K.T Simpson
“Antebellum” is one of those horror films that hides its truths until the bitter end. The plot of the film comments directly to the term “antebellum”, which refers to a time period before a war, and is widely associated with the pro-slavery American South in the pre-Civil War years.
The film is better going into with an open mind, and not knowing too much about the back story. The central character Veronica (Janelle Monáe) – who is also known as Eden while enslaved – has a rich backstory and her place within the camp remains in question the whole time.
One of the big questions that hovers over the audience for the duration is the timelines, and the era its set in. But to answer those questions, you’ll have to stick it out til the end. “Antebellum” will hook you in with its relevant themes and horror subtext – directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz have created something quite original and intriguing.
If you thought those likely-doctored nudie photos of the POTUS were scary, “Possessor” takes body horror to another level. Not surprisingly, the gory, uniquely demented and very crafty piece is the product of a Cronenberg – in this case “Dead Zone” director David’s son Brandon.
The high-tech, highly-scarring tale of an elite assassin that uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies, it encompasses all the familiar traits of a Cronenberg production – a bleak, alternate view of the now (in this case, Canada 2008), lavishly designed and eye-jarring practical effects, and the kind of dynamite performances (Andrea Riseborough is especially good as our transformative killer) not uncommon for a film bearing this family name.
At times the film may feel a little like a homage to Cronenberg senior – or even the works of Vincenzo Nitali and Bernard Rose – but the proficient craftsmanship and ingenuity behind the piece overshadow any meekly perceptible similarities with other movies. Let “Possessor” wash away the horrors of 2020 with a tale even more terrifying than the daily newspaper headlines.
“The War With Grandpa” is your typical family movie, with Robert DeNiro as the grandpa that has to move in with his daughter (Uma Thurman), and subsequently kicking grandson Peter (Oakes Fegley) out of his bedroom and into the attic. A war breaks out between the two, with Peter determined to re-claim his territory from grandpa.
Despite rules being put into place, the war gets ugly quickly, and starts to threaten family events.
“The War With Grandpa” doesn’t encroach upon any new territory, and is fairly predictable – but an enjoyable family comedy nonetheless. If you want some mindless viewing, put this one on for the family.
