MovieChat Forums > Last of the Living (2009) Discussion > Why be hateful?

Why be hateful?

posted 15 years ago by jbbeverley
4 replies | jump to latest

I watch as many zombie films as I can find. I own a ton of them on DVD, and have been collecting them in various forms for two-thirds of my life. With that said, I must add that Mr. McMillan and his team gave this film the best stab that they could with the budget that they had. When I read that they spend only a few thousand bucks and got the results that they got, I was astonished.. Vacant streets, well-filmed car-chase sequences, and well-thought-out fighting/death scenes... Given the budget, I salute you all! I have seen "film makers" with a thousand times your budget make films that were a million times more forgettable.

For some of you to talk trash because this film is "low budget", etc.. I ask you to consider what that budget truly was, and what they pulled off with it... You can't expect a blockbuster zombie film when the budget in question won't even normally cater the set of a television commercial. What can be noted is that these folks took a next-to-nothing budget, and made a rather stylish, enjoyable film. Would I rank it up there with my favorite zombie films? No. But I will say that it is the best zombie film with that kind of budget that I have ever seen. I liked it enough to buy a copy, and I will keep an eye out for future films from this lot.

Kudos to you folks that made this film. Given what you had to work with... outstanding job!

- J.B. Beverley

[–] Kashmirgrey 14 years ago

I respect your passionate post, OP. I haven't seen this film yet, but plan to this evening. However, I need to ask you something. Are we to like and appreciate a sub par film just because it has a low budget? If a film is bad due to low budget constraints, maybe it shouldn't be made until proper funding is available. just a thought...

[–] allzlozt 14 years ago

A good movie is only a conveyance of a good idea with actors that "get" the intent of the writer and perform accordingly. You could do that in your back yard with a home video camera, take Spielberg, he started there. Budget only means that you hope to buy your way out of lack of vision and talent.

If the story was a sad notion to begin with, budget hardly matters.

my 2 cents

[–] jbbeverley 14 years ago

"Are we to like and appreciate a sub par film just because it has a low budget? "

No. But the budget is a factor as should be considered.

On your other point about waiting until "proper" funding is available... If THAT was the standard, nothing would ever get made. You have to do the best you can with what you have to work with. Period. In this instance, these guys took $5K and made a film that most couldn't make for $500K. That is to be respected. You see my point?

[–] Kashmirgrey 14 years ago

I see your point and I don't have a problem with low budget films. There are some great films out there that far exceed the general crap Hollywood puts out. However, I don't think films should attempt to be more than they can afford. I also don't think concessions should be made for lousy acting.