World War Z

Rewatched this big-screen zombie epic for the first time since 2013. The plot is very basic, and it only feels epic because of the many, many zombies. Brad Pitt and his hair do a lot of heroic things, but they (the military?) MAKE him. They tell him they’re going to kick his family off of the safe ship unless he helps, which is pretty messed up. This was supposed to be a launch pad for a whole series of World War Z movies, alas.

Shaun of the Dead

Culturally, one of the more successful zomedies, the plot presupposes what a couple of English slackers would do during the zombie apocalypse without the guns that are so easily accessible to Americans. Hypothetically, could a slacker rise to the occasion and save his loves ones? Probably not. But can he learn to be a hero at any rate, which will impress his girlfriend? I’m having trouble see the parable in this one. For what it’s worth, Simon Pegg delivers some above-par emotional acting, running around in an elevated-level of stress and weeping authentically when the loved ones are eaten. Turn off your brains, and enjoy Edgar Wright’s quick cuts and Pegg’s stressed-out bloke.