(Click here for Uninsulting Date Movie #5)
Next up on our Valentine's countdown of movies uniquely suited to entertain both halves of a celebrating couple, we've got a romantic comedy, with zombies.
Next up on our Valentine's countdown of movies uniquely suited to entertain both halves of a celebrating couple, we've got a romantic comedy, with zombies.
See, that's the actual tagline.
If you've seen Shaun of the Dead, you've probably been waiting for it to show up on this list. If you haven't, here's how it goes:
Shaun is kind of a loser. He's in a co-enabling spiral of loserdom with his even less responsible roommate, Ed.
Shaun is kind of a loser. He's in a co-enabling spiral of loserdom with his even less responsible roommate, Ed.
After no one knows how much of this, Shuan screws up one time too many and gets dumped by his patient, understanding, but still self-respecting girlfriend, Liz.
Shaun is heartbroken, but luckily for him, this is the kind of movie where zombies show up in time to devour all normal social structure so the main characters can reinvent themselves and start fresh. Shaun, armed with his signature cricket bat, forms a plan to rescue and/or gather together Liz, his mother, and his friends in the most secure place he can think of, the Winchester Tavern.
Admittedly, Liz is far from the most interesting and memorable female lead on this list, which is the main reason Shaun of the Dead doesn't appear closer to the top spot, but she's handled respectfully, comes across as a sane and intelligent human being, and isn't the butt of the joke, which is more than can be said for many a female lead in both male- and female-oriented movies. One of the overarching jokes of Shaun is the parodying of the unqualified everyman action hero taking charge and saving the day, so that translates to the rest of the characters, male and female, being just about as normal and competent as Shaun is.
Admittedly, Liz is far from the most interesting and memorable female lead on this list, which is the main reason Shaun of the Dead doesn't appear closer to the top spot, but she's handled respectfully, comes across as a sane and intelligent human being, and isn't the butt of the joke, which is more than can be said for many a female lead in both male- and female-oriented movies. One of the overarching jokes of Shaun is the parodying of the unqualified everyman action hero taking charge and saving the day, so that translates to the rest of the characters, male and female, being just about as normal and competent as Shaun is.
In true Simon Pegg and Nick Frost style, everything from the romance to the family drama to the zombie apocalypse is wrapped in dry yet laugh-out-loud British comedy, which breaks at just the right moment to let in an unexpected level of feeling.
We’re not at that right moment yet, though, so enjoy Shaun and Ed’s introduction to the existence of zombies:
We’re not at that right moment yet, though, so enjoy Shaun and Ed’s introduction to the existence of zombies:
In short, it’s sweet, hilarious, and full of zombie action. If your date doesn’t already love zombie action (and who doesn’t in this wonderful age we live in?), Shaun of the Dead is the best place to start.
It worked for me.
Agree? Disagree? Comments are always welcome! Or keep up with my fictional musings by joining me on Facebook, on Twitter, or by signing up for email updates in the panel on the right!
It worked for me.
Agree? Disagree? Comments are always welcome! Or keep up with my fictional musings by joining me on Facebook, on Twitter, or by signing up for email updates in the panel on the right!
