Late Afternoon of the Living Dead (2007)
Review by Nightscares Reborn
A strange and deadly virus is spreading rampantly across the planet. The infected feel the symptoms within minutes. Death occurs shortly thereafter. Then comes the most terrible side effect of all…reanimation. Chris, a librarian turned unlikely hero, sets out in search of answers in a city filled with the living dead on why he is still walking around with a heartbeat when he should be one of the walking dead. Along the way in his search for his answers he encounters a ghost trying to find his way to the afterlife and a group of survivors fighting to stay alive. Now as so many questions loom, Chris must find away to stop the plague that has spread throughout the world and save the group from certain death before they tear themselves to pieces!
When I was given the link to the Myspace page of this independent zombie horror film known as Late Afternoon of the Living Dead, I gotta say I was ecstatic. Being a fan of zombie horror films and finding that I would have the honor of reviewing this film was a real treat for me. Now, I have viewed the screener for LAOTLD and I have to say I really enjoyed this film. I will admit when it first opened up I found it to be a bit weak but as the film progressed it began to become more and more interesting. The acting may not seem all that great at first but this isn’t a Hollywood film, people. These aren’t over-paid actors just out to make a quick buck without giving a single care if the film turns out to be something we the fans will come to enjoy. Instead they show real heart in trying to give their all out best to each of their characters.
We have Chris Hutson, who portrays Chris, the unlikely hero who is in search of answers to why he is still alive. He becomes a one man zombie-ass kickin’ machine who’s not going to let a few zombies stand in his way and keep him from his quest. During his quest he comes into contact with a ghost named Shelton played by writer and director of LAOTLD, Jason Huls, who is searching for someone to bury his corpse in hopes that it will send him off into the peaceful afterlife. There is some great interaction between the two characters that is well worth viewing.
After a mysterious blackout, Chris is found by a group of survivors who take him back to their safe house, so to speak. Among the survivors are Ron (Ron Rotondo), a walking mean-streak in a business suit, Jenna (Samantha Curtiss), a goth chick who’s no stranger to combat, Lt. Jeremy Barnes (Rich DeBarba), a good-natured military man trying to save all he can, Bob (Paul A. Brooks), a down-home trucker, Emory (Emory Davis), a sledge hammer-wielding big man, Kurt (Travis Huls), a young jock, and Ashley (Ashley O’Neil), a suburban princess. All must find a way to work together if they are to survive this hell on earth and find the one man who may have the cure, but may also be responsible for the outbreak in the first place.
All in all I will say that I am highly impressed by Jason Hul’s writing and directing of this film. He put together a zombie film with a small dose of humor but kept a walking dead feel to it. Like Romero’s Dead films we were given a character, namely Ron, that worked well as the antagonist of the group who always has to make things difficult for the rest of the survivors. Adding in the ghostly character of Shelton was something new, at least for me, for a film involving zombies. Like I said before, the film and acting seemed kinda weak at first but as the film progresses it gets better with each passing moment.
My hat (if I wore one) off to the cast and crew of LAOTLD for this independent zombie treat. It may not be Hollywood, but I found it definitely worth my viewing time!
Late Afternoon of the Living Dead – Official Site
Support GOOD independent horror! Buy the film for only $10!!
Popularity: 2% [?]
[ ‹‹ Watch Me Trailer Phantasm 2 (1988) ›› ]
2006 2007 2008 2009 awesome 80s bad movies Best of bloody book review boring brutal campy creepy disturbing Fatally Yours film festival fun ghosts gore haunted horror comedy Horror Literature humorous independent insanity interview low-budget madness monsters murders News psychological release info revenge sequel serial killer short film slasher supernatural unique vampires violent Women in Horror Worst of Zombies