World War Z

Let's just start this off by saying that the only real problem I had with this movie was the name.*  Years ago, we discovered the Zombie Survival Handbook; it was amazing.  I know they constantly crank out handbooks for random things, but this one was actually written pretty cleverly.  Max Brooks**, the author, then took it to the next level with World War Z, his oral history of the zombie war.***  It was a collection of accounts of the zombie plague.  You get before, during, and after accounts.  It was a great approach.

When we heard that they were making it into a movie, we were excited.  We were also apprehensive.  Considering how the book was set up, it seemed a daunting task.  In what way were they going to make the small encounters from the book flow into a film?  Apparently, the studio didn't know either, as they just decided to make a zombie movie that had loose association with the book.

Our reaction to the initial trailer was not so good.  Frankly, we were pissed off.****  Are zombies fast or slow?  Nowadays, it can go either way.  I prefer the classic, slow, shamble zombie.  I can still watch zoombie***** movies, like 28 Days Later.  I believe zombies should be slow, but I don't let my preference doom a movie before I've seen it.  In the case of  the World War Z novel, the zombies are slow.  The movie, however, is littered with zoombies.  Both Mark and I were aghast.

As the release date neared, Mark continued to rage every time a preview came up.  He did not want to see the film.  I, on the other hand, while disappointed with some of the obvious choices in the film, figured we would go see the movie anyway.  It took a couple discussions, but I finally convinced Mark we should see World War Z.

It was much better than I expected.  I am not a fan of synopses, but let me give you a quick one.  The story follows Brad Pitt, as he tries to figure out how the zombie plague began and how to stop it.  Also, the zombies are fast.******

World War Z, when you disregard the name, did a lot of things right.  First of all, Brad Pitt is just amazing.  He really, really wanted to make this movie.  Even when things looked bleak, he pushed on.  There is actually an article in Vanity Fair that details the pain of getting World War Z from book to screen.*******  When the ending didn't work, they scrapped it and did something different.  Pitt's production company was smart enough to look for help when they needed it, and it ended up working for them.

One of my big hang ups comes in the form of special effects.  I prefer practical over CGI whenever possible.  It just feels more real.  With large groups of extras, the scenes in World War Z feel genuine.  There is CGI, but it isn't overwhelming.  It's used appropriately and only as necessary.  It does not detract from the film.

The movie is also littered with talent.  The actors chosen do a good job with the material they're given.  I'm just gonna go ahead and keep giving mad props to Brad Pitt.  He's good at what he does.  On a side note, I wasn't even annoyed with the kid characters.  They're not really featured, but casting the wrong kid and make you root for the zombies to eat them.

I had a lot of expectations when I walked into World War Z.  Since I knew they didn't adhere to the source material, those expectations were low....really low.  That allowed the film to be far better than I expected.  It's not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a good zombie romp.  Go enjoy it for what it is.  After that, go read the book.  It will make you sad to see what we missed out on, but it's good experience points.

One final note, even when the zombie apocalypse comes, I'm not going to drink Pepsi.  I don't care if I saw Brad Pitt do it.

*Mark agrees with me on this point.  After the movie, I asked him if he liked it.  He told me it was okay.  When I suggested thinking about it and disregarding the name and source material, he said it was really good.

**Yes, his daddy is Mel Brooks.

***I used to read it to Mark when we would go places.  Since I didn't drive, I was in charge of entertainment.  Luckily, I don't get sick while reading in the car.  Yay for me!

****Please excuse my language.  That's just the best way for me to put it.

*****ZOOMbies....get it?  They're fast zombies!  They zoom around.  Explaining it makes it less fun.

******I wanted to make sure you didn't forget.

*******This article is seriously worth reading.  Go read it.  I'll wait.

The HOA

The dreaded HOA...the Homeowner's Association....  You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.  To those of you that serve in some capacity with an HOA, I'm sure you're a good guy, just as I'm sure not all stormtroopers were jerks.  Sometimes, we get caught up in something not realizing just how wrong it is, but I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let me explain to you why I do not hold a high opinion of HOAs.

It all began on a lovely evening in Anhk-Morpork.*  Basker and Trysla** were preparing for a night on the town.  There was a certain zombie movie that needed seeing, and they were up to the challenge.  Before they could embark on their adventure, a wild text appeared.  Their landlord wanted to make sure they had no pets.  Of course, they had a cat, which the landlord knew about.  After kindly reminding the landlord of that fact, it was revealed they they are not allowed to have a cat.

Let's talk about their cat for a moment.  Mr. Fluffles is defenseless in the world, as he is missing his front weaponry.  Additionally, he's afraid of strangers and the outdoors.  He's pretty quiet and only bites the ones he loves.  Aside from spending short bouts of time on the balcony, he does not leave the house.

Well, someone decided to tell the HOA that there was a cat living with Basker and Trysla.  The HOA then decided to send a letter to the landlord stating that the animal must be removed or fines would accrue.  Mr. Fluffles spent four years living there with no problems, but suddenly, he is a nuisance.  The letter states that owners are more than welcome to have pets, but renters are not afforded the same rights.  It is a vague letter, saying that pets must be on leashes and must be cleaned up after.

Now, you have the story.  Let's talk about all the ways it's wrong.  

1. Basker and Trysla had no knowledge of the HOA rules.  They have a note in their lease allowing the housing of Mr. Fluffles.  At no point did they violate any rules presented to them.***  It is understandable why the HOA would restrict pets for renters, as a renter is not always going to care for a property as the owner might.  That being said, the owners should be able to make that decision, as it is their property in jeopardy.

2. The landlord was justified in contacting Basker and Trysla with the suspicion that there was an additional animal, likely a dog.  Basker and Trysla had spoken with the landlord about adopting a dog.  They didn't go through with it due to many factors, but I can see where the landlord would wonder.

3. The HOA made no attempt to speak with Basker and Trysla.  The letter is vague, not stating what type of animal they saw.  Is it possible they mistook someone with a dog for Basker and Trysla?  As Mr. Fluffles only leaves the condo to sit on the balcony, which is in itself pretty rare, it seems mighty suspicious.  Is it perhaps a generic letter, sent out to scare people?

4. Basker and Trysla have no real recourse.  The landlord has asked them not to speak to the HOA for fear of making things worse.  One cannot deal with accusations if one can not speak with the accuser.  Was the clause stating no pets for renters in place four years ago when the lease was created and signed?  Is this a recent addendum?  We'll never know...

I'm sure HOAs actually serve some sort of good purpose.  Honestly, I've never heard anyone speak highly of an HOA, but I'm sure there's a first time for everything.  I'm sure the people running the HOA are just trying to do what's right, but that is little comfort when Basker and Trysla are going to have to move from their home after four years.  I know I should blame the landlord, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

*Locations have been changed to protect the innocent.

**Names have also been changed to protect the innocent.

***Trysla is lawful good.