The Inheritance

A family has a reunion in the snow where they plan to ask their rich uncle for money. However, the uncle has other plans.

What attracted me to this film was Keith David being in the cast, whom I have loved ever since "They Live". His role is a bit smaller than the rest, but he still had enough screen time that it went beyond a cameo and was quite enjoyable. (He also served as an executive producer.)

What might stand out for people is the almost all-black cast. Producer Effie Brown says the film was designed to be "universal", in that although the family is black it is not a "black movie" and can appeal to everyone -- the theme of a group of people stranded somewhere facing death is a common horror motif. And Brown is right -- although the background to the story ties in to slavery, there is nothing about this film that would alienate the audience due to race. Interestingly, this had been a concern of the marketing department, and hence the figure on the cover was made racially ambiguous.

For those who really find watching a film with black people uncomfortable, the inclusion of the white couple, with their cracks about black people, snow and barbecue, should help smooth things over for you. But if that is what you need to survive the film, I am not sure what it says about you.

The story itself is decent, though at times it drags on. The cinematography is good, though some of it came across as MTV-style with its quick cuts and time-elapsed scenes. I am referring in particular to the montage in front of the cabin where we see the snowmobile coming and going, but apparently never leaving the front yard. What I found to be the best part was the clever idea of making "The Flesh Is The Strength" deteriorate into another phrase. (Though why Shakabazz prefers English is a mystery.)

This is not the horror film of the year, but it is not a failure, either. The creators tried to do a little something different, and in that they succeeded. The goal was also to make it capable of becoming a franchise... whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but the potential is there.

The Principals.

Henry - Profession: Fighter. Social status in the setting: Alpha male. Attributes: Great voice and way of talking; smooth, masculine. Recommendation: Higher this guy to do late night radio or malt liquor commercials.

Simpson - Profession: Programmer. Social status in the setting: Wimp. Attributes: Resembles Spike Lee. Recommendation: Take to parties, but leave behind if you have serious sh!t to do --like maybe saving your life.

Karen - Profession: Stability and regular checks (Don't ask). Social status in the setting: Alpha female. Attributes: Attractive almond eyes and there is some evidence that one could have intense bathroom sex with her. Recommedation: Loan one of her balls to Simpson.

Lilly - Profession: Cook. Social status in the setting: Virgin. Well, "lesbian" --close enough for the cult. Attributes: Attractive light brown eyes and a good run-away-companion if you need one. Surprised Simpson didn't take the tip. Recommendation: Hire her for your ritual dances or your next bachelor or bachelorette party.

Tyrone - Profession: Writer. Social status in the setting: I'm not sure. Attributes: Nondescript. Can groan good if injured, though. Recommendation: Hire if you need someone to blend into the background.

Uncle Melvin - Profession: Something lucrative. Social status in the setting: Lead elder. Attributes: Self-assured. Recommendation: Use him if you need someone to nonchalantly pull the switch at an execution. Additional comments: More than likely will single-handedly send the demand for bathroom locks sky high.

The movie begins with a brief glimpse of the roots of a generational cult that began at some point during the days of slavery. Present day: Oblivious of this, 5 black cousins (3 men, 2 women) and a white couple are driving to a family reunion with the "elders" of their 5 wealthy black families. It is winter time and there are some complaints. When they finally arrive, their host "uncle Melvin" is not there but has left them a box of booze on the bar in the mean time. I don't have to tell you that they appreciated that.

After screwing around a bit with a snow mobile and some snowball fights, they return inside to settle down and acquaint themselves anew with glasses of uncle Melvin's fine booze; the quality of which is verified by the fact that the white couple cannot keep their hands off each other and are forced to retire for modesty's sake after some looks from the others. After they leave there is some entertaining, well acted dialog about each other's motive for being there and why one of the cousins (Simpson) brought his boss and his wife with him (you guessed right; the white couple). About 22 minutes or so into the film uncle Melvin and his crew of old people --sorry, "elders" --show up. He shortly gives the cousins a history lesson about their roots and their deliverer. He tells of the appearance of a compelling black man with supernatural powers who makes promises of freedom, wealth, and prosperity to some slaves in exchange for sacrifices to him. The film takes us back in time to graphically illustrate this while he narrates. Meantime, the cousins look on incredulously (save Tyrone who's as serious as a judge). No one more so than Simpson who looks like he's about to have a fit of laughter and eventually does. --For a price though.

The Inheritance is an interesting addition to the horror genre because it is horror from the perspective of black people; their culture and history. But beyond the window dressing of an almost all-black cast The Inheritance is also interesting because it has strong visualizations; is creatively and stylishly filmed. As well, it has excellent (very believable) dramatic acting that draws you in. Usually in a horror movie you can't wait for the creature, the monster, the freak --or whatever-- to make a show. But in this movie (for me, anyway) the horror or supernatural aspect was only an "exotic backdrop" for interesting dramatic dialog and interaction. In other words, I found I was more interested in the people than anything else. So much so that I forgot --or didn't care that it was supposed to be a horror movie. Good thing too, because this movie is more interesting and entertaining as a "drama" and "group character study" than as a horror movie. Love, Boloxxi

I don't know why i even wasting my time watching this movie! Seriously, the acting was bad, the actors, the setting, all of it was bad! (If there other bad word to describe it, it would be it!)

The acting was the worst. It's a movie with a great poster but worst in everything else!! (Believe me when i said it was bad!! You don't want to waste your time watching this).

The scenes are gibberish! At a time you was here, and suddenly you just there (somewhere else) without even logic explanation. You don't even know how the characters got there.So, as for you guys who doesn't watch this movie yet, DON'T!!!

This movie starts out boring...and then just gets progressively...worse...boring characters...boring plot...I believe the whole budget of this movie went to buying cover art for the blue ray and DVD. Don't watch it...don't waste your time..you want a good horror movie...go rent...Matrys or Piranaha 3d...anything...is better than this ...movie...I'm surprised Uwe bull didn't direct it..I can't believe I wasted time watching this movie...Even the camera angles/lighting...all feels..cheap..cheap ...cheap...The folks in this movie...should definitely not quit their day jobs and actually read the script before they decided to just work it for a paycheck.

Racism is internalized by the people who are victimized by it. How else can you explain a movie where a group of enslaved Africans turn to an African "witchdoctor" to free them in exchange for sacrificing their children. Right - I won't say what happens in the movie, but the depiction of African religious beliefs -you know the religious belief of Africans when they were free in Africa before they were enslaved and made into "Christians" -are horrible and misleading. If people who consider themselves "white," made this movie - the NAACP, the NBA, and all of Compton would be up in protest. Yes the slave mentality exists so much that people today would rather stick to the religion given to them by their slave masters than take time to really learn about what their ancestors actually believed when they were FREE in Africa. The saddest thing is that there are some good actors and notable actors in the movie - one guess they hadn't read the script until showing up or were so desperate for a check due to Hollywood's paucity of acting jobs for black people they decided to do it anyway. It's very sad indeed of the stereotypes and pure ignorance that black people have been indoctrinated with regarding their natural belief systems. I guess our hair and skin were not the only things whitewashed or we were made to hate over the past 400 years. The search for positive and accurate black images continue -shoot, right now I'd just settle for something accurate based on Hollywood's continual racist b.s. This time done in black face.