"Civil War" Review - PLUS: Movies, Minds, and Mayhem - Alex Garland’s Career Retrospective

Needs Some Introduction - Day of the Jackal / Gladiator

https://letterboxd.com/needsintro/list/alex-garland-career-retrospective/detail/

In this episode of I dives into the career of Alex Garland, discussing the complexities and intellectual stimulation derived from his work in films, TV series, and books. As 'Civil War' approaches its U.S. release, Victor provides a thematic exploration of Garland's career alongside a preview of the movie. The episode kicks off with a review of the video game adaptation 'Fallout' on Amazon Prime, sharing initial impressions and skepticism based on past adaptations by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Victor transitions into a thorough breakdown of Garland's career trajectory, from his early days as a novelist with 'The Beach' to pivotal film projects like '28 Days Later,' 'Sunshine,' 'Ex Machina,' 'Annihilation,' and the series 'Devs.' Insights into Garland's fascination with dystopian themes, technology's impact on psychology, and societal critiques pepper the discussion. The episode concludes with anticipation for 'Civil War,' highlighting its significance as A24's most expensive production to date and Garland's exploration of a torn America through a tight-knitted narrative lens.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Alex Garland's Career Overview

01:25 Deep Dive into Fallout: A Post-Apocalyptic Review

06:59 Exploring Alex Garland's Early Career and Influences

08:30 From Novelist to Screenwriter: Garland's Transition

16:36 Garland's Foray into Directing and His Impact on Sci-Fi Cinema

24:04 Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas of AI and Human-like Workers

24:28 Diving into Alex Garland's Filmography: From Annihilation to Devs

27:47 A Deep Dive into Devs: Exploring Predictive Algorithms and Multiverses

32:33 Analyzing Men: A Psychological and Supernatural Journey

36:24 Civil War: A Gritty Look at Societal Collapse and Moral Ambiguity

49:21 Final Thoughts on Civil War and Upcoming Discussions