It’s not surprising that George Romero’s latest zombie film, Survival of the Dead, had a hard time getting US distribution. I really enjoyed the film (read my Fantastic Fest review here) but it’s a highly stylized work that is probably more a love letter to Westerns than it is an obvious zombie film. But that’s the beauty of it – Romero uses the genre he created as a way to explore other genres that he loves, and I think he made a fairly strong film while doing so.
American audiences were wondering if they would ever get a chance to see the film, which is getting released in the UK soon. There’s good news – Magnet, the genre arm of Magnolia, has picked up the film. They’re going to do one of their patented VOD launches, putting the movie on your local cable provider’s video on demand a month before it hits theaters. This means you’re not going to have to wait for Survival of the Dead to wend its way through a few dozen arthouses before you finally get to see it.
There’s no firm date on the release, just sometime in the spring. We’ll keep you up to date on when you can enjoy Romero’s sixth zombie film from the comfort of your living room.
10 comments
Cool. I cant wait until this becomes common place with all minor releases.
I have to ask: what is this fascination with nerd culture and the support behind Romero constantly making the same type of movie, especially when they're all terrible in comparison to his original? I really don't get it. Is it simply a case of blind loyalty? People wanting to support a guy because they simply find him endearing and thus find it appropriate to disregard that his craft has dwindled? Don't get me wrong: I love a good zombie movie, but I'm beyond the mentality of loving something simply because. (This could also be said about the sheer inexplicable behavior of people who violently support Bruce Campbell, which I'm sure will win me 0 fans, but it needs to be said.)
Does Magnet/Magnolia really make that much profit off of VOD? If the movie had a same day release between VOD and theaters, I'd gladly pay the difference to see it on the big screen. But I don't much like the thought of having to wait a month for the chance to see what everyone's already seen at home. Of course, my anticipation for Romero's zombie-western leads me to suspect I might see it both at home at at the theater. Oh well.
Beating… I think the 1990s had something to do with it, when Romero had endless interesting projects in development that all fell apart. Zombies are where he can get funding right now. And we Romero fans are like, I dunno, Mets fans or something. We keep hoping he'll make it to the World Series.
"I have to ask: what is this fascination with nerd culture and the support behind Romero constantly making the same type of movie, especially when they're all terrible in comparison to his original?"
Simply put, the guy's still working – that's why.
It's not that he wants to only make the same sorts of movies over and over again so much as they're the only kinds of movies he can find backing for.
i'm really looking forward to this one. Bravo to Magnet for picking it up!
Response to "Beating a Dead Zombie" –
Sir, you are absolutely correct.
I am one of those who always rushes out to see Romero's work, but he really hasn't made a good film since the '80's, and even then a certain context must be stipulated in granting the status of "good."
It is blind loyalty. I guess I'm always hoping to find some nugget of goodness in the work of an old friend, but know it's highly unlikely. It's also exciting to see the old guy still trying. It's kind of like proud of grandpa for not pooping his pants on Thanksgiving.
It's hard being a fan sometimes.
Absolutely piece of crap. Easily, hands down, no doubt the WORST movie Romero has ever made.
Terribly written, terribly acted, terribly directed. Terrible in general.
Agreed with the guy at the top. It's time for someone to take the car keys away from Grandpa.
Each film since the original three films wasn't very good. And the only movie I've enjoyed outside of his zombie films has been Creepshow.
His zombie record simply isn't as bad as people are makign it out to be. He has only made 6, and 99% of the posters haven't even seen the newest one. Night and Dawn are classics and Day is very good. Land was average and Document was a disappointment. That is not a bad track record. Have his films fallen in quality over the last few? yes, but two lackluster films and an unknown film hardly qualifies as a large enough sample to slam the guy.
And everyone keeps forgeting about Martin. That alone would make Romero one of the greats.
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