Feeding the Masses

I have dedicated my life to seeing every horrible B-rated movie ever created. I agree that, though this is not the greatest movie, it is not the worst. Yes, the story could have used some work. Yes, the acting wasn't on par with Sean Connery or Brad Pitt. But I found some scenes to be humorous. As for this dreaded F-Bomb, I agree. Just because you can swear to make a scene better, doesn't mean you should every ten minutes. All in all the movie is a hit or miss film. My friend and myself found it a good movie. Other friends of mine found it to be just plain bad. So all I can say is don't take my word for it. Go out and rent it, give it a try. Thank you and good night.

Set in Providence, Rhode Island, Feeding the Masses tries to be a satiric look at the role of the media in government. At best, it could be applied to how the US try to control media during the Iraq War, but it ends up feeling hollow. There's never any really tension in the story and the acting never very good. Worst, the direction of the movie is atrocious, focus more on odd camera angles that fail to convey anything beyond "Isn't this an odd way to hold the camera." Special effects are pretty bad...at one point video of an explosion is green screened over the city, and it's laughable at best.

The film does have a couple bright spots...namely the advertisements for post-zombie services (including a reclamation service and a party bus). But it's far too little to make the film worthwhile.

For a better zombie film, try Hide and Creep. It has the same weak production value, but there's much more wit, humor and talent behind it.

Just to-day my wife and I watched three modern zombie movies in one day. I am about to discuss one of them now.

FEEDING THE MASSES has "amatuer" written all over it but that is not synonymous with "bad"; don't forget THE DEAD NEXT DOOR turned out to be a decent film which surprised a lot of people. I thought I had seen the last of the "The Government can't be trusted" subgenre when the 70's ended but I guess questioning authority will always be with us.

The plot? Oh yes, the plot! Something called "The Lazarus Virus" has gotten out of hand (yes, again!) and the recent dead are returning to life as . . . let's all say it together . . . flesh eating zombies! This time though the Government is trying to put a positive spin on the whole thing by taking over the news media and telling people everything is going to be "just fine" when actually things are going to Heck in a handbasket more each day. A TV station is forced to run such obvious bullbleep as a "public service" message telling you that if zombies attack just fall to the ground and play dead! Shady corporations are still out to make a quick buck by offering to track down, re-kill and respectfully re-bury walking dead loved ones. Self empowered militias of shotgun toting rednecks are cruising the streets blasting down zombies left and right and yet another group extols people to come out and join its "End of the World" party!

Into the midst of all this stands a young reporter who fancies herself the next Diane Sawyer and sees the zombie attacks as her ticket to the Big Time, provided the world does not self destruct first. With her photographer (Billy Gaberina) close by she is determined to expose the official lies and alert people to the danger they are truly in. um . . . not that it isn't bloody obvious to begin with!

Zombie makeups are, well, fair. Gore effects, while plentiful, are standard. The budget was so low they could not even afford blank cartridges for the guns. Actors just shake the guns like they are spewing bullets rapid fire while gunshot sounds are dubbed in.

Then again, what FEEDING THE MASSES lacks in budget it makes up for in sincerity. The filmmakers have managed to put a new spin on an old subject. We kinda like this movie. Of course we also liked Umberto Lanzi's NIGHTMARE CITY and Vincent Dawn's HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD too.

Woa Kev Keefe obviously doesn't know much about George A. Romero. George has, on numerous accounts, made fun of reviewers of his dead films that said that the social commentary was subtle. Kev Keefe asked "What's subversive or subtle about seeing a military guy masturbating to death and destruction?" referring to FEEDING THE MASSES and I ask him what's subtle about a black man being shot in the head by a redneck (notld) or mindless zombies stumbling around a giant mall to the sounds of "save now" PAs (dotd)? I don't think the filmmakers behind FEEDING THE MASSES intended their message to be subtle, and besides who says that art has to have a subtle message anyway. FEEDING THE MASSES succeeded in being an entertaining zombie flick that commented on the media of this country. I give it a 6.

If my IMDb name doesn't say it, then I sure as hell can explain it. I love zombie movies, even the no budget stuff like Feeding the Masses. Now Masses with nothing spectacular, but one thing I will say is the story kept me interested from beginning to end. The only annoying part about the film, IMHO, was the commercials plugged throughout the film. I really felt they distracted from the story a lot. However, I think the group put forth a decent effort and pulled off a decent indie flick.

Justa thought, but maybe you guys could re-edit the film and do some major toning down on the brightness. Aside from the massive video look it has potential once it is re-color corrected.