They’ve had great takes on “Wolfen” (1981) and “C.H.U.D.” (1984); this is Gena Radcilffe’s review of 2008’s fantastic “Pontypool.”

I’ve been mentioning this lesser known low-budget independent film ever since I saw it in New York City four years ago.  I hesitate to name it as a “zombie movie,” because that might turn off people who aren’t fans of the particularly gory subgenre.  And it kinda isn’t … there are no undead or cannibalism here, and little gore; this really has more in common with certain other sci-fi-horror classics that I will not name for fear of spoilers.

I never liked the title.  It merely names the town where the thriller takes place, and does nothing to inform the listener about the story’s content, unless I’m really missing something.

But it’s a damn fine flick.  If you really like the silken voiced Stephen McHattie, as I do, then you might also enjoy his role in the “Civil War zombie film,” 2011’s “Exit Humanity.”  [EDIT: McHattie had a particularly badass turn in the classic 1995 “X Files” story arc, “Nisei”/”731.”  He threw Fox Mulder a more brutal ass-kicking than any monster or demon ever did.  And it paved the way for one of David Duchovny’s best deadpan one-liners in the series: “You know, Scully, it’s true what they say.  You haven’t seen America until you’ve seen it from a train.”]

Read the review of “Pontypool” at “The Horror Within” right here:

http://thehorrorwithin.com/streaming-screams-pontypool/

Finally … read the site’s review of “Wolfen” too.