The Cerebral  Writer
  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Links

THE WALKING DEAD: Enemy Mine

11/25/2012

2 Comments

 
It was with great reluctance that I began watching The Walking Dead television series.  With the heavy saturation of zombie fiction circulating right now, I had my doubts that there was anything original left to say or do with the genre.  I must humbly admit I was dead wrong (pun fully intended).

I got up to speed with the series before Season 2 began, during the Season 1 marathon that aired beforehand.  Season 1 was excellent.  Season 2 has been brilliant.

While the theme of humanity being tested via zombie apocalypse is nothing new, The Walking Dead has taken it to a whole new level.  Tonight's episode, "When the Dead Come Knocking," explores that theme in a way that surpasses even the most meaningful of previous episodes.  Humankind is no longer divided by race or religion, but rather vicinity, mirroring the xenophobia of times past, and even the dividing lines of historical events such as the U.S. Civil War.  Brothers find themselves at arms against one another--any and all who are not deemed a part of one's core group are by default enemies.

The common theme--man fights against monster, but in the process becomes the monster himself--is best exemplified by the "experiment" in Woodbury in which a "volunteer" dying of cancer is allowed to die and turn, just to prove whether or not anything of his living personality remains upon reanimation.  The markers are pictures of beloved family members, and his task is to try to ground himself with their memory once the monster takes over.  Of course, family becomes meaningless once he joins the ranks of the walking dead, just as all previous attachments and loyalties crumble for the living during the process of post-apocalyptic survival.  The unnecessary rivalry that develops between Woodbury and those living in the prison reflects the manufactured rivalries we all create: differences in faith, country, and even favorite sports teams divide people in significant ways.

Based on a well executed graphic novel series, The Walking Dead television series works on multiple levels, using theme, characterization, and tone to make a point about the world as it has stood in the past and how it stands today.  It is a warning of a divided future, told in a way only great literature and thoughtful adaptations of such can portray.

For those who have not seen the series, here is the Season 2 trailer:
For more about The Walking Dead, go to http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead.  If you've been hesitant to check it out, take my word for it that this series is a cut above nearly all the rest.  Watch one episode, and you'll be hooked.
2 Comments

The Five Best Horror Films You've Probably Never Seen

10/30/2012

0 Comments

 
Halloween is a day of terror, when we let loose our darkest fears and deepest fantasies.  It is a night to watch horror movies, to dream of the undead, and to feed the unidentifiable horror that lies deep within us all.  Beyond the fake spider webs, the dry ice fog, and the spooky sound effects, we suspend reality for one day, allowing the dead to live, the fantastic to exist, and the darkness to prevail.

Halloween gets me in the mood for horror flicks.  As excited as I am about the most recent releases, I feel the need to pay homage to the films that paved their way.  Whether it is because they're outdated or low budget, the following is a countdown of movies many of you have not had the chance to see--or, rather, have not given a chance to make your Halloween.

5.  The Stuff (1985)
"Are you eating it, or is it eating you?"  Playing upon the genre of films established by The Blob and the The Fog, The Stuff is a low budget '80s horror that needs to be on every horror buff's list.  While definitely an outdated b-movie, The Stuff plays upon our deepest fear of becoming a part of the monster terrorizing those around it.  Based around a young boy who sees the influence and effects of a "natural" snack found in the Arctic, the story uses basic effects to evoke suspense and horror in its viewers.

4. Nightbreed (1990)
Clive Barker has been, and will be for years to come, one of the handful of true masters of horror.  In this film, a young man investigates an area considered off limits to all who fear for their souls and their lives, only to learn the true monster is humanity.

3. Pumkinhead (1998)While both dated and low-budget, this film is a must-see for horror fans.  Some of the acting is sub-par, but lead actor Lance Henriksen steals the show.  A story about revenge and consequence, this movie is creepy, well directed, and contains some of the best special effects of the '80s.  This film is perfect for Halloween.
4. Near Dark (1987)
With good acting, a great script, and amazing special effects, it's surprising this film has not stood the test of time.  A classic vampire flick, this movie goes beyond the typical story line, using cliche to its advantage and taking it to a whole new level.  If you like vampires and horror, this movie needs to be on your list of movies to watch.
1. Cube (1997)
Likely filmed on one or two hot sets, Cube sets the bar for low-budget horror.  It is by far my favorite movie, and I'm surprised so few people have had the chance to see it.  Filmed in Canada, with a good cast and an exceptional script, this film is absolutely the biggest must-see for fans of psychological horror.  It both is cerebral and gory, psychological and horrifying, and that's what makes it the number one horror movie on this list.  See it.  You'll thank me.
I might be old-school, a clear product of the '80s, but I know horror.  While some of these movies might not live up to the digital standards set by contemporary film, they are true classics.  This Halloween, while trick-or-treeters are stopping by for their fill of candy, the jack-o-lanterns are glowing, and the monsters are hiding in the shadows of times past, do yourself a favor and check out one or more of these movies.  The effects might not be perfect, and the style might not be contemporary, but the creepiness stands the test of time.  Give yourself a treat and watch a timeless horror.


Happy Halloween!
0 Comments

American Horror Story: Asylum

10/18/2012

2 Comments

 
The premiere episode for American Horror Story: Asylum aired last night, and I had the opportunity to write a short article on it for Fans Pages.  Here's the link.

Check out this creepy teaser trailer:
Join American Horror Story fans on Facebook for AHS updates, news, and reviews.
2 Comments

WORLD-MART Trailer

10/20/2011

0 Comments

 
Buy it now for your Kindle or PC--paperback coming soon.
Update: paperback now available here.
0 Comments

New Trailer!

8/30/2011

0 Comments

 
A different kind of myth. . . .
0 Comments

Trailer: THE DARKNESS AND THE NIGHT TRILOGY

9/13/2010

2 Comments

 
For more information, click here.
2 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Privacy Policy:

    No names or e-mail addresses listed in blog post replies will result in mailing list additions or sharing/sales to other sites via the Cerebral Writer.

    All email addresses, unless added intentionally to the body text of a post or response, will remain hidden from public view.

    Check out the Wiki.Evid's Top 10 Paranormal Mysteries.

    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008


    Categories

    All
    Aftermath
    Animals
    Anthologies
    Awards
    Bestseller List
    Bizarro
    Blogging
    Classics
    Contests
    Critical Analysis
    Dystopia
    Edgar Allan Poe
    Editors
    Excerpts
    Film
    Finding Poe
    Flash Fiction
    God
    Grammar
    Guest Blogs
    Horror
    Humanitarians
    Interviews
    Jane The Hippie Vampire
    Language
    Leigh M. Lane
    Literary Fiction
    Lupus
    Marketing
    Movies
    Muses
    Musicians
    My Books
    Myths Of Gods
    My Writing
    My Writing
    Nook
    Novellas
    On Writing
    On Writing
    Opinion
    Other Great Authors
    Paying It Forward
    Pirates
    Poetry
    Racism
    Redrafting
    Revelations
    Reviews
    Rod Serling
    Screenplays
    Self Publishing
    Short Stories
    Speculative Fiction
    Television
    The Hidden Valley
    The Private Sector
    The Twilight Zone
    This Site
    Trailers
    Urban Fantasy
    Vampires
    Weird Western
    Words
    World Mart
    Zombies

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.