Two creepy but creative films top the new releases for the week of Dec. 8.
“Possessor Uncut”: Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips described this second film from writer-director Brandon Cronenberg as “crazy-gory.” Here, Cronenberg follows in the footsteps of his famous filmmaker father, David.
In “Possessor,” the consciousness of a contract killer is implanted into the body of another person in order to carry out a murder. It’s not for the faint of heart, but Phillips writes: “The best of Cronenberg’s nightmare is pure, imaginative immersion.”
“She Dies Tomorrow”: This is a plague story with real relevance, about a virus of sorts that’s passed from person to person. It’s not a pathogen, but an idea: knowing that you will die tomorrow.
Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh found it infectious. In her review, Walsh wrote: “Using simple but effective lighting, sound and editing techniques, coupled with performance, director Amy Seimetz creates a terrifyingly unsettling experience of transmission.
Editing and sound are superbly intertwined into an unsteady rhythm, as editor Kate Brokaw’s cutting lulls and lingers before it smashes.
With a sparse script, this mastery of film craft and form fills in the rest, creating a sensory cinematic experience of what the characters undergo emotionally.”
Also new on DVD
“Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone”: A new edit of “The Godfather III” on the 30th anniversary of its release
“Hawaii Five-0 (2010): The Complete Series”: All 10 seasons of the CBS drama starring Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.
“Mister Roberts”(1955): Henry Fonda, James Cagney and Jack Lemmon star in John Ford film about misfit crew of World War II supply ship. Lemmon won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role.
“Bobbleheads: The Movie”: Ballpark novelty gifts come to life.
“The Secrets She Keeps”: Australian series based on thriller by Michael Robotham.
“The Sommerdahl Murders”: Danish murder-mystery series based on books by Anna Grue.
“Faith Under Fire”: Toni Braxton stars as a woman who faces down a gunman at an elementary school.
“Proxima”: An astronaut (Eva Green) readies herself and her young daughter as she preps for a yearlong mission in space.
“Smiley Face Killers”: Horror film inspired by urban legend about string of deaths in the Midwest.
“Yellowstone: Season 3”: Kevin Costner stars as patriarch of powerful ranching family.
Digital HD
“Total Recall”: The 1990 sci-fi hit starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone is available for the first time on 4K Ultra HD in a three-disc set for its 30th anniversary.
“Collateral”: 2004 thriller starring Tom Cruise as a hit man and Jamie Foxx as the cab driver forced to drive him around Los Angeles. Directed by Michael Mann.
“The Black Book of Father Dinis”: French film follows the lives of an orphan and his nurse, who both have mysterious pasts.
“Guitar Man”: A failed musician helps at-risk youth.
