TOP 8 ZOMCOMs -- a Revised List... again.

Due to the overwhelming response to an earlier posting (Top 5 Zomcoms), then (Top 7 Zomcoms),  we have decided to add one more entry to the list. That would essentially turn the list into the  

Top 8 Zomcoms.

Here's a quick re-cap:

The "Zomcom" is a sub-sub-horror genre (which, I guess would technically make it a sub-zombie genre), and is essentially a Zombie Comedy– aka a “Zomedy.” And with this new listing, we've decided to add a new classification.

Is this Zomcom:
a) A Zombie movie that's funny
or
b) A funny movie with Zombies

This of course begs the question-- what's the difference between a Zombie movie that's funny, and a funny movie with Zombies? Should they be on the same list? And ultimately, should we even care?

This really is a stream-of-consciousness question occurring to me now. When I ponder it, my knee-jerk reaction is YES - YES-- we should care! My reptilian-zombie brain tells me, deep down inside, that there is a difference. First and foremost, I love "Zombie Movies". That means that my preference between "a) A Zombie movies that's funny" and "b) A Funny movie with Zombies" should be "a) A Zombie movies that's funny". It's the love of the zombie genre that comes first-- and the fact that it's funny and witty can, and often is, a bonus. But on the other hand, a cleverly written and well-executed comedy, with a slimy layer of undead used as the vehicle for hilarity (ala "b) Funny movies with Zombies") can not be a bad thing.

I leave this question open for debate.

And so, with that in mind, from last to first, here is the all-NEW Top 8 Zomcom list:

TOP 8 ZOMCOMS
 
8 Bio-Zombie (1998)

 This was a Japanese feature flick at one of our Zombie Night gatherings (see Zombie Night).

We all loved this movie! We went in with minimal expectations, and became rabid, converted fans by the end. It delivered more than everyone expected-- it was funny, engaging, with characters you quickly came to identify with in the first half, and cheer for in the last half. One of my favorite scenes plays out like this:

Hero number one is being pinned to the ground by a chomping, flailing zombie, held precariously at bay by a cordless drill. This drill is doing no damage, though -- it had lost its battery only moment ago. Have no fear-- skinny hero number two slides across the floor and jams the needed battery into the drill just in time to have it fed it into the zombie's gaping mouth! Much blood ensues!

I watched this movie again on DVD recently, and discovered that the subtitles didn't match the dubbing job-- not even close, with hilarious results. My favorite discrepancies were numerous instances of dialogue from a main character (in his dubbed English voice), bemoaning how he "just wanted to go out and see a movie!" In the subtitles, he would say something like he "just wanted to see 'Titanic'." That's a different kind of horror flick dude!

We classify this movie as: b) A funny movie with Zombies

7 Wild Zero (2000)

 Another Japanese flick-- this one stars Guitar Wolf (and Bass Wolf and Drum Wolf, as themselves!). Don't know who these guys are? They're just the coolest Indi-Japanese-Rock dudes to ever make it over to this frozen part of the world!

Please read comments from my partner-in-crime regarding this amazing flick (see Comments under Top 5 Zomcoms).

The weapons of choice here are, naturally, magical guitar picks!
Yes, magical guitar picks.

This movie bubbles over with creative and original zombiesque ideas! A MUST-SEE! 
We classify this movie as: b) A funny movie with Zombies

6 Evil Dead 2 (1987)

 Sam Raimi’s follow up to the not-meant-to-be so funny “Evil Dead”. In this outing, our hero Ash wields a chainsaw for an arm to battle the “evil” once again, inside a small cabin in the woods. Not so much a sequel as a re-telling of the first “Evil Dead”, with a bigger budget and more wit.
We classify this movie as: a) A Zombie movie that's funny



5 Dead Alive (aka Brain Dead) (1992)

Before Peter Jackson was given a bajillion dollars to create “The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, he created the low-budget ($3 million), but fabulous gross-out zomcom, “Dead Alive”. It contains one of the bloodiest scenes in zombie-movie history– the now-famous lawn mower scene, in which our hero “cleans house” by wielding a lawn-mower like a huge motorized machete– completely pulverizing hundreds of zombies, and finishes, standing knee-deep in twitching undead flesh and blood. It is for that scene alone that “Dead Alive” makes it on this list. Oh, and the wonderful New Zealand accents, as they deliver all the same wacky, confused, disturbed lines you come to expect in a low-budget zombie flick. 

We classify this movie as: b) A funny movie with Zombies (although I have to say, this one may sit on the fence between "a funny movie with zombies", and "a zombie movie that's funny"). 

4 Fido (2006) 

“Fido” stars wonderful comedic actor Billy Connolly, as Fido, the zombie-turned house-pet. Seems like a really silly premise, and it is– and it works. Witty and brilliant dialogue, satire and a whole slew of social commentaries, makes this movie a joy to watch. The “Lassie” scene almost made me pee my pants.
We classify this movie as: b) A funny movie with Zombies

3 Zombieland (2009)

Taking over the #3 spot is "Zombieland."  I had originally placed this flick at #2, but re-watched it today-- just to be sure.  It's still awesome, it holds up under multiple viewings, and is a treat to watch every time, but I can not place it ahead of "Return of the Living Dead" (see Next).  This movie has it all, to be sure.  With cameos from Bill Murray and starring one of the best ass-kicking zombie ass-kickers in movie history -- Woody "Talahasee" Harrelson and shooting star Jessie "I am not Michael Cera, where's my Oscar for "The Social Network" Eisenberg, it's a can't-lose 88 minutes of sheer amusement ("park", for that matter).

And, of course, always remember to "Double Tap."

We classify this movie as: a) A funny movie with Zombies

   
2 Return of the Living Dead (1985) 

“Return of the Living Dead” is a brilliant send-off, spoof and antithesis to all of George Romero’s deep-dark zombie flicks. The witty reporte comes fast and furious, and the zombies (including Linnea Quigley as a memorable sexy punk chick), cadavers, split dogs and apply-named “Tar Man” (who gets his block knocked “out of the park” by a baseball bat wielding Clu Gulager are all first-rate zombie attractions!

We classify this movie as: a) A Zombie movie that's funny

1 Shaun of the Dead (2004)

We may have a battle here with those that believe Zombieland should usurp the Reigning Zomcom king, Shaun of the Dead, but I'm sticking with my guns and chainsaws.  Have a problem with that-- let me hear why.

 
Though this film only came out in 2004, it has quickly risen up the ranks to become one of the most entertaining zombie movies I’ve seen in years, let alone the funniest. (It has even been categorized as the first RomZomCom — a Romantic-Zombie-Comedy, of course!). Yes, “Shaun of the Dead” ranks at the top of my Top 8 Zomcoms. The writing is fabulous, the actors brilliant (and perfect). Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (who also star in the equally stellar “Hot Fuzz”), are like an old British, married couple. They have the chemistry and timing of actors who’ve worked together for a long time. And although essentially a comedy, it doesn’t scrimp on the gore. Cricket bats and LP records are the weapons of choice here.

We classify this movie as: a) A funny movie with Zombies

So, the tally is:
5 1/2 Funny movies with Zombies
2 1/2 Zombie movies that are funny

Note: I've decided to score Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" as half way between both classifications.

I'm not sure what that says about my previous hypothesis. I think that perhaps it might be harder to make a Zombie movie that's funny. The emphasis on gore and therefore special effects makes them more expensive to make.

And so, after all that yammering, I think I've come to the conclusion that it might just be irrelevant. All of these movies are worthy. And let's face it, when it came right down to it-- we all laughed our asses off at each one of them.