The relevance of Zombie films in today's Society

Most people realize Romero's original "Dawn of the Dead" was actually about consumerism, but one would be remiss if they were unable to see the relevance of the zombie film in today's society. We are literally surrounded by zombies. People walking down the sidewalk texting, people standing right next to someone they are texting, people with ipods jammed in their ears all day long, oblivious to anything going on around them, Kids with handheld videogames at family functions, missing life. Facebook status junkies who do nothing but update for their every thought, Holy fuckin'dogshit Batman! People are sitting by idly while life flies past them at breakneck speed and all they care about is their goddamn facebook status. This is sad to me....I need to see a bus full of nuns and orphans crash head on through a cerebral palsy picnic with a special "last of the "Wizard of Oz" Munchkins" as a guest speaker, sort of tragedy to put a smile back on my face.

Six String Samurai

Imagine Buddy Holly, yeah the guy who sang "Peggy Sue", as a sword wielding, guitar carrying bad-ass. Buddy is on his way to Lost Vegas to become the new King because Elvis died. Along the way he is confronted by mutants, a living la vida loca Dwarf, a cannibal family, windmill people, Death and his two buddies, and the entire Russian Army! Ok, now stop imagining it and go out and buy Six String Samurai, because it is going to be better than your imagination just was anyway you idiot. Seriously, stop reading this and go buy it...Now!

This movie kicks 32 different flavors of ass, and it has a cool soundtrack, the majority of which is the Red Elvises.

Violence in Movies

I remember seeing an old black and white film that was showing how violence in movies made kids violent. One of the kids in the film stood up and walked outside, unfolded a pocket knife and started stabbing a tree. It was comical, obviously the kid has something wrong with him, or he hates trees, or he thinks he is a lumberjack.

I would say throughout my life time I have probably seen thousands of violent movies. I have not however committed thousands of acts of violence. There would have to be a 1 to 1 ratio for this even to be true. Like for every violent movie I would have had to have done a violent deed. I think the most violent thing I have ever done after a movie was a violent crap from all the popcorn.

Those people who think horror movies are evil are idiots. How could something that so many people enjoy be evil. Anyway, if there is a God and he tells me I was evil for watching horror movies, I'll say "Hey, God, it's just a movie. Miracle up some popcorn and let's watch American Psycho".

On Zombie films

This past weekend I rented a movie. The back of the box read "A zombie thriller", My little heart went all pitter pitter. I took the movie home and watched all 93 agonizing minutes of a ghost movie that involved not zombies, just lame ass ghost possessions and bad dialogue. When I returned it the next day to the rental place...I won't say the name, but it rhymes with "Cock Guzzler" ( well, kind of), I informed the clerk that I wanted a credit because the movie was not a zombie movie, but a ghost movie. Her response was "Well, it's a low budget horror movie, you've got to expect that."

This is the part that chaps my ass. Because it is "low budget" you can market it as a zombie film when it is not and i am supposed to be ok with it?, I say "Nay", actually, i don't think I have ever actually said "Nay", but i did tell her "No", that does not work. You cannot say a movie is a cowboy flick and have a cheeky monkey playing baseball, nor can you say something is a romance movie, when it is a snuff film, so i will not sit idly by while the zombie name is smeared on every two bit piece of crap movie that hollywood or it's bastard children craps out.

...needless to say, I got my credit, and purchased two, yes two, low budget ZOMBIE movies....Yeah! That is how the Kenn Does!

The hard part about writing a book

I thought the hard part about writing a book would be writing a book. In actuality, the hard part of writing a book is getting ANYONE to read it afterwords. I've sold a few copies, so I'm not complaining. The idea that anyone would buy a book written by me is awesome in and of itself. This is just an observation. I look at some of the things that actually go viral on the web. Some is justifiably amazing. Others make me sad to be human.

So the question now, is do I write a sequel to a book no one has read? Do I work on animations that no one will see? Or do I become one of those walking dead people. Content to go home every night and die in front of the television with no hopes, no dreams, and no legacy?

Nah, I could never do that. I am beginning the sequel to Endless Night. I am working on a new web series and I will not go softly into any good night.

Endless Night - First Review

Thank you Rhonda Valverde and the rest of the team over at  VampireRomanceBooks.com    For the following review:

"Kenn Baker's Endless Night is not the average vampire book. This is a darkly intense story of lust, greed, violence, and primal urges that refuse be ignored.....and I loved it! Filled with bloody scenes of sex and death, it is a more realistic look into what a world with vampires would be like. You won't find any love-sick, angst-filled vampires trying to find a way to love a human in this book. In fact, there are very few humans in this book: except for the ones that end up as lunch. When reading most vampire stories, I tend to root for the good guy. But in Endless Night, the good guy is a bad guy. Even though there was a ton of violence in the book, there is humor, too. I found myself laughing when humans were being torn apart, sometimes envisioning the characters dancing and laughing while slaughtering them (Think "A Clockwork Orange" but with vampires!).

Baker's writing was extremely descriptive, which made the book that much more intense to read. Each and every character adds an extra level to the story with their unique personalities. I'm happy to know that the author is going to add to the series. I'd love to see more from all of the characters and find out where their lives are going to go.

If you're looking for a sweet romance or a happily-ever-after story with rainbows and flowers, this is not the book for you. While there is humor and a little romance, it's a dark humor that not everyone will like. If you enjoy a little horror with your vampires, then I say this is a must-read. It really was a fantastic read that fans of gothic vampire romances will like. Endless Night is a delightfully dark walk on the wild side that was impossible to put down. "

Endless Night's pre-first review's Email

Oh holy hell, I JUST finished Endless Night. Um, I think you may need some professional help. lol  I absolutely loved it!!! You certainly covered all the "bases" we talked about. Primal is a perfect word for it. I'm in the process of writing the review and should have it up in the next couple days. I just had to email you and let you know how much I loved the book. 

Is there going to be a second book? The epilogue left it kinda open, so I'm hoping there is another one in the works.

 

I'll send you a link as soon as the review is posted. It will be on facebook, amazon, as well as VampireRomanceBooks website. I don't see it listed on Shelfari or Goodreads or I would post it there also. Any plans to add Endless Night to those sites? I can add them, but it's usually smoother if the author adds the book.

I'll stop rambling, sorry. Have a great day and I'll get the review link to you as soon as it's posted.

Thanks,

Rhonda Valverde

Owner, VampireRomanceBooks.com