Posted By John Sears on April 25, 2010

My Xbox is telling me that there’s a new Left 4 Dead 2 addon. I’d previously read a bit about it, and apparently the downloadable content adds a bit of backstory and allows a crossover between the casts of the two games. Further, one of the original cast is supposed to die in the course of playing it.

Interesting, and a fascinating experiment in the modern videogame narrative. Pity it’s attached to the premier ‘cooperative’ Zombie-bashing experience of our time.

Category: Zombie Media | No Comments »
Tags: Videogames, Zombie Gaming

Posted By John Sears on April 19, 2010

I’m really not sure what to make of this latest likely import from our trading partners across the Pacific:

The Twitch film website began streaming a trailer for the live-action movie adaptation of Rei Mikamoto’s Kyonyū Dragon (The Big Tits Dragon) zombie action manga on Sunday. (Viewers must verify their age before watching.) The main character of the Kyonyū Dragon: Onsen Zombies vs. Strippers 5 movie (renamed Big Tits Zombies in English) is Rena (Sola Aoi), a stripper who has returned to Japan from Mexico. The story follows a battle between five strippers and a zombie army at a countryside strip club. Takao Nakano wrote and directed the film, which will open in Japan on May 15.

Yes, ‘Big Tits Zombie’. I’ve watched the trailer, and… it looks like a bit of intentional faux trash film, think Grindhouse without Tarantino’s class.

Plus more strippers.

I don’t know if the ZRC can get outraged over something so grotesquely and intentionally stupid, but we’ll see when a full release is available.

Category: Zombie Media | 1 Comment »
Tags: Movies

Posted By John Sears on April 18, 2010

So after following a banner ad the other day I discovered that there’s a new Resident Evil movie looking to capitalize on the breathtaking success (and high technology) of Avatar coming out this September.

The movie apparently is being shot with the Cameron 3D system, presumably the one from Avatar, for a film with tons of things rushing conveniently at your face. It’s being made by the same guy who did the first three, Paul W.S. Anderson, so it’s almost certain to be nigh-completely-unwatchable.

(I mean, ok, the first movie, Zombie-hating aside, was almost tolerable, but that second one? Ugh.)

This is sure to be only the first zombie flick shot from the ground up using the newest and greatest 3D technology, not the last. The ZRC will pry open its expense account, aka wallets, this September to bring its loyal readers the latest news as Lifeist cinema moves boldly, and regressively, into the 21st Century.

We will try very hard to sit through the whole thing too.

Category: Zombie Media | No Comments »
Tags: Movies

Posted By John Sears on April 15, 2010

Seems like Xbox Live is promoting various ‘zombie’ games and products this week. They have the Yet Another Zombie Defense game that was already reviewed here on the ZRC blog, as well as other games and products, various Hollywood movies, etc.

If only we could get this kind of exposure for positive Zombie experiences.

Category: Zombie Media | No Comments »
Tags: Videogames

Posted By John Sears on April 8, 2010

Ahh, convention season. So busy.

Though our next trip is a bit easier on the old driving muscles (aka my aching lower right leg). As mentioned on the front page’s convention schedule, the ZRC’s next public appearance is at the Women of Horror 2 Film Festival in Chicago at the lovely and historic Portage Theatre on May 1st.

Whew. Big sentence there.

It really is a marvelous old theatre from the days before megaplexes, before the theatre at the mall, heck, even before the drive-in was king of film. The grand, old, art deco movie *palace* era.

It’s worth stopping by just to see a movie in a place like that, if you haven’t before. If you like independent horror, well, why aren’t you already making plans? Slack later, book hotels now!

Ahem. At any rate, the ZRC will be there, with merchandise and informational pamphlets a-plenty. Stop and see our table if you’re in the area.

Need more persuasion? Well, the theatre has a bar and serves a mean White Russian, if that tempts you.

So join us at Women of Horror 2, get a nice buzz, see some fine movies, and maybe learn about Zombie Rights.

Category: ZRC News | No Comments »
Tags: Public Appearance

Posted By John Sears on April 7, 2010

I keep forgetting, amidst all the behind the scenes stuff, to update the blog.

I am deeply shamed.

We went to Horrorhound a week and a half ago, and man was it a lot of fun in the name of Zombie Rights. This year we didn’t have a booth, unfortunately, but we made up for it with some persistence and a few square feet on loan from the Dark Carnival folks.

They’ve been very gracious about our picketing their event last year. Ahem.

So we passed out a ton of flyers, sold some wristbands, shirts, and games. Yes, games; as mentioned in the previous post, we are now working with the good folks at Spare Brains Games to sell positive Zombie gaming experiences, suitable for all ages.

Well, ok. You know how when they say that, they typically mean a smaller subset of years. You have to be able to do some basic math to play Zombie Cafe, and you have to be young enough that you’re not a pile of mummy dust.

We had a petition to pass around as well, and collected many signatures on behalf of Zombie Rights. We’re going to scan that, and put it up online as a pdf. I think we’ll take the forms to Chicago for some additional signature collection and then send the whole bundle off to Mr. Romero. Or perhaps just the PDF, and keep the original as an ongoing project. It is the internet age after all, and email is so quick and easy.

Well that’s about it for now, Z-Fans. More exciting news and updates coming in a few days.

Category: The Dark Carnival, ZRC News | No Comments »
Tags: Public Appearance, The Dark Carnival, Zombie Gaming

Posted By John Sears on March 23, 2010

So, Zombie Cafe. We reviewed it some time ago, and found the overall experience quite satisfying and the gameplay largely Zombie-friendly. Since then we have been in discussions with the game’s creator and publisher, Mr. Wayne West of Spare Brains Games, and the ZRC has found the dialogue most productive. So productive and conducive to Zombie Rights, in fact, that we have decided to make Zombie Cafe our first officially endorsed Zombie Game.

To that end, the ZRC will be selling a limited number of copies of Zombie Cafe at the Horrorhound Convention this weekend in Indianapolis. Come for the Zombie Rights, stay for the game. We’ll have our personal copy out and be playing it assuming there’s a break in the hectic convention sales frenzy, so you can come by and check it out yourselves if you like. Play a round, learn the rules. We’re very sociable.

While you’re there of course, you could also pick up a fine wristband or shirt, or simply hold a picket sign and glare in the general direction of Tom Savini and/or George Romero.

Tom Savini’s easy to glare at. And yes, we really will bring our picket signs.

Category: Zombie Media, ZRC News | No Comments »
Tags: Public Appearance, Romero, Zombie Gaming

Posted By John Sears on March 23, 2010

Ahh, Deadpool. A shining light in the darkness that is our anti-Zombie comic book industry.

In this installment, Z-Pool and Deadpool finally make the trek back to Z-Pool’s home dimension, the plane of the Marvel Zombies.

So how does Merc With a Mouth treat the anti-Zombie stereotypes of the original Marvel Zombieverse? Well, not very seriously – it is Deadpool after all. We get a number of great gags and a fairly biting satire of the whole superhero Zombie comic genre with this issue, and they truly reach deep into Marvel’s back catalogue of Z-list (no pun intended) heroes to pad out the roster.

Shamrock? I mean, seriously?

You’re all tired by now of hearing me extol the art and writing quality of Deadpool, so I’ll skip it this time, except to say it’s up to the usual high standards. We continue to see one of the few positive Zombie portrayals in our biased media as well, even as our heroes go into the heart of darkness, the premiere fictional setting for Zombie-bashing itself, the Zombieverse. Even there.

And hey, that counts for something in our book.

Category: Zombie Media | No Comments »
Tags: Comics

Posted By John Sears on March 18, 2010

We’ve just gotten confirmation that we can share some booth space at Horrorhound, and so the ZRC will be full strength and capitalism ready at Horrorhound one week from today!

*cheering*

Yes, come out to Horrorhound on Indianapolis’… err…. somewhat crime-ridden, dilapidated East side… ahem. We’ll be there! The Zombies will protect you!

In all seriousness it’s usually a great time, especially for the stuff going on around the con, the fun people and random get togethers. This will be our third or fourth year, first selling stuff, but still.

Plus it’s Epic Showdown Time with George Romero! That’s worth it all by itself, right?

Right.

Category: ZRC News | 2 Comments »
Tags: Public Appearance, Romero

Posted By John Sears on March 17, 2010

The Zombie Rights Campaign is plotting various behind the scenes moves to make the world an even better and Zombie-friendlier place. Oooh, I’d love to tell the public about them just now.. but I can’t.

Soon! But not now.

So cool..

Category: ZRC News | 8 Comments »
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