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“Invitation to Dance - It’s a Dance. And sometimes they turn the lights off in this ballroom. But we’ll dance anyway, you and I. Even in the Dark. Especially in the Dark. May I have the pleasure?” --- Stephen King ::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Fido

April 11th 2008 03:43
Fido movie poster
I’ve been away for the past five weeks on an awesome honeymoon, so excuse the absence of reply comments and lack of posts of late.

I’ve been waiting for this flick for a while. Fido (2006) is a Canadian movie that was released in the Northern hemisphere early last year. Like so many movies with big names these days, this one goes straight to DVD here down under. It’s a shame because this movie would’ve played better on the big screen, even though, ironically, it’s set in a 50s world which features the wonder of the television set in the background.

Fido tells the boys-own-adventure tale of a young lad and his pet zombie. It’s described as a “zomedy” (gee, I bet someone was patting themselves on the back for that coinage), but it’s not incredibly funny. Yeah, there is the odd chuckle out loud moment, but for the most part Fido tries a little too hard. I couldn’t help but think of two other 1950s-set black comedy horror movies which are light years better than this: Parents (1988) and Braindead (1991).
Fido Dylan Baker, K'Sun Ray, Billy Connelly, Carrie-Ann Moss
Dylan Baker as Bill Robinson, K'Sun Ray as son Timmy, Billy Connelly as Fido and Carrie-Ann Moss as Helen
Still, Fido does wag its tail awfully fast and furious, and you’ve gotta pat it on the head for trying. The cast is what shines brightest; Carrie-Ann Moss as mother Helen Robinson, Dylan Baker as husband Bill, the always brilliant Henry Czerny as Mr. Bottoms, head of the government zombie containment organization, ZomCon, and Tim Blake Nelson as wacky neighbour Mr. Theopolis. And, of course, Billy Connelly as endearing zombie “dog” Fido.
Fido Bill Connelly
Fido's bite is worse than his bark
Connelly never utters a line, instead grunts and snarls (and low and behold you can actually just make out his familiar Scots brogue!), but he steals every scene, even if he’s only doing bugger all. Great eye acting from Connelly methinks.
Fido K'Sun Ray and Billy Connelly
Nothing like a little pitch and catch with your pet zombie
The movie is fashioned in a vivid cartoon-esque visual style, a little like a Tim Burton film, but watered down. It’s Pleasantville meets Shaun of the Dead reads the blurb on the back of the DVD cover. Well, Shaun of the Dead eats this flick for breakfast, no competition.

Fido Henry Czerny
Henry Czerny as Mr. Bottoms
It’s been given an MA contains strong horror violence rating here in Australia, but it’s really too tame for that kind of warning. Sure there are a few head shots, and the glimpse of some entrails, but perhaps I’m a little too de-sensitized to the hard-gore to be making such nit-picking comments. It just didn’t seem extreme enough to be rated MA, especially since the tone, although wry, isn’t nearly as dark in hue as Shaun of the Dead, which is the kind of comedy that's right up my alley.

Fido Carrie-Ann Moss and Billy Connelly
May I have this putrid dance?
Fido is good fodder for a rainy day and a light head. Don’t expect anything remarkable. Check out the lesser known Parents for a more incisive "Duck and Cover" sensibility. For really witty and clever laughs I’d opt to watch Shaun of the Dead for the umpteenth time, or if I was feeling like something really bloody I’d simply chuck Peter Jackson’s cult gorefest on.


Fido zombies at bay

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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20 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by jon

April 11th 2008 04:08


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Welcome back Hope you had a great trip.

Comment by Cibbuano

April 11th 2008 05:03


Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
good to see you back, big dog. Hope you enjoyed your honeymoon!

I've wanted to see this for a while, too... it's too bad that it doesn't hit the mark.

Comment by tlcorbin

April 11th 2008 05:27
Welcome back Bryn, now that you're married you can have some free time again...

Raven

Comment by Bryn

April 11th 2008 05:44


Horrorphile
Cheers everyone,
yes, a grand trip was had indeed ... Now's time to get my hands dirty, gore-streaked and bloodied again

Comment by Tracy

April 11th 2008 06:47


Movies and Life
As enticing as your reviews always are, Bryn, there's no way I could see this.

Glad you had such a good honeymoon. I think it should mandatory to have one every year....

Comment by Bryn

April 11th 2008 13:51


Horrorphile
Fair enough Tracy ... There's much better fare out there anyhoo ...

Comment by Tracy

April 11th 2008 20:56


Movies and Life
I'm sure there is, but as I'm a wimp I probably won't see them either

Comment by JohnDoe

April 12th 2008 00:52


Film & TV on DVD
Hi Bryn,

I still have this DVD sitting in my to watch pile, maybe its time to slip it in the player.

Great to have you back.

Comment by Bryn

April 12th 2008 08:45


Horrorphile
JD,
it's good to be back!
I notice in my absence a plethora of movie blog sites have emerged ... including a horror movie blog ....
I've rented Skinwalkers ............................. .................

Comment by JohnDoe

April 12th 2008 09:16


Film & TV on DVD
Dare you to sit through all of Skinwalkers...insultingly lame is an understatement.

Comment by Shan Jayaweera

April 13th 2008 14:16


Music Videos
Video Toes
Watching YouTube
Cricket Nut
Gold versus Blood
Music Videos Forum

Wow you do such great reviews - I really love your site. Maybe you could give me some pointers I am starting out in this blog universe - herer are mine

watchingyoutube.com

and

videotoes.com

lemme know what you think (insert evil laugh here)


Comment by Damo

April 14th 2008 04:36
Welcome back to Hell Bryn.

I enjoy your review not just for what I might want to see but also about want i might want to miss.

I am not attracted to tis flick yet.
However I am certain that one day when the video shop is short of new titles I will rent it just to see.

Comment by Tracy

April 14th 2008 06:50


Movies and Life
Yep Bryn, there are millions of film blogs on Orble now

Comment by Bryn

April 15th 2008 01:10


Horrorphile
Shan,
cheers for the props ... I'll get back to you proper when I get a chance.

Damo, muah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!

Tracy,
seems every Tom, Dick, Harry and Jane has an opinion on movies ... Seems to be the Orble blog soft option .... hmmmm.

Comment by Tracy

April 15th 2008 01:59


Movies and Life
I know what you mean. Orble advertised for film blog writers a while ago so I guess that would explain it...

Comment by Bryn

April 15th 2008 06:43


Horrorphile
Really? As if we needed more .....

Comment by Tracy

April 15th 2008 06:48


Movies and Life
I know...

Comment by Bryn

April 15th 2008 07:05


Horrorphile
And without wanting to blow my own horn, but I've briefly visited a few of these new blogs, and some of them are rather badly written ...

Comment by Tracy

April 15th 2008 07:20


Movies and Life
I think that's fair to say...and I think you can blow your own horn...really loudly in fact. I don't know how you managed to have so many posts organised to happen while you were on honeymoon!

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