MOVIE REVIEW: MISS BALA

A young woman battles a ruthless drug cartel to save her kidnapped friend in Mexico.

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Anthony Mackie

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for sequences of gun violence, sexual and drug content, thematic material, and language

Runtime: 1h 44 min

Review:

Miss Bala is a ridiculous crime drama that’s watchable mainly because of Gina Rodriguez.  Catherine Hardwicke’s directs the film with a generic hand delivering very little in terms of visual style.  It has an inherit blandness that almost guarantees that’ll you’ll forget about the film as soon as it’s over.  The script is a jumbled mess that’s filled with so many plot holes that thinking about any portion of the story for too long would cause it to collapse instantly.  The film’s saving grace is Gina Rodriguez.  Rodriguez screen presence translates well on to the big screen.  She carries the film well and makes the entire thing so much more watchable than it deserves to be.  It’s a shame the film isn’t up to her talents but it does show that Rodriguez can carry a film ably.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: ANNIHILATION

Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy, Annihilation stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac. It was written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later).

Director: Alex Garland

Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac

Release Date: Feb 22, 2018

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality

Runtime:  1 Hr 55 min

Review:

Annihilation, Alex Garland’s 2^nd directorial feature, is a lush, dense science fiction film that’s recalls Tarkovsky's Solaris, Kubrick’s 2001 mixed with a splash of Alien.  On its most basis level, it’s a fascinating decent into sci-fi madness.  Garland maintains a steady sense of uneasiness throughout, blending beautiful visuals with brutal and visceral moments straight out of classic creature features.  The flashbacks that pepper the film are a strong clue that Garland is after something deeper and more meaningful than a straight up science fiction film.  

Annihilation is the type of film that requires contemplation afterwards because it does not present you with easy answers.  Once you get past the trippy visuals, especially during the final act, and start dissecting what you’ve seen there’s plenty to think about and appreciate, similar to Denis Villeneuve’s The Arrival.  If there is a small draw back it’s that the characters are types and never overly developed outside of basic features and personality traits.  Still, the cast deliver strong performances across the board.  Natalie Portman is solid in the lead role, maintaining a steady sense of bewildered wonder and dogged determination. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac all turn in workman like performances servicing the film more than themselves.  Gina Rodriguez does leave a strong impression playing against type, at least to anyone familiar with her TV work, as the group’s tough girl.  As a whole, Annihilation should sate science fiction fans hunger for multi layered genre fare.

A