Day of the Dead (2008)

When a small Colorado town is overrun by the flesh hungry dead a small group of survivors try to escape in a last ditch effort to stay alive.

Director:

Steve Miner

Writers:

Jeffrey Reddick (screenplay), George A. Romero (motion picture "Day of the Dead")

Stars:

Mena Suvari, Nick Cannon, Michael Welch

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mena Suvari	...	Sarah Bowman
Nick Cannon	...	Salazar
Michael Welch	...	Trevor Bowman
AnnaLynne McCord	...	Nina (as AnnaLyne McCord)
Stark Sands	...	Bud Crain
Matt Rippy	...	Doctor Logan
Pat Kilbane	...	Scientist
Taylor Saracho	...	Local Girl (as Taylor Hoover)
Christa Campbell	...	Mrs. Leitner
Ian McNeice	...	Paul - DJ
Ving Rhames	...	Captain Rhodes
Robert Rais	...	Mr. Leitner
Michael McCoy	...	Mr. Noble
Laura Giosh	...	Mrs. Noble
Vanessa Johansson	...	Receptionist

Storyline

In Leadville, Colorado, Captain Rhodes and his army seals off the town to contain an influenza-type epidemic. The locals are not allowed to leave the town and the Pine Valley Medical Center is crowded with sick people. Corporal Sarah Bowman was born and raised in Leadville and goes to her home with Private Bud Crain to visit her mother. Sarah finds that her mother is ill and takes her to the local hospital. However, the sick people suddenly transform in flesh eating, fast moving zombies which attack the non-infected humans. Sarah, Bud and Private Salazar get a jeep and head to the town exit to escape from the dead. But Sarah hears the voice of her brother, Trevor, on the radio and is compelled to go to the radio station where Trevor is hidden with his girlfriend Nina. The group of survivors drives to the isolated Nike missile site seeking shelter, where they discover an underground army base.

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Plot Keywords:

horror movie remake | zombie | colorado | epidemic | corporal | 

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Taglines:

This spring, the dead will rise!

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong pervasive horror violence and gore, and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Day of the Dead: The Need to Feed

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$301,771

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Taurus Entertainment Company, Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films (EFO Films)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the film's plot shares little with the original, many of the scenes and situations from the original are duplicated, such as debating on whether or not a fellow member should be killed even though there's a chance he won't become a zombie and a zombie firing a gun.

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Goofs

The rank pins worn by 'Corporal Cross' are not the style worn on American uniforms, they appear to be Canadian ranks turned over.

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Quotes

Sarah Bowman: How long has Mom been sick?
Trevor Bowman: This morning. It's a cold. Everyone's got it. And when did you start caring?
Sarah Bowman: Don't start with me.
Nina: Kyle had it really bad. His nose was gushing blood.
Sarah Bowman: Where's he now?
Trevor Bowman: Home. He probably found his dad's supply of medical hash. I'm gonna run over and check up on him.
Sarah Bowman: Wait, wait. Wait, you can't even go upstairs to check on your own mother, and now you want to go across town? No. You're gonna go upstairs, make sure Mom gets dressed, and don't leave until I get back. Do ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

-** SPOILER ALERT! *** The alternate ending on the DVD has Salazar's character disappearing off screen after opening fire in the Nike missile silo. He screams, fires again, then the horde of zombies appears. The film continues exactly as it did in the theatrical release, until, as they escape in the SUV, they pass a building in the exterior of the missile base. Salazar emerges, screaming that he wasn't bitten, and muttering that everyone expects the black guy to die. He gets into the SUV, and they drive off. At that point, the screaming zombie pops into frame.

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Connections

Referenced in Joe of the Dead: Acting in a George Romero Classic (2010)

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Soundtracks

Worldwide
Written by D. Difonzo, Scott P. Schreer
Published by Freeplaymusic(BMI)
Courtesy of Freeplay Music

User Reviews

A Disappointing Excuse For A Romero Remake

Like many of you, I got really excited when I heard about this film. After the incredibly good effort that was the Dawn of the Dead 2004 remake, this film is an extremely cheap attempt to cash in on the name. It's extremely important to keep in mind that this film it's not a remake as much as it's a by-the-numbers zombie/infected flick with a fancy name on it.

The film stars Mena Suvari and has a short cameo by Ving Rhames. While I'll watch anything with Mena Suvari in it - even "Loser" - this is a stretch. While Suvari does a decent job with a flat, lifeless (no pun intended) script, the other actors are incredibly stiff, awkward and unconvincing. Rhames plays basically the same character he played in the Dawn of the Dead remake, although he only appears for the first 15 minutes or so.

The film itself is extremely boring and the action and special effects are haphazard. I can honestly say that I've never felt so bored during an action sequence before. The "climax", if you can call it that, runs on for about 5 minutes more than it should. Even worse, the film doesn't even attempt to redeem itself by being a tad funny.. it tries, but fails with flying colors. The script is absolutely ridiculous, not even making relative sense in the world of the film.

If you've ever wondered what "vegetarian" zombies eat, feel free to watch this movie. If you want to see a new spin on Romero, wait for Diary of the Dead to come out in wide release by the man himself. I'm giving this one a three for Mena Suvari alone.