DVD Collectors Online

The Abyss Boys, a review by Danae Cassandra

ANOTHER BONUS SHORT FILM!

Where We Are: South Africa
wikipedia

What We Watched:


The Abyss Boys
Year of Release: 2009
Starring:  Travis Snyders, Moegammad Ja'Qoob Isaacs, Brendon Daniels
Directed By:  Jan-Hendrik Beetge
Genre:  Drama, Crime

Overview:
Focus' Africa First program is an initiative designed exclusively for filmmakers of African nationality and residence, and presents annual awards to the best and brightest from around the continent. After touring film festivals around the world, these Africa First short films are now available for audiences everywhere:

Dyana Gaye's ST. LOUIS BLUES, an invigorating traveling musical; Jenna Bass' THE TUNNEL, a moving story of a young girl in search of her father; Jan-Hendrik Beetge's THE ABYSS BOYS a coming-of-age tale amidst rampant corruption and gang violence; and Wanuri Kahiu's PUMZI a startling vision of the future.

My Thoughts:
This was another powerful short film, this time about two boys caught up in abalone smuggling.  The oldest wants to get out, but the younger is still dazzled by the thoughts of the lucrative trade.  It's very realistic, or seems so to me, and doesn't end well for the boys, and the film ought to be shown to any youngster who thinks that a life of crime is cool.  Recommended and well worth watching, but again, don't expect a happy ending.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  4/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on March 13th, 2013)

The Birds, a review by Tom

Title: The Birds
Year: 1963
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Rating: 15
Length: 115 Min.
Video: Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Mono, German: Dolby Digital Mono
Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish

Stars:
Rod Taylor
Jessica Tandy
Suzanne Pleshette
'Tippi' Hedren
Veronica Cartwright

Plot:
Nothing equals The Birds for sheer terror when Alfred Hitchcock unleashes his foul friends in one of his most shocking and memorable masterpieces. As beautiful blonde Melanie Daniels ('Tippi' Hedren) rolls into Bodega Bay in pursuit of eligible bachelor Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor), she is inexplicably attacked by a seagull. Suddenly thousands of birds are flocking into town, preying on school-children and residents in a terrifying series of attacks. Soon Mitch and Melanie are fighting for their lives against a deadly force that can't be explained and can't be stopped in one of Hollywood's most horrific films of nature gone berserk.

Awards:

Academy Award	1963	Nominated	Best Special Effects	Ub Iwerks
AFI	1963	Nominated	100 Years... 100 Movies (1998)
AFI	1963	Won	100 Years... 100 Thrills (2001)
Golden Globe	1963	Won	New Star of the Year - Female	Tippi Hedren

Extras:
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Storyboard Comparisons
Tippi Hedren's Screen Test
Trailers
Universal News Reels

I am not very much of a horror film fan. I know these bird attacks should be creepy and all, but it just isn't doing it for me. Also the bird sounds were just annoying. For me it sounded like cats cries.

Also I feel that the first half of the movie is disconnected with the second half of the movie. I know most people find it okay that there is no reason given why the birds attack. Usually I would agree, but having no reason given just makes it seem like Mel arriving on the island and playing her prank and then the bird attacks are two movie storylines just thrown together for the fun of it. I had expected that her bringing the two love birds is the cause that the other birds were going crazy.

Rating:

(From Alfred Hitchcock Marathon on February 14th, 2010)

"Due South" marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

The Man Who Knew Too Little
This one is basically just an average episode. I have seen several better but then again I have seen a few that were worse. The guy they were transporting back to Canada looked familiar to me... but after looking him up he wasn't anyone I am familiar with. Just had one of those faces I guess.

My Rating:


(From "Due South" marathon on July 15th, 2009)