GAME NIGHT
Board games,video games any type of games are the foundation for the relationship and love between Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams).
When Max's brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) who seems to one up Max in everything and suggest they change their group game night to something a bit bolder something fun becomes even funnier.
First there were some ultra predictable moments right from the start,but thanks to some sharp writing from
Mark Perez and direction from John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein and a beyond capable cast the movie is able to leap over its predictableness
The cast including:Jason Bateman,Rachel McAdams,Billy Magnussen,Sharon Horgan,Lamorne Morris,Kylie Bunbury,Jesse Plemons and Kyle Chandler work well as an ensemble,and when they are paired off.
The film also has several great cameos.
There are great rapid fire one liners,sight gags and oh what was really surprising were the great visuals,and pulsing soundtrack
The movie was completely aware of itself,knowing when to end a running gag that pays off and when to say hey we know we just hit you with this twist several times so were going to end it here.
So aside from maybe a dull moment or two and the aforementioned predictable turns this was a really good,very funny February surprise.
Scale of 1-10 an 8½
Annihilation
In Annihilation Director/Writer Alex Garland melds together great themes from horror movies like The Descent
and some classic Sci Fi films.
For the most part this blend works as this story of a group of military scientists who enter "The Shimmer," a mysterious quarantined zone that is full of mutating landscapes and creatures.
The cast which includes :Natalie Portman,Jennifer Jason Leigh,Gina Rodriguez,Tessa Thompson,Tuva Novotny
and Oscar Isaac are completely capable.
Garland places the audience with the scientists.Scenes were filmed in a certain way in which it felt like i was actually in the film. I was as curious and mesmerized as the scientists were as the beauty of"The Shimmer entrances them and the deadly creatures prowl around them.
There are some scenes that were absolutely terrifying and not for the faint of heart.
Hats off to the sound mixers and editors.The film provides a wonderful visual spectacle.
Some interesting things are brought up and reflected on but unfortunately are never spoken of again.There is a scene in which the SFX was a bit choppy,and there is a predictable turn.
In the end for such a thought provoking narrative the film ends up in a pretty basic been there done that place.
Not a perfect movie but not one i can dismiss either,im glad it has sparked some great conversation,and i hope people check it out and share their opinions.
Scale of 1-10 a 7½