George A. Romero returns to small budget filmmaking with his latest zombie film. The story is back to the beginning of the first day people began rising from the dead in search for human flesh. The only difference between this version and Romero’s first classic “Night of the Living Dead,” is that “Diary” is told through the lenses “Blair Witch” style from a group of student filmmakers.

     What the point of view of the “student camera” gives us is a more up close and intense view of zombie killings and the mental breakdown of the survivors as they try to trek back to their homes. As they are along for the ride they run into obvious complications of flesh eaters as well as military forces that do more harm then good.

     Filled with flashbacks and Internet streamed videos of people posting online footage of their own zombie killings, the movie is intensely shot and beautifully acted from unknown actors, making this gem an absolute masterpiece. It is great to see Romero make a dirt cheap indie film and pull off one of his best films to date and add to the ever growing hits of zombie-mania along with the “28 Days/Weeks” films.

     Bostin Christopher nails it as the title character who likes to kidnap teenage girls just so they will go to prom with him. Bad thing is when they don’t do as he asks they end up in pieces all over town. The story is his latest kidnapping and what happens not only between he and his victim, but what happens to the parents while they sit and hope their daughter is returned to them.

     The real comedic side to this wacky film is when the parents of the latest victim, Riley, played by Ashley Johnson, who people might know as being the little girl who joined the cast of Growing Pains, set out for revenge against Otis--think of it as the Cleavers going out to torture someone Hostel style.

     With great acting put in by Daniel Stern and Illeana Douglas as the parents and Kevin Pollack as Otis’ abusive older brother, watching someone get electrocuted by accident has never been more entertaining to see. Christopher takes his character Otis and turns him into a laughable nutso that even Hannibal Lecter would be proud of. This film is one every horror fan must-see, and then see again.