Friday Night Flick: The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

So this movie is essentially the culmination of everything we've talked about this week. Interestingly enough, it isn't necessarily what us modern enthusiast s might expect for a zombie movie. I mean there aren't very many zombies in the movie.

But I think it's a good representation of the culture and the process that spawned the Haitian zombie. Not to mention it's Wes Craven- so there is no shortage of thrills and chills horror fans expect, plus a little boob- which never hurts.

All and all it's an interesting watch and if you're looking an enthusiast or just looking for a zombie move thats a little different, it is a good choice.

What do you think?

Day 4: Making Zombies- the Haitian Way!

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME! Based on info from Wade Davis as found on his 1983 trip to Port au Prince, Haiti and described in his book The Serpent and the Rainbow which was adapted to film in 1988.

Osteopilus dominiensis- Tree frog secretes skin irritant

Datura Stramonium (Tropane Alkaloids)
Causes weak pulse, hallucinations, & deliruim

Puffer fish Toxin- Tetrodotoxin (neurotoxin) causes
sensations of floating, speech impairment, paralysis,
respiratory arrest, death

Charred Human Remains- no actual use except to make the
zombie creation process really, really creepy!

In theory, this powder is applied to the skin. Irritants, such as the liquid produced by the tree frog, the prickly edges of plants, or even glass, were used to open the skin to allow for easier transmission of the toxins. I would like to note, that the CDC only provided the listed side effects of Tetrodotoxin in regards to ingestion- not as a topical preparation, so I am unsure of how many of the listed affects would apply in this case. However, these items (as well as some others that may have been used) could produce a zombie-like state- going so far as to make the "zombie" appear dead upon cursory medical examination. Burial would be tricky and could definitely lead to oxygen deprivation and possible brain damage or death. 

For more information on the potion discovered by Davis, its properties and its holes, read this article!

http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/zombie1.htm

And now for a commercial interruption...

Looking for a gift for the zombie lover in your life?

Check out:

http://www.zombiegift.com/category/view-all-zombie-gifts/page/30/

Everything from clothing to cutlery, gifts to games....and all in zombie. What more could you ask for?

Day 3: A Brief History of Zombies

The raising of the dead is not a new concept. The idea occurs in cultures across the world. Our idea of zombies starts with the Haitian "Zombi" or African "Nzambi". In these cultures, the zombie would be raised by a Bokor (witch doctor) through a ritual which included both incantations and the application of a potion (which will be described in a later post). The zombie would have no self recognition or free will and would mindlessly follow the commands of the Bokor who raised it, sometimes committing murder or other heinous acts as directed. Transformation into a zombie was occasionally used as a punishment for disobedient wives or children or just a means of destruction for an enemy.

While most of the stories of zombies are just lore passed down through communities- there are several cases of individuals who claim to have been turned into zombies. Most notable, is Clairvius Narcisse, a Haitian man who died in a local hospital in 1962, but was found in 1981 wandering his village. Narcisse told a strange story of having been buried alive, pulled from his grave by a local Bokor, and forced to work on a plantation for 2 years before he escaped. While Narcisse's story has never been fully substantiated, his tale sparked conversation and investigation in the possibility of the Haitian Zombie and beyond.

More recently, scientists, survivalists, and enthusiasts have worked to explain and prepare for the event of a zombie apocalypse- an idea presented by George A Romero (often called the father of the modern zombie) in the 1968 movie Night of the Living Dead. The movie introduced the idea of the zombie horde and
its' possible means of destruction for humanity as a whole. While the purpose of the movie was to sensationalize and frighten, the idea of the Zombie became no less plausible and has sparked research into the potential causes of the zombie apocalypse (which will also be discussed later in the week).

References OR for more info:

www.umich.edu/~engl415/zombies/zombie.html‎news.discovery.com/history/history-zombies-12-6-4.htm‎http://www.biology-online.org/articles/dead_man_walking.html

Day 2: What is a Zombie?

Not to be redundant, but I think an entire blog dedicated to Zombies should include a definition. I mean, we live in a world where new words are created and definitions can change daily- we are the kings of "re-imagination"- so let's clarify.

Zombies are undead, which separates them from other "horror creatures" like werewolves or Mutants (alive), ghosts (dead), or even something like Frankenstein's Creature (re-animated); and while they are commonly depicted as flesh/brain craving monsters, they do NOT require any sustenance to maintain their animation, unlike other undead creatures (ie vampires).

That is where the "standard definition" for zombies stop and the re-imaginations begin (although for the sake of ease and genrification, mutants do occasionally get lumped in with the zombie lot). Later in the week, we will talk about the variety of ways that zombies can be created as well as how that affects the appearance and functionality of the zombie as a whole- because not all zombies are created equal. 

However, one thing is true of all zombies no matter how they are created. Zombies are terrifying. I'll go farther and say that zombies are THE SCARIEST of all our monsters because they have no set limitations. They are not subject to any specific time or day where they are a threat like vampires and werewolves. They are completely indiscriminate, unlike Jason or Freddy they don't care if you are an adult or child, male or female, a virgin or the biggest hoe-bag living. They will bite you just the same. Not to mention they are tireless- no matter how fast you run they will catch you because they do not stop. And forget about a fast zombie, inexhaustible AND faster than the average bear. And to top it all off, they do not kill you- no, zombies infect, convert- you become one of the mindless, thoughtless horde. No free will, no freedom of choice, no individuality, just an unfulfillable endless hunger. And the scariest part of all is that it really could happen.

Now that is true terror!

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Zombie-Apocalypse-Theme-Park-zombieland-wold,news-15772.html

This week...

What to expect when you are expecting....zombies?

Well this week we are having a zombie crash course- everything you ever wanted to know about zombies and maybe a little bit more. We are going to talk about what a zombie is, where they come from, and why they are a very tangible horror. You'll love it.

Not to mention the Friday Night Flick- which this week will be Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow. Classic, Terrible, and Informative all at once!

AND the all new zombie cookbook feature- because who says you have to eat like crap just because the world is at it's end?

http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/9598/2/1/72999/how-to-draw-a-chibi-zombie,-chibi-zombie-step-7.htm

Day 1: And so it begins....

 OH yes, it is that time of the year again.

If you are new, I welcome you. If you have visited before, I hope I can share some new ideas wrapped up in some ancient terror.  This year I want to explore more than just the fear (read fun) behind zombies and take a look at reality behind them. No, it's not as boring as it sounds- its actually really freaking AWESOME! ( I promise!)

Plus I'll be sharing the joys of my own Zombie Immersion- that's books, movies, games, food, events, TV shows, and whatever else I can find to love about zombies!

For an introduction try this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/magazine/max-brooks-is-not-kidding-about-the-zombie-apocalypse.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Max Brooks has gained notoriety since his book "World War Z" mashed together Zombies and the glory of Mr. Brad Pit to produce a blockbuster movie. Both the book and the movie have some amazing- sure to save your life- ideas; and if you want to survive they are worth checking out.

What do you think?