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Horror Fans… The “Godfather of Zombies” Turned 73 Yesterday! 

George A. Romero is an American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his series of gruesome and satirical horror films about the imminent zombie apocalypse, beginning with ‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968).  

He’d go on to build his famous zombie universe with titles like ‘Dawn Of The Dead’, ‘Day Of The Dead’, ‘Land Of The Dead’, ‘Diary Of The Dead’, ‘Survival Of The Dead’, and ‘The Crazies’.

Romero is so influential that his movies have defined how the walking dead move, kill, and die, helping shape zombie culture to its current widespread popularity and cult followings.

Of all his zombie films we were able to draw some basic rules for survival.  Seven rules, to be exact, that Romero seems to be trying to tell us to abide by if and when the zombie apocalypse does occur…

• Don’t be a douche.  This is important for any morons out there who are abusive to women or racist.  You will die a horrible flesh-eating death.
• Get yourself a large vehicle.  AAA Roadside Service isn’t coming to get you if your Mini Cooper breaks down.  So go jack an RV, SUV or something with a snowplow attached to the front of it.  Remember ‘Zombieland’?  Plus, Escalades and Hummers will no longer be environmentally insensitive.  Feel free to choke the earth as you run over the walking dead.
• Wear some sort of helmet.  Preferably some sort of full-covering motorcycle helmet.  Zombies seem to have an inkling to go straight for the face and neck.
• Aim for the head.  It’s basic zombie 101.  So don’t waster your bullets shooting limbs off, they still have chomping teeth.
• Carry a back-up bludgeoning weapon.  Look, hammers and knives don’t run out of bullets.  Use them.
• Find somewhere big and open to barricade yourself in.  Don’t hide in a barn.  Don’t hide in a tiny house.  Go find an airport, Costco/Walmart, mall, or even prison – as the folks in ‘The Walking Dead’ have –  where you can move around with ease, exploiting multiple exits.
• Enjoy the little things.  Not only would a mall be nice, but I’m sure all the amenities a shopping plaza can offer will make for a bit of comfort while all your loved ones are either dead or dying.  Hint: Pillage and protect the food court, sporting goods and mattress stores.

The story follows characters Ben (Duane Jones), Barbra (Judith O’Dea), and five others trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania which is attacked by unnamed “living dead” monsters which later became known in popular culture as zombies.

This film was the basis of five subsequent Living Dead films (1978-2010) also directed by Romero, and has inspired endless remakes.

Horror and sci-fi veteran Lance Henriksen (Alien) narrates this fascinating look at the history of the American horror film, examining the earliest monster movies of the silent era up to the scariest modern-day masterpieces. Highlights include interviews with genre masters Roger Corman, John Carpenter and George A. Romero, plus clips from classic films like The Exorcist, Night of the Living Dead and Rosemary’s Baby. 

Directed by Andrew Monument and starring Lance Henriksen, John Carpenter, Joe Dante, Roger Corman, George A. Romero, Darren Lynn Bousman, Larry Cohen, Mick Garris, Tom McLoughlin, John Kenneth Muir!

The Walking Dead Girls! is a behind the scenes look into zombie culture in the United States and the obsession with sexy female zombies. What is it about zombie bimbos, or “zimbies”, that are starting to gain the world’s interest? Why are zombies now in mainstream culture and seen in advertising from JCPenney to Sears? With interviews from zombie master maker George Romero, cult filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman, scream queen Linnea Quigley and cult movie star Bruce Campbell, to ZomBcon 2010 and so much more. Also, a rare look into the making of a zombie pinup calendar and behind the scenes of “Stripperland”, The Walking Dead Girls! is a sexy look into the zombie phenomenon created by Romero that is 40 years in the making.

Directed by Tyler Benjamin and starring George A. Romero, Bruce Campbell, Linnea Quigley, Boyd Banks, Lloyd Kaufman!