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Showing posts with label evil dead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evil dead. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

ZOMBIES: Interview with author Michael S. Gardner

by Bowie Ibarra

ZombieBloodFights.com is pleased to have with them today another author who is a part of this great modern wave of zombie authors.  Please welcome Michael S. Gardner.



ZombieBloodFights.com - Let’s start with an important question here.  The Evil Dead ‘rebirth’.  Yes or no?

Michael S. Gardner - I would have to go with a strong yes. The market is flooded with remakes, and there will be plenty more down the road. I honestly feel that it’s about time someone brought this movie back to life. After seeing it, I feel they did an excellent job.

ZBF.com - We followed ‘TheWalking Dead’ thru this season.  What are some things you’d would do differently if you ran the show?

MSG - I do believe the only thing that I would have changed would be offing Andrea a little sooner, like right when she was about to stab the Gov’na all naked and whatnot. I’m probably one of the only people you’ll find that’s been satisfied with everything so far. Too many people, I think, are expecting more and more and more, and they’re not getting what they want. I set my standards pretty low and have yet to be disappointed.

ZBF.com - What are some of your favorite zombie movies out there?

MSG - Favorite zombie movies… Hmm…

Okay, I’ll start with the 90’s remake of Night of the Living Dead. Had I not seen that flick as I child, I might not have been into zombies at all. It’s got great conflict, believable characters, and awesome effects for its time.

Another one I’m a big fan of is Land of the Dead. Okay, hold on, hear me out. It’s often been labeled that movie which points out we are zombies and zombies are us a bit too much. Okay, I get that. But, putting that aside, look at such a vast and detailed world Romero has given us with this story. Zombie fights, take your pic with a zombie, street vendors, and hot prostitutes. I feel that this one is one of the pivotal movies that show life after the dead have claimed the world. It’s by far not the only one; but it’s one of my favs.

I would say 28 Days Later, but that’s not a zombie flick. I’d actually walked out on it in the theaters when the movie was first released (big mistake!). They’d advertised an epic zombie movie, and that’s not what it is or was. That said, it’s one hell of a movie.

ZBF.com - Let’s talk a little bit about your books.  Tell us a little bit about ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Seller of the Dead’.

MSG - First, thanks for allowing me to spread the word about my work. It’s much appreciated!

Betrayal is a zombie novella (currently $0.99 on Amazon) which takes place a few years after the dead have destroyed most of humanity. An old farmhouse and adjoining property has been cordoned off, effectively keeping the hungering dead at bay. The survivors are lucky enough to have a squad of marines and a pilot to forage for food by traversing the fictional metropolis, Stryker City. But things aren’t as they seem – as they often aren’t – and the marines find themselves in a tight spot, abandoned by their pilot.

With the failed mission and winter approaching, there is only one shot left before all is lost and the refuge has to be abandoned. But this time, the new squad of foragers discovers that the city beholds much more than they’d ever anticipated. A doctor has found a “cure” which will transform the world as they know it. He has the ability to control the dead, and is out to change the face of humanity.

Seller of the Dead is the first installment of my Working Class Zombie series. It follows Nathan Parsons, a living-challenged man who is simply trying to find his place in the apocalypse. After attending a seminar, he decides to take his chances and prove he is worthy to live among the living.

This is definitely not an ordinary tale. But, you’ll find references to a few of our favorite movies if you pay close attention to the details. This is by far my favorite endeavor as a writer, and I’m currently writing the second installment, The District, which I hope to have out in a month or two.

ZBF.com - What is your writing process like?

MSG - This’ll probably be my shortest answer. I just write when I have time and when my muse strikes. I know that’s not the best way to approach things, but I do what I can.

ZBF.com - What can readers expect from these books?

MSG - Conflict and characters you can relate to. The one thing most of my readers will point out is that I write about people. People you and I both know and like/hate. There is much more action in Betrayal, yet it’s not overdone. Seller of the Dead is a slower story, as I want my readers to feel what it’s like to be my protagonist. That said, Working Class Zombie will be a series with much action and conflict as the story progresses.

ZBF.com - Where can readers find out more about your books?

MSG - My Amazon Author Page is the best place at the moment: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-S.-Gardner/e/B00C0C28MO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

I also blog at www.atasteofterror.blogspot.com

ZBF.com - Let’s ask the question that needs to be asked:  Zombies, Blood, or Fights?

Ooh, that’s a tough one, man. I guess I’d have to go with Zombies, because then we’ll get to the Blood and the Fights. Hopefully!
================= 
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster.  His latest book, 'The Cruel Fate of Dr. Brewster' McGill' is a weird western tale of snake oil, Aztec Magic, and the dead rising from the grave to attack the living.  It is available in Kindle and paperback from Amazon.com.

If you are a blogger and enjoyed the blog, please follow me.

Enjoy the blog?  Share it with your friends using the 'Facebook', 'Blogger' and 'Twitter' buttons below.

Leave a comment below using your Google+ or Blogger account.

Follow Bowie on Twitter @wingback20

Follow Bowie's Facebook page.

You can network with Bowie and read about his Tex-Mexploitation stories and check out his book trailers at his personal website, ZombieBloodFights.com.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

BLOOD (So much Blood): Evil Dead rebirth an outstanding gorefest

OR A DRUG INTERVENTION GONE HORRIBLY WRONG

by Bowie Ibarra

All true statements
Go get your tickets now.  Make plans to see it
Holy crap, was the late-night viewing of the 'Evil Dead' rebirth a ride on a bloody rollercoaster made of entrails.  'Evil Dead' 2013 gave complete props to its source material, while creating a modern gory nightmarish masterpiece all its own.

Without any true spoilers, the movie is based around a drug intervention that several friends are participating in at the cabin in the woods.  You can probably figure out from there how the zany demonic antics are propelled from that starting point.

Brief notes:  The cast was outstanding.  Though we're all prepared for the big hero in 'Ash'/'David', played by Shiloh Fernandez, the real star of the movie is Jane Levy, who puts in a stellar performance as Mia from start to finish. Everyone put in a great and truthful performance in the imaginary circumstance of demonic hijinks.

The musical score was fantastic, and really added to the movie.

Yes, the original 'campiness' was lost in this movie.  However, the gore and action were so over the top in moments that you had to laugh.

The best part about the flick is that they didn't go full CGI.  Sure, there were moments when CGI was utilized.  But a majority of the SFX, including some classic moments re-envisioned, were done the old school SFX way.

Basically, go see this movie.  If you are a gorehound, lover of bloody movies, Demon possession, or fan of the classic series, this 'rebirth' is the best.

Also, stay for the very end of the credits.  You'll have a chuckle.

All in all, it was a great an enjoyable blood-filled horror ride that I highly recommend.  'Evil Dead' 2013 is ZombieBloodFights.com approved.

========

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster.  His latest book, 'The Cruel Fate of Dr. Brewster' McGill' is a weird western tale of snake oil, Aztec Magic, and the dead rising from the grave to attack the living.  It is available in Kindle and paperback from Amazon.com.

If you are a blogger and enjoyed the blog, please follow me.

Enjoy the blog?  Share it with your friends using the 'Facebook', 'Blogger' and 'Twitter' buttons below.

Leave a comment below using your Google+ or Blogger account.

Follow Bowie on Twitter @wingback20

Follow Bowie's Facebook page.

You can network with Bowie and read about his Tex-Mexploitation stories and check out his book trailers at his personal website, ZombieBloodFights.com.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

BLOOD: SATX Horror Aficionado Reviews 'Evil Dead' Rebirth

KELLY WARREN HAMMOND FACEBOOKS HIS REVIEW

By Bowie Ibarra

 
Well, I didn't write this review.  I admit it.

I pretty much ripped it off from SATX Bloodthirsty Thursday Mastermind Kelly Warren Hammond's Facebook page.  Hey, I did reach out and ask his permission (I hadn't heard back from him.  Doh!).

Do me a favor.  Click on that Bloodthirsty Thursday live link in the previous paragraph and 'like' it on
Facebook.  C'mon, you're liking kittens, snarky memes, and John Denver's tribute page, you can like this page.  Take the four-seven seconds it takes to do that and come back here.

You might remember the SATX Bloodthirsty Thursday events previously mentioned in the ZBF.com blog, including interviews with people leaving the 'Return of the Living Dead' screening, and a review of a screening of the underrated 80s classic, "My Bloody Valentine'.

I'm reposting the Facebook review here because it is a great review from a noted horror hound that I think needs to be read by others looking forward to the movie, like myself.

So, here it is.  There is a bit of a spoiler at the end about a cameo, so consider that before reading.

Again, my apologies to Kelly.  The review was just too awesome to keep under wraps.

I owe you a beer, Kelly.

Check it out and get ready for April 5th!

"The GOOD, The BAD and "I'm the Guy with the Gun" Review:

THE GOOD:
1. THIS_IS_NOT_A_REMAKE!!! rather, as the ED2013 official web site says, "It's a Rebirth" so, with that said you can take the movi...e one of two ways. simply, it's a "rebirth" or re-imagining of the original concept OR it's a semi-sequel. you watch it. you decide.

2. there was more blood, gore (and profanity?!!) than had seen in an R rated horror flick since....well, possibly DEAD ALIVE. so no fear blood, guts and gore lovers there is plenty and i do mean PLENTY of it to go around. :)

3. as some "critics" would had seen ED2013 just a couple of weeks ago pointed out that the "character development" slowed down the pace of the movie. i can NOT disagree more! the movie starts off with a *punch* in the face/gut, then moves into character development (and with only a handful of characters, and 2 of them are main characters who cares), then sets you up for what is about to happen and then....here it comes, BOOM!!! non-stop AWESOMENESS there after.

4. unlike EDII and the "third installment" AOD, this 2013 version actually feels like you are watching an "Evil Dead" movie but with out the campyness.

THE BAD
1. to many "cut to black screen" at the end of scenes. one or two, OK i'm fine with that, but 4 or 5 of them? made if feel like the director and editor couldn't really decide on how they wanted certain scenes to end and/or flow into each other. oh well....

2. if you've watch either the Green Band Trailer or the Red Band Trailer there's a very popular piece of footage that is shown in both, but not in the actual movie. *shugs* dunno why, maybe it seemed like over kill (no pun intended) but it's just not there.

3. Mia has 2 corny lines towards the end of the movie. had they cut it down to just one, i would have been happy with that. BUT... at least they weren't as bad as the lines (and the line delivery) like in the recent TCM3D movie: "Welcome to Texas, asshole...!" and "Do your thing, cousin!"

"I'm the Guy with the Gun"
1. yes, Yes, YES Bruce Campbell has a cameo. you'll need to stay to the very tail end of the credits because it's quick and cool. :)"
Thanks, Kelly.  I hope you don't mind me sharing it.  It was a great review.  I'll buy you a beer at the screening on April 5th. 

And expect a ZombieBloodFights.com review on the weekend of April 5th, the official release date of 'The Cruel Fate of Dr. Brewster McGill', incidentally, in paperback and Kindle.

==========

BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster.  His latest release, 'The Cruel Fate of Dr. Brewster McGill', is the story of snake oil, Aztec magic, and the dead rising from the grave in the old west.  You can find the book and many others on Bowie's Amazon.com page.

Network with Bowie at his official website, ZombieBloodFights.com.