any death now causes them to return, regardless

Disappointed isn't the word George... here's hoping your next movie is a whole lot better cast, filmed and written

May 20, 2008 17:16:08

Review 5 of 7

Jame writes:

1of 4 Stars

Has every Romero fan gone mad? I have been waiting for this film for over a year and having been disappointed with Land of the Dead I would gladly sit through that film 1000 times than watch this one again. It's clear to me that Romero has lost sight with what his fans want from him which is to make the zombie the star of the show. Night started slow, Dawn will always, for now, be the ultimate zombie fan's movie. You then have Day which as time goes by has to be commended for it's great gory moments and insight into what makes them tick. Land well let's just leave that. Back to Diary, where was the realism I was promised. If you had just seen your friends murdered and eaten would you still be holding a camera, nope. Forget students, a news crew would have been better. At least would have had still shots. Please remember to take travel sick pills when you watch this film, and don't attempt to eat. The gore won't make you sick I promise you as there's very little in here. I want to quote satire, shots and a mark of realism on how our modern world is obsessed with media but it all get's a bit lost. I hate to admit it but maybe it's time that the Godfather of the genre hang up his boots, sit back and watch intently on what someone younger and more in touch with the generation want to see. Let's face it if Zack Snyder had not had them running we may have halied a new sheriff in town! I love George to bits but this time I left the cinema feeling like I'd be cheated out of my 5 bucks.

Mar 13, 2008 12:35:32

Review 6 of 7

pumpkin66 writes:

Not Rated

I haven't seen the movie yet, but although I am a 41 yo mom I do still enjoy a good zombie movie. I have read many of your reviews Mr. Travers and have never had a problem understanding what you were saying despite the fact that I don't have a degree or $100,000 to get one if I wanted it (don't). I was once a features editor for our local newspaper (circulation approx. 4000 - being generous) and was told by the managing editor to "dumb down" my writing because most people read at a 4th grade level. I really took issue with that, we argued, I finally said okay, and went back to nursing a year later. I don't understand why we coddle ignorance and are encouraged to perpetuate it. If people read at a 4th grade level chances are they aren't reading anyway. I really think Mr. Uptopar wasted his $100,000. My 2 cents worth - for what it's worth... Hah!

Mar 6, 2008 19:52:56

Review 7 of 7

uptopar writes:

2of 4 Stars

Mr. Peter Travers: Speak effing English please. (did that grab some attn?) I've been reading your reviews for awhile, and honestly have a hard time understanding what you're saying most of the time. I can understand why you may think this is the comment of an uneducated ______, but I am a fan, (and have paid over $100.000 for a degree), so please humor me. Why not dumb down the language a bit?... We all know what you 'mean', but you will garner 10x more fans/subscribers if you write in simple language. Though we may or may not have a degree, isn't your audience is looking to enjoy an engaging article (as opposed to dragging out a dictionary/thesaurus). Help us out, friend.

Thanks again for your hard work and posts,

Uptopar

Mar 6, 2008 00:13:05