Box of Monsters - Features

When I agreed to watch and review the 40 minute indie, Them Damn Zombies, I couldn't help but wonder what I'd gotten myself into. Having graduated college with a degree in television production, I've witnessed first hand what happens when a group of horror fans get their unskilled paws on a video camera and start shooting. Believe me when I say there's no limit to just how tragically unwatchable a do-it-yourself horror movie can be!

But it was too late. I'd already given Stone Dead Films my mailing address, and I received Them Damn Zombies in less than a week. As I pushed the tape into the VCR and took a seat on the couch, I thought to myself, "Dear Lord. Here it comes."

Then... wow! Several minutes into the feature film I began to realize that this wasn't some cable access dreadful movie of the week. It was, in fact, something else, and it was really good!

Them Damn Zombies is about a mismatched group of hapless woodland-goers trying to avoid a backwoods zombie invasion. All the usual zombie mythos elements are here - the eating of victims, the danger of contagion, etc. - and it doesn't take itself too seriously. Before you know it, you're caught up in the fun. Them Damn Zombies also features some truly funny dialog. And I don't mean the typical, "I said something funny. Everyone laugh because it's so freakin' hilarious." I mean actually funny!

This movie is a real effort with real knowledge of how movies are done. Writer/director Andy Koontz knows how to manipulate his cast of cartoonish characters within the bounds of a shoestring budget and still manage to entertain the viewer, while editor Scott Phillips moves the story along at a breakneck pace from start to finish. The actors aren't bad either. Simply put, Them Damn Zombies reaches a level of professionalism that's pleasantly free of painfully amateurish home-movie moments!

I can not wait to see what these guys are going to do next. By all accounts, it can only get better. Maybe they'll even burn something onto actual film (as opposed to video).

If you're into zombies, you're probably going to want Them Damn Zombies. If you're thinking of breaking out a camera and trying your hand at some weekend filmmaking, I absolutely insist you own this movie!

Dude, it's only 10 bucks! You can order it from Horror On Film, and it's for big kids only!