Overview: In the wake of his older brother's death, 13-year-old Dayveon spends the sweltering summer days roaming his rural Arkansas town. When he falls in with a local gang, he becomes drawn to the camaraderie and violence of their world.

DVD Verdict: As this virtuously, and unselfishly devoted to the cause film opens, we hear, "Everything stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.” It turns out to be the first thought from lead character Dayveon (Devin Blackmon), the 13-year-old protagonist of Amman Abbasi’s heartfelt debut.

Dayveon is suffering, that's for sure. Surrounded by senseless killings and beatings, this boy from the muddy backroads of Arkansas home (none more than a cabin, to be honest), he lives with his sister Kim (Chasity Moore) and her own small child, Mook (Lachion Buckingham Jr).

Dayveon’s father is not in the picture, nor is his mother,leaving the only person in his life to love and respect, no matter what, his older brother Trevor (although his presence is now only portrayed by a portrait that hangs on Dayveon’s wall; because Trevor was recently shot and killed.

Dayveon’s aimless days are now inclusive of Kim’s boyfriend, Bryan (Dontrell Bright), an easygoing man, it’s immediately clear that Bryan desperately wants to be the father figure Dayveon needs.

But Dayveon and his best friend Brayden (Kordell Johnson) are being drawn in another direction, towards the hardened Bloods (including Marquell Manning and Lachion Buckingham), who still call Trevor one of their own.

Everything here in 'Dayveon' feels real and I felt a connection to these characters as if I grew up with them personally. Once you feel emotionally connected to the characters I feel as though the director and writer have both accomplished something special.

Sure, at times the film can be slow, but the pace and overall vibe I got from this film really inspired me to search out other such genre's of cinematic work. I hope it inspires you to do the same also. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1:85.1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

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