With news that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have touched down in Glasgow, Scotland for Pitt’s latest movie project World War Z, this week we’re focusing on the best zombie films available on BD. So if you’re stuck for ideas this weekend, why not try out one of the following:
28 Days/28 Weeks Later Box set
Breathing new life into the genre, Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is seen by many as the poster child of modern zombie movies. Set in a post-apocalyptic England where a virus has decimated life in only 28 days, the film follows Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he adjusts to new terrains strewn with blood hungry monsters. Released five years after the original, 28 Weeks Later charts the aftermath of the outbreak as a U.S. led army begin the repopulation of London. But as the first wave of refugees return, one unwittingly carries a terrible secret that threatens to reignite the carnage and chaos once more. The two movie box set includes a number of impressive extras such as informative commentaries for fans interested in the technical aspects of both films, alongside behind-the-scenes insights into make-up, set design, shooting locations and interviews with cast and crew from both movies.
Shaun of the Dead
Arguably the funniest zombie movie ever made, comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up in this honest, laugh out loud look at life in zombie infested Britain. Shaun (Pegg) and his best mate Ed (Frost) are two hapless thirty year olds who just happen to wake up to find the world as they knew it has ended. Their master plan? Go to the pub. The Blu-ray extras serve up some interesting insights headlined by a quartet of commentary tracks, the first of which sees Pegg and writer/director Edgar Wright take the reins. Also on offer are storyboards, a trivia quiz track, video diaries from the main cast members and numerous featurettes including ‘Plot Holes’ which fills in the gaps behind some of the film’s scenes with narration and a collection of hand-drawn images.
The Walking Dead
Genre-bending zombie drama The Walking Dead wowed critics and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic last year, and its arrival on BD, crammed with hours of special features was no different. This six part series follows a group of survivors led by police officer Rick (played by British actor Andrew Lincoln) as they search for safety from flesh-eating monsters. Each episode explores the challenges of a world where each day sees characters face extreme situations, surprises and dangers as they battle to maintain a normal life. Bonus features include featurettes on the making of the show, the incredible make-up effects and CGI behind the scary visuals, interviews with cast and crew as well as a commentary with the director and producer and a whole host of deleted scenes. The trailer for the second series was released just last week and you can check it out here.
So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us your favourite zombie movies, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.
