Today is our pal Dave's birthday. While we miss him out here in Cali, it sounds like he is living the sweet life in Chi-town. Happy birthday, man!

As far as zombie movies go, 28 Days Later was one of the smarter ones I have seen (not counting humorous ones), so I was definitely interested in checking out 28 Weeks Later, which picks up exactly when it sounds like it should... only this time we're following a completely new set of people.

In this case, dad has been surviving zombie attacks for the past month while his kids were off on a school trip, and the three are reunited in the only residential zone in England, which is being organized by the U.S. Military. The kids are the youngest people in the country, and quickly prove that the people in charge should have made the age requirement 21 and up, because nothing but trouble happens when they unknowingly revive the formerly contained Rage virus.

This movie definitely has its weaknesses. The first of these is the camera work and editing. The combination of the two provides such a shaky, confusing effect that, while I can feel the franticness of the moment, I also can't tell what's going on. In one scene, it took me quite a few seconds to understand that one person had gone from being outside to being inside and attacking several people. I thought that was what had happened, but wasn't sure for quite some time. Think The Bourne Supremacy, then multiply by about three times the jolt. The story also relied on some extreme coincidences, much like those in Spider-Man 3. A lot of people happen to be at the right place, at the right time, and the physical and emotional reacitons of some of the characters didn't seem natural to me. And, one last weakness: Harold Perrineau, whose role as Michael on Lost has forever made me dislike him.

But still, the movie was effective. Deserted streets of England, sudden zombie attacks, the threat of the military who was sent to help them wanting to shut down spread of the virus by any means necessary, and the simple relationships between the characters all worked.

The use of kids wasn't irritating. In fact, I liked Imogen Poots (nice name!) as the daughter a lot, and Macintosh Muggleton (even better!) did a very capable job as well.

Not much to say otherwise. I'm glad I only paid a buck for it, and I'm glad I saw it too.

This is my first try, but I might tweak a few things and make some more. It looks more like me than my Mii.

Simpsonize yourself HERE!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

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