Be sure to check out tomorrow's issue of Creative Loafing, which will include everything you wanted to know about George Romero and the upcoming American Zombie event taking place this weekend in Charlotte. In the meantime, here's a look at one of the movies that will be included in the lineup:
Dawn of the Dead (1978). The second film in Romero's zombie saga (three more followed, with the sixth currently in production) is considered in countless quarters to be the director's masterpiece; certainly, it ranks right alongside the original Night of the Living Dead. Whereas its predecessor was in black-and-white, this one's in color, thus allowing ace makeup artist Tom Savini the chance to offer gruesome gore galore. Yet even beyond the entrails, we can see Romero again serving up potent societal commentary. As mindless, shuffling zombies lumber down the corridors of an expansive mall (which is where our heroes have chosen to board up), it's obvious that Romero is wittily railing against American conformity and consumerism. Bonus points for having the best tagline of any Romero flick: "When there's no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth." ***1/2
For more info on the American Zombie event, call 704-333-9755 or go to www.zombiestakecharlotte.com.