This weekend, Mexico City became the newest record holder of a very auspicious title--World's biggest zombie walk. For those of you who don't know, zombie walks have become fairly common in major cities recently. Basically, they're like a very monotonous and brain-hungry parade in which hundreds or even thousands of people take to the streets in zombie garb. Parade participants present their best shambling and groaning as they confuse, scare and entertain the everyday city-folk.
Mexico City's record breaking walk this weekend boasted a shocking 10,000 participants! So for now, here's to you, Mexico City! 10,000 zombies is a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure, and it'll be interesting to see who rises to meet your impressive new record.
Watch the video below for a real taste of awesomeness. The final shot is pretty hilarious, as I've always imagined that's just what Starbucks looks like on your average Monday morning.
#5: Nothing says romance like the zombie apocalypse...and looting...
I really love when a show that is this serious finds moments for happiness and light. As Dale says, "we can still find joy", and boy do Glenn and Maggie find it together. Now I know many of us are quick to judge the lack of thought that went into the decision to get it on in the pharmacy, but it's nice to see Glenn happy. And, if nothing else, the dialogue that led up to the encounter was pretty hilarious. I'm really liking the actress who plays Maggie (much more than I like Maggie of the comics).
#4: Michael Rooker's cameo
As an older sibling, I don't really get the whole "I love my older sibling and yet hate them at the same time" thing, but I'm sure my sister would be happy to explain it to me. Regardless, you have to love the raw honesty of the relationship between Daryll and Meryl. Without telling us a great deal about their history, you can sense the aura of abandonment and disappoint, even as it mixes with a sense of love and loyalty. Nice to see Daryll's demons, as he remains one of my favorite characters.
#3: Honesty is an important element in any relationship
I've read the comics...many times...so I knew that Lori was pregnant. But in the comic she never comes right out and owns up to her relationship with Shane. Eventually, Rick kind of admits that he knows, but this doesn't happen until long after Shane is dead. So when she was just like "yeah, I totally had a thing with your bff", I was pretty floored. But hey, honesty is the best policy. Right?
#2: The first to go are the fatties
Well, better get myself to the gym or avoid encountering Shane in the apocalypse. Whether you can justify his decision to sacrifice Otis or not, I think we can all agree that it was an excellent moment from the series. It speaks volumes about where Shane is now and potentially foreshadows his actions in the future. I'm with Dale; Steer clear of this dude.
#1: Well...we found Sophia, guys...
Yeah, totally didn't see that coming. And Nicotero did such a good job with the makeup in that scene that, if only for a brief moment, I thought "maybe she's alive". Great acting job in reaction on the part of Carol, btw. That's a hell of a way to end the first half of a season though. Nothing says "the gloves are off" like killing a child. Battlestar Galactica proved that in their miniseries. Looks like the same brutality will exist here, and I'm looking forward to it.
I am, like most women, a great lover of footwear. Whether it's a pair of combat boots or wedge sandals, I've worn them in every shape and color. So what do you get for the zombie-loving femme fatale in your life? Combine her two great loves with a pair of zombie inspired shoes from sinistersoles.com! Here are some of my favorite finds from the site:
More holiday gift ideas will be on your way. Hope your Black Friday went well, Shopping Zombies! Can't wait for the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead on Sunday!
I'm sure that today you are all headed to delicious feasts prepared by your loving family. For me, it's Thanksgiving cajun style around noon, and then your traditional Thanksgiving fare around 6pm. By the end of the day, I basically have to be rolled into bed. But zombies? They don't have a loving family to prepare them turkey and mashed potatoes. As a result, they are left to fend for themselves...and boy, do they.
So enjoy this top 5 in honor of the holiday. May it make you that much hungrier.
Honorable Mention: Zombies share in a round of Amy hors d'oeuvres in The Walking Dead
This makes the list, if only because (in both the comic and the show), it seemed like someone really could have done something to stop all the additional little bites. I mean, she's not finger food, people.
#5: Little girl zombie decides that mommies make the best dinners in Night of the Living Dead.
Moms really are good at everything: cooking, hugging, listening to your problems...and, oh yeah...devouring the second you turn into an undead freak. I mean, why go for a stranger as your first meal? You don't know where that's been! Take out mom and dad first.
#4: Zombies go for the leg's first--Stephen's legs to be exact--in Dawn of the Dead.
Nothing like a meal that fights back. Just makes that first taste of flesh all the more rewarding. Maybe we should start a new Thanksgiving tradition where we lock a live turkey in an elevator and bludgeon it to death. Us humans, we've lost all sense of barbarism. lol.
#3: Zombies go for David's stuffing first in Shaun of the Dead
For a comedy, this movie sure does do the gore up right. Nothing like being pulled through a window of broken glass and then disemboweled in front of your friends. Delicious. Just makes me want a full plate of stuffing. Check out the version below, or check out a better version here.
#2: Zombies dine on a feast of deep fried Tom & Judy in Night of the Living Dead
This was the scene that caused me to sleep in my parents' bed for a week when I was eight. Nothing like getting the whole zombie family together for some BBQ, right? I hope Tom and Judy had marinated themselves before deciding to become a human buffet because otherwise that meal is going to be a little on the bland side. Start the video below about 1:20 in and stop at 2:30. I had trouble finding one that just had the scene.
#1: Bub hunts his own turkey (Captain Rhodes) in Day of the Dead
You know what's NOT a good idea? Training zombies. Cuz, you know, if you do, they might eventually turn on you and hunt you down with the intention of feeding their very large zombie family. This scene is BY FAR the best scene of zombie gluttony ever. Awesome effects. Sure to have you licking your lips for some turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks that you are not one of the walking dead...yet...
A former student of mine came to visit this afternoon and told me about some auditions she's been doing recently. She was especially excited to tell me (since all my students know about my undead obsession) about one audition she had: an appearance on an upcoming Disney show called "Zombies and Cheerleaders".
Why must Disney steal everything worth being interested in? Disney, stop trying to be cool. Stick to your reasonable domain: singing bunny rabbits and catchy show tunes for the single-digit set. The Little Mermaid was brilliant. Why must you attempt to capitalize every market? Don't you have enough money? Ugh. Head. Desk.
Look, I know the zombie thing is getting crazy popular. I know that being a zombie fanatic is the new, chic thing. But then be a REAL zombie fanatic. I don't care if you just jumped on board with the rest of America, that's just fine! We're happy to have you! But then for the love of Romero, can you please be an actual zombie fan? Watch real zombie movies?
I don't usually judge a book by a cover, but I'm judging this one. When the cover has a Disney castle on the front of it, I must protest. I mean come on, Disney. Are your zombies going to sparkle and fall in love with humans? Are they going to eat Happy Meals and drink Sunny D? Looking at the show's teaser description, sadly my attempt at humor isn't far off. Seriously...check it out here.
What is the apocalyptic world coming to? At least the show won't be premiering for a while. Fingers crossed that the actual zombie apocalypse comes first.
Found out about this older comic series that is potentially the inspiration, but I highly doubt that Disney's in any position to do it real justice. After all, this was the most "appropriate" cover I could find.
So...yeah, we're clearly off the map of the comics. And as a loyal comic reader, I'm actually sort of okay with that. I mean, as much as I love the comics, it does enhance my viewing that I don't know what will happen next. And really who doesn't love T-Dog and Darrell?
So, for the sake of organizing my thoughts, I'm reviewing tonight's episode in list form:
I really feel Glenn on the whole keeping secrets thing. I mean, honestly, the world's a mess. Why should he have to be the keeper of all sacred knowledge on top of everything else? I would've spilled the beans, too. Come on, Lori.
Yeah...that's not how the morning after pill works. But then again, they had a pregnancy test register results in like 2 seconds a few episodes ago, so clearly these dudes need a little medical schooling. I understand her desperation, but she could have poisoned herself.
Well, looks like the whole Shane secret's out of the bag. THAT never happens in the comics! Eventually it seems like Rick figures it out, but by that point Shane is long dead, and Lori never actually comes right out and says it. I guess it's a little more realistic this way. What did you think?
Shane and Andrea certainly never got it on in the comic, but I'm okay with it here. I mean, it seems fairly realistic. They've been spending a lot of time together, and they're around the same age. My guess is that many people would turn to that sort of carnal comfort in such a situation.
I thought Dale's reaction to Shane was a little sudden. I mean, in the comic Dale and Andrea are an item, but it doesn't seem like that's what's been going on in the show. And Dale isn't a twelve year old boy who puffs up his chest and starts fights on the playground, so it just seemed a little contrived to me.
And my guesses for next week?
I don't know...I'm kind of not buying the whole "we're not killing off Shane yet" thing. Ever since the producers of Battlestar Galactica lied to me about the return of one Kara Thrace, I'm reticent to trust producers and writers about upcoming plot points. Their job is to trick and guile you, and they know you want to be surprised. Maybe I'm wrong, but with all the foreshadowing this episode, I bet it happens this season.
I think Shane's gonna kill off all the zombies in the barn without asking...which will inevitably lead to their excommunication from the ranch.
Someone's gonna die. If it ain't Shane, my money's on one of Hershel's kids or T-Dog.
They'll find Sophia...and she'll be alive...maybe?
If they leave, will Glenn elect to stay behind as he does in the comic? I'm not sure...
Can't wait until next week's episode? Check out this not-satisfying-enough preview for next week's episode:
I remember when he was first introduced, and I was so convinced he was going to be a bad guy. The "it's a trap" warning sirens were screaming in my brain. Even though he's a small character, his story is one that brings an interesting perspective to the group.
#4: Tyrese
Tyrese would be even higher on my list if it weren't for all the rumors surrounding his casting. Before the show even aired, the internet was abuzz with news that he would be portrayed by Keith Allen Hayes. Hayes is both too young and too small to be a real Tyrese, but at this point I guess the show is pretty far off the map. If nothing else, tonight's episode proved that. Still, I loved Tyrese. His relationship with Rick was genuine and interesting. He served as a good foil (and a good friend) for Rick, and his death is one of the many reasons that we watch Rick unravel. And he killed a whole gym full of zombies with a hammer. A HAMMER!
#3: Abraham
My favorite of the new(er) survivors, Abraham is pretty awesome and hardcore without being one dimensional. He serves as a fittingly brutal sidekick for Rick post-Woodbury, and I appreciate his brand of blunt honesty.
#2: The Governor
Call me crazy, but I'm still hoping that the show's writers will go the way of cruel and bitter irony and make Merle Dixon into The Governor. Wouldn't it be beyond awesome to watch him chop off Rick's hand in an "eye for an eye" gesture? Regardless of what route they chose to take on his origin, The Governor is one of the best villains in modern literature. He's a sick, sadistic monster, and yet...a great dad? As much as any reader despises him, you've gotta look forward to his inevitable and eventual appearance.
#1: Michonne
I cannot WAIT to hear who they cast as Michonne. This samurai-sword-wielding warrior woman can take care of herself and has proved it time and time again. I can't wait to hear her say "I think of all the things I'm going to do to you, and it scares me". Watch out, Governor. Whomever they cast, it better be good. I've been personally advocating for Gina Torres (of Serenity fame), but I'm sure that's only a pipe dream. Who would you love to see as the lawyer-gone-one-woman-army of The Walking Dead?
