Welcome to November! And since it is Election Day in the USA, why not pick up and a movie and try to avoid the TV this week. First up is a new thriller starring Janelle Monáe, Antebellum. Monáe plays successful author and activist Veronica Henley. Veronica lives in Atlanta with her husband Nick (Marque Richardson) and daughter Kennedi (London Boyce). Veronica’s life is about to take a very dark turn as she seems to be targeted by a mysterious woman (Jena Malone). Veronica’s story is intercut with the story of Eden (also Monáe), a slave in a plantation run by Confederate soldiers. Eden is trying desperately to find a way to escape the plantation and the cruelties she and other slaves residing there suffer on a daily basis.
Antebellum is definitely one of those movies you don’t want to talk too much about as the greatest thing about it is witnessing the progression of its story. But I will say that filmmakers Gerard Bush + Christopher Renz (Bush + Renz) - best known for their pioneering advertising work engaged in the fight for social justice - write, produce and direct Antebellum as their first feature film and it is quite the debut. The film is lush and sweeping (apparently filmed with the actual lenses used to film Gone with the Wind) and the story is one that is very topical in today’s social and political climate. And Janelle Monáe…this is an impressive first lead role for the talented actor. Monáe has a solid resume already with roles in films like Moonlight, Hidden Figures and Welcome to Marwen, but her lead performance in Antebellum is sure to get her the leading roles she deserves going forward. Antebellum is entertaining and thrilling, but is also thought provoking and topical and beautifully made. Highly recommended.
Next up this week is an appropriate 4K debut of a classic cult favorite film, V for Vendetta. In an alternate 1998, Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) is an average citizen of the UK living under the fascist rule of the Norsefire Party. When Evey finds herself targeted by the government, she is taken in by an enigmatic and mysterious freedom fighter known only as V (Hugo Weaving). While being hidden by the masked hero, Evey begins to learn about his past and grows to have a powerful bond with V. Evey becomes an unlikely ally in V’s plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.
V for Vendetta is a unique and powerful movie based on a graphic novel series created by Alan Moore and the translation to the screen is brilliant. The movie has a very dark and moody feel with beautiful production design and wonderful direction by James McTeigue and a fantastic screenplay by The Wachowski’s. Portman and Weaving give incredible performances, Portman’s being one of her best in my opinion. There is political intrigue, romance, humor, awesome action sequences and heavy drama, all in a setting that is way too familiar right now, especially this week with what is maybe the most important U.S. Presidential election in modern history happening. With this new 4K release of V for Vendetta, there literally cannot be a better week to revisit this brilliant cult classic.
Also of note this week are new special editions of holiday classics How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is celebrating its 50th (!) Anniversary this year.
Until next week movie lovers, stay safe and U.S. friends, get out and VOTE!
DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Tuesday November 3, 2020
A Cat in Paris
A Charlie Brown Christmas 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Antebellum
Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection*
Catherine The Great: An HBO® Limited Series
Chico & Rita
Dragon Ball Z Season 1 (1989-1990)*
Dragon Ball Z Season 2 (1990-1991)*
Dragon Ball Z Season 3 (1991)*
Game of Thrones: The Complete Collection 4K
Hard Kill
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Ultimate Edition
I Was at Home, But...
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 4K Steelbook
Josie and the Pussycats: The Complete Series
Lake Michigan Monster (2018)*
Let’s Scare Julie
Man of the Year (2006)*
Misbehaviour
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Complete Collection
Resident Evil: The Complete Collection 4K
Ricky Zoom: Let's Zoom Out
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda (2017)
Seven Sinners (1940)*
Spongebob Squarepants: The Spongebob Musical: Live on Stage!
The Crown: The Complete Third Season
The Meaning of Christmas 5-Movie Collection
The Secret Of Kells (2009)
The Shepherd of the Hills (1941)*
V for Vendetta (2006) 4K
Waxworks (1924)*
*Catalog Blu-ray debut