Mind-Bending Sci-Fi I: Annihilation đș
Mind-Bending Sci-Fi I: Annihilation đș
In movie news: Netflix's 'Breaking Bad' movie is almost here and it has a trailer
âïž Happy Monday!
Today, weâre kicking off a new theme and with the terrific Ad Astra in theaters now â ICYMI, I sent out a bonus review on Sunday â I thought itâd be the perfect time to talk about mind-bending science fiction movies đ§Ș. Other than horror â more on that next month â sci-fi is my favorite genre. And the movies Iâm recommending this week are some of my favorite of all time.
In movie news, what we know about the new Breaking Bad movie and Oscars equal more đ° for filmmakers at Netflix?
Okay, hereâs day 1ïžâŁ.
Todayâs movie: Annihilation
STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO & HULU
What itâs about: After an anomalous area that becomes known as âThe Shimmerâ appears on the southern coast, the government sets up a facility to explore it. However, no team that has gone into âThe Shimmerâ has returned â until Kane (Oscar Isaac) emerges weak and near-death. His wife, biologist Lena (Natalie Portman), signs up for the latest expedition led by Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to find answers. What she discovers is far more confounding than sheâd ever imagined.
Why itâs great: In âThe Shimmer,â the laws of nature donât apply, leading to some stunning and terrifying sequences involving the living things enveloped by the area â youâll never look at a bear the same way again. Director Alex Garland has a unique ability to get under your skin with the movieâs imagery, but the real beauty of Annihilation is whatâs under the surface.
Itâs a movie about humanity and our propensity for self-destruction. The movie has monsters, but the biggest monster is ourselves. With a chilling, impressionistic third act and a killer score by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, Annihilation ranks among my favorite movies of the decade.
The key players:
đŹ Alex Garland
đ Alex Garland
đ Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, Oscar Isaac
The details: âł 115 minutes // đ 2018 // đș Trailer // đ My review
Fun fact: After a poorly received press screening, an executive at Paramount said the movie was âtoo intellectualâ and âtoo complicatedâ and demanded changes be made. Producer Scott Rudin refused and the released version is Garlandâs exact vision. If that doesnât make you want to watch it, I donât know what will.
Donât have Prime Video or Hulu? Annihilation is available to buy or rent on Prime Video, iTunes, and YouTube.
In movie news: Netflixâs Breaking Bad movie has a trailer
âïž El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie premiered a new trailer during last nightâs Primetime Emmy Awards that hints at what the movie will be about. It was also revealed that Jonathan Banksâ Mike Ehrmantraut will appear joining Aaron Paul reprising his Emmy-winning role of Jesse Pinkman.
When you can watch it: The movie will be streaming on Netflix on October 11th in addition to a limited theatrical release. However, it will not make Oscar eligibility rules.
đ° Netflix, which has been luring in major filmmakers like Noah Baumbach, Martin Scorcese, and Dee Rees, is planning to give out bonuses for projects that prove âsuccessful.â How will they define success? It depends on the project. More mainstream movies will aim for high viewership numbers. Prestige movies will aim for awards-season success.
My take: As Bloomberg points out, back-end deals â where filmmakers will share in a filmâs profits â arenât a new thing in Hollywood. However, theyâre nearly impossible with the streaming model, hence this plan. Whether these incentives are enough to keep big-name talent coming to Netflix is yet to be seen.
Thatâs all for today! If you like or dislike a recommendation, let me know by replying to this email! Always up for a movie discussion.
Have a great week,
Karl (@karl_delo)