Sotterrando la mia ex

More often than not, when I rate a film two or two and a half stars, I'm coming from a place of "Well it's not really for me, but I guess I could see why it might have appeal". Burying the Ex on the other hand comes from a place exactly opposite to that. It's like every five minutes there was something dropped precisely to cater to my interests, but there's no appeal at all. And no amount of goth bars I'd kill to have in my town, horror-themed ice cream parlours, Joe Dante directorial credits or Alexandra Daddario getting her kit off in a graveyard can make up for that.

It's not outright boring, which is certainly welcome, but it's horror that's not scary, comedy that's not funny, and bears not one but two life lessons that seem well learned until they're *both* dropped in the final scene.

I'm not going to make any "Should have stayed buried" digs, because it's really not *that* bad, but I'm not going to recommend it either.

Cute movie. I don't know why it has such a low rating.

This is not your typical zombie-type movie. It's more of a zomedy (zombie comedy :p) So, don't watch this expecting something like The Walking Dead.

The acting was good, and the writing clever. The zombie makeup was interesting. The flies flying around Greene was funny, and it was one of the things The Walking Dead never implements, but you have to figure that zombies would have a lotta flies buzzing around them.

Anton Yelchin did a good job in the lead, and Ashley Greene was the sexiest zombie you'll ever see.

In thought this would be awful, but I was very entertained. I recommend this.

Some will not like this, because they don't like zomedies, but it will be their loss.

I gave this a 6-star rating.

Embracing the corny B-movie allure, Burying the Ex takes advantage of its modest yet mildly fun concept. It produces decent comedy with pop reference, fitting acting and smart script. The movie is still stuttering with odd plot development, but all things considered it's a fun popcorn flick worthy of a few giggles.

Max (Anton Yelchin) has been bothered by his shifty relationship with Evelyn (Ashley Greene). Theire personalities almost always clash, not to mention Evelyn can be incredibly volatile. Things get worse as a shady curse of some sort bind them both forever, this includes afterlife. After a tragic accident Evelyn rises from the death to fulfill her eternal love. The premise is by all means average romcom, but it is delivered with adequate conviction and wit.

Ashley Greene fully welcomes the quirky role. She's equally obnoxious as living eco-obsessed girlfriend and a creepy zombie lady. The change of tone and behavior is done realistic enough, despite the exaggerated set-up, to ensure their situation is oddly identifiable. The cast isn't large, only four main characters, and it keeps the pacing moving relatively well.

The script is done with tongue-in-cheek approach. Dialogues are occasionally cringeworthy, though most of the times they contain enough modern pop references or silly puns, audience can't help but laughing at them. Plot can be shady and a bit forced, but if audience can overlook some of these obscurities, there's mild fun to be had here.

Burying the Ex is a simple B-movie, yet it is presentably humorous in the scale it plays on.

Burying the Ex (2014)

*** (out of 4)

Highly entertaining mix of horror, romance and comedy as horror fan Max (Anton Yelchin) wants to get rid of his girlfriend Evelyn (Ashley Greene) but minutes before he can do so she's killed in a tragic accident. However, due to a previous accidental wish, she ends up coming back from the dead to rekindle their love, which doesn't sit well with Max since he's moved onto Olivia (Alexandra Daddario) who shares his love of horror.

If you're a fan of director Joe Dante's work then you're really going to love this film, which is certainly a throwback to his earlier films like THE HOWLING in regards to how many winks there are to other horror movies. This film pretty much works on every level because it's funny. It's got some nice gory moments for horror fans. Even the love triangle works extremely well thanks in large part to the direction and the cast members being so great. Not to mention if you're a horror fan then you're going to get to have all sorts of cool treats including discussions about Bela Lugosi, the Halloween monster cereal and we even get clips from films like PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and THE WIZARD OF GORE.

BURYING THE EX is a movie that will appeal to many but I think horror fans are going to get the biggest kick out of it. I'm sure a lot of people will look at the Max character and be able to relate to his love of movies, being stuck in a lifeless job and then there's the problem with the girlfriend who doesn't get him. All of this is brought to more life when he does get the girl who digs the stuff that he likes but that's when the zombie shows up to mess everything up. This is really a charming little date movie that manages to appeal to horror fans willing to add a little romance and comedy into their diet. This movie really is something truly funny and there's no question that Dante is able to mix all of these elements together into something really special.

There's no doubt that one of the biggest benefits is that the cast is so great. Yelchin has this laid back, dry approach that is just downright hilarious at times and especially during the scenes where he can grow a pair enough to tell the girl that he is done. Greene is simply divine in her performance because she's perfect at playing the annoying part but she also manages to make you feel bad for her because all she's really trying to do is keep the "romance" alive. She really makes for a memorable character. Even Daddario is excellent in her supporting role as is Oliver Cooper who plays the half brother who likes sex. Then there's the cameo by Dick Miller, which is just terrific.

BURYING THE EX works on many levels but I think its best aspect is simply its charm. All of the elements of the story work extremely well and if you're a horror fan you're going to get a kick out of them as well as the rest of the monster stuff that shows up.

Burying the Ex sounds like a fun concept, putting the cynicism of relationships with some horror movie camp. It's quirky overall, with the combination of the monster movie tropes of its star, Anton Yelchin, and the flavor of Joe Dante's vision, this must be a perfect formula of an enjoyable zombie comedy. But surprisingly, the movie is lacking the enthusiasm it deserves. It seems like the film's only priority is just sticking to formula of a typical R rated comedy, and ends with a horror movie schlock. When it shows affections to the horror side, Burying the Ex becomes fun. But it would take a long while for the film to get there.

The film introduces itself with its main character seemingly living in misery with his girlfriend. His girlfriend apparently wants him to give up himself from being a horror movie junky, thus he struggles with her choice of choosing a lifestyle that he isn't really fond of. Then we get to meet another girl who has a better fitting personality for Max. This is meant to be something playful or somewhat, but the film's approach seems to lack real energy to make them totally entertaining. A raunchy best friend (or half brother) also exists in this story to provide a straight comic relief, but not even him could spice up these moments. When Evelyn turns into a zombie, it seems like the film doesn't earn much of a surprise. It still sticks to the quirkiness, but it's just another way to anticipate for the real payoff as we watch more of them trying hate each other, at the same time concerning the other girl and his supposedly funny half-brother.

It's only the third act where the film finds real joy from itself, even though it only lasts for a few minutes and looks pretty trashy, but this is what most of the film should have been, embracing its horror movie roots than forcing some romcom silliness. It's quite a shame because the film is scattered with potential comedy gold as well. There is a running joke about the catchphrase of Max's work that lead his costumers with amusingly bitter reactions. The film could have used more of that type of humor. The acting is surprisingly not so interesting. Anton Yelchin seems to build his own cliché as a hero who fights monsters with a hot girlfriend, but this is probably his least likable among. His Charlie Brewster had sense of adventure and humanity, while Odd Thomas had all the curiosity a monster movie needs. Here, he's basically struggling to get back to that mold, though he still spares the charisma only when the script calls him for it. Ashley Greene is trying to be freaky and cute as both human or zombie, but it never shines either way. Alexandra Daddario makes herself bubbly, maybe a little too much.

Burying the Ex should be fun. It's a simple quirky idea and yet it sticks in throwing some lazy clichés and unenthusiastic tone. Only the last few minutes where the real conflict kicks in and reveals the film's supposed true madness. If only the film focused more on that, or at least give more humor like the one that tells people to go to hell than another sex joke about half-brother having an orgy on the hero's apartment. It just wasted a cool concept for a dark comedy that could potentially bring its own personality, it's also scattered with a good taste of classic horror love, but what took over instead are the familiar and less inspired ones.