Snowpiercer (Netflix)
At last, the film about the only surviving humans on the earth careering about its surface in a train comes to streaming. I liked this a lot - it's quite high concept, but has some terrific performances (Tilda Swinton in particular) and the eventual revolution of the train's put upon lower classes is ingenious. I think the film raises some interesting questions towards the end around whether its better to survive, even if the cost is a loss of humanity's better traits, about whether social division is inevitable &c. I couldn't help being reminded of the likes of Elon Musk et al and their plans for Martian colonies, at times.
Anyway, it works pretty well as a sci-fi actioner if you're not the chin strokey type, with some pretty spectacular visuals & production design.
Fast and Furious 8: The Fate of the Furious (Netflix)
More defying of the laws of physics, and slightly incomprehensible use of very fast cars for things (when all you have is a very fast hammer...) This latest instalment definitely feels the loss of Paul Walker (although there seems to be a new character who's being groomed for his role in the team) but the other stuff (lots of gravelly talk about family, a street race before we get into the not so serious business of thwarting international cyber terrorism (no, really)) you'd recognise from prior instalments is all present and correct. For my money, it doesn't hit the high point of the safe chase in 5, Gia Carano in 6, or Walker's departure in 7, but for all that, Statham is great as the goodie who's a baddie, Charlize Theron is terrific as the villain, and in general, the whole thing is daftly appealing enough for me, thanks.
