For decades, George Romero was closely associated with his home town of Pittsburgh, where he shot all of his best films: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, MARTIN, DAWN OF THE DEAD, the mine sequences of DAY OF THE DEAD, and even MONKEYSHINES. In 2000, he switched locales to Toronto, Canada, for BRUISER. Apparently he had such a great experience on that oft maligned production that he moved to Toronto lock, stock and barrel, and that's where he shot LAND OF THE DEAD and DIARY OF THE DEAD.

In any case, last week Romero made it official: he became a citizen of Canada, land of green hills, untouched forestry, deep snow - and universal health care. The switch is understandable (especially given the current state of health care "reform" in the U.S.): the 72-year-old Romero has become a fixture of Toronto film festivals and horror conventions, and he can make appearances without the need for cumbersome travel.

I don't know about you, but I definitely prefer the man's Pittsburgh zombies to their Canadian brethren; I guess SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD will tell the tale. What do you think?