Annihilation: Reductionist Media

Shirleon and Kathryn join Melvin to discuss Annihilation, Alex Garland’s sophomore feature adaption of Jeff VanderMeer’s celebrated weird-fiction book. Additionally, both Kathryn and Melvin have read the book, so how does the movie stack up? Also, what is the movie trying to say? Tune in to find out! 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 45-minutes discussing leaked Avengers: Doomsday concept art, characters that are included, the surprising setting and aesthetic, suspicions regarding character backstory, who the heroes will be, and whether we’re excited or not. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• The gang steps away from Annihilation conflicted, and they discuss the different things that impeded their enjoyment.
• The movie is so loosely based on the book that they only share Area X, small plot details, and distant interpretations of characters.
• Melvin begins his critical descent into madness, and how he feels Annihilation is “just a stupid movie based on a smart and moving book”.
• He also complains about reductionism in popular culture; quippy jokes defining a film’s reputation, the tiktokification of public spaces, and interpreting kindness and manners as sexual interest.
• Kathryn shares some of her beef with the characters, frustrated that everyone’s “tragic backstory” is so rudimentary.
• Despite it being a “theme”, the film has nothing to say about self-destruction.
• Discussing a few key scenes and going script doctor.
• Sharing our interpretations of the ending and wishing the film was weirder.
• Melvin monologues his frustrations one last time.

Recommendations:

• At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft (1936) (Short Story)
• Cult of the Lamb (2022) (Video Game)
• Prometheus (2012) (Movie)

Annihilation is Rated R for violence, bloody images, language, and some sexuality. It features Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Benedict Wong, Sonoya Mizuno, David Gyasi, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny. Directed by Alex Garland. Annihilation is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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