Dawn of the Dead (1978) - OUT OF PRINT

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Egons Ghost

Exactly my observation with my own child and her schoolmates, and my niece and nephew. Outside of the latest whiz-bang superhero rubbish, forget it. I have "forced" my child since she was very little to sit and give attention to all kinds of movies, including, as she gets older, Marilyn Monroe, Hitchcock, 80s stuff (thanks to Stranger Things, her interest is piqued), etc. I would say that actual stories in general, with some meditation on the human condition, or stories that take a little time to build mood, character, etc., have lost cultural cachet.

Yeah, I have a lot of contact with younger people at my job and for the most part they play video games and put on something from Netflix or a podcast while they surf the internet. Movies are very much losing their cultural relevance with that generation. My wife is younger than me and she fits this mold too. Obviously that's anecdotal, but I do think it's a clear trend and box office/home video numbers back it up. I mean just look at what is most popular on streaming services.

That said, Bird Box was a good sign. These streaming services are the focus of our culture now for better or worse, and the more they push movies like that the more people will get used to watching them regularly again. Culture is always an ocean with waves and movement, things are always changing. Of course then you have the issue of streaming killing media ownership, but one crisis at a time...

[Jexes23]

Originally Posted by Egons Ghost

I would say that actual stories in general, with some meditation on the human condition, or stories that take a little time to build mood, character, etc., have lost cultural cachet.

It’s sad, and definitely a big issue these days. But I would say I’m sort of guilty in doing the exact opposite. I’ve had friends or younger people I know tell me they couldn’t watch something or it was the most boring thing they had ever seen and they wanted to watch something else, and they’ll start using their phone or tune out of a movie and completely lose interest. They have to have this constant stimulation like they have ADHD.

However, I find I return the favor. I’ve had friends put on Suicide Squad or Avengers Infinity War or movies like that and I find I do the same thing. In about 10 minutes I’m reading on my phone or talking or have gotten up. The sh*t looks like a video game that I’m not playing to me. Every scene something is flying across the screen or blowing up or some crap and just like most people cannot seem to focus on my movies I find myself unable to focus on quite a lot of modern movies myself.

[Caseyscott]

To further bolster some of the points being made, Generation Z is the least problematic generation statistically, as has been trending for a while a now, so this concern is only relevant within the cinematic world solipsism.

[BladeRunner2007]

People that claim the original Dawn of the Dead is boring shouldn't be allowed to watch movies. Period.

[balthazar_bee]

Hey, there are a lot of great things about iGen or Gen Z or whatever we're calling the post-millennials today; my point was specifically about being intentional and focused with one's attention without immediate reward or gratification. This has vast implications for...well, just about everything.

And it's more than just the kids, I get that too; but they're the canaries in this particular coal mine, since their brains weren't fully formed before we decided to give them 24 hour access to the virtual slot machine.

I love to read, and it depresses me that so few people read (books) for pleasure, but the decline in reading has been going on for years. What's interesting is that movies are supplanting books as "the thing old people did that we don't have time for". It's reflective of that accelerated loss of "attention investment".

[GeoffOliver]

I’m 24, but I know I don’t speak for everyone my age since I’m a very active film buff that will watch anything from any era, but I do know others my age like that too, even if they’re almost all in my film classes at college. I really do think that horror is popular with my generation though, from all eras. Films like Get Out and It really did hit the cultural zeitgeist in huge ways, along with other recent films like A Quiet Place, Bird Box, and (to a lesser extent) Hereditary. Films like It Follows and The Babadook were hits once they hit Netflix. I also know plenty people my age that have seen older films in the genre like the Halloween, Friday the 13th, NOES, and Scream franchises. Horror actually has a dedicated fan base that has diverse tastes, but is more willing to seek out older films. A lot of that could be considered “geeky,” but some of that passion does transfer over to anyone that actively loves the genre, regardless of how serious they are. The recent Halloween was the most successful sequel at the box office, making more than the last Transformers movie domestically... and it was a direct sequel to the original. I work at a movie theater. It was clear to me that most people seeing the movie had seen the original too. The most popular movies with young people where I work are the latest superhero films and horror films. It’s a genre that will always carry weight with people of that demographic.

And for the record, most people that I talk to, even peers my age, seem interested at what I have to say about films and film history (especially on Facebook). I don’t think THAT many people actively dismiss older films. It’s just not their taste, although I hope that’s changing with how easier it is to seek out films from all eras.

[T26S]

I'm scared for future generations, attention span is seriously lacking, the biggest contributer is the overuse of social media as well how fast and instant alot of things have become. It's easy to dismiss as an exaggeration or fear mongering but all you need to do is look around you its not even just the millennials. Even some of the creators of social media giants candidly said themselves rarely let their kids use it due the potential negative aspects.

With the Internet and streaming enables yiy to find any movie there's overchoice meaning people will be selective, younger people will tend to opt for newer movies.

So their taste becomes built on newer movies, so anything they feel as too old they dismiss.

[GuruAskew]

Just think of all the crusty old men who looked down on Dawn of the Dead when it first came out.

You’re those guys now.

[LucasGodzilla]

I think the original Dawn of the Dead is a tad overrated at times. Don't get me wrong, I love it to death, but it's certainly one of those movies that's aged much poorer and its low-budget does show through sometimes (I think Day of the Dead is my definitive Romerian zombie flick). However, like it's been said by many, as a period piece, it's near-perfect as a horror and satire.

Pacing wise, it's a bit hard to judge due to the several different versions of it. I think the Argento Cut has the smoothest pacing (and the most energetic score) albeit at the expense of random jumps and characterization. Romero's Theatrical cut is a bit slow at times, especially with some of his stock music tracks which lack the energy the wall-to-wall Goblin tracks brought, however, it shouldn't be an issue if you can appreciate a slow burn. As for the Cannes cut, I think that's where I draw the line and say the movie is boring. With the severe lack of Goblin tracks on top of the untrimmed nature of many of the sequences just leave you with a bloated and sluggish version of the movie that just doesn't feel like it ever really pays off.

On the whole topic about the current post-millennial generation, I certainly do think there are way too many people who get disinterested in things way too fast. It's quite funny actually cause I'm actually someone who's a part of Gen Z and yet I seem to have the issue only on a more minimal level. I do play video games a lot and I do run movies in the background sometimes as background noise, but I do actually pay attention to them and enjoy full sessions of keeping my attention focused on the movie. On top of that, I quite enjoy reading when I get a chance to, albeit very specific niched things.

It's a shame though that it seems Marvel has the strongest influence over the current generations since simply put, they're not much of anything apart from just being popcorn entertainment. I wish Suspiria got more attention than something like A Quiet Place which just kind of left me disappointed.

[DukeTogo84]

Sent a message to Richard Rubenstein's company's website asking what the hold up is for a Blu-ray release. Sure I won't get a response, and I'm not even sure if sending them a message might help makes things better or worse.

[Kyle15]

Originally Posted by T26S

I'm scared for future generations, attention span is seriously lacking,

I have attention-span problems and anxiety and my favorite movies are the kind ppl like to call "slow, nothing happens" and surreal horror movies.

So their taste becomes built on newer movies, so anything they feel as too old they dismiss.

This habit and attitude has been around long before social media was what it is now. I've been dealing with it for as long as I can remember. Come on bro.

[drownsoda]

Originally Posted by T26S

I'm scared for future generations, attention span is seriously lacking, the biggest contributer is the overuse of social media as well how fast and instant alot of things have become. It's easy to dismiss as an exaggeration or fear mongering but all you need to do is look around you its not even just the millennials. Even some of the creators of social media giants candidly said themselves rarely let their kids use it due the potential negative aspects.

With the Internet and streaming enables yiy to find any movie there's overchoice meaning people will be selective, younger people will tend to opt for newer movies.

So their taste becomes built on newer movies, so anything they feel as too old they dismiss.

It does disturb me to see how short our attention spans have gotten collectively as a culture. It's not only kids—there are baby boomers who are as addicted to social media (if not more) than some teenagers, though the teenagers have been reared with it as a constant reality, so only time will tell what the effects of that will be. I'm someone who has honestly never really been "bored" by an film so long as it's at least halfway thought-provoking and/or entertaining. I rarely get bored anyway, but I can't relate to people who are immediately "bored" with a film if it doesn't tick all the typical boxes, moves slower than usual, etc. Even if I find a film laboriously paced, I would never say that I am "bored' by it.

[buck135]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Sent a message to Richard Rubenstein's company's website asking what the hold up is for a Blu-ray release. Sure I won't get a response, and I'm not even sure if sending them a message might help makes things better or worse.

As did I a couple of years ago. The other day I asked Fangoria to look into it. There's definitely a story here. Dawn needs to be remastered. It's a classic.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Sent a message to Richard Rubenstein's company's website asking what the hold up is for a Blu-ray release. Sure I won't get a response, and I'm not even sure if sending them a message might help makes things better or worse.

Uhhh..... Second Sight is releasing the Blu Ray.....

[peep6543]

I've never seen it, but I know this is a pretty rare release to come across. Found it today at a pawn shop for $2.99. Can't wait to watch it!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Uhhh..... Second Sight is releasing the Blu Ray.....

Sure. Still think the film deserves a release here as well. I wonder if Rubenstein doesn't have the right in the UK? Not sure how that works.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Sure. Still think the film deserves a release here as well. I wonder if Rubenstein doesn't have the right in the UK? Not sure how that works.

I'd be shocked if the Second Sight release isn't region free, meaning why bother with a second release when this is likely going to be sold everywhere online anyways. Plus if it's like the the last few collectors editions they've done no one will be able to top it anyways.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Sure. Still think the film deserves a release here as well. I wonder if Rubenstein doesn't have the right in the UK? Not sure how that works.

We don't know if it's going to be region locked or not yet. I have a feeling it won't be. But we just have to wait and see.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

I'd be shocked if the Second Sight release isn't region free, meaning why bother with a second release when this is likely going to be sold everywhere online anyways. Plus if it's like the the last few collectors editions they've done no one will be able to top it anyways.

If it includes the extended cut in HD, I'm sure I'll be picking this up.

I'm just wondering if the UK rights aren't controlled by Rubenstein? Otherwise how is Second Sight releasing this if he's asking for so much?

[prkchopexpress]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

I 'm just saying that i don't see Dawn celebrated like TCM, Halloween, Nightmare and even Friday.

it's better than all those movies. of all those movies mentioned, this the only that is actually about something.

if you look at romeros movies, they're not exactly feel good movies. and when you're young, that's a little jarring. but the reason why something like dawn or night is so relevant, is that it makes a genuine effort to say something.

if they weren't shining such a harsh light on human nature, they wouldn't have lasted. and another important thing is that, similar to the shining, this is a movie that doesn't necessarily hit you on the first viewing. the movie doesn't owe it to you to reveal everything on its first viewing.

so there's work to be done. and to be honest, younger people are too lasy to put the work in.