Sometimes a DVD is so bad the most interesting thing about it is the IMDB.com listing.
As a fan of the zombie genre dating back to the ’70s, it’s painful to admit that “Zombieworld,” out Feb. 24 on DVD and digital on demand, is so amateurish, so badly acted and written it fits that category.
Who are these people? Who gave them money to make a movie? Why is Jesus slaying zombie cowboys with dead fish? And who would pay $27.97 to own this stinker?
The “film” is a collection of shorts (according to the news release by “a group of new and up-and-coming directors from around the world”) loosely linked by anchor Marvin Gloatt reporting from a station about to be overrun by zombies. And most of the tales are recycled, except for Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead as a murderous zombie that leads to a showdown with Roman, Egyptian and cowboy zombies. That one is just inane.
After enough rubber guts, rip-off “how to survive a zombie apocalypse” skits and “Walking Dead” imitations, it becomes more interesting to check out the cast and crew.
DID YOU KNOW: Jesse Baget previously directed “Cellmates,” which Filmmaker Magazine described as “a jailhouse buddy comedy about a former KKK grand dragon and an immigrant laborer.”
Gloatt is played by Bill Oberst Jr. (a poor man’s DJ Qualls … it’s a stretch, especially considering the ages, but go with it), who may have the world’s longest IMDB bio.The online portrait includes such notes as “Bill’s torso is nearly twice the average length for a male his height. His prominent rib cage and exposed bone structure have branded him ‘that guy with the creepy torso’ in numerous dark & shirtless film roles.”
If you have to be known for something, “that guy with the creepy torso” isn’t the worst you could do.
Oberst’s prior artistry includes roles in “Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies,” “Krampus: The Christmas Devil,” and “Nude Nuns With Big Guns” among 137 IMDB credits (some with multiple appearances) since 2007.
One director, Jesse Baget, brought us the upcoming “Frankenstein vs. the Mummy” (hasn’t that been made before?); another, Adrián Cardona, was behind the genius of “Fist of Jesus” which is an entire segment of “Zombieworld” viewers can watch on YouTube for free. Also, Jesus in this apparently speaks Spanish.
Why not?
RELATED Why This ‘Girl’ Stands Out Among Zombie Pics
Trevor Snarr, who plays the incredulous and clueless cop in “Zombieworld,” appears to have had a role in the cult flick “Napoleon Dynamite,” as “Don.” Yet a search of that film’s script doesn’t turn up any lines.
There’s nothing to see here except the weird revelation that apparently a lot of people make a living creating films no one will never watch. How do I get in on this?
In the end, “Zombieworld” is an attempt to make a quick buck off the zombie craze by assembling a bunch of existing short films … about four years too late.
Chase,
Thank you for the mention, man. I have not seen the movie myself, but I suspected when shooting the wrap-around newscaster piece for this anthology of short zombie films that it would be best taken with tongue in cheek. Enjoyed reading your review; I’ll be a new reader on the site. Your grasp of the absurdity of the business is refreshing and entertaining.
best regards,
Bill
Bill Oberst Jr.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2454994/
Again with mocking Jesus, well he can handle it. How about some real cutting edge horror and turn the Prophet Moe into a zombie. Not likely.