Annihilation, the movie written and directed by Alex Garland, based on Jeff VanderMeer’s book, is up for a Hugo Award. Kathryn saw the movie, enjoyed it, and remembered Elizabeth had read the book and reviewed it, so she suggested Elizabeth watch the movie. This was the conversation the next day. (Warning, some spoilers below.)
Elizabeth Oh by the way, I finished Annihilation!
Kathryn What did you think?
Elizabeth Beautifully filmed. I didn’t like it.
Kathryn Aw. I think some of the imagery completely overwhelmed any story problems for me.
Especially Lena’s first view of the lighthouse at the end, damn.
Elizabeth The cinematography’s gorgeous, all the acting is spot on. I just finished it with the exact same feeling I had with the book: “…what was the point of all of that??”
Kathryn Did they get even a little close to the book’s story by the end?
Elizabeth It’s been five years since I read the book, I really can’t remember. Somehow I don’t think the endings were anywhere near the same, but I really couldn’t tell ya.
I’d say “I should reread the book” but damn, I do not want to.
Kathryn I read the book summary on Wikipedia, but I didn’t really absorb anything from it, too convoluted.
Elizabeth It’s not even a long book, but it just seemed so pointless.
Kathryn I feel like the ending of the movie indicated that there would be a sequel, but I think it wasn’t a box-office blowout so no one’s jumped at the chance to make it.
And I loved the music.
Elizabeth My goodness that creature that roared with the sounds of the one character screaming, YIPE.
Kathryn Oo yes, very nicely chilling bit there.
Elizabeth EXTREMELY.
I’d been about to go to bed and it got to the bit where the monster RIPPED HER FACE OFF.
Kathryn Just a half-second glimpse of the carnage, but it was more than enough for me.
Elizabeth Whoo boy.
Elizabeth So that’s the same director as Ex Machina?
Kathryn Yes indeed
Elizabeth I think it’s the same composers too.
Kathryn He’s only directed two movies, but you know what other movie he wrote?
28 Days Later.
Elizabeth NO WAY
Man alive, I loved that movie. And Ex Machina. But this one….eh?
It seems to be having the opposite effect on me as the first Transformers movie: the longer I sit with it the less I dislike it. Probably cause it was so pretty.
Kathryn He’s got a TV show coming out this year called “Devs”, one that he’s writing AND directing. Should be interesting at the very least.
I’ve found both of his movies to be great for sitting down with a snack and a drink and a crafts project.
Elizabeth Meaning this one and Ex Machina?
Kathryn Yep, something about the atmospheric music in both of them is very calming.
Elizabeth True, though both are so pretty I hate to look away from the screen.
