TonyDood "Night Of The Dead: Leben Tod" is another example of a popular phenomenon of late, the modern B-movie. B-movies were once, of course, cheaply made second films in a theatrical double-feature...they were in fact "real" movies but lacking in budget, solid acting or strong scripts. The fun of these films was finding the gems where someone in the project actually had talent, or something else stood out, despite the limitations. Nowadays, anything shot on film is a "real" movie it seems, whether it plays theatrically or not; real low budget "B-Movie" productions are those shot on high-def video or something similar, with effects and editing care of Final Cut Pro, and independent distribution often going no further than a one-time DVD release. The line is thin--anyone can now make and distribute a "movie" (and, unfortunately, has), or even distribute them, and "Buyer Beware" is the constant warning when searching through the drek for something worth watching."Night Of The Dead" stands out for being remarkably grisly, something that is not hard to pull off if you can afford some rubbery gut effects and pints of fake blood, and if that's all it was it would be memorable enough; however it's also a strangely effective little film.The plot mingles themes from "Re-Animator" and any number of zombie films--a mad doctor has a serum that can bring the dead back to life but the use of this drug has disastrous results. It's really all you need to know going in; this isn't a movie strong on plot.What this one DOES have going for it is some truly horrific gore, in fact the filmmaker revels in it, with gleeful defiance against taste or restraint. Forsberg doesn't hold back in showing knives piercing flesh, hands groping at internal organs, sprays of blood and viscera. There's a nauseating scene involving a zombie frog and a taboo-shattering moment between a mother and daughter that is as sickening as anything I've seen recently, while still somehow managing to stay within the realm of some good taste and avoiding the "torture porn" genre of Eli Roth and company.Forsberg seems to have a good sense of what he's doing; the pace is brisk, the grisly shocks come at regular intervals and build as they go. The acting is slightly above the average for this kind of no-budget affair (there are next to no exterior shots and few establishing shots; ie, no money for location shooting). The effects are weak, but one has to bear in mind, again, this is not a "real" movie, there's only so much one can do on a limited budget and Forsberg more than compensates with interesting themes, tight pacing and editing and the aforementioned buckets of gloppy goo.It is NOT "Re-Animator," or "Dead Alive (aka Brain Damage)" or even close to "Evil Dead." The script needed a lot more work, the characters just aren't interesting or sympathetic and the look of the film, all neon hospital lights, is monotone at best. But it works. I laughed at the outrageousness, reached for my vomit bag more than once and jumped a couple times, and that's saying something for a film that cost me $2 to purchase at the LA County Fair. If you like your low budget horror without restraint on the gore as I do, you could do far worse. I look forward to more from this director, especially if he gets a bigger budget next time.**Also on the DVD is Forsberg's short "It Took Guts," a super-8 student film about a guy who graphically mutilates and eats himself that is, apparently, quite famous underground. I can honestly say it's one of the more disturbing and repulsive things I've seen in awhile and qualifies as "gore porn," existing for no other reason than to be offensive and unpleasant...but I don't hold it against the director, especially if it "worked" and got him noticed!**

Gabby I enjoy a Zombie movie now and then and I am always looking for a new take. Resident Evil was a good new look on a big scale. And I think that Night of the dead was good too in a less expensive way. I didn't recognize any of the actors but they did a great job, especially the mad scientist. And the Gunter character was a hoot. Really creepy. He's going to be in the hills have eyes 2 so I'll be looking for him there. And of course the little zombies girl was great. She made me sad wanting to go outside to play like a normal kid.But the story is what really made this work for me. It was really unexpected and had a lot of heart. The mad scientist is driven by love for his wife and daughter who were killed to find a way to bring them back. And he is blinded by this to do terrible things in the name of that love. And then Peter, his nephew, an action hero in the making is driven by love too. Most Zombie films are driven by fear or government experiments or duty to the state. But this is a different take.And even tough the title on the box is Night of the dead, the title on the actually movie says Night of the dead, Leben Tod. The Leben Tod is the German word for the Zombies. I wish they had put the whole title on the box. It's better.And don't forget the very excellent music video which is an extra on the DVD.I am all for this movie.

elliecarlson As with his last film, Alien Abduction, Eric Forsberg does amazing work with a small budget. I would really be eager to see what he could do with more money. His actors are all excellent and the script has good plot twists and lots of humor. The special effects are turn-away scary, and his monster/ghoul/zombie things show unique individuality not usually seen in this type of film. I really liked the plot twist at the end, something he also did in Alien Abduction and I didn't see either of them coming. Mr. Forsberg is a most talented screenwriter and director, limited only by budget. Somebody give this guy a huge chunk of money and let him make a first rate film, I know he could do it.

Forzforz2-1 This film made it into a lot of festivals. It's second fest was last night and it won. Best make up effects.I love exceptional gore and when I work on a film I always strive to fill the screen with blood. In the case of Night of the Dead, Leben Tod, the people behind the make-up were tireless and eager to kill things. So, Congratulations to Tom Devlin and 1313 Effects for their hard work and abundant body parts. Also a big congrats to Gage Hubbard for his contributions, they were amazing ... and Kazuyuki Okada who was always on set ready with the blood. As well, a nod to the second unit director, Charles Schneider who has a romance with gore like no one else. Also, as good as the make up was it was made to look its very best by the excellent editing of Mary Ann Skweres.This award is for the make up artists, the visual team and the film itself. Congrats to all.THIS MOVIE IS AN EXPLOSION OF SANGUINIS INNARDS