Movie Review - George A Romero's Dawn of the Dead

"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."

Such is the tagline of Dawn of the Dead, George A. Romero's seminal zombie film, and one of the finest horror films ever created. Made for less than one million dollars in 1978, it raised the bar both in terms of intelligent horror and sheer stomach turning gore. It is the sequel to Romero's first film, the classic Night of the Living Dead, taking place weeks after the original story. Humanity's fight against the ever-growing masses of the undead has not gone well, and the zombies seem on the verge of gaining the upper hand permanently. A small group of survivors: a TV director, a helicopter weather pilot, and two SWAT officers, steal the aforementioned helicopter to escape the chaos that is erupting in the city around them. They eventually find there way to an abandoned suburban shopping mall where they decide it is safe to hole up to wait out the storm.

While still a horror film, Dawn of the Dead differs greatly in tone from its predecessor. Night was a straight-ahead, dark, claustrophobic and very gritty horror film, whereas Dawn has more elements of an adventure, and the vast majority of the action takes place in the shiny, well lit sprawl of the mall. Romero himself describes the film as more of a "romp" than anything, and goes so far as to say that he's surprised by the fact that anyone is scared by it.

This is perhaps due to the strong element of satire infused in the film, as Romero comments on the futility of modern society's consumerist culture. The mindless zombies, drawn to the mall because it "was an important place in their lives" shuffle aimlessly around the building. All the while, annoying muzak plays in the background, interrupted only by a recording informing the recently deceased shoppers of the latest specials. It is not too much of a stretch to imagine a similar scene every occurring nearly every day with living breathing consumers. This theme extends throughout the film, and in the end, it is human greed, our desire for more "stuff", and our stubborn determination to hold on to what we have that is the undoing of the protagonists, not the zombies.

Despite the purveyance of satire throughout, the film is still pretty frightening. Besides the traditional horror jumps, which are numerous, Romero's depiction of a society on the verge of collapse is chilling, and the shambling unstoppable nature of the zombie hoards always creates a sense of dread. The nature of the zombies, and whatever it is that causes their re-animation is wisely left unexplained, adding to the sense of confusion and desperation. Only one thing is certain, the only way to stop them is to kill their brain, either by shooting them in the head, or bludgeoning them to a more permanent death.

The gore effects truly are spectacular, and do not look dated even by today's standards. They were created by Tom Savigny, who also worked with Romero on Night, and went on to become something of a gore effects king. Granted, the blood looks a little bit like melted crayons, but it enhances the campy nature of the film and prevents the level of gore from going too far.

The makeup on the other hand, though it was also handled by Savigny, leaves a little to be desired. The vast majority of the zombies were simply shambling extras with blue makeup on. Only a few of the zombie were giving additional gore effects. This is perhaps indicative of the extremely low budget of the film, and the time constraints that the crew was undoubtedly under. Romero compensates for this by making the zombies visually distinctive, and thus making them into individuals. Some of these shambling characters include the overacting nurse zombie, the business suit zombie, and of course the Hare Krishna zombie.

The performances, all by unknown, and largely unproven actors are uneven, but generally acceptable in the context of this film. Romero is well known for his dislike of working with stars.

These downsides do little to diminish the quality of this fine film. It is one of the most intelligent, well made films of it's type, and is just as much a legitimate classic as it's predecessor. I encourage anyone who is, or wants to be, a fan of cinematic horror, or films in general to give Dawn of the Dead a look.

Soundtracks

Soundtracks are commonly referred to as music used in a movie or television show. In the movie industry, it is an audio recording created or used in film or movie productions. It may also refer to the music used in video games and this is called video game soundtracks. There is also book sound track. One popular book soundtrack is for J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy and was composed by Craig Russell. For short, soundtracks refer to all audio components whether in television, movies, video games and books.

In creating a soundtrack for a movie you must consider the theme and plot to synchronize the sound and scene of the movie. Also consider employing popular music artist to drive more attention to the people.

A soundtrack album is composed of original songs and sometimes of existing ones. These are sold in the form of CD recording. With soundtracks, a scene is improved together with visual effects. One of he most well-known and bestselling song in a soundtrack is performed by Celine Dion in the movie 'Titanic' with the lead single of 'My Heart Will Go On'.

The major component of the sound track is usually called the musical scores. Besides owning certain movie DVDs, I also collect my favorite sound tracks of my favorite movies, composed by my favorite composers. They are James Horner, Alan Silvestri, Patrick Doyle, Hans Zimmer, Thomas Newman, John Barry, Rachel Portman, John Williams, Howard Shores and many more.

DVD Movie Rental Offers

DVD movie rental offers are all over the place these days. In fact, there's never been a better time for us consumers to take advantage of the amazing deals going on right now, as the various video and DVD chains compete with each other to get our attention - and our custom.

First let's have a look at the type of DVD movie rental offers around. Well, they're all basically doing the same thing: offering you the choice of all of their great stock and providing you with the easiest means of access to that large stock of movies at the smallest possible cost to you.

Variations do exist, but the offers are essentially the same. Let's have a look in detail at the attributes of each element within the offer.

Firstly, the promise of a large choice of movies. Certainly, the leading suppliers of movies to be watched and enjoyed at home can offer a huge abundance, not only of movies, but of different types and genres of movies. Every taste is catered for. Whether you are a fan of black and white classic cinema or if you're the type of persona who just has to have an opinion about the latest action movie or the latest hot releases, there'll be something for you. The best DVD movie rental offers will let you choose between comedy, romance, historical and even documentary films. Advocates leaning toward a more classical disposition will appreciate being able to choose between all of Shakespeare's plays any night of the week.

That deals with the shear number of movies and types of movies available. But what about the access? The easiest way to get movies is to have them delivered to your door on a regular basis that you stipulate. This is easier than even going to pick them up personally (although some people would say they enjoy a good browse around when they get to the store). Having movies delivered to you make sense in a world where most of us have busy lives. The large chains who make these DVD movie rental offers do so with this in mind. In a society which increasingly differentiates business from pleasure, this is not an unreasonable assumption.

Lastly there's the question of cost. There are some DVD movie rental offers out there that will give you a whole month for nothing but just a nominal charge for the shipping over the whole month. Theoretically, that means you could order a different movie every day over a month and arrange for the movies you've seen to be posted back at no extra cost.

One thing is certain. Whenever the large chains are in competition with each other it puts us, the consuming public, in the driving seat. We get to call the shots. There are some fantastic DVD movie rental offers available right now, and we have only to pick the best of the bunch that suits our own particular lifestyle.

Luke Skywalker Character - Balance to the One

Luke Skywalker is one of the most important characters in the Starwars saga. The actor who would portray this key person in the films is Mark Hamill. In the episodes of Starwars about Luke we find that he has a constant struggle to face. Finding the good path is really not all that faced Skywalker. Instead it was about finding the path that would lead him to restoring balance to the force. For such a young person, with limited education in the ways of the force, this would present inner conflict.

Ultimately the greatest challenge that Luke had to face involved his own family. His desire to regain his father, Anakin who became the great villain Darth Vader, was as strong as his own father's desire to bring him to his side. Facing up to this unavoidable path for the two characters in the trilogy would fuel the curiosity of the series.

Other personas would play a key role in molding Luke Skywalker into the hero he would become. Trusted to watch over Luke and shadow the child would become the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi or otherwise known to Luke as Old Ben. Obi-Wan would be key to introducing Luke to the ways of the force and giving him his father's jedi weapon - the lightsaber.

And then there is Yoda. Yoda, while not trusting the progeny of Anakin Skywalker, took on the challenge of training the young adult Luke. He eventually on his death bed would reveal to Luke that his father is the menace of the galaxy, Vader.

While Anakin was destined to bring balance to the force in reality it was Luke who would bring balance to the one who would.

Watch Smallville Episodes Online - Can You Really Watch Smallville Episodes Online? Find Out Here!

Recently there has been alot of debate as to whether you can Watch Smallville Episodes Online if you don't have the series on DVD.

Well there are programs and services that will let you Watch Smallville Episodes Online or even download them to your computer. Alot of people use these services not only to Watch Smallville Episodes Online but also to make backups of their favourite episodes.

Now if you are reading this you probably know how popular Smallville has become, and if you are'nt familar with the Hit TV Show it basically tells the story of the young superman coming of age and getting used to his powers which does make for some very good entertainment!

Although the show is quite far fetched ad every episdoe someone goes up against the young superman seeking to destroy him or uncover his powers to the world! Also what is interesting is the relationship between the young Clark Kent and Lionel Luther as in Smallville they are friends, but as you know when Superman gets a bit older this is not the case!

So if you haven't watched Smallville yet, you are in luck as there are sites on the net that let you Watch Smallville Episodes Online and some of these services even let you Watch Smallville Episodes Online free!

There are a few things to bear in mind though as with most services there are different options and you will normally find some sites let you Watch Smallville Episodes Online for a "pay per download" which means you will have to pay for each episdoe you download!

As you can probably see if you are going to use this method to Watch Smallville Episodes Online the price can quickly add up.

The other option is there are a few services that just charge a one off membership fee and if you are going to watch alot of smallville then this might be your best bet!

I hope this article has helped explain how you can Watch Smallville Episodes Online and some of the options you have!

Have Fun!

Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon

Appreciation is what you'll get from your clients when you practice what you have learned from Oregon massage therapy schools. You'll find massage training conveniently located in vocational schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities across the state. There are also several massage therapy schools in Oregon that specialize exclusively in training massage therapists.

Before choosing a massage therapy school, it is important that you consider only those that are accredited. Accreditation means that the specific massage therapy program has been inspected and approved by state and/or national organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You will be assured of a quality education when you choose only accredited massage therapy schools.

Besides exploring curriculums, tuition costs, and course duration, you should also familiarize yourself with the various forms of massage available. There are numerous massage applications, as well as several methods and techniques in massage, each with its own unique purpose. Consider the type of future client you will want to attract when you become a massage therapist. Some forms of massage may appeal to you more than others, and this is an important consideration when seeking a massage education.

The two basic approaches to massage therapy are Western and Eastern styles, distinguished mainly by the medical healing and rehabilitative applications (Western), and those that focus on increasing the flow of energies and holistic health by incorporating the mind, body, and spirit (Eastern). There are several massage therapy schools in Oregon that teach Western forms of healing and therapeutic massage. You'll also find Oregon massage therapy schools that promote the Eastern approaches to massage therapy by emphasizing total body wellbeing and energies. Those schools that teach both Eastern and Western forms of massage therapy may be the best choice, as their massage programs will be well-rounded and comprehensive.

You'll notice that some accredited massage therapy schools offer graduate programs that allow students to earn advanced degrees and certificates in massage therapy. Most schools also provide career counseling, career planning, financial aid, and placement services to their students.

You will be qualified for employment as a massage therapist following graduation, and you'll be able to choose among positions in medical clinics, doctor and chiropractic offices, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, wellness centers, athletic clubs, resorts, spas, and anywhere else that massage therapists with fine-tuned skills are needed. Before you begin your practice, however, you'll need to pass NCETMB and practical exams and become licensed to practice massage therapy in the state of Oregon.

Yes, the natural healing properties of massage are in demand all over the U.S. and Canada, and there are hundreds of massage schools just waiting to hear from you. This may be the perfect time to take that first step and make a smart decision to begin a rewarding career in massage therapy.

If you would like to know more about Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon or other states, we invite you to visit our website today. Submit a request for information to a few top schools, and you will soon have everything you need to make an informed choice.

If necessary, you may wish to widen your search for massage therapy schools to include other states, such as:

- Colorado Massage Therapy Schools

- Pennsylvania Massage Therapy Schools

- New Jersey Massage Therapy Schools

- Connecticut Massage Therapy Schools

- Arizona Massage Therapy Schools

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Reality TV - Which Existence Would You Choose?

Over the past several years, reality TV has gained much popularity among television viewers all over the globe. The nature of this type of television has been evolving for quite some time, with the existence of court TV, and the development of a number of shows seeking the next big entertainer. Now, there is a reality show that is sure to suit almost any interest and commandeer the attention of a loyal fan base. These shows are fun to watch and interesting to follow; but what if you had the opportunity to actually participate in one?

When raised, this question congers up many images. Many people choose to watch a particular reality show because it coincides with their interests, but when it comes to participation, there is more that must be factored in that interest alone. First, you would want to find a show that you could directly relate to, and meet with at least some success. For example, if you are not a singer, you would not want to seriously audition for a show designed to find the next pop star. The idea is usually to win, so that is what you should set out to do.

Still, choosing a reality show could be difficult. People learn from watching others, and what better way to become familiar with a show and all it entails than to watch and see how it works. The key is to find a show you would enjoy, since remaining on it will take up a lot of your time. Find something that allows you to use your skills and personal attributes. This is important because you will most likely be competing for something. Everyone else around you will carry that same mentality, so it really does become a matter of survival of the fittest.

While reality shows are fun, you're really in it to win. You will want your face to be the one people will look forward to seeing every week, so choose a show where you can really excel. Your choices are numerous and diverse, so you should have no problem finding a show that will suit you. The opportunities are endless. The beauty is that often times you will have the chance to repeat your performance the following year should you not make it to the end of the season. No matter which show you choose, have fun. If you are enjoying your performance, the audience will pick up on that, and it will go far to enhance your ratings.

Best Movie Lines Ever!

When I was a kid, I played outside for hours and read more books than most people read in a lifetime. Yet somehow I still had time to watch TV. My step-father had an insane movie collection, and I collected more than a few favorites, which I watched over and over again. In fact, when he and my mom divorced, I may have missed the movies more than I missed the man! Curious, I looked up the American Film Institute's top 100 movie quotes. What I found was startling.

Three of the quotes, including the number one on the list, came from "Gone With the Wind". Two of those three were delivered by Scarlett O'Hara herself.

Three more came from "The Wizard of Oz," two of those delivered by Dorothy.

But topping the list in number of quotes was "Casablanca" at six, twice as many as these two!

Somewhat surprisingly, the Godfather, Terminator, and Bond series each sported only two quotes, one for each flick.

Thirty-six of the movies were shot in 1950 or before. Rather impressive for the old black and whites! Somewhat surprisingly, only one – "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" – was shot after 2000. However, the more recent movies are closer to the bottom of the list than the top.

Bogart flicks had a surprisingly high number of lines. In addition to "Casablanca", "To Have and Have Not" and "The Maltese Falcon" also made the list. Tom Hanks delivered three lines – one from "Forrest Gump," one from "Apollo 13," and one from "A League of Their Own." Tom Cruise flicks hit four lines, although only two were delivered by Cruise himself (two from "Jerry McGuire", one from "Top Gun," and one from "A Few Good Men). Two lines were delivered by Jack Nicholson – "A Few Good Men" and "The Shining." It's interesting to see what actors pop up the most.

Both instances of profanity came in movies filmed before 1970. See what happens when you don't swear for fun?

Only one alien line in the movie, spoken by E.T. Dorothy talked to her dog for one line, and there was a nonhuman cooing over Precious, but overall, most of the lines were given in human conversation.

Many of the folks who delivered these lines are still making movies today.

One of the lines was unscripted – Dustin Hoffman's "I'm walking here!" from "Midnight Cowboy" was completely improved and yet made the list.

There you go, just a few stats on some of the greatest lines in movie history. Be warned – as you read over the list, you may hear some of the actors delivering these lines in your head!

Film Terms: Gaffer

Head electrician responsible for the design and execution of lighting on a set. In charge of all lighting personnel. (The term "gaffer's tape" is derived from this term. Gaffer's tape is a bit like duct tape, but don't use them interchangeably! Unlike duct tape, gaffer's tape is designed not to leave a sticky residue behind. It's used to tape film magazines so no light leaks in, hold cables together or secure them to the ground, mark studio floors, etc.)