Night of the Living Deb (2015)

This is an adorable send up of both zombie films and rom-coms. it's really all Maria Thayer - I hadn't seen anything she's been in before and her cute snarkyness is great, full of jokes and asides that carry the film. Was also not familiar with the male lead, Michael Cassidy, but he was good too, if not quite as strong with the comedy. It's silly, it's fun, and well worth the screening.

After a drunken one night stand with pretty boy Ryan (Michael Cassidy), zany redhead (ie., effin' irritating ginger) Deb Clarington (Maria Thayer) discovers that the town of Portland, Maine, is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.Although clearly modelled after Shaun Of The Dead, Night of the Living Deb doesn't come anywhere near to matching the charm, wit or originality of Edgar Wright's classic zombie comedy, the film offering up tepid humour and lacklustre living dead action, with Thayer putting in a performance that can best be described as thoroughly annoying—five minutes in her company and I would seriously be considering throwing myself to the flesh-eaters.Ray Wise and Chris Marquette are the most recognisable actors in this mess (Shawn C. Phillips doesn't count), but I bet they wish that they weren't.

Another zombie comedy. The makers of this film seem to think that's some kind of a novel thing, but it really isn't because I've watched about half a dozen such films that were made in the last few years and most of them have been a wash out. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB is no exception, a film that fails due to the appalling low brow humour and completely irritating cast of characters, none more so than Deb herself.This film unwisely attempts to meld the romantic comedy genre with the zombie film. I hate rom coms so I was instantly turned off by the premise and struggled to sit through it if I'm honest. The character of Deb, as played by Maria Thayer, is described as "endearingly awkward" on this film's home page and it soon becomes obvious that the writers want you to warm to her quirkiness, her accident prone nature, her dumb idiosyncrasies. The problem is that I didn't. I found her supremely irritating and she made me want to switch the television off.The rest of the cast are no better, with Chris Marquette stuck in first gear with repetitive jokes and wooden acting. The only veteran performer is Ray Wise (ROBOCOP), who you have to feel for, being stuck in this inanity. After a mildly original set up, the narrative soon descends into the 'escape from one situation to the next' mould, all set at night in a local location. There are splattery gore effects and bad zombie acting, and none of it is remotely entertaining. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB is a film which demands a shot through the head to put it out of its misery.

Deb... Oh, Deb... Smart, fun, resourceful and ever-so-slightly insane.Rankin and Co. created a fast-paced, entertaining romp through the Rom-Zom-Com genre and you won't be disappointed. Old Skool Zombie-movie fans will appreciate the adherence to the Romero-Rules. Comedy fans will enjoy the mix of quick wit and good-old-fashioned slapstick.Romantics will appreciate the genuine heart and camaraderie between Deb and the ensemble.Lots of clever inside jokes for horror fans (especially those who love Stephen King films set in Maine). The use of the quirky small city shines through as a love letter to Rankin's home state.Always great to see Ray Wise in an apron... or anywhere, really. Some of the funniest bits in the movie come from Chris Marquette, who is delightful as a spoiled, militant Papa's boy.Too fun to miss.