Friday, September 2, 2011

40 Days of Night(mares) Day 11: Favorite Horror/Comedy

One of the best things about this challenge is having a good excuse to go back and watch some of my favorite movies. There is a very narrow definition of what makes a true horror comedy in my mind. It has to be a horror film at heart and follow certain conventions. There are plenty of comedies with horror elements and comedies that parody known horror tropes (the Scary Movie series) or are loving comedic homages to particular horror titles (Young Frankenstein). But it's the rare gem that takes a horror premise and wraps it in a nice candy comedy shell.
Of these films, there is one clear king, Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead. It does pay careful loving attention to other zombie films, and includes numerous nods and winks to other films, including mocking 28 Days Later and including the line "We're coming to get you, Barbara!" in a tip of the hat to Night of the Living Dead. There several other categories IK originally wrote this down for, but it really just belongs here. Simon Pegg's Shaun is a well-meaning but clueless sort whose personal life is a mess. He has a crap job, his stepfather is on his ass, and his girlfriend just broke up with him. What else can go wrong? How about a zombie apocalypse?
With the "help" of his best friend, he's gotta get back and save the girl, his mum and find a place to hole up. What can go wrong?
Shaun of the Dead is a seriously funny movie and a satisfying horror entry too. If you somehow missed out on this gem, for fuck's sake run out and get it! How's that for a slice of fried gold?

Honorable mention: Tucker and Dale vs Evil. I recently saw it and reviewed it on my site. It's a close second and a damn funny movie. Check it out too!

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