decisions, decisions...

[theduanejones]

i've been lurking this board for ages (after posting here and there on the old board), but i need to come out of hiding for your guidance/suggestions/etc. i'm programming a late night film screening/lecture series at a theater in chicago and i've decided to include one of romero's big three in the mix. i'm leaning towards dawn, but night and day would make great discussion fodder, as well. decisions, decisions... if you were in my shoes, which film would you choose? i figured i might as well let the experts weigh in. also, would a romero film entice you to leave the house at midnight for a screening? your thoughts are much appreciated. as soon as the program is cemented, i'll post info on the venue and whatnot. thanks much.

[Yojimbo]

Cool idea. Personally I would prefer DOTD 78, since NOLD is frequently screened all over, but because of licensing issues and that jerk-off Rubenstein DOTD does not get screened all that often.

[blind2d]

Same here, Dawn just has the most talking points and stuff in my opinion. Ooh, look at my smartness there, I said "and stuff". Yeah, I'm an expert for sure. Sorry, about that.

[MaximusIncredulous]

I would go with Dawn '78. If the audience are first-timers, then the more "comic book" feel of the film will help them ease into Romero's zombie world more gently than Day would and the consumerism theme would be very applicable for discussion, especially in regards to today's issues.

[theduanejones]

Dawn it is. Thanks for the input, gents. Much appreciated. This should be a good class. If you're in Chicago, keep your eyes peeled. It'll be a good reason to stay up into the wee hours watching and discussing oddball flicks. Thanks, again. I'll try to re-emerge from lurkitude more often.

[EvilNed]

I would go with Dawn '78. If the audience are first-timers, then the more "comic book" feel of the film will help them ease into Romero's zombie world more gently than Day would and the consumerism theme would be very applicable for discussion, especially in regards to today's issues. I disagree. I think Dawn is perhaps the worst of the three to show to newcomers. Whenever I try it, they always end up mocking the make-up or silliness, more than paying attention to the film itself. I never have that problem with Day. Personally? I say Night or Day. Not Dawn.

[Mike70]

I disagree. I think Dawn is perhaps the worst of the three to show to newcomers. Whenever I try it, they always end up mocking the make-up or silliness, more than paying attention to the film itself. I never have that problem with Day. Personally? I say Night or Day. Not Dawn. indeed. go with day or with night68. to most people who aren't washed in the blood of zombiedom dawn is going to come off as amateurish and ridiculous. i never show dawn to people who are new to or interested in the zombie genre. it is guaranteed to turn them off and make them never come back.

[lullubelle]

Night, it's the first one, how it all started and gives you a shot to follow it up with conversations of the ones that followed.

[Yojimbo]

I guess I am still seeing DOTD through my 1978 eyes, since this is the one that I crave seeing on the big screen the most. Though, admittedly, I know that the younger audiences don't seem to appreciate DOTD as much. My little sister at 23 declared DOTD to be ultra silly - but a lot of her amusement at DOTD had to do with the hairstyles and fashions of the 1970s which elicit much hilarity from the kids of today.

[Zomby Woof]

I’d go with Night, hands down. Yeah, it gets screened more than all of Romero’s other stuff combined, but rightfully so. Night is arguably his best work and without question reshaped the genre. It's a true classic that not only stands out among horror films, but also stands up against “serious” films as well. Indeed, it still holds up today, some forty years after its original release. For that reason alone I'd say it would have broader appeal.

[triste realtà]

creepshow

[krakenslayer]

creepshow ^ this

[Yojimbo]

Well if the entire GAR collection is open to consideration, I choose MARTIN, which I think is his best work. (BTW: My sister laughed at NOLD68 too. What's a matter with kids today?)

[Debbieangel]

NIGHT....it was the beginning of good horror of our time! It is the foundation of horror, the backbone, it is what scares ya to death! My sisters won't even watch zombie movies they say its too scary! Now that says something. imo But, anyway I would start out with NIGHT for sure!!!

[krakenslayer]

If it had to be a Dead movie I'd go with Night, it's the original, it's the classic, it's actually "scary" in a traditional sense, and it has all the archetypical elements of a horror film (which the later films don't, as Romero started to move more towards more ambitious action/drama oriented films). Then, if you can fit Dawn in later in the schedule, they'll be primed for it and probably enjoy it more.