Dawn of the Dead (1978)

 

Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. team members, a traffic reporter, and his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

From memory: Due to the hysteria of German censors this classic zombie movie was banned for many years, and there were countless 'official' and illegal versions in circulation, each offering different cuts, some of which we later showed in secret screenings. The original theatrical release, however, was the so-called Argento cut. Dawn of the Dead is remarkable for its upping the ante on gore and its relentlessness, but it is also classic horror, set in a closed environment (a shopping mall) with the terror coming both from outside and from within, alongside being a sharp satire on American consumerism. 

Halliwell (no star): "Seemingly endless horror comic with absurd pretensions to be an allegory of something or other; occasionally laughable, otherwise sickening or boring."

Maltin***1/2: "...apocalyptic horror masterpiece...Satiric, metaphorically rich adventure jerks viewers' emotions around with stunning ease...Savini's hideously gory effects are mostly confined to the first and last half hours."

George A. Romero

 

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_A._Romero

Creepshow (1982)

An anthology which tells five terrifying tales based on the E.C. horror comic books of the 1950s.

Nicely reimagined homage to 50s horror comics balances humor with some nasty bits and is generally enjoyable, although the quality of the episodes vary considerably.

Halliwell (no star): "Supposedly funny, but mainly rather nasty recreation of a famous 'comic' style; far too extended for its own good."

Maltin**: "Romero nicely captures the look of a comic book..., but Stephen King's five "fantastic tales"...are transparent and heavy-handed..."

The Crazies (1973)

The military attempts to contain a manmade combat virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those infected, as it overtakes a small Pennsylvania town.

The Crazies (1973)

The military attempts to contain a man-made combat virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those infected, as it overtakes a small Pennsylvania town.

 Superior and intense, a low-budget zombie shocker with a distinct political message.

Halliwell': "Fast-moving, low-budget horror movie that also attempts to be a satire on rigid, military attitudes; it does achieve a certain frisson by its driving relentlessness and copious killing."

Maltin**: "Gory but exciting."

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

On the set: Judith O'Dea