The ABCs of Death Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The ABCs of Death" on Blu-ray delivers a mixed visual experience, largely reflecting the diverse array of filmmaking techniques and camera equipment utilized across its 26 short films. Most prominent are the segments shot with the Red Camera, which boast exceptional detail, vibrant colors, and a captivating range of visual textures. The aspect ratio is a standard 1.78:1. The transfer is faithful to the filmmakers’ varying aesthetic choices, though this results in some inconsistency. Colors shift dramatically, from the intensely bold primaries seen in "Youngbuck" with its striking reds and oranges, to the more muted, jaundiced palette of "Vagitus." The contrast varies starkly among the shorts, giving viewers anything from the bright, high-glitz neon hues to dark, shadow-filled scenes. Blacks are generally deep and consistent, though deliberate stylistic choices occasionally lead to washed-out grays.

Detail levels range from staggeringly crisp to intentionally diffuse. Close-ups reveal intricate details such as skin texture and minor imperfections, demonstrating the high-def capabilities of Blu-ray. However, not all shorts maintain this sharpness; some feature softer, more stylized imagery. Noise and grain are present in various degrees, sometimes distinctly artificial. Certain shorts suffer from technical artifacts like banding and aliasing, which are particularly noticeable during highly saturated scenes and rapid movements. These issues are consistent across different display setups, making them inherent to the digital source rather than the playback environment.

Overall, while not all viewers will appreciate the eclectic visual presentation, "The ABCs of Death" Blu-ray delivers a compelling and faithful rendition of the filmmakers' varied artistic visions. Despite some encoding issues and visual inconsistencies, the high definition reveals an authenticity and richness that DVD cannot match, making it worth watching in this format.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The ABCs of Death" offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that, despite its heavily frontal bias, delivers a richly detailed and immersive auditory experience. The dialogue, although sparse, comes through with clarity and is audibly distinct, ranging from crystalline to purposefully mumbled accents. While the rear channels remain relatively silent, this doesn’t detract from the overall experience because the sound mix is meticulously engineered. Intricate details like the creaking of furniture, the twisting of bonds, and the shredding of flesh are vividly amplified, particularly noted in segments like Removal and XXL. This attention to fine detail ensures that every gristle-snapping sound is both sinewy and squirm-inducing.

The bass performance is notably robust and consistent, enhancing the atmospheric effects, soundtracks, and on-screen impacts with ample power. Even though the lower frequency effects (LFE) are the primary elements filling the surround environment, they offer a winning sense of immersion. Episodes like Toilet and Wheatley’s Unearthed showcase the subwoofer's capacity to reverberate dynamically around the listening space, contributing significantly to the narrative's more intense moments. While directional steering isn't prominently featured except in shorts like Vagitus, the overall ambient presence maintains a threatening wall of sound that is both engaging and enveloping.

Moreover, the audio quality does vary based on each short’s sound design and recording quality. While some segments possess a lo-fi quality, the majority maintain a functional and pleasing auditory standard. The music, when used, is richly spread throughout the soundfield, adding to the immersive experience. Notable is the synth track in Youngbuck by Power Glove, which stands out due to its energetic and nostalgic 80s vibe. Overall, while not groundbreaking, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is robustly executed, ensuring that every sound detail and musical note enhances the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The ABCs of Death" offer a comprehensive and insightful look into the making of this ambitious anthology. Each segment includes detailed filmmaker commentaries, providing an in-depth understanding of the directors' creative processes and challenges. Key highlights include behind-the-scenes featurettes for more than half of the shorts, revealing unique directorial approaches and production techniques. These are supplemented by deleted scenes, interviews, and visual effects breakdowns. Notably, Jason Eisener's commentaries are a standout, showcasing the effort to maintain audience engagement through innovative horror storytelling. Subtitles are provided for foreign filmmakers' segments, ensuring accessibility. The inclusion of trailers and a brief overview by the filmmakers via AXS TV adds value, making the extras a rich resource for horror enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker Commentary: Insights from directors and crew.
• A is for Apocalypse: Oil Burns Visual Effects.
• B is for Bigfoot: Making Of.
• C is for Cycle: Deleted Scenes.
• D is for Dogfight: Making Of.
• F is for Fart: Behind the Scenes.
• H is for Hydroelectric Diffusion: Various behind-the-scenes content.
• I is for Ingrown: Making Of.
• J is for Jidai-Geki: Behind the Scenes.
• P is for Pressure: Interviews.
• R is for Removed: Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery.
• T is for Toilet: Behind the Scenes.
• V is for Vagitus: Deleted Scene, Behind the Scenes, and Animatics.
• W is for WTF: Behind the Scenes, Bonus Flubs, and Star-beast Outtakes.
• Z is for Zetsumetsu: Behind the scenes on the madness and chaos.
• AXS TV: A Look at The ABCs of Death: Filmmaker overview.
• Trailers: Red and Green Band versions.

"The ABCs of Death" presents a fascinating yet uneven anthology, featuring 26 short horror films directed by emerging filmmakers worldwide. With production budgets capped at $5,000 and total creative freedom, each segment revolves around a letter of the alphabet and a corresponding death-related word. The resultant collection spans a range of themes and styles, from gory practical effects to bizarre fantasies, often prioritizing shock value over genuine scares. Despite its wildly inconsistent quality, the anthology serves as a cinematic buffet, catering to varied horror tastes and showcasing the innovative, albeit sometimes questionable, imaginations of its directors.

Individual segments vary broadly in concept and execution. "A is for Apocalypse" opens with visceral gore as a woman attempts to kill her husband before an impending apocalypse arrives. "B is for Bigfoot" misleadingly features no bigfoot but centers around a deranged garbage collector wielding a serrated pizza cutter. "D is for Dogfight" stands out with slow-motion cinematography depicting a brutal match between a man and a dog, raising ethical concerns about animal harm. Other notable entries include "F is for Fart," which delves into an eccentric fetish, and "U is for Unearthed," offering a unique vampire hunt shot from the monster's perspective.

While many segments employ gross-out imagery and ironic twists, some delve into complex social or psychological issues. "T is for Toilet," executed in claymation, captures a toddler's irrational fear of the toilet, while "X is for XXL" provides potent social commentary on body image through graphic self-mutilation. Conversely, segments like "G is for Gravity" and "I is for Ingrown" struggle with execution, feeling either underwhelming or excessively uncomfortable. Despite these disparities, "The ABCs of Death" remains an intriguing, if not wholly palatable, exploration of modern horror filmmaking.

"The ABCs of Death" is an ambitious anthology that spans the varied landscape of modern horror, serving up 26 short films from a global array of directors. Each chapter focuses on a different cause of death, delivering an unpredictable blend of styles and tones. The vignettes range from surreal absurdities to deeply unsettling explorations of taboo subjects. While the concept isn’t ground-breaking, the execution displays a considerable degree of creativity and audacity. Visuals are strikingly diverse, with each director employing unique techniques to craft their narrative.

Despite its patchwork nature, "The ABCs of Death" consistently maintains an edge that will appeal to genre aficionados. Viewers will encounter everything from hilarious hara-kiri to furry Nazi strippers, experiencing a gamut of emotions from laughter to discomfort. The introspective take on mortality is often laced with dark humor, making it a thought-provoking ride through humanity's grim fascination with death. Not all segments hit the mark, but the sheer variety ensures there is something intriguing for everyone willing to engage with its visceral content.

Magnolia's Blu-ray release does justice to the film's eclectic visual array with a solid transfer that highlights the myriad shooting styles. The extensive bonus material includes behind-the-scenes features for many shorts and a comprehensive filmmaker commentary that enriches the viewing experience. This collection, though not for the faint-hearted or easily-offended, offers a compelling glimpse into the chaotic and inventive directions that modern horror can take.

That’s my joke, that … and you know what? It would have made the perfect tagline for this film. "The ABCs of Death" may not be as revolutionary as it purports to be, but it stands out for its thrilling, inventive, and often outrageous approach. If you have an interest in exploring vicarious, vicious, and varied depictions of death through cinema, plunge into the chaos this ambitious project offers and embrace the convoluted journey of learning your ABC's of Death.