Annihilation -- the film,not the experience — is creepy. Very creepy. There are elements of traditional horror in the latest film from Alex Garland (Ex Machina), which is based not very closely on the Jeff VanderMeer novel of the same name. But more than that, or it's a film that capitalizes on its ability to create creeping,visceral dread.
Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, or Gina Rodriguez,Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotny play women on an expedition into a mysterious and risky place known as "the shimmer." In places, it's a traditional intrepid (brave in the face of danger)-team-fights-beasties film with echoes of films like Alien. But it doesn't stay in that mode.
To talk approximately this really strange film, and Stephen Thompson and I were joined by noted Alien enthusiast Chris Klimek,as well as member station WAMU's Daisy Rosario. We talk — with as few spoilers as possible, though feel free to go in cold the way some of us did — approximately the film, and the score,the visuals, the pacing, and why it's so much fun to watch some of these actresses extend their reach.
We also talk approximately what's making us cheerful. Stephen is cheerful approximately an strange Olympic tale. Chris is cheerful approximately a new book approximately 2001: A Space Odyssey,as well as approximately his own piece revisiting a couple of key elements. Daisy is cheerful approximately beautiful bald brown women, as she puts it, and including one she spotted at the NBA All-Star Game. And I am cheerful approximately a piece of absolute trash that's less guilt-inducing for me than other pieces of trash I hold enjoyed.
Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter: me,Stephen, Chris, or Daisy,the show, producer Jessica, or producer emeritus Mike. Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more,visit http://www.npr.org/.
Source: thetakeaway.org