The Official SHAUN OF THE DEAD thread

[Dark_One79]

SHAUN OF THE DEAD - Release date: 9/24/04



SHAUN OF THE DEAD will finally be unleashed on American audiences on September 24th, and we are in for a treat. Never have I witnessed a film that mixed thought-provoking satire, side-splitting comedy, and good ol' fashioned undead gut-munching as effectively as Edgar Wright's RomZomCom masterpiece. The film I am most reminded of while watching SHAUN is Peter Jackson's gore-soaked classic DEAD ALIVE (aka Braindead). While Jackson's stomach-churning flick has SHAUN outgunned in the pure gore department, SHAUN comes across as a better film, even though that may be blasphemous to some.

While our UK cousins have been privvy to the film since its initial release, nearly six months ago, we here stateside have had to wait patiently, reading of the film's exploits on websites such as the one you are perusing now. Tired of the seemingly endless wait, I decided to import the region 2 DVD (released on Sep. 6th)and get a hold of a region free player. So, for roughly $100 total, I am now able to watch a wonderful copy of the UK release of SHAUN OF THE DEAD right here on my NTSC television.

My friends... it was worth every penny... err, pound.

I read a quote on a competing website where the film was being discussed. The author, also in love with the movie, made the comment that we can all remember the first time that we saw key horror films in our lives. Heck, the first time I watched Dawn of the Dead was way back in 1985. We had just gotten a VCR and it was one of the first film's my father decided to rent. SotD is now in that class. This movie will someday be regarded as a horror classic every bit the equal of a DEAD ALIVE or an EVIL DEAD II.

I strongly encourage all my horror lovin' schmoes to run... no... stagger, arms outstretched, sorrowfully moaning, to your local theater on the 24th and partake in the slice of fried gold that is SHAUN OF THE DEAD.

[Luke-Abbott]

I wholeheartedly agree, Shaun of the Dead is funny as hell. I missed my chance to see it in the cinemas when it hit over here in the UK but as soon as I bought the DVD I throw that bad boy right into my DVD player and laughed my head off from beginning to end.

I strongly encourage everyone who has a chance to watch this....watch it!! It has everything: Horror, gore, comedy, romance and drama (not to mention gore). This is good stuff and an instant cult classic for sure.

[mshulman5]

Shaun is a great movie that does an amazing job of spoofing the zombie genre. There is a fine line between making fun of something and paying homage to it, and Shaun is a perfect example of how paying homage is done. An extremely well made movie that never takes itself to seriously, but at times is able to get more serious then you might think. Lots of great in jokes and zombie gags as well. Shaun will definitely be an instant cult classic, but lets not forget the mainstream attention it's deservedly getting as well.

[Fuzzman]

Hi there! This is my first post ever, although I've been coming to joblo for months (not to the forums until now, though).

My question is this, and I apologize if it's blazingly obvious to everyone but me:

What is that song that Shaun and Ed "sing" to each other where the approaching zombie supplies the moan at the end of every line? "Dibba-dibba dibba da dibba dib" *MOAN*

It's very funny (although I'm sure my transliteration just butchered it), but I bet it would be funnier if I new what song, show, or movie it came from.

Can anyone help? I thank you in advance.

[jason statham]

I bought the dvd from amazon.co.uk and it was awesome.
its got gore, funny and romantic moments, zombie action.....ITS GOT EVERYTHING...JUST GO AND WATCH IT !!!

[Tarman]

Well i was a little down in the dumps because I was going to go see Bizarre Bazaar today but it sold out.Its playing at a film festival here and its the only thing worth checking out.Then I heard that Friday they were doing a screening in 3 theatres in Kansas on Friday for Shaun and I fucking cant wait.This movie looks so bad ass.Friday needs to come quick.I need my zombie fix

[GuinnesSquirrel]

Fuzzman - apparently the song's White Lines by Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel.

Enjoy!

Great film, by the way - funny as hell. I'll be really interested to see if it does well in America - it seemed really British all the way through. Hope it works as well over there

[GoldenGhost]

Buff of the zombie genre or not, see it.

[dellamorte dellamore]

It's excellent in all areas of production but it's too light and silly to really have a horror / zombie impact on me . There is never a sense of dread in the film , the jokes fall flat most of the time , the homages become too obvious , the gore is average , the zoms never scare , the gen x cliches are old , but it still has enough bright spots and wit to recommend as a theater experience .


There is no doubt these guys were inspired and they understand the genre they are paying homage to extremely well . They also have a talent for terrific foreshadowing as every single shot has a purpose in setting up future events , even during the credit sequence .


I think almost any zom film lover ( especially from the Dawn 78 era ) will find this film to be a nice treat , but as a zom film it's much too trite to give me that visceral feel i crave in an undead film ( the comedic ones and the serious ones ) .

Put it this way , and i know someone else has stated this before , as a spoof this is one of the best , it blows away the Scary Movie trilogy . Hell , it's better than all three of those films combined . Even though it's not a straight spoof , at least not the H wood ,winking at the camera , one thousand cameos kind .

[Fuzzman]

GuinnesSquirrel - thanks so much! It's not a song I know, but that doesn't make the moment less funny (and I'm really glad it's not a song by, say, The Beatles).

Can't wait to see this show - sneak preview tonight! Hoo-ah!

[Moviefan02000]

Can't wait to see it on the 24th

[Cocaine Flurry]

I just got done watching this movie and I have a few words to say. "Great Movie"!.

I love this movie its got everything I want from a movie gore, humor, action. Everything

9/10

[EvilDeadGirl]

I can't express enough how much I love this film. A fun zombie romp. There's comedy, a love story and gore! Interesting combination and IMO done correctly. The comedy doesn't go over the top nor is it the type to make you groan and roll your eyes. The love story isn't too sappy jes' well how it is sometimes.

These guys did one hell of a job and I think that most people who watch this film are going to fall in love with it. Hell everyone that I've shown it to really enjoys it. The acting was on the nose and it was refreshing to see regular schmoes dealing with the living dead.

I can't wait for this to hit theatres. No matter how many times I've seen it already I can't wait for the big screen!

[heavy!!!]

My favourite movie of 2004,

Simon Peg (shaun) and Nick Frost (Ed) are comic genius!!!!



'theres a toastie machine out back' Ed

[Scully1888]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
It's excellent in all areas of production but it's too light and silly to really have a horror / zombie impact on me . There is never a sense of dread in the film , the jokes fall flat most of the time , the homages become too obvious , the gore is average , the zoms never scare , the gen x cliches are old , but it still has enough bright spots and wit to recommend as a theater experience.

At the end of the day, the film was never intended to be scary. As the marketing campaign puts it, it's:

"A romantic comedy. With Zombies."

The zombies are incidental, they're just there to help the story along.

And what a story.

This is a 5/5 film if ever I saw one. All horror-loving Schmoes owe it to themselves to see this... it's a film made by horror fans for horror fans.

Simon Pegg (Shaun) said recently in an interview that George Romero contacted him after seeing the film and told him that he thought it was excellent. Pegg's comments were along the lines of: "at the end of the day that was the most important thing to me. Even if the movie's a flop in America and it makes no money, at least the man who inspired it liked it".

So if you're a horror Schmoe, even if you don't like zombie films, you MUST go and see this because if it does well we're talking sequels (rumour has it they've already penned "From Dusk Till Shaun").

[Tarman]

I went to the sneak Screening Friday with some friends and loved this fucking movie.It wasnt packed but there were quite a few people there.Laughed my ass off and loved the ending.As soon as the movie opened with the music from Dawn I was smiling ear to ear and new it was gonna kick ass.5/5 and I cant wait to see it again.

[dellamorte dellamore]

The main reason the film stumbles a bit is because it tries to be too sweet . Plus i don't like romantic comedies , even if a couple of the undead are in it .


Once they hole up the bar , i feel the film has just about run out of gas . When they dealt with Shaun's everyday nonsense and when they were on the move , the film was dynamic and highly entertaining , but then they get to the bar and it dies out . Then the ending let me down also because they hinted at something that they failed to deliver , but again it is a great film , just not at all perfect .

[Tarman]

I saw that in some places if you dressed up Friday like a zombie and went to the screening the first 100 people would get a stocking cap that said aim for the head.Anybody dress up?

A girl I work with won tickets for it tomorrow at a Haunted house and she got a free T-Shirt.Thats pretty sweet.I hope this movie brings in some money when it comes out this Friday.

[!MorganOnyx!]

I totally enjoyed it but found the mood a little 'off' on some occasions. I won't spoil it for those of you that haven't seen it, but let's just say sometimes I found it hard to distinguish whether I was supposed to laugh or be sad, and whether or not the cast were 'playing it' for the comedy or seriously.

If I'm completely honest, I was way more into the film BEFORE the zombies came into it. I think the film could've easily succeeded as a straight forward romantic comedy. It was a case of the main plot getting in the way of the far more interesting sub plot involving the main character and his lack of ability to keep his girlfriend happy. And then of course there was his idiot friend who was a hoot.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Yeah , i also feel they underutilized one of the best characters in the film , one of the other roomates Pete . He was cool and funny and so much more could have been done with him . Instead we get David and Diane and the usual group of misfits .

[Tarman]

Yeah they should have done more with him but the scene where Ed runs into Pete again and brings it to Shaun's attention is Funnier then hell.All I know is that GR better come with it when he makes Land of the Dead.I think Shaun of the Dead will be a hard act to follow but if anyone is gonna do it then good ol George will be the one.

[dellamorte dellamore]

It won't be that hard , i know for sure the zombie aspects will blow Shaun away .

[Tarman]

Im just hoping the gore level of Land of the Dead will be on the same level of Shaun or even more so.I just got a bad feeling it wont be.Who knows,time will tell.Where is a good website to pick it up on DVD for the cheapest.I saw someone had it for around 30.00.Is that about the price its going for.

[!MorganOnyx!]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
Yeah , i also feel they underutilized one of the best characters in the film , one of the other roomates Pete . He was cool and funny and so much more could have been done with him . Instead we get David and Diane and the usual group of misfits .

Pete was the one that hated Ed right? Yeah he was definately another of the characters who should've gotten more play! I could feel him about to explode! Loved the scene where he explains the last time they had a laugh with Ed was about 7 years ago! LOL! I reckon they could've gotten a few more funny scenes out of the young, big chap who worked with Shaun who kept answering his phone all the time! That cracked me up!

[dellamorte dellamore]

Originally posted by !MorganOnyx!
Pete was the one that hated Ed right? Yeah he was definately another of the characters who should've gotten more play! I could feel him about to explode! Loved the scene where he explains the last time they had a laugh with Ed was about 7 years ago! LOL! I reckon they could've gotten a few more funny scenes out of the young, big chap who worked with Shaun who kept answering his phone all the time! That cracked me up!

" Sort you're fucking shit out , mate " . Man , they wasted that guy's potential , and he went the cliched route , i guess to make Shaun and Ed seem more cool with their slacker attitude . It would have been a nice unexpected twist to see Pete go in a diff direction , because you pretty much knew from the moment of his intro what would happen to him .

Hellooo , maate " . I didn't think about the teen colleague's role being expanded , but you have a point , he could have been used a bit more also , those scenes in the electronics store were some of the funniest in the whole film . Now that i think of it , the characters of David and Diane were less interesting than the above mentioned .


30 duckets for Shaun is a ripoff ( someone is taking the piss ) , check this place out :



http://play.com/PLAY247.ASP?pa=strr1...2&title=181205


I'm sure there are import DVD retailers that can get it to you faster , but they'll charge you way more becuse of import taxes and such . Have some patience and save a couple of bucks .


This is an even better bet , and you can order using an existing Amazon.com account :


http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...288935-8238807

[!MorganOnyx!]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
Hellooo , maate " . I didn't think about the teen colleague's role being expanded , but you have a point , he could have been used a bit more also , those scenes in the electronics store were some of the funniest in the whole film . Now that i think of it , the characters of David and Diane were less interesting than the above mentioned.

SPOILER ALERT

Yeah DIANE was completely useless. There was no need for her character to be there at all. DAVID was a half decent "annoying bastard" type, but ultimately only served the purpose of being one of those characters that the audience will enjoy seeing ripped apart, which I did!!

I could've just pictured SHAUN'S work colleague popping up in a later scene when they're all in the pub that's under attack by the zombies: They're sat in virtual silence waiting for something to happen, eating their peanuts and what not. Then all of a sudden a mobiles ring can be heard from a cupboard or closet. Everyone pauses, looking into thin air trying to figure out where the ring is coming from, then you a hear a muffled voice say aloud......"HELLOOOOO MATE!!" They realise he's still alive, having hidden in a nearby cupboard.

[dellamorte dellamore]

That's a freakin' hilarious idea , damn brilliant . It makes sense too because the drinking age in the UK is 18 , and since he was 17 he could have easily made a habit of frequenting the Winchester . Maybe that's the wild night he was reffering to on his cell at the electronics store .


Ey , maybe they limited his exposure because he pretty much stole the few scenes he was in . Same for the Pete character . " And the front door is open....again ! " .


" Continue " .

[moobycow]

Just rented this last night and it's bloody brilliant!!! Really wish I watched it in the cinema now.

[Dark_One79]

Well, SHAUN opens up here in less than 24 hours. I know I am going to go check it out on the big screen. I'm very interested in observing the audience reaction to many of the scenes.

I really hope that the audience I'm with "gets" the humor. I know it is a bit different than Adam Sandler smacking a tennis ball into a guy's nuts, but I hope they can see that this is funny too. Sorry, just a bit perturbed by much of the slap-stick comedy that dominates most American releases. Don't misunderstand, I do appreciate some mindless humor now and again, but not as often or at the extreme level that most in Hollywood think I enjoy it.

Anyway... back on topic. SHAUN opens tomorrow and I cannot wait to see it again. Anyone else plan on going? How did the audience react?

[CMAGUS]

Well I'd love to go see it tommorow except my theater thinks it is more important to have Mr.3000 playing in 2 theaters and Resident evil 2 in 2 theater and they still have collateral playing for another week what a bunch of bastards now I have to wait till the DVD becasue they won't be showing it SCREW YOU Cineplex Odeon

[TheAxeGrinder]

Originally posted by CMAGUS
Well I'd love to go see it tommorow except my theater thinks it is more important to have Mr.3000 playing in 2 theaters and Resident evil 2 in 2 theater and they still have collateral playing for another week what a bunch of bastards now I have to wait till the DVD becasue they won't be showing it SCREW YOU Cineplex Odeon

No kidding, I don't even think Silver Shitty, er, City, here in Thunder Bay will be showing Shaun Of The Dead. What the crap?

[NuclearMisfit]

I really want to see this but i looked on moviephone and there are no theaters here that are playing it But i did notice the poster there at the AMC but no showtimes are set for it tommorow.

[Jess]

My SilverCity's playing it. And I will be there tomorrow, first in line.

Okay, maybe not first but definitely somewhere in the line...Ahh, to be 18+.

[NuclearMisfit]

Originally posted by Jess
My SilverCity's playing it. And I will be there tomorrow, first in line.

Okay, maybe not first but definitely somewhere in the line...Ahh, to be 18+.

lucky you, i gotta settle for a crappy tmd kazaa version of this great film which i would rather see in the theaters god my city sucks!

[!MorganOnyx!]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
That's a freakin' hilarious idea , damn brilliant . It makes sense too because the drinking age in the UK is 18 , and since he was 17 he could have easily made a habit of frequenting the Winchester . Maybe that's the wild night he was reffering to on his cell at the electronics store .


Ey , maybe they limited his exposure because he pretty much stole the few scenes he was in . Same for the Pete character . " And the front door is open....again ! " .


" Continue " .

Thanks. I thought it was a good idea too he he!! Yeah I think you may be right about the small roles for certain characters. We can't have them upstaging the stars can we?! Nevermind, maybe they'll make a sequel starring PETE and CELL PHONE BOY as the leads?........or maybe not.

[dellamorte dellamore]

What a cool idea that would be , these guys deserve their own romp through Zombie land , they were dismissed way too easily .



Anyway , maybe if Shaun does good enough Universal will expand it's distribution .

[!MorganOnyx!]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
Anyway , maybe if Shaun does good enough Universal will expand it's distribution .

Yeah, it's soooooo rare for a British horror movie to be released theatrically in the U.S. Apart from 28 DAYS LATER the last flick I can think of that was supposed to hit the states from the UK was LONG TIME DEAD. But they pushed the date back and back until they decided to dump it straight to video. SHAUN making it to the cinema is another good sign. Who knows, if it does well at the box office we may be looking at a sequel?!

[dellamorte dellamore]

It's 92 percent on rottentomatoes , everyone , even mainstream critics are creaming over it .

[Jess]

Originally posted by NuclearMisfit
lucky you, i gotta settle for a crappy tmd kazaa version of this great film which i would rather see in the theaters god my city sucks!

That's strange. You'd think that basically any well-known cities in the States would be getting it and those lesser known Canadian cities would have to settle another week with Superbabies, but that's not the case. Interesting. Very interesting indeed.

[NuclearMisfit]

Originally posted by Jess
That's strange. You'd think that basically any well-known cities in the States would be getting it and those lesser known Canadian cities would have to settle another week with Superbabies, but that's not the case. Interesting. Very interesting indeed.

yeah the only place nearby thats showing it is 6 hours away, i smell church shinanigans involved in this one.