Top 10 zombie films (other than The Walking Dead)

Dawn of the Dead

Of course, we wouldn't have the zombie genre in its present form without George A. Romero's ...of the Dead trilogy. Although the first part, Night of..., usually tops these kinds of lists, I nominate Dawn of... from 1978 as the best because it is simply the first zombie film I ever saw. It scared the shit out of me when I was fourteen, and I was plagued by zombie nightmares for years, but now I can see what a well-written and inspired movie it really is. Even though it doesn't look as effective by today's standards, the atmosphere and powerful apocalyptic feeling still works, and by any standards it is a classic whose influence is undeniable. The struggle to survive in a collapsing world, the scavenging and conflict with other groups (in this case, the bikers that break into the mall where our four heroes have barricaded themselves) and the settling down in a safe haven while more and more zombies gather outside the walls - these are all plot points that became integral to zombie films after this. Zack Snyder's popular remake from 2004 is also a masterpiece, but I prefer the old school, slow and numb zombies.

World War Z

Although I actually really like the (very) loose adaptation from 2013 with Brad Pitt (because when have we ever had a big budget $100 million zombie flick), it is nothing compared to Max Brooks' original book. I have rarely read a book that I wished would never end. As you probably know, it's a collection of eye-witness accounts and interviews that describe the global outbreak and the war against the zombies. You can tell that Mr. Brooks is a military history buff, because it reads exactly like a WWII history book. My personal favorites are the Japanese episodes, the story of the Chinese submarine crew who flee mainland China with their families, and the one with an American soldier who survives a crash landing in a territory overrun by the infected and is guided to safety by the voice of a ghost on the radiocom. The "realism," if you will, is strong, and the author has thought of everything, covered every aspect of the zombie outbreak, every geo-political impact, every social and environmental aspect. Of course that could never translate well to the confines of a 100-minute feature film, but fortunately the book can be read repeatedly because it's so heart-stoppingly entertaining!

Day of the Dead

The third part of Romero's "trilogy of the dead" tends to get overlooked in zombie film rankings, which is a disgrace because it is really good. Here, a group of scientists are working towards finding a cure in the safety of a bunker, while a bunch of soldiers boss them around. Day of... is the earliest example of a zombie film (that I can think of at least) where there is an actual chance of a solution, even a cure, something that we've now had a lot of (just look at the film adaptation of World War Z, Warm Bodies from 2013, the very bad but kinda entertaining series Z Nation, among others), because the scientists are working with a subject that seems to respond to training (the poster's Bubba). The claustrophobic environment of the film's underground world is the complete opposite of the previous Dawn of..., and the tension between the characters builds to the goriest ending of the trilogy. It had a mixed reception back in 1985, but has since become a cult classic, and is now regarded as every bit as influential as its predecessors.

Resident Evil

Instead of having to try to single out one game or movie as the best from the incredible invention that is Resident Evil, I've opted for just including the entire franchise in itself. Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara's video games are now staples in the Xbox and Playstation output, and Paul W.S. Anderson's first film adaption led to a whole series of films that are apparently the most successful game adaptations ever made. The first two films are the best, after that it gets a bit silly, and even the games seem to move away from classic zombie horror bit by bit, but nevertheless its place in zombie lore cannot be denied and a list of the most important zombie works in any media is inconclusive without at least some part of the R.E. franchise in some form.

Return of the Living Dead

Zombie comedies are now as popular as their horror counterpart, and sometimes as common. You've probably seen Shaun of the Dead (2004), and there are other very cool examples, like Fido (2006), Peter Jackson's Braindead (1992), Zombieland (2009), the Norweigan Dead Snow (2009) and 2015's Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. But the best, and perhaps first, is Return of the Living Dead. With a punk rock attitude typical of the early 1980's, it irreverently parodies the genre, and is also interestingly the first zombie flick to feature strong and fast zombies. Also, it is the originator of the popular misconception that zombies eat only brains, which if you think about it would not be very practical for them and is not a traditional part of the genre. As you can see, there are many reasons why this zombie comedy by Dan O'Bannon (the genius behind Alien) has become a cult classic - its originality, its in-your-face humor, its high quotability, its soundtrack, its creative effects. In other words, everything about it.

28 Days Later

Technically speaking, this terrifying apocalypse nightmare does not feature any zombies, but people infected with a rage virus that turns them into berserking marauders. Nevertheless, 28 Days Later hits enough marks to place it in the zombie genre, and it is widely regarded as part of the canon. It was even credited with "reinvigorating" the zombie genre when it came out in 2002. Personally, I think it certainly helped make the genre a little more respected. It takes part, as the title has it, 28 days after the outbreak of the virus, thanks to animal activits (a little inspiration from Twelve Monkeys, perhaps?) when Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up in a hospital to find London basically deserted. He then meets a group of soldiers and survivors who have holed up in a mansion, and of course tension and conflicts ensue. So, except for the lack of flesh-eating gore and hungry, shambling corpses, it gives zombie apocalypse-thirsty viewers exactly what they want, with a little thought-provoking writing courtesy of the fantastic Alex Garland (author of The Beach), some great acting and beautiful directing from the master Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) to boot.

REC

You can always rely on Spanish filmmakers to deliver really scary movies, and [REC] from 2007 is one of the most terrifying zombie films ever made. Take a bit of the claustrophobia from the early Resident Evil video games, mix it with the fast-paced and violent monsters from 28 Days Later and the suspense and adrenaline of the Dawn of the Dead 2004 remake, and you've got a pretty good idea of what to expect from Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's now legendary film. Shot in shaky, handheld "found footage" style, a late night live report on a call-out for a team of firemen in Barcelona turns into a nightmare when they become trapped in a building with zombies. Although its sequels are decent films, [REC] is best enjoyed as a stand-alone feature, and is sufficient on its own. Also, in my opinion, with its surprise ending left totally open, it's a lot scarier.

Planet Terror

On the other hand, you can go the way that Robert Rodriguez did for the Grindhouse project back in 2007 and create a deliberately self-conscious and self-parodying tribute to low budget exploitation horror action films of the 1970's. Planet Terror features Rose McGowan as go-go-dancer (not a stripper, there's a difference) Cherry, who after losing a leg during a zombie virus outbreak caused by stolen chemical military weaponry, gets a machine gun for a leg by her boyfriend El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) as they try to get out of town before it's overrun. There are so many crazy, hilarious, cool things in Rodriguez's companion piece to Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof (as you'd expect from the man who brought us From Dusk Till Dawn and, later, Machete) that were I to list them that would take up too much space on this page. Suffice it to say, Planet Terror is a f****n' blast!

Zombi 2

Despite its title, Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2 is not a sequel. Zombi was just the name of the Italian-dubbed release of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, and the two films in question have absolutely nothing in common. However, I couldn't very well compile a list of the most important and outstanding works in the zombie genre and completely ignore the huge array of European contributions that were so popular in the era of "video nasties" in the early 1980's. They're all pretty bad by today's standards, and as usual with Italian B-movies, the acting is laughable and the writing is pretty embarrassing. But what it lacks in quality, it makes up for in imaginative gore, atmospheric sound effects and really cool music. Another thing I like about Zombi 2 - wherein an abandoned boat turning up in New York City leads a woman and a reporter to travel to the Caribbean island it came from to look for her missing father - is that the film kind of takes the zombie outbreak back to its voodoo roots. But, if that don't do anything for you, just check it out for the quite well-known scene where a zombie and a shark go head-to-head underwater.

Dead Set

British filmmakers have made a pretty decent impact on the zombie genre as well. Besides the above-mentioned Shaun of the Dead and the already listed 28 Days Later, you've got the really funny Cockneys vs. Zombies from 2012, Seth Grahame-Smith's mashup novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies from 2009 (and its recent film adaptation), the post-modern zombie drama series In the Flesh from 2013 and The Girl With All the Gifts from 2016. But I would like to highlight the miniseries Dead Set from 2008, by the excellent critic and satirist Charlie Brooker (who also made the intelligent and intriguing sci-fi series Black Mirror, well worth a look). The intense five-episode horror show takes place in the Big Brother house, back when that was still a big deal in the UK, which partly adds to its claustrophobic nature, having the contestants locked up in a TV studio during the zombie apocalypse, but also makes it darkly and absurdly satirical. Since it works both as horror and satire, I think it's both original and at the same time a worthy successor to Romero's original concept of making zombie films with slightly political undertones. 
     

Top 10 TV series of 2015

Fear the Walking Dead

As The Walking Dead just continues to improve with every passing year, it came as no great surprise that its spin-off turned out to be one of the best new things on TV in 2015, since it had such strong ground to lift off from. Contrary to just about everything to do with zombies, FTWD starts off just before the zombie apocalypse hits, in sunny SoCal, and follows three families and their survival together. We're all by now pretty familiar with the zombie apocalypse seen from the other side, when humanity and civilization is but a distant memory, but the novel perspective here, along with the tense and cleverly paced way the season builds up to the actual outbreak, is what qualifies it at the top of this list. Also, having the foremost protagonist, Nick, be a drug addict, a young man already outside of normal society and quite zombie-like himself in some ways, is a stroke of genius. Which should come as no surprise, since the show is co-created by the man behind the original comic book The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, and I've always thought that creating a successful comic book requires more creativity and talent than creating a successful film or TV show, because the format is so demanding.  

Sense8

That the Wachowskis made a show for Netflix was all I needed to know. I loved it even before I watched it, and happily it was even better than I expected. This sci-fi drama about eight completely different people in eight different parts of the world, who have never met and suddenly develop a telepathic connection to each other, has that which is so important to good science fiction, and that is good characters. Without characters that you want to get to know and spend time with, sci-fi doesn't work, its often far-fetched concepts tend to become ludicrous if it isn't rooted in good characters. In Sense8, the characters are so sweet and compelling that it's almost impossible not to fall in love with every single one of them. The characters are key to this story, because it's about how they discover each other and take part in each other's lives, helping each other out in their everyday lives while some secret evil organization is out to catch them in order to exploit their gifts. When it's done well, sci-fi really works better as TV series than as self-contained movies, because sometimes more time is needed to explore something to its fullest. And even though by now we've had twelve long episodes so very rich on story, in the end it feels like the Wachowskis have just scratched the surface, and we've only reached the end of the beginning. Sense8 has everything, interesting and likeable characters, great action scenes, it's also funny, sad, lovely and often had me smiling till my face hurt and brought tears to my eyes. Most impressive is the clever way the creators of the show have interwoven the eight characters' separate stories into a single plot, that is best viewed in its entirety.

Daredevil

After the despicable movie adaptation of the superhero comic Daredevil starring Ben Affleck, I was never expecting to become excited by the prospect of seeing the blind vigilante on screen again. Until Netflix's promising version came along and blew me away. In Drew Goddard's hands, the Marvel character was finally realized with the quality it deserves. The show works primarily because of three things: First, a good cast, always important in all aspects of storytelling (topped by imo one of the most underrated acting greats of all time, Vincent D'Onofrio, who adds weight and depth to Daredevil's adversary, Kingpin). Secondly, the writing, which nails it, bringing the superhero down to earth and rooting the action, which is measured out in perfect doses, in good, solid drama (which is so engaging and mature that you sometimes forget you're watching a superhero show and not a well-made court room/crime drama). Lastly, placing the show in film noir territory is a stroke of genius and just what a dark story about a NYC-based crime fighter like DD needed. The excellent fight choreography and stunt work is an added bonus, and at some point in the show I realized I wasn't missing the big budget CGI action extravaganza of the Marvel feature films at all.

Jessica Jones

Like the above, Jessica Jones is a Marvel show that relies more on story, realism and character than the movies tend to do. And fortunately, it retains the film noir style of its brother show. As a superhero unto herself, Jessica Jones is not that remarkable. So it's a good thing the show's about her trying not to be a superhero, instead just trying to get by under the radar as a private detective. Then the last man she ever wanted to meet again comes back from the past to make her life a living nightmare again. All superhero movies or shows are only as good as its supervillains, and Jessica Jones has one of the most fascinating villains of all. In Kilgrave, who can control people with just the sound of his voice, you have an incredibly dangerous villain, who wields a sophisticated and unstoppable power, yet acts and thinks like a spoilt and impetuous little boy. David Tennant in the part is spot on perfect, and the chemistry between him as Kilgrave and Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones is insane, they match each other perfectly in every way. 2015 was the year Netflix overtook HBO in terms of quality productions, and shows like Jessica Jones and the others on this list settled that point for me. 

Fargo

So the reason perpetually wonderful shows like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels, American Horror Story and Orphan Black are not on this list, despite the fact that they had some of their best seasons ever in 2015, is because this list is devoted to new series. Having said that, I know this is technically speaking the second season of Fargo, but it is after all an anthology series which (unlike, say, AHS) is so totally different from its first season to be almost an entirely original series. Taking place thirty-something years before the first season, Fargo's second season tells the story of Lou Solverson (father of Molly Solverson from season one) and his involvement in a gang war between the local Gerhardt family and the Kansas City crime family. The black comedy is toned down compared to the first season, and the crime drama is more prominent, which suits the time (1979) and the place better. Apart from its wonderful writing and unforgettable characterization, Fargo's crowning excellence lies in the original and unusual casting. All of the actors are excellent and always enjoyable to watch in their own right; Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman and Ted Danson. But all of them together, with Bokeem Woodbine and Bruce Campbell (as Ronald Reagan, one of the oddest and most entertaining casting choices of the show) added to the mix, makes it one of the most unforgettable TV series casts ever.

Bloodline

Another Netflix masterpiece was Bloodline. A show that harkens back to soap operas of yore, in that it's about a dysfunctional dynasty whose family members all have secrets and intrigues between themselves, but done with stratospherically superior skill. The Rayburn family's success it built on lies and one day the prodigal son, Danny, returns to make them confront it. He is the classic black sheep of the family, and, with cheeky smiles and biting passive-aggressiveness, he manages to drag the whole clan down to his calamitous level. Bloodline has everything you could desire in a good drama, terrific acting (particularly from Ben Mendelsohn as Danny), superb writing and stunning cinematography. When you just want a mature, psychological show with believable characters that you care about, take a trip to the Florida Keys, check in at the Rayburns' paradaisical beach-side hotel, and uncover the complex danger and darkness under the gorgeous sunlit, palm-strewn surface. Made for binge-watching, it tells its story in chapters like a novel rather than television episodes, or a thirteen-hour movie seen as a whole, which it should be. 

Ash vs Evil Dead

Fede Alvarez's 2013 remake of The Evil Dead made me so pleased and satisfied vis-a-vis Sam Raimi's legendary horror films that when I heard about Starz's show Ash vs Evil Dead, I felt like Christmas had come early. The series picks up after Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, with Ash himself, Bruce Campbell, back for more. And since Sam Raimi developed the show, it retains all the qualities that we loved about the movies. It's just as gory and creepy and funny as it ever was, yet somehow still manages to feel quite fresh, which may have something to do with the fact that Ash now has two new, young sidekicks on his mission to rid the world of demons. Like the films, the TV series works largely thanks to Bruce Campbell's excellent comic timing, which is now used to its fullest, because it's really a horror-themed comedy. If you want lessons in how to make something that works in both of those genres, take a look at this (and the old films). That is something which few manage to pull off, almost none in fact. But enough palaver. There is really only one thing to say about it. 'Groovy!'

Better Call Saul

The first big hit of the television year 2015 was this Breaking Bad spin-off. My expectations were virtually non-existent because Saul Goodman didn't really stand out in the original series as a character that had any potential in him for a show of his own. But somewhat surprisingly, Better Call Saul delivered a funny, interesting prequel, at times even moving, that put the character and Breaking Bad in a whole new light. It is similar in style, the same twisted humour, the same look and feel, and the same pathos. But Better Call Saul simultaneously made me realize that there was a lot in Breaking Bad that I could do without. The at times hugely annoying sidekick, the always annoying family and domestic situation, the constant macho posturing. Take away all that, and you've actually got a great piece of fiction, like this, one of the best new series on TV. That's what all spin-offs should do ideally.

River

There have been a lot of awfully vapid British cop shows over the years, but once in a while one comes along that is just fantastic. River is just that, a masterpiece of writing and acting. It's apparent that Abi Morgan wrote the part of John River for Stellan Skarsgård in particular, because it's  simply impossible to imagine the show without him. He heads an overall marvellous cast as the DI who hears voices and sees dead people, most of all his former crime solving partner, whose death he obsesses over and cannot stop investigating. Yes, it is a good detective story, with all the twists and turns you'd expect, but it works on a whole other level as well. It's comparison to Nordic noir has been noted several times, and it does fall into that category, but there is an element of fantasy to it that Nordic noir usually lacks. And I don't mean the genre of fantasy, but a psychological, dream-like aspect to it, which makes it stand out from the average cop shows that tend to all be more or less exactly the same.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

(WARNING: contains spoilers!)

I am not a fan of "true crime" in general, or documentaries for that matter, but The Jinx is an extraordinary show - which is why I include it here even though it's not really a series, more of an event. In six riveting episodes, we follow the story of eccentric millionaire Robert Durst, from one bizarre murder that unravels a whole history of craziness. When you watch The Jinx, you really get the feeling that you're watching something unique, something of a phenomenon. It's made by Andrew Jarecki, who had previously made the film All Good Things in 2010, based on a Durst biography. That Durst himself got in contact with the director with the offer to create this documentary in an attempt to tell his side of things, when it in fact led to Durst's arrest, is almost too weird to be true. The man in question is of course very creepy, not just because he's a murderer who's gotten away with it for so long, but also because he's quite inscrutable. One of the chilliest moments is when, towards the end, he realizes he's been found out and coolly admits it to himself, thinking he's alone in the room. The microphone on his person catches him as he pretty much admits to it all, but seemingly without a single note of concern in his voice. It's a moment that makes you wonder if he's totally devoid of emotion, even fear of being sent to prison? Or is he so removed from reality that he's unaware of the seriousness of his situation? Or is he just confident that he'll be able to buy or work his way out of the situation? Or is he in some way glad to finally let the truth come out and take the punishment?

Top 10 The Walking Dead characters

1 Rick Grimes

Simply put, there would be no TWD without Rick. In many ways, it's not a show about the zombie apocalypse, it's a show about Rick Grimes trying to keep his family and friends safe in the zombie apocalypse. Rick is after all the first person we meet, and hopefully will also be the last to leave. A true hero, but not without his flaws, whose likeability and accessibility as a character is thanks to some great talent from actor Andrew Lincoln.   

2 Daryl Dixon

Daryl is TWD's blackest sheep. As a loner and a true outsider, a man who's basically made to survive in the apocalypse, it's no wonder he's a fan favourite. One of the show's great pleasures upon reviewing it is to witness Daryl's growth and transformation, from an annoying, uncooperative and hopeless fool trying to be like his brother Merle, to the strong hero and equal to Rick that we know today. All while retaining his lone wolf personality.  

3 Carol Peletier

Carol is another character who, like Daryl, has grown in the apocalypse, from a mousy, browbeaten trailer park housewife to an unstoppable survivor and possibly the strongest of them all. One of the few who could make it on her own all the way to the end, without a doubt, both physically and mentally. However, it is the moral challenges that she has undergone that is the most interesting thing about her. She's killed innocent people, even friends and children, for the sake of the group and their own sakes. Things which resulted in an overburdening sense of guilt that threatened to break her completely at the end of the sixth season, which I hope and feel she'll eventually work her way through.

4 Michonne

The show's most iconic character, Michonne is just a bad-ass through and through. How can she be otherwise? Wielding a samurai sword and sporting marvellous dreadlocks, she will always provide TWD with the coolest zombie kills and is ultimately just a joy to watch whenever she's on screen. Of course, like most characters in the show, she's grown and revealed a sensitivity and personality that provides a level of depth and realism which is so rare in action series and so distinctive for the show. 

5 Hershel Greene

Although he took a season to grow into his subsequent role, Hershel was in many ways the heart of the show, acting as both godfather to the group and its spiritual anchor. A farmer who had his fair share of struggles in life long before the apocalypse, dealing with family issues and battling alcoholism, maybe it was simply his experience that made him so wise and reliable. But it was also just that sort of person he was, an embodiment of true Christianity, who was upon reflection simply too good for this world.

 

6 Glenn Rhee

There are multiple reasons why Glenn has become a TWD favourite. First of all, he was the first member of Rick's group, and basically saved his life. He is also the show's first nerd, a pizza delivery boy who had enough smarts and energy to stay alive. At heart, a humble man who has shown again and again to possess true courage and a tenacious and inspirational positivity. His kindness and selflessness is unequaled, and he has become an integral member of the group, essential to the continued popularity of the show.

 

7 Morgan

Morgan was the first man Rick met, and even though he only appeared in the pilot episode, and again in the 12th episode of the third season, when he returned at the tail-end of the fifth season he was such a welcome face that you realize what a huge impression he made upon you despite his brief presence. A lot of that is down to Lennie James, who really brings Morgan alive and turns him into such a compelling character with his deep, brittle voice, his marked tone and dignified gravity. Having lost wife and son, having lost his mind and returned from it as a man of peace with a totally different view of the world to Rick and his group, wherever the show is going from here, Morgan's role in it will be of utmost importance and interest. 

8 Eugene Porter

Eugene is an important character because he mostly provides the show with something it doesn't necessarily have a whole bunch of, namely comic relief. Even a realistic horror survival drama like TWD needs its moments of lightness, and you can always rely on Eugene to supply them. Other than that, he has proven to be a resourceful and valuable member of the group, with skills that are handy when there are other things than killing to be done, and is also quite likeable because he is an avid reader with a rather flowery command of the English language for a Southern redneck. 

9 Shane Walsh

It's a shame that things went the way they did with Shane, because he was the perfect partner to Rick Grimes. He was Rick's best friend, and as his deputy, they could have achieved so much together, if he hadn't gone insane with jealousy for Rick's wife. There is something that Jon Bernthal manages to do with the character, along with the writers and producers, that makes him so utterly likeable even though he's violent and rather dumb.  

10 The Governor

Until the arrival of Negan, the Governor was TWD's main villain and Rick Grimes' archenemy. He was the yin to Rick's yang, a compelling character who underneath a cover of charm and sympathy was basically a fascist dictator, although deep down he may just have been a man who had lost everything and would do anything to retain some sense of control. David Morrissey is such a great actor in the way he portrayed that internal breakdown behind those twitchy and insincere smiles, and in the end it wasn't all too obvious if the Governor truly was a power-mad psychopath, or if circumstances and experience had made him such. 

Top 10 The Walking Dead episodes (as of Season 6)

1 Days Gone By

Season 1. Episode 1. 
First aired October 31, 2010.

When it comes to anything post-apocalyptic, it is very important that the introduction sets the tone

adequately and that the post-apocalyptic world is properly presented. That is why the pilot episode

of TWD has got to come in on first place. Helmed by Frank Darabont, it is no surprise that it is very cinematic, and from the moment Rick Grimes wakes up in that abandoned hospital and stumbles out into the post-apocalypse, you couldn't ask for a better introduction into the world of TWD and the zombie apocalypse.

2 No Way Out

Season 6. Episode 9. 

First aired February 14, 2016. 

The latest season of TWD was without a doubt the best so far. So eventful, so dramatic, with the near-death of Glenn, the introduction of Negan and the Saviors, the expansion of the world with Jesus and the Hilltop colony (and possibly, another settlement full of horses and rudimentary knights), the conflict between Carol and Morgan, and of course the Rick/Michonne relationship. After a very tense mid-season finale, the greatest episode of the season was the first episode of the second half, which ended in an uproariously nerve-clenching showdown in which the people of Alexandria took to the streets and combated an entire herd of walkers that had penetrated the walls after Carl's second brush with death.

3 Beside the Dying Fire

Season 2. Episode 13. 
First aired March 18, 2012.

Another unforgettable showdown took place in the second season finale, when the Greene farm was overrun by an enormous herd of walkers, which fate had arbitrarily guided there from the city by the random appearance of a helicopter. Coming as it did right at the heels of the dramatic death of Shane, it was an excellent end to an excellent season, and had us on the edge of our seats from start to finish, leaving on a perfect cliffhanger in which the group is wrenched apart into factions amidst fire and chaos, and the surprise appearance of Michonne, then only a nameless, faceless sword-wielding survivor in a hood with walkers on a leash.

4 Still

Season 4. Episode 12. 
First aired March 2, 2014.  

Still was a great episode, mostly because it gave us time to get to know Daryl and Beth like never before, and I also love these kinda frugal episodes where things slow right down and make room for some serious character development. There was a moment when it seemed perfectly possible that Daryl and Beth would discover they had feelings for each other, but in the end it was a sibling bond that cemented between them, as they had to fend for themselves on the outside after the prison had been breached, ultimately saving each other from breaking down completely. As such, it was the first episode to deal directly with the traumatic experiences of the Governor's attack on their home and Hershell's death, which made Beth sweetly want to go get drunk for the first time in her life.   

5 The Same Boat

Season 6. Episode 13. 
First aired March 13, 2016.

Another smaller episode, in scope that is, which was like a little one-act play and basically only featured five people; Carol, Maggie and their kidnappers, a group of Saviors who stumbled upon our heroines outside the Saviors' compound after our group snuck in to kill Negan's people. Similar in ways to the fourth episode of this season - Here's Not Here, which revealed what happened to Morgan before his appearance in Alexandria - in that it has a limited cast, a single setting and a terrific guest star in Alicia Witt as Paula. The Same Boat featured some excellent acting, great writing, and some serious development for Carol and Maggie, two of the show's top alpha females. 

6 Arrow on the Doorpost

Season 3. Episode 13. 
First aired March 10, 2013.

When the two heavyweights of the zombie apocalypse sat down to negotiate, it made for one of the most intense moments in the series. Very briefly, a thrilling potential existed. What if Rick Grimes and the Governor could make a deal, even cooperate? Of course, it went the only way it could go, it only escalated the conflict. The third season of TWD was so strong in its entirety, full of dramatic twists and turns, and some truly unforgettable events, that it is a hard task to choose the best out of the whole bunch. This milestone moment in the season stood out because it centered around something that there is far too little of in the apocalypse: diplomacy.

7 No Sanctuary

Season 5. Episode 1. 
First aired October 12, 2014.

The fifth season of TWD was definitely one of the weakest. But it rolled out of the gate with a riveting start, mainly because the previous season had ended on such a terrifying cliffhanger, with our group looking for sanctuary in Terminus and finding themselves captives of cannibals instead. This gave Carol a chance to step into her role as one of few members of Rick's group as tough and uncompomising as Rick himself, who would prove to be unstoppable in saving her friends. It also featured two of the sweetest reunions on the show so far, that between Rick and Carl and baby Judith, and that between brother and sister, Tyreese and Sasha. 

8 Pretty Much Dead Already

Season 2. Episode 7. 
First aired November 27, 2011.

The second season's main story arc was so strong, that despite little development outside of solidifying the group and bringing new members into the fold, there was never a dull episode, and that comes down to some genius writing. Shane's escalating instability and the search for Carol's daughter Sophia was enough to keep up the suspense and it all came to a masterful climax when Shane lost it, broke open the doors of Hershell's barn and proceeded to kill the infected that were harboured inside. When a turned Sophia stumbled out into the light, I got tears in my eyes, mainly thanks to Melissa McBride's superb acting skills as Carol. 

9 Too Far Gone

Season 4. Episode 8. 
First aired December 1, 2013.

It is hardly surprising that the best episodes are usually mid-season finales or season finales, because in a TV show about zombies, the best moments come when our heroes are swarmed by said zombies. This usually happens in finales, and the fourth season's mid-season finale is one of the best examples. Because the prison seemed so secure, having been our group's home for so long, it was so heartbreaking and horrifying to see it under attack by both people and walkers, and because it scattered the group in a bigger way than ever before. In fact, some people never saw each other again. The death of the Governor was kinda anticipated, but the sudden death of Hershell, who was in many ways the group's rock and definitely its moral center, is unparalleled in brutality and needlessness.   

10 TS-19

Season 1. Episode 6. 
First aired December 5, 2010.

The pilot episode and the last episode are excellent bookmarks to season one, the short but highly addictive beginning of one of the greatest TV shows ever made. TS-19 was terrific because of its location, as the group finally made it to a safe place, at least momentarily safe - the CDC in Atlanta, where the group and us viewers got some much-needed scientific backing to the end of the world. In fact, this episode made sure that there would never be anything left to wonder about the zombie virus outbreak anymore. It's worldwide, there's no cure and most importantly, we all have it. Sorry if that spoils it for anyone.   

Top 10 films of 2015

Mad Max: Fury Road

Words do not suffice to describe how much I love Mad Max: Fury Road. Every single detail is a work of exquisite art, every line of make-up, every steering wheel, every intrically tailored vehicle. Every word of dialogue is post-apocalyptic poetry, and every second from the furious introduction to the last cathartic shot is pure adrenaline fun! A good action movie is a simple action movie, uncluttered by plot, and it couldn't be easier to take your place in this chaotic hell ride. George Miller's fourth Road Warrior rendition was thirty years in the making, maybe that's why it feels so utterly complete. It's the kind of movie that only comes along once every quarter of a century or so, and it makes me feel very lucky to be alive for it.

The Revenant

A remarkable achievement. A.G. Iñárritu's technique, which he perfected in last year's Birdman, with long continuous shots and flowing camera movements, here finds the perfect format in the cold wilderness of Canada and North America (and, partly, Argentina) where it was shot. Iñárritu employs a Terrence Malick-esque style of dreams and visual poetry, somehow managing to make the unbelievable hardships suffered by Hugh Glass, the real-life trapper who was left for dead after being mauled by a bear, feel blessed and beautiful, just like the guardian angel in the shape of Glass's departed Pawnee wife that follows his crawling journey of revenge on the man who killed his son. Leonardo DiCaprio justly got his long-anticipated Oscar statue for his portrayal of Glass, a role that he totally inhabits, with all its gaping gashes and raspy breathing, like the bearskin trappings he wears. The award-winning cinematography brings every frame to life in a vastness and splendour that almost cannot be contained by the screen, where the swaying trees seem to breathe, the vaporous clouds seem to tumble down the mountain like an avalanche, where the sky itself seems to crush the earth. The philosophy of the movie is that there is no real difference between the cruelty of man and the cruelty of nature, whether it be bears or wolves or storms or icy rapids. That ultimately, the Creator puts everything on its own path, from the small insignificant specks of life to the great rough wind, and all that can be done is to follow that path wherever it leads.

  

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

2015 was a year that made me feel like a child again, getting to see all my favorite childhood movies in ways I had never imagined; first Mad Max, then Terminator, then Jurassic World, but most of all, Star Wars. Ever since the first teaser appeared in 2014, I knew we were in for a treat, that the soul of the original trilogy was back in the body of the seventh episode of the saga, and the now franchised galaxy far, far away has been adopted by fans of the myth for fans of the myth. That's the key to its brilliance, and if every other upcoming spin-off and sequel keeps that up, there's no end to the possibilites. The nostalgia factor is unbelievable, and JJ Abrams and fellow screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt know that the best way to make a great sequel that simultaneously works as a reboot is to keep the spirit of the movie as close as possible to the original trilogy, with the humor and the heart both in their rightful places, where the audience should feel as gleefully excited to go on this adventure as our scavenger heroine Rey.

Crimson Peak

Visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro brings his comic book style to bear on his homage to classic Victorian gothic horror. Bloody ghosts, a romantic gentleman with a sinister sister, a spooky old mansion and an innocent and sensitive heroine, all the familiar old tropes. But del Toro has never been afraid of clichés or of being unoriginal, because sometimes the old ones are best. And he is such a consummate cinematic artist and storyteller that Crimson Peak leaves one full, like a sumptuous meal for all the senses. So rich in detailed surrealism and vibrantly colorful, gruesomely violent and as intriguing and sexy as the Sharpe siblings, whose dangerous secrets force the ghost of Edith's mother to haunt her and try to warn her, 'beware of Crimson Peak!'   

Jurassic World

The beloved old dino-franchise has been revitalised, to a great degree thanks to Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, the husband and wife writing team behind the ingenious Planet of the Apes reboot, bringing a new mentality and vigour to a concept which is still basically just people running away from giant marauding dinosaurs, in a world where the huge theme park that was Hammond's dream in the first film has now become a reality. The Jurassic World theme park scenes in the first act are pure bliss, and then a new hybrid dinosaur breaks loose and that's when the action starts, leading to a scene that has already become part of film history: Chris Pratt on a motorbike riding along a group of trained velociraptors to hunt down the rampaging Indominus Rex. A scene that in itself is a sign that Jurassic World has finally got the idea-making capacity for the concept to manage to live up to its full potential.

Ant-Man

I loved the first phase of the Marvel films - Iron Man, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger all had the charm and humour that those superhero concepts require. Then, the second phase started to take itself a little too seriously, resulting in rather lacklustre sequels. 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy brought back the quality that I love, and Ant-Man too followed the right path. On paper, he sounds kinda silly, because all he does is wear a suit that can make him shrink to the size of an ant, but to my utmost delight they managed to surprise with a movie that is really funny, with spectacular visual effects to boot, and characters that you care about.

It Follows

We've had some pretty interesting indie horrors in the last couple of years, from The Babadook and Spring to Oculus and The Visit, but topping them all is David Robert Mitchell's It Follows. Apart from being beautifully shot and very cleverly paced and written, it feels genuinely original, which is a rare treat in US horror. From its inexplicable introduction to the final thrilling resolution, you never really know what's up next for J, a young woman who goes all the way with a guy on the first date and ends up stalked by strange entities. Are they a metaphor for STD's? The scary moments truly come out of nowhere in It Follows, without ever feeling forced, and director-writer Mitchell knows that the best way to scare an audience is not to overdo it and instead create a creepy and unsafe atmosphere. 

 
Kingsman: The Secret Service

Like Kick-Ass before this, Matthew Vaughn brings us another thoroughly entertaining and well-made comic book adaptation, which reminds me somewhat of the animated show James Bond Jr that I used to watch as a kid. Kingsman: The Secret Service has that perfect blend of comedy, style, energy and sheer technical brilliance, with one of the greatest choreographed fight/stunt scenes of the past couple of years in which a brainwashing signal turns a church full of people into a battle royale. Kingsman has all the qualities that makes James Bond stories cool, but without the brooding and self-critical aspects of the last twenty years, primarily because ''Eggsy,'' the organization's newly recruited superspy, is only eighteen and somewhat of a ''chav'' to begin with, and is given the amazing opportunity to live every teenage boy's fantasy, a double life as a highly skilled secret agent.  

Chappie

Neill Blomkamp's CHAPPiE kicked off the film year of 2015 back in March with a sci-fi that was bursting at the seams with inspiration. With this modern-day Pinocchio about a cop drone that is given artificial intelligence and is adopted by gangsters, we were treated to one of the cutest and most likable robots since R2D2. We were also (or I was) introduced to the fantastic Yolandi and Ninja, a.k.a. Die Antwoord, a duo that blends street art, fashion, hip-hop and electro in such a unique way that it makes me wonder how they're not more famous. Hugh Jackman in of his best, and most obnoxious, performances ever is another bonus, as is the presence of Sigourney Weaver, and it's great to see Blomkamp doing something brilliant again, because if it weren't for him, I would never get to see South Africa in this fun and outré way.    

Dope

Part Spike Lee, part Friday, all heart, all soul, Dope was the most unexpected pleasures of 2015. Dope is the story of Malcolm and his two friends Jib and Diggy, three high school geeks who are landed with a bag of dope after a mix-up and have to use their wiles to get rid of it, all while struggling with typical teenage problems like getting laid and getting into college. These are some of the words to describe the movie: fresh, hilarious, smart, cute, real, slick as s***! Dope is a love letter to golden age hip-hop, geekdom and ghetto life, and like the drug Lily thay they peddle, it's pure ecstasy from start to finish.