Romero. Genre diehards will hate that’s it has taken me this long to get to Romero and vice-versa for those who view horror as some sort of lower art-form (which it isn’t—in the hands of the right auteur). Romero is a style-minus director, I don’t think that can be argued- the visuals just aren’t overly remarkable and it’s not the framing or the editing. But there’s a consistency in his work (beyond working mostly in the same genre, and sub-genre (zombie horror). There’s the strong black protagonists. There’s a razor sharp social commentary that is a little different for each of his three archiveable films (more below).

Best film:  Dawn of the Dead. Romero takes Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo, places it in his sub-genre (yes, this is his), and takes aim at commercialism, Capitalism, and America. It is also hypnotically rewatchable and though I differ with the consensus from the critics here- I think Romero’s crowning achievement.

I differ with the consensus from the critics here- I think Romero’s crowning achievement
Dawn of the Dead. Romero takes Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo, places it in his sub-genre (yes, this is his), and takes aim at commercialism, Capitalism, and America

total archiveable films: 3

top 100 films:  0

top 500 films:  1 (Dawn of the Dead)

top 100 films of the decade:  2 (Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead)

most overrated: Night of the Living Dead lands at #263 on the TSPDT list and I’m 500 slots or so behind that- it isn’t in my top 500. Those who oppose me here with cite the influence of the film— I’ll site the lack of cinematic style (which I hate doing because it is a very good film indeed) as evidence for the counter if need be. Still- what an amazing debut!

most underrated: Nothing here. Romero only has two films in the TSPDT top 1000 – Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead­- I’m below the consensus for both.

gem I want to spotlight:  Day of the Dead. There are an endless supply of “… of the dead” movies if you count remakes, spoofs, and imitators so I feel like this one gets lost in the shuffle.

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Day of the Dead. There are an endless supply of “… of the dead” movies if you count remakes, spoofs, and imitators so I feel like this one gets lost in the shuffle

stylistic innovations/traits:  Whether he’s tackling racism (Night of the Living Dead), commercialism (Dawn of the Dead), or the military (Day of the Dead) Romero remains true to his straightforward storytelling (this is a description, not a compliment) to make engaging narratives that have the undeniable stamp of Romero’s emblem.

the one that started them all– we don’t have Shaun of the Dead, The Walking Dead, It Follows and countless others without Romero’s original- Night of the Living Dead
a strong black lead is an important fixture in Romero’s cinematic landscape

top 10

  1. Dawn of the Dead
  2. Night of the Living Dead
  3. Day of the Dead

By year and grades

1968- Night of the Living Dead HR
1978- Dawn of the Dead MS
1985- Day of the Dead R

*MP is Masterpiece- top 1-3 quality of the year film

MS is Must-see- top 5-6 quality of the year film

HR is Highly Recommend- top 10 quality of the year film

R is Recommend- outside the top 10 of the year quality film but still in the archives