A List of Definitive Zombie Movies You'll Need To Survive

I love good zombie movie. I love a mediocre zombie movie and I'll even watch a bad one.

Many people are fascinated the 'undead' movies and I have a theory why.

• No, it's not because zombies tap into our primal fear of ­being consumed.
• No, it's not just because of the gore and violence. (That is the second reason for the fascination through.)
• No, it's not because zombies remind us of ourselves and we look for reasons to differentiate them from us (stupid reasons).

It's because we are always developing and accessing our own undead strategy--the plan we have in the back of our heads of what we would do in the event the undead begin their take-over. We watch the movie and say "I would do this" or "I would do that" or "Yea, honey, I might have to leave you if you can't keep up." (But other than that, my marriage is solid.)

I believe there are important lessons, both zombie survival and real life, to be gleaned from a good undead movie. This brief list of zombie movies will help you on your way to survival and prosperity.

Think you have the chops to survive a zombie infestation? Take this comprehensive (and it is thorough) quiz to see if you have the physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual fortitude to be one of the survivors in a zombie wasteland.

The Definative Zombie Survival Quiz

An important classic movie on surviving the undead invasion long-term. The 1978 version is classic and worth studying also.

Undead Survival Tip - Don't get limited with your choice of weapons. Be creative. Yea, guns are good, but broaden your repetoire. You never know when you may run out of bullets. Golf clubs, bats, Molotov cocktails, chain saws, etc. And for Heaven's sake, practice with them if you have the time.

Life Lesson - Alway have a plan B, no matter how good your plan A is. You never know when things will change-for instance, the zombies get smarter-and you have to make a new move. If you are already prepared , you can move quick. And do review your plan B once in a while. In fact, have a plan C and D while you're at it.

To Do List - Obviously start keeping my car keys on my nightstand. Duh!

I know a LOT of you did not like this movie, but you gotta look beyond some of the plot points at the messages. The messages, man, the messages.

Undead Survival Tip - Kids are wily survivors. Don't underestimate them. I mean we adults are supposed to protect them and all, but if you inadvertently leave them alone or turn into a zombie, there's a good chance that the kid may get away and do alright. Have a talk with them as soon as you can after recognizing a zombie armageddon and talk about survival skills.

Life Lesson - Don't lie to your kids. At least not about the big stuff. It can really bite you in the a&% later-big time. Stretch the truth, omit stuff...but don't lie.

To Do List - Practice zig-zag sprinting.

(Danny Boyle is making 28 Months Later for 2009. Yea!)

While it is a comedy, sometimes we get our most important lessons while laughing. And isn't that what it's all about?

Undead Survival Tip - Your mother is not to be trusted. Well, I don't know about yours, but definately not mine. Maybe yours too. The point is, grab her hand, drag her along, don't let her wander off in another direction wondering if maybe Betty's daughter has some tea you could grab along the way. You just have to firmly tell Mom to hush up and come on, we'll talk when we're safe. Just remember - you know better than your Mom.

Life Lesson - You have to take a stand. Tell her or him that you love him. Make a decision that the pub is the safest place. Get out of the car at the first possibility that one of the riders has gone zombie. Your decision may not turn out as you picture, but action is far better than being eaten because you were wishy-washy.

To Do List - Come up with a list of safe places to hunker down if necessary. Do not include pub on the list. Do include shopping mall.

The stuff about Alice's evolution and the Umbrella Corporation is OK, but that is subplot to me. The more important parts are surviving a world full of zombies, even zombie birds.

Undead Survival Tip - Get organized in a group. Going it alone might work for a minute (unless you have superpower nanites in your bloodstream), but for the long haul you'll need more hands holding more guns.

Life Lesson - Sometimes you need to take one for the team. Don't be selfish. If you are the albatross of your group, say maybe you don't sing as well or you get bit by a zombie, don't ignore your failings! Admit them to the group and work with them to offer another talent, say as maybe the tamborine shaker or as zombie bait.

To Do List - Map an overland route to the Arctic Circle. They can't possibly follow that long.