The ABCs of Death
Anthology films are part and parcel with cinematic enjoyment. A current release The ABCs of Death shows 26 modern directors working at the height of their film making skill.
The origins of this film lay within the film festival Fantastic Fest, where festival founder Tim League recruited directors whose films had played FF for the project. The result is an international cornucopia of visions and desires as seen through the eyes of contempo movie movers and shakers.
Indeed, one of the over two-dozen directors incudes Adam Wingard (Q is for Quack) whose You’re Next was a highlight at this year’s SXSW. Other familiar names that pop up as directors include Ti West (The Innkeepers), Bill Wheatley (Kill List), and Nacho Vigalondo (Time Crimes). The joy of this omnibus is seeing Spanish, Japanese, European and other international helmers added to the mix of unsuspecting Anglo directors.
My personal favorite segment was D is for Dogfight, a clever short that emphasizes dog point-of-view reaction shots into its macabre tale. Be warned, even if a particular short starts out sweet and lyrical it will end with bloodshed. Because this is the ABCs of Death, man.
The ABCs of Death will screen at the River Oaks Theater as a midnight movie (March 15 & 16) and will also have a brief engagement at various Alamo Drafthouse locations.
— Michael Bergeron
