Michael Perez is the executive producer of the new documentary retrospective “More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead”. Michael has also worked on last year’s documentary “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Michael about his new film and also what we can expect next.
Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your latest project “More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead”?
Michael Perez: “More Brains” is a full feature documentary retrospective on the cult classic “The Return of The Living Dead”. Featuring Interviews from Every living cast member of the 1st film, and we have some great special features on parts 2 and 3 as well, featuring interviews from Michael Kenworthy and Suzanne Snyder.
MG: How long does the film run and tell us about the DVD release?
MP: The film is a 2 Hour featurette with about 2 hours of bonus features. And will be released on Oct 18th 2011.
MG: Out of the five “Return of the Living Dead” films
, what do you like most about each of them personally?
MP: Personally I only saw the first three, and each one brought something different. Each one got a different reaction out of me. The first film is more relatable than the others. When you see the kids (Thom Mathews / Beverly Randolph) and how they ran with that click, there is always clicks like that in high school. You have the sweet princess and then you have all the way down to the trashy girl. I think alot of people relate to it that way.
The 2nd film was just kind of like the 1st film re-done in a more comedic way. And the 3rd was a tragic love story. So each of those films bring something new.
MG: What was your most exciting interview that was scored for the project?
MP: That is a hard question, each person gave us something different. It really showed each person’s personality. But I have to admit, John Philbin is a truly funny guy.
MG: How do you feel that the zombie genre has changed over the years since “The Return of the Living Dead”?
MP: Well to be honest I don’t think it has changed that much, I think it changed when “ROTLD” came onto the scene. I feel that it was different before that. They all want brains…
MG: How does this project compare to working on “I Am Nancy” and “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy”?
MP: “I Am Nancy” is a great documentary, but more in live time. Where the cameras 
are following Heather around at all times. But as to the comparison of “Never Sleep Again” and “More Brains”… we go in depth and get every detailed story that the fans would want to hear. And we did have some of the same crew members such as (Producer and Editor) so you do get that fantastic NSA feel. I know the fans are going to love it.
MG: So we got “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Return of the Living Dead” covered, what’s next?
MP: You never know. I have been so lucky to have been a part of some of the most amazing retrospective Documentary’s and I love doing them. I get to learn everything that everyone else wants to know too. So this is just the beginning, where the road goes from here… who knows?
