DVDpedia : Library : Title : Z

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Arts Alliance Amer

Genre: Documentary

Duration: 120

Summary: Director Xan (daughter of actor John) Cassavetes' "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" harkens back to a time when a single pay cable TV outlet could offer more quality and variety than all the HBOs and Showtimes of the world combined. Beginning in 1974, Los Angeles' Z Channel, driven by chief programmer Jerry Harvey, presented an astonishingly eclectic array of fare to its subscribers, from mega-hits like "Star Wars" to obscure classics by directors like Kurosawa, Fellini, Antonioni, Peckinpah, and others. In championing movies like Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate", Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America", and Oliver Stone's "Salvador", especially the uncut versions, Harvey earned the respect of countless filmmakers, a good many of whom (like Quentin Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne, and Robert Altman) are on hand to sing his praises. There are also lots of clips, as well as recollections about the making of those films; in fact, "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" is more about movies than it is about Harvey and his channel. That's good, because despite his lurid denouement (he killed his wife, then himself, in 1988), Harvey was not an especially interesting man, but rather a single-minded film freak, a guy who used movie dialogue for his own wedding vows. Cassavetes' film is likely to appeal mostly to those who share his passion, if not his mental problems; if nothing else, it will certainly pique your interest in some of the wonderful movies celebrated here. "--Sam Graham"

Theatrical: 1975

Studio: Barton Films

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Duration: 100

Summary: A mad scientist (and apparent former Nazi) unleashes his master plan: to transform himself into a mutated walking catfish, gain revenge on those who have spurned him, and kidnap nubile young women to similarly transform so that he can breed. Or something like that.

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: Asahi National Broadcasting Company

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Music

Duration: 116

Summary: Blind Zatoichi makes his living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi is a master swordsman, gifted with lightning-fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Zatoichi wanders into a town run by sinister gangs and a powerful samurai. He's destined for violent showdowns when he stumbles on two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' murder... Duels, wit and a touch of zen! Cult anti-hero Zatoichi is back in a sword-fighting adventure written, directed and starring Takeshi Kitano.

Theatrical: 1962

Studio: Daiei Motion Picture Company

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Duration: 96

Summary:

Theatrical: 1962

Studio: Daiei Motion Picture Company

Genre: Action, Adventure

Duration: 72

Summary: Blind swordsman/masseur Zatoichi is pursued by the retainers of a lord who fear that he will reveal a secret weakness of their master. Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love: his own brother. He must face in combat not only the pursuing retainers but his own flesh-and-blood.

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: Shriek Show

Genre: Art House & International

Duration: 91

Summary: In Lucio Fulci's genre classic "Zombi 2", the dead rise once again to terrorize and consume the flesh of the living, this time Caribbean style! Those new to Fulci should note "Island of the Flesh-Eaters", "Zombi 2", and the more commonly known "Zombie" all refer to the same film. Though there is no "Zombi 1", Fulci's film was titled "Zombi 2" to capitalize on the commercial success of Romero's "Dawn of the Dead". Though marketed as a sequel in Italy, the only similarities to Romero's classic are the title and the fact that the dead rise to eat the flesh of the living. Instead of being a metaphor for consumerism, "Zombi 2" is a straight-out adventure story that ends in a horrific, apocalyptic nightmare. The plot is fairly straightforward, and more or less exists simply as a structure to hang scenes of extreme gore and terror on. Dr. Bowles's boat floats into New York Harbor missing its crew and carrying an undead passenger. The doctor's daughter (Tisa Farrow), dead set on finding out what happened to her father, teams up with journalist Peter West (Ian McCulloch) and heads to the cursed island of Matool, where a zombie epidemic is growing and Dr. Bowles's friend, Dr. Menard (Richard Johnson), is desperately trying to find a cure. Will Anne find her father? Will Dr. Menard find a cure? Will our heroes escape? In all honesty, who really cares? Because those in the "know" already know you don't come to a Fulci film looking for Shakespeare. What "Zombi 2" lacks in plot development and continuity, it more than makes up for in atmosphere, intensity, and of course the trademark Fulci gore. Some of the unique high points are the never-duplicated zombie-versus-shark vignette, the rising of the Spanish zombie conquistadores, and Fulci's trademark eye shot. Fans of Italian/apocalyptic/cannibal/zombie films should not miss "Zombi 2". Along with "The Beyond", it defines the genre. "--Rob Bracco"

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: Image Entertainment

Genre: Art House & International

Duration: 90

Summary: The most terrifying zombie massacre ever to come to the screen! In a small lakeside town in the French countryside, young women are disappearing without a trace. The superstitious locals blame "The Lake of Ghosts," but the town's mayor (Howard Vernon) seems reluctant, or powerless, to take any action. When another girl is found with her throat ripped out, a Paris reporter begins to uncover the deadly secrets of the lake and the dead, green-faced Nazis who are aroused to action!

Theatrical: 2009

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Horror

Duration: 88

Summary: The horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss -- but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying' bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: Altavista Films

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Duration: 110

Summary: