Happy Halloween!

Night of the Living Dead (1990)

Night of the Living Dead (1990)
sonypictures.com

One of my favorite horror films, Night of the Living Dead 1990 version, a remake/reimagine of the original 1968 classic, got a special 4K Remastered 35th Anniversary on September 23, 2025.

I love the film, partly because my family own the VHS through Columbia House’s VHS club (similar to those BMG’s CD club), and we would watch the movie over and over again. In some ways, I prefer the 1990’s version, because of Tom Savini’s special effects and, because it’s more modern (at the time 1990). However, when I got the remastered 1968 version on Criterion it was so good (with the incredible details and clarity), that I have to agree with many fans that the original is still the best.

Still, there’s some great stuff about the Night of the Living Dead 90s version, despite the fact that fewer people have seen the film. It’s become somewhat of a cult film. Like I said, this is Savini’s film, so you would expect gore galore, but it’s not over-the-top, as you’ve seen in some of his other special-effects heavy films like Dawn of the Dead. It has a great story, basically the same story as the 1968’s version, only with a twist. Strong acting, and great practical special effects.

They advertised the film as featuring “an all-new uncensored version” of the film, plus the original theatrical version. I have seen both, and I can tell you that there is very little difference between the two. I thought they were basically the same film, so I had to look it up – according to movie-censorship.com – there are about a 20-second difference. Most of the cuts were gunshots to zombie’s heads (blood explosions). They don’t add much to the film, but it’s cool to see them put those scenes back, as the director had intended.

As of this writing, I believe the limited Steel Book version is sold out. I’m not sure if Sony Pictures plans on re-releasing on regular Bluray packaging or re-issue it for next Halloween holiday. I think based on the sold-out status, there’s definitely still a big market and fanbase for this Savini film.

The Elixir (2025)

The Elixir (2025)
netflix.com

Netflix’s latest horror import is The Elixir, a zombie film from Indonesia, released just in time for the Halloween season.

I’ll admit, I was kind of not ready for the culture shock of Indonesia. For example, people just pee in their backyard with mothers (or nanny?) just hanging around. I know it’s just a kid, but that’s just weird. Or people setup parties in the middle of the street (resulting in a car plowing through people and chairs in the street). Or there’s no indoor sink (?), so they’re just washing dishes in big plastic containers in back. Or clothing choices, it’s just not the fashion that you normally see.

The film starts off with a young couple with lover troubles. You’re not sure why she’s so angry with her boyfriend, something about not proposing to marry her. He has the ring, but his work keeps interfering with his love life. As he leaves for work, the house party experienced that car plow I mentioned earlier. It’s a zombie driving the car…

Suddenly, the film jumps back to an earlier event – setting up how it all started. I think this is where the movie loses me, because now we’re seeing brand-new characters, a whole different cast. It seemed to all started with a new test youth serum. It’s weird that they gave them to people to try out with no safety testing. Again, maybe it’s a culture thing, but that kind of stuff doesn’t fly here, with regulations.

The old man who took the serum and for a moment, he’s experiencing his youth again. His hair has regrown, his eyes improved, his vigor is back… but obviously it didn’t last long, as he turned into zombie patience zero and attacked and infected others around him.

It’s not until 40 minutes into the film that we finally catch up with the couple that started off this movie. Now, I understand why they need to start off the movie with the attack to get us interested in the film, but I felt like the story could have been done in a linear manner.

The whole time, I’m thinking, whatever happened to that young couple? Why am I spending so much time with this other family? The story does take them to the couple, but wouldn’t you know it? The whole film has nothing to do with couple…

Why spend the entire introduction of the film on the young couple? Why bother with their backstory and setting up the marriage proposal? I would have just cut their whole storyline and just spend time with patience zero’s family. Also, I hated the little boy in the film. It’s universal: kid actors suck in any language.

I don’t think it’s a great film, from a story-telling perspective. I don’t know if I would recommend the film, unless you’re really into zombie films. I think it’s cool that other countries are throwing their hat in the zombie ring (Japan had a great One Cut of the Dead zombie film), but it’s not adding anything new to the genre (we’ve seen fast zombies before). I guess the only interesting thing is the Indonesian rural culture.