Valentine's Day Horror Fest Part 2: The Zombie Edition

BY NOWAL MASSARI

Last year we gave you a list of scary movies to enjoy with your sweetie. If you aren't the type of person that turns to mush over a box of gamble chocolates and some over-priced flowers, but don't want to watch something too scary, we've got a list of heart warming zombie movies to help you celebrate Valentine's day. 

Warm Bodies (2013)

The film is told from the prospective of lead zombie R (Nicholas Hoult), who narrates what it’s like to (un)live in a post-apocalyptic world. After making a meal out of the brains of beautiful Julie’s jerk boyfriend, R begins to take on the memories of her departed love. R’s humanity eventually seems to return as he spends more time with Julie. However, like any other love story, the duo face obstacles that could tear them apart, both figuratively and literally. 

This light hearted tale of love and life after death is definitely cute, surprisingly entertaining, and with a PG-13 rating, it has just the right amount of darkness to please the whole family! 

'Warm Bodies' heats up box office

Hoult as R, courtesy Summit

We weren’t surprised that the dead would dominate the weekend’s box office. The "Twilight with zombies" movie Warm Bodies starring Katniss’ (Jennifer Lawrence) ex Nicholas Hoult took the top spot with $20 million.

It probably didn’t hurt that this ZWP film appealed to a female audience and there was a certain "big game" on this weekend. Based on the book by Isaac Marion, the paranormal romantic comedy tells the tale of "R" who is slowly transformed by the power of love he feels for a beautiful young woman named "Julie," whom he is compelled to save from his fellow zombies. Hmmm ... R and Julie ... Romeo and Juliet?

The film earned decent reviews and a 76 percent "Fresh" rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

So it’s the third weekend in a row that a paranormal-themed film has dominated the box office. Last week’s winner was Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and the week before was Mama.

Which of these films did you see? What are your thoughts of the popularity of these parafilms?

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Warm Bodies' book prequel available as eBook

Courtest Summit Pictures

Seattle-born author, Isaac Marion’s book Warm Bodies: A Novel was released in 2011 and this past weekend, was the number one film in theaters. But there is more to the story of evolving zombies than what's covered in the movie. 

Published Jan. 28 at Zola Books, The New Hunger is a novella that shows us a little more about the world of R and Julie.

Take a look at the extended overview below:

Paranormal Pop Culture Winter Movie Preview

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

With so many cool looking movies coming out in the first three months of 2013, who can even think about the rest of the year yet? So instead of doing a 2013 paranormal movie preview, we're focusing in on winter time. While some might rock, and others stink like a zombie, there is no shortage of witches, zombies, aliens, ghosts and other unexplained goodies to heat things up until the temperatures rise.

Texas Chainsaw 3D
Jan. 4 (R)
Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Scott Eastwood and Tania Raymonde. Director: John Luessenhop.
Topping the box office after it opened last Friday, the new year has started out with the roar of Leatherface’s chainsaw. This is not so much of a rehashing of the original in 3D, but a continuation of the original Tobe Hooper story into modern times when a young girl inherits a relative’s Texas home, as well as its secrets. Die-hard fans may not be as satisfied as the casual audience member may be, but this new film in the series will no doubt elicit some cringes.

A Haunted House
Jan. 11 (R)
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Nick Swardson. Director: Michael Tiddes.
In this Paranormal Activity spoof written by Wayans, a couple enlist the help of a Chip Coffey type psychic and ghost hunters to help defeat a demon that's interrupting their home (and sex) life.

Zombies With Personalities: The new trend of the dead

Hoult as R, courtesy Summit

BY AARON SAGERS

It is incredibly obvious to acknowledge the zombie invasion has been in full effect for a couple years now with the ghouls shambling into pop-culture’s top monster spot more each day. Aside from being the threat of AMC’s hit show The Walking Dead, they’ve taken a bite out of non-zombie franchises with guest spots. Not even their undead cousin, the vampire, can come close to being such a total immersion creature as to bleed over into reality with walks, runs, obstacle courses and, yes, actual hard news stories speculating whether they have come into existence courtesy bath salts and occasional cannibalism.

Zombies, man, they creep me out – but that might be about to change with a major evolutionary step signaled at San Diego Comic-Con a few weeks back: Zombies With Personalities. Even though it sounds like the name for a garage rock band, Zombies With Personalities (ZWP) are members of the monster horde with names, personalities, individual behaviors, etc. emerging in a big way within pop culture.