Diary of the Dead: Difference between revisions
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</ref> However, in "an attempt to re-establish a profitable franchise," the film will, technically and philosophically, be [[Reboot (continuity)|reboot]], "a rejigging of the myth" says Romero.<ref name=TorontoStar/> Even though the fourth film, ''[[Land of the Dead]]'', was studio-produced through [[Universal Studios]], ''Diary of the Dead'' was produced by Romero-Grunwald Productions, formed by Romero and his producer friend Peter Grunwald, with Artfire Films.<ref name=variety>. The film was produced by Romero's company and many might say it fulfils Romero's modern Dead film better than the mixed reviewed [[Land of the Dead]]. That being said, many stylistic conventions of previous Romero Dead films are absent. The film has virtually no musical soundtrack which has been a Romero staple (Specifically [[Dawn of the Dead]] with the Goblins). Since the film is captured by internal sources (within the film and narrative) Romero's long still shots and crafty moving cranes are virtually absent. Since the film is taking on a different concept, and "re-establishing" a legendary horror tale, this all makes sense. |
</ref> However, in "an attempt to re-establish a profitable franchise," the film will, technically and philosophically, be a [[Reboot (continuity)|reboot]], "a rejigging of the myth" says Romero.<ref name=TorontoStar/> Even though the fourth film, ''[[Land of the Dead]]'', was studio-produced through [[Universal Studios]], ''Diary of the Dead'' was produced by Romero-Grunwald Productions, formed by Romero and his producer friend Peter Grunwald, with Artfire Films.<ref name=variety>. The film was produced by Romero's company and many might say it fulfils Romero's modern Dead film better than the mixed reviewed [[Land of the Dead]]. That being said, many stylistic conventions of previous Romero Dead films are absent. The film has virtually no musical soundtrack which has been a Romero staple (Specifically [[Dawn of the Dead]] with the Goblins). Since the film is captured by internal sources (within the film and narrative) Romero's long still shots and crafty moving cranes are virtually absent. Since the film is taking on a different concept, and "re-establishing" a legendary horror tale, this all makes sense. |
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Revision as of 18:15, 3 April 2008
- This article is about the George Romero film. For the 1976 film, see Diary of the Dead (1976 film).
| Diary of the Dead | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | George A. Romero |
| Written by | George A. Romero |
| Produced by | George A. Romero Peter Grunwald Sam Englebardt Artur Spigel Dan Fireman John Harrison Ara Katz |
| Starring | Shawn Roberts Joshua Close Michelle Morgan Joe Dinicol Phillip Riccio Scott Wentworth Tatiana Maslany |
| Cinematography | Adam Swica |
| Music by | Norman Orenstein |
| Distributed by | Voltage Pictures The Weinstein Company[1] |
Release dates | September 8, 2007 (Toronto International Film Festival) February 15, 2008 (US) March 7, 2008 (UK) |
Running time | 95 min. |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
Diary of the Dead (also known as George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead) is a horror film by George A. Romero. Although independently produced, it is distributed by Dimension Films and was released on February 15, 2008.[2]
Plot
A group of film students are making an independent horror film when they become trapped in a world being consumed by flesh-eating zombies. They then turn their attention toward making the film into a documentary on their personal horror experiences.
Significantly, this is the first film in Romero's zombie continuity to establish that the plague is not only occurring in the United States, but is a a worldwide phenomenon.
Re-establishing The Dead franchise
The film will be the fifth film in Romero's Dead series.[3] However, in "an attempt to re-establish a profitable franchise," the film will, technically and philosophically, be a reboot, "a rejigging of the myth" says Romero.[2] Even though the fourth film, Land of the Dead, was studio-produced through Universal Studios, Diary of the Dead was produced by Romero-Grunwald Productions, formed by Romero and his producer friend Peter Grunwald, with Artfire Films.[4]
Cast
- Shawn Roberts as Tony Ravello[5]
- Joshua Close as Jason Creed[5]
- Michelle Morgan as Debra[5]
- Joe Dinicol as Eliot[5]
- Scott Wentworth as Maxwell[5]
- George Buza as Biker
- Amy Ciupak Lalonde as Tracy Truman
- Tatiana Maslany as Mary[6]
- Tino Monte as Newscaster
- Megan Park as Francine Shane
- Martin Roach as Stranger
- Alan Van Sprang as Colonel
- Matt Birman as Zombie Trooper
- Laura DeCarteret as Bree
- Janet Lo as Asian Woman
- Chris Violette as Gordo
- Todd William Schroeder as Brody
- Alexandria DeFabiis as Zombie
- Nick Alachiotis as Fred
- Philip Riccio[5]
- George A. Romero as Chief of Police
- Boyd Banks as Armorist
- Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, Simon Pegg and Stephen King (voices only) [7]
History
Romero announced the film in August 2006 after signing a deal to write and direct it.[4] Filming began its four-week shoot in Toronto on October 19, 2006.[5]
Despite the low production budget, somewhere around 2 million dollars,[8] director George Romero made extensive use of computer-generated imagery, because it allowed him to shoot the film quickly and add the effects later. Also, the film's style, as if shot with hand-held cameras, necessitated a shift from his usual method of working, which involves filming multiple camera angles and assembling scenes in the editing room. Instead, Romero filmed much of the action in long, continuous takes: "The camera was 360, so everybody was an acrobat, ducking under the lens when the camera came past you," said Romero. "The cast was great. They had a lot of theatre experience. I think they could have gone from scene one all the way to the end of the movie, all in a single shot."[9]
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Midnight Madness on September 8, 2007.[10] According to a poll taken by the Toronto Star, it was one of the most anticipated films at the Festival.[11] Just four days later, The Weinstein Company announced that it had purchased the rights to distribute Diary of the Dead in the United States and Mexico for $2.5 million. There, Dimension Films are distributing the film.
Reception
The film had a very mixed reaction from critics. On the film review website Rottentomatoes.com it sports a 59% approval rating,[12]certifying it as "rotten". It is currently the lowest-rated entry in Romero's series.
DVD Release
The Weinstein Company and Genius Entertainment has set May 20 disc dates for both George A. Romero’s DIARY OF THE DEAD, retailing for $24.95, and a new edition of the director’s classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, for $19.97.<ref>[http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=6234
References
- ^ CHUD.com - A film site for the brilliant
- ^ a b "Diary of the Dead, Teeth and Quarantine Get Dates!". Bloody-Disgusting.com. 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^
Kincaid, Nina (2006-08-30). "Script Review: Romero's "Diary of the Dead"". Flixens. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b . The film was produced by Romero's company and many might say it fulfils Romero's modern Dead film better than the mixed reviewed Land of the Dead. That being said, many stylistic conventions of previous Romero Dead films are absent. The film has virtually no musical soundtrack which has been a Romero staple (Specifically Dawn of the Dead with the Goblins). Since the film is captured by internal sources (within the film and narrative) Romero's long still shots and crafty moving cranes are virtually absent. Since the film is taking on a different concept, and "re-establishing" a legendary horror tale, this all makes sense.
McClintock, Pamela (2006-08-24). "Romero will raise 'Dead'". Variety.com. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g "Diary of the Dead shooting and more Cast!". MoviesOnline. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
- ^
DeDekker, Jeff (2006-10-21). "Regina actress makes her mark in 'Booky' role". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Capone With George A. Romero!!".
- ^ The zombie king returns to the 'Dead' - CNN.com
- ^ Hollywood Gothique: "Talking about 'Diary of the Dead'"
- ^ TIFF '07 - Films & Schedules George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead
- ^ Romero's 'Diary' breathes new life into the dead - USATODAY.com
- ^ Diary of the Dead at Rotten Tomatoes
External links
- Diary of the Dead at IMDb
- Diary of the Dead at MetaCritic
- Diary of the Dead at Rotten Tomatoes
- The First Week – A look at the first week of filming on Diary of the Dead, hosted by Special Features Producer Michael Felsher.
- Trailer, the first trailer of the film released January 10, 2008.
- Interview: George Romero on Diary of the Dead
- http://myspace.com/thecaptainsintangible -The song "Any Other Way" from Diary of the Dead is written and performed by The Captains Intangible.
- Urban Dead Monroeville
