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Terrifying tales of undead creatures rising from their graves or zombie infections spreading through an unsuspecting society have enthralled horror movie lovers for decades. As supernatural stories get to the heart of human anxieties, the best zombie movies tap into the fear of death and address social and political issues, as zombies serve as powerful metaphors for social woes. From deeply layered examinations of racial issues to pointed satires deconstructing consumerism, below the surface, zombie movies have a lot to say about social structures.

The greatest zombie films include some of the best horror movies of all time, as undead ghouls and infected once-human creatures served as the basis for incredible horror movie franchises. Some amazing found-footage horrors dealt with contained outbreaks as small groups of survivors struggled to survive, while others looked at the grand picture as entire populations were ravaged by an apocalyptic outbreak taking place over years and decades.

Patrick Bateman's character in American Psycho may have a cultural impact on supposed alpha males. The creepy real estate agent in the film symbolizes the existence of many more sinister people like Bateman. Actress Patricia Gage's portrayal of the character Wolfe stands out with her expertise and unwavering confidence.

What do people remember more about director Mary Harrons 2000 satirical horror film the literal title itself, which pokes fun at all the macho businessmen that glided around New York City in the 1980s or, rather, the stock market dealing, suit-wearing, serial killer named Patrick Bateman? You can bet that on any day of the week, it is the latter. Even though some may argue that there was more detail regarding the character in author Bret Easton Ellis original novel, actor Christian Bale brings a combination of charm and creepiness that you just cant look away from.

During American Psycho, we...

Christopher Durang, one of American’s most acclaimed and accomplished playwrights whose works like Beyond Therapy, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You and the Tony-winning Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike were as incisive as they were absurdly comic, died Tuesday night at his home in Pipersville, Pa., in Bucks County. He was 75.

His agent, Patrick Herold, confirmed that Durang died as a result complications of his 2016 diagnosis with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (Ppa), a form of Alzheimer’s disease that impedes the ability to process language. He remained out of the public spotlight since his condition was made public in 2022. In February, New York’s Dramatists Guild announced that the playwright would receive its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award on May 6, placing Durang on a prestigious roster alongside such past awardees as John Guare, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Miller.

Born Christopher Ferdinand Durang on January 2, 1949, Durang soared to...

Stars: Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patricia Gage, Susan Roman, Roger Periard, Lynne Deragon, Terry Schonblum, Victor Désy, Julie Anna, Gary McKeehan | Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Rabid has always been one of my favourite David Cronenberg movies, there is just something about the strange little film that makes it more accessible than some of his others like Shivers. When I was younger I remembered it as the film with the women with the strange bloodsucking thing under her arm, but as with most of Cronenberg’s work as I grew older I started to understand his vision of the film and his use of body horror.

When Rose (Marilyn Chambers) is involved in a bike accident she has to undergo experimental emergency surgery to save her life. When she awakens from her coma though she has an insatiable taste for human blood. Once bitten her victims become crazed,...

David Cronenberg puts Canada on the horror map with yet another early career ick-fest, about a vampiric woman armed with a new mutant organ. Marilyn Chambers is the dangerous female who spreads a plague of bloody murder. Fun for the whole family.

Rabid

Blu-ray

Scream Factory

1977 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date November 22, 2016 / 34.93

Starring Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patricia Gage, Susan Roman, Roger Periard, Lynne Deragon, Allan Moyle, Robert A. Silverman.

Cinematography René Verzier

Makeup Effects Joe Blasco

Music Supervisor Ivan Reitman

Editor Jean Lafleur

Produced by John Dunning, Ivan Reitman

Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Now available in Region A, David Cronenberg’s Rabid is slightly different than the Blu-ray released in the UK last year by Arrow. It’s touted as a new transfer. Some of the previous extras have been retained and others dropped, and two new items have been added.

Stars: Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patricia Gage, Susan Roman, Roger Periard, Lynne Deragon, Terry Schonblum, Victor Désy, Julie Anna, Gary McKeehan | Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Rabid has always been one of my favourite David Cronenberg movies, there is just something about the strange little film that makes it more accessible than some of his others like Shivers. When I was younger I remembered it as the film with the women with the strange bloodsucking thing under her arm, but as with most of Cronenberg’s work as I grew older I started to understand his vision of the film and his use of body horror.

When Rose (Marilyn Chambers) is involved in a bike accident she has to undergo experimental emergency surgery to save her life. When she awakens from her coma though she has an insatiable taste for human blood. Once bitten her victims become crazed,...