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“I could review this movie, but then I’d have to kill you.” –Susan

Wow, what a good movie. I had no idea this was going to be such a good movie! The previews are minimal, which is such a delight because so many previews have become just little summaries of the entire movie, but I’m afraid they may have been too minimal to get the attention this movie deserved on its opening weekend. I have a feeling it will do very well near the end of its run because of word of mouth. For instance, I’m telling you right now to go see this movie.

I’d love to tell you more, Kai and I couldn’t stop talking about this movie all weekend after seeing it Friday night, but what is magic without its secrets? Just go see it.

“Cette fois, il se bat pour sa propre vie.” –Susan

Hmmm… I like this movie, but it’s awfully short. It also has a weird low budget feel to it. I think it has an important message, but I would have liked it to last another half an hour and maybe have a Predator alien in it.

“I can’t believe I coveted my sister’s soundtrack.” –Susan

This movie sucks! I can’t believe how bad this movie is! This is nothing like I remember! I had fond memories of Olivia Newton John on rollerskates, singing, and surrounded by magic fairy dust so I actually purchased this piece of crap DVD. What’s up with the old guy? I so don’t remember the old guy, yet there he is, going on all their dates with them. Oh my god this movie sucks. How could they so utterly destroy a movie that has Olivia Newton John on rollerskates surrounded by magic fairy dust? This movie should kick ass! This movie should be like Grease meets The Neverending Story, but instead it’s more like Cats meets The Neverending Story III. This movie sucks!

I love Zombies, but until Monster Island I’d never actually read anything zombie. David Wellington’s Monster Island is a quick-to-read and refreshing take on Zombie lore. I was able to polish off all 272 pages in three easy sittings and had a hard time putting the book down the first two times.

The story, set in Manhattan a month after New York has been overrun by zombies, is told from two intertwining perspectives. The Gary character is definitely the weaker of the two, and it’s a bit confusing as to how we’re seeing his side of the story at all (until the end), but his perspective is what makes the novel so refreshing. A zombie tale told from the perspective of… a zombie!

The human half of the story is told by Dekalb, a former UN weapons inspector, who has returned to Manhattan for the most implausible of reasons. The great thing about reading a zombie novel (as opposed to watching a zombie movie) is that there’s a good deal of room for the author to give you a glimpse of the motivations and feelings of the human characters.

The best part of all is that the novel was originally released online free of charge. It’s still available, as are the sequels Monster Nation and Monster Planet. I picked it up on a whim in paperback at Powells, but if you’re hesitant to read a zombie novel on my recommendation (screw you…) you can also take the free route.

Two rotting pieces of flesh up.

Blair Witch Spelunking. — Travis

A claustrophobic, blood soaked, messy (in every sense of the word), all female, thrill fest. A movie that’s full of jump up out of your seat moments of chicanery, palpable atmosphere, and indecipherable dialog that’s probably worth ignoring anyway. If you must terrify yourself with one movie this Halloween season–and really, who doesn’t–you won’t go wrong with this one.

I could have done without the minute or so of “face time” with the compound fracture, which means that someone did their job. Both my horror enjoying friend Miles and I experienced post-viewing night terrors (this is good, and rare). Wholeheartedly not recommended for anyone who fears the dark, and/or tightly enclosed spaces, unless you really want to freak yourself the fuck out.

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