Watching Movies 8/17

Nice to see a sci-fi movie that doesn't take itself so seriously, and the tone is much more consistent than in Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer. Robert Pattinson's dopey narration reminded me of John Candy in Heavy Metal, and the film has a similar 1970s comic book feel. Unfortunately, the last half-hour drags out considerably and the film suffers for it. There's no reason for this to be over two hours. 

Doc about an insanely dangerous New Jersey theme park from the 1980s run by a charismatic Trumpian huckster who dodged legal trouble despite multiple injuries and deaths. A lot of it is former employees joyously reminiscing about their youth with an "I can't believe I survived it" glee, and the later shift to a more serious tone is jarring and doesn't quite land.

Delightful stage show from the Conchords that isn't full of recycled material and old songs are given a new spin so it all feels fresh. 

J.B. Priestley's play is sharp social commentary disguised as a murder mystery that examines all the ways the upper class fails the poor and needy. The 1954 version features creepy Alistair Sim as the inspector and is a tight 80 minute chamber piece. A beguiling David Thewlis helms the 2015 version, which is only 10 minutes longer but feels more expansive and engaging despite the ambiguous ending. Both versions are worthwhile, but the 1954 version probably packed more of a punch in its day. 

Jean-Paul Belmondo doggedly stumbles his way from Paris to Brazil in pursuit of an archeologist's daughter and an ancient treasure. At first it seems like it's going to be a French James Bond rip off, but it's actually a precursor to adventure films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Romancing the Stone (apparently it borrowed heavily from Tintin comics). It has memorable set pieces, the action is light-hearted, and it avoids dopey 60's slapstick. The only thing it needs is tighter editing and a memorable film score (showing how critical music is for action movies). 

Russian wilderness survival film about diamond-hunting geologists that features some remarkable photography and a realistic forest fire, but the handling of the characters and story is distractingly artsy and unengaging. Despite the entire movie taking place outdoors in desolate landscapes, the drama or danger never feels genuine.