This is not a flighty movie

Rating: Null/10 (19 April 2004)

Due to the large number of references to this movie in The Simpsons, my children had a keen interest in seeing this movie. It's been around thirty years since I'd seen it, so I felt it was about time for a second viewing.
Like Psycho, the movie opens with a blond woman who's just a little bit bad. Fortunately, Hitchcock lets her live longer than he let Janet Leigh. The woman is an unusual character...almost malevalent, even when she is flirting.
The first fifty minutes are spent introducing the characters and building relationships. There is a single bird attack, beautifully directed, during this period.
My children were skeptical about a bunch of birds being a threat; however, the scenes of the mass attacks by the gulls, ravens and sparrows MAKE you believe.
One last thing: I'm sure that this is often talked about, but I have to say that I was impressed with the sequence in the schoolyard. The woman is smoking and listening to the children sing as a few crows perch on the playground equipment. They cut away for a moment and then there are hundreds behind her. Very well done...
If you haven't seen this movie, I would heartily recommend it...