DVD Collectors Online

The Driver, a review by GSyren

Title	The Driver (851789-003542)
Director	Walter Hill
Actors	Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, Ronee Blakley, Matt Clark
Produced	1978 in United States
Runtime	89 minutes
Audio	English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Music Only DTS-HD Master Audio 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles	English
Overview	Writer-director Walter Hill's 1978 study of professionalism and obsession stars Ryan O'Neal as the ultimate getaway friver, a sleek crook who's never been caught, and Bruce Dern as the cop who's determined to make the collar. Isabelle Adjani glamorously co-stars as the woman in the case, along with a full range of 1970s character actors. The gritty/glittering cityscapes are by Philip Lathrop, and the spare, moody score (available here as an isolated track) by the one and only Michael Small.
My thoughts	On IMDb someone headlined his review of this film have
My rating

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on May 30th, 2014)

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 One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

What's the show about?
This is a children's show from East Germany. It was the second in the "Spuk" series. 200 years ago an inkeeper and his wife used to rob rich travelers until a police officer stops them. He curses them to do seven good deeds or else they won't rest in piece.

"Feuer und Wasser"
(lit. "Fire and Water")
After they've accidentally killed a police officer who tried to stop them robbing their customers both the innkeeper and his wife die when the inn burns to the ground. But since they had been cursed they don't stay dead. Now - 200 years later - they awake again and can only find piece when they do seven good deeds. But where their tavern used to be is now an apartment complex (in East Berlin) and a strange new world.

My Opinion
I can only repeat what I've said before: When I was a kid I enjoyed this seven-part show. So when it became available on DVD I bought it purely for sentimental reasons. But if you're having small children, it's still a great story.

(From The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon on April 4th, 2013)