On this day in television history - Kojak (2005):

Kojak

based on Kojak by Abby Mann,

was released in the United States on March 25, 2005,

and ran for one season until May 22, 2005.
Music by Mark Snow.

Cast:

Ving Rhames, Chazz Palminteri, Roselyn Sánchez, Chuck Shamata, Sybil Temtchine and Michael Kelly.

On this day in movie history - Dawn of the Dead (2004 movie & novel):

Dawn of the Dead

directed by Zack Snyder,

written by James Gunn,

based on the novel by George A. Romero,

was released in the United States on March 19, 2004.
Music by Tyler Bates.
Songs on soundtrack include:
Have A Nice Day by Stereophonics.
The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash.
Down With The Sickness by Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine.
People Who Died by The Jim Carroll Band.
Down With The Sickness by Disturbed.

Cast:

Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Michael Barry, Lindy Booth, Jayne Eastwood, Boyd Banks, Inna Korobkina, R. D. Reid, Kim Poirier, Matt Frewer, Louis Ferreira, Hannah Lochner, Bruce Bohne, Ermes Blarasin, Natalie Brown, Zack Snyder, Scott Reiniger, Tom Savini, Ken Foree.

Recommended reading:

Dawn of the Dead

By George A. Romero & Susanna Sparrow.

Filmed as Dawn of the Dead (1978), directed and written by George A. Romero.

Published by Gallery Books.

First published 1978.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 9781476791838

ISBN-13: 978-1476791838

ASIN: 147679183X

Description:

“Dawn of the Dead is one of the best horror movies ever made.” – Roger Ebert.

The novel of the classic horror film, with an introduction by Simon Pegg!

WHEN THERE IS NO MORE ROOM IN HELL, THE DEAD WILL WALK THE EARTH

George A. Romero terrified a generation with his iconic horror film and with this cult-classic novel. Immerse yourself in this unparalleled vision from the revered master of the zombie apocalypse…and be terrified all over again.

Zombies have overpowered the living and ravaged the world. Society has collapsed as humans race to save themselves. No one knows how far the creatures have spread, or how to stop them. In downtown Philadelphia, four people escape the chaos and find shelter in a vacated shopping mall. But as their greed spirals and the undead close in, their haven for waiting out the end of the world becomes the last battleground for survival. And there is nowhere left to hide…

Jacob’s Ladder (1990) – A nightmarish final struggle (movie & screenplay):

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

A nightmarish final struggle

 

Jacob’s Ladder (1990), directed by Adrian Lyne, released in the United States on November 2, 1990, and based on the screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, is a rarity of the genre: an intelligent horror story.

Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a traumatized Vietnam veteran.

He works for the Post Office, and shares a cramped apartment with his girlfriend and co-worker, Jezebel (Elizabeth Peña), in a dilapidated block in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1970s.

Suffering from PTSD, Jacob is haunted by flashbacks from his time in the war, his pain compounded by the grief of losing his son in an accident.

His waking hours are invaded by bizarre and terrifying hallucinations of a locked underground subway station, and demons that stalk him wherever he goes.

He has disorientating periods when he awakes to find himself in an alternate reality where he is still married to his wife, Sarah (Patricia Kalember).

In these sections, his son Gabe (Macaulay Culkin) is still alive.

Jacob attempts to discover the truth about his condition and uncovers a conspiracy involving a failed drug experiment.

The title: Jacob’s Ladder, is a Biblical reference, from Genesis 28:10-21, in which a spiritual staircase, flanked by angels, provides a bridge between Heaven and Earth.

In the latter part of the movie, the chemist, Michael Newman (Matt Craven), describes the enhanced drug as: The Ladder.

Afflicted with back pain, Jacob visits his Chiropractor, Louis (Danny Aiello).

Louis is also his friend and confidante.

When Jacob confides his hallucinations, Louis offers solace and reassurance by quoting the 14th-century German theologian and philosopher, Meister Eckhart:

LOUIS:

Eckhart saw Hell, too. You know what he said? He said: ‘The only thing that burns in Hell, is the part of you that won't let go of your life, your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you,’ he said. ‘They're freeing your soul’ … So, the way he sees it: ‘if you're frightened of dying and – and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But, if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth.’ It’s just a matter of how you look at it, that’s all.

Bruce Joel Rubin’s screenplay, available in paperback, is an essential read for anyone who appreciates the movie.

It provides a wealth of insight and background information on the development of the story, including the inspiration and meaning behind some of the movie’s most stunning and disturbing images, particularly the visions of the “vibrating” men Jacob glimpses.

The book includes deleted scenes, with reasons why they didn’t make the final cut of the movie.

The acting is understated and flawless.

The strong supporting cast includes excellent character actors: Jason Alexander, John Capodice, Matt Craven, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Eriq La Salle, Ving Rhames, Brian Tarantina, Anthony Alessandro, Brent Hinkley, S. Epatha Merkerson, and John Patrick McLaughlin.

Adrian Lyne, like Ridley Scott, knows how to use light to powerful and atmospheric effect.

Maurice Jarre’s soundtrack sets a melancholic and haunting tone.

So many movies rely too heavily on the jump-shock moment to compensate for lack of plot, or character development.

Jacob’s Ladder doesn’t make that mistake.

The script and plot structure have been carefully thought out.

Jacob Singer is the main character, but in no way heroic.

We feel Jacob’s pain, bewilderment, and terror.

He fights when he has to, particularly in the scene where he is abducted from the street and forcibly strong-armed into the back of a car.

Jacob’s demeanor is, for the most part, quiet, friendly and affable, making his mounting fear and vulnerability more believable.

The quieter sections of the story are emotionally involving enough to make the moments of jarring horror nightmarish and chilling, with a final reveal that is both subtle and moving.

Jacob’s Ladder succeeds on many levels: as part war story, tragedy, drama, horror, mystery, hallucinatory nightmare, and theological thriller, giving the viewer much to think about and discuss.

It’s a disquieting and unforgettable experience that improves with repeat viewings, compelling the viewer to examine reality, existence, and the question of what comes after.

Life is fleeting.

Death is a certainty.

One day, we all have to climb that spiritual ladder.

Ascend … or descend?

Heaven … or Hell?

Which direction and destination will be yours?

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Recommended reading:

Jacob's Ladder

By Bruce Joel Rubin.

Published 2000.

Published by Applause Books.

ISBN-10: 155783086X

ISBN-13: 978-1557830869

Back cover description:

From the director of Fatal Attraction…

and the writer of Ghost…

Jacob’s Ladder.

Written by Bruce Joel Rubin.

An Adrian Lyne Film.

From Carolco Picture.

Produced by Alan Marshall.

Directed by Adrian Lyne.

With over 100 photographs from the film.

“… the screenplay moves from the nightmarish to the visionary … page for page, it is one of the very few screenplays I’ve read with the power to consistently raise hackles in broad daylight … Read it. It’s extraordinary.” – American Film.

“… one of the most original and powerful screenplays to be seen in Hollywood in years … One feels in the hands of a benevolent and sophisticated teller.” – Cinefantastique.

“… a humanistic thriller that hits like a thunderbolt.” – Fangoria.

The complete final shooting script in professional screenwriter’s format together with an annotated appendix of deleted scenes.

Jacob’s Chronicle, Bruce Joel Rubin’s book-length account of Jacob’s odyssey to the screen.

Applause screenplay series.