We just spent six hours watching Dune Parts One and Two and I’ve been talking to you about what I like about it for the past thirty minutes. What do you mean you don’t know the difference between the kiwsatz haderach and the shai halud ?
You shouldn’t since I couldn’t even get through the books.
But I watched Part 1 last night on bluray, but Part 2 was a video file that looks just terrible, even though it was billed as 1080p, so I haven’t seen that bit yet. Just got a better version (6Gs my poor data plan) and will watch Part 2 tonight.
Tap for spoiler
Things I notice, aside from the cinematography, is that it’s really a nice little analogy to imperialism and resources in the middle east (obvious).
I also appreciated how it’s not afraid to be weird and foreign. Like I watch a lot of SF and, technology or politics aside, everyone is pretty relatable and “normal.” Not so with Dune. The psychological requirements of existing politically are apparent, even as the humanity of the characters living it is clear. A mother may love her son, but allow the Bene Gesserit to kill him. A son may love his mother and also resent that he was created to fulfill a political purpose. A man may be a powerful warrior, but still need to life and allegiance to a fallen house.
Sure, they make great attempts for us to relate to the characters, like when Paul complains about having to do The Voice just when he wakes up, and Papa Atreides says he will love his son no matter what, but this is standard screen writing manipulation, the equivalent of making your character pet a stray dog to make them likable from the outset.
I also deeply appreciated that Paul hesitated to kill Jamis, and it was only when the mother pointed out that Paul hadn’t even killed anyone did I remember that, “holy shit, yeah, killing someone is kind of a big deal.” I’m so used to death in film being treated as a throwaway thing, it is just so grounding to see it being taking as a psychologically signifcant event.
The good news is you like all the things that they kept from the books! For that last point, about death being a big deal, I agree. Most of the time it’s made to be nothing, and Dune Part 2 does this, in my opinion. It goes from Paul having trouble killing someone at the end of Part 1 to Part 2 starting with a big fight scene, and dealing death is now easy. I’m not a fan of that, but they’re still good movies.
You really should give the books a good shot though. They’re very good. You need to get through Children of Dune at least. I usually can’t get myself to sit around and read a book, but there’s great audiobooks for the Dune series. I highly recommend it. Based on your comment, you’ll like them.
I tried the first book and things just kept not happening and they kept talking in that one room with the long table and the painting of the matador. I mean, it’s a book, right? It costs nothing to build a new set.
Anyway, maybe I’ll consider an audio book because I do listen to things while I’m out walking and what not. Especially if it’s well acted. Is their a radio drama you recommend or a particular reading?
We just spent six hours watching Dune Parts One and Two and I’ve been talking to you about what I like about it for the past thirty minutes. What do you mean you don’t know the difference between the kiwsatz haderach and the shai halud ?
Well now I desperately want to hear your take on the Dune movies
You shouldn’t since I couldn’t even get through the books.
But I watched Part 1 last night on bluray, but Part 2 was a video file that looks just terrible, even though it was billed as 1080p, so I haven’t seen that bit yet. Just got a better version (6Gs my poor data plan) and will watch Part 2 tonight.
Tap for spoiler
Things I notice, aside from the cinematography, is that it’s really a nice little analogy to imperialism and resources in the middle east (obvious).
I also appreciated how it’s not afraid to be weird and foreign. Like I watch a lot of SF and, technology or politics aside, everyone is pretty relatable and “normal.” Not so with Dune. The psychological requirements of existing politically are apparent, even as the humanity of the characters living it is clear. A mother may love her son, but allow the Bene Gesserit to kill him. A son may love his mother and also resent that he was created to fulfill a political purpose. A man may be a powerful warrior, but still need to life and allegiance to a fallen house.
Sure, they make great attempts for us to relate to the characters, like when Paul complains about having to do The Voice just when he wakes up, and Papa Atreides says he will love his son no matter what, but this is standard screen writing manipulation, the equivalent of making your character pet a stray dog to make them likable from the outset.
I also deeply appreciated that Paul hesitated to kill Jamis, and it was only when the mother pointed out that Paul hadn’t even killed anyone did I remember that, “holy shit, yeah, killing someone is kind of a big deal.” I’m so used to death in film being treated as a throwaway thing, it is just so grounding to see it being taking as a psychologically signifcant event.
The good news is you like all the things that they kept from the books! For that last point, about death being a big deal, I agree. Most of the time it’s made to be nothing, and Dune Part 2 does this, in my opinion. It goes from Paul having trouble killing someone at the end of Part 1 to Part 2 starting with a big fight scene, and dealing death is now easy. I’m not a fan of that, but they’re still good movies.
You really should give the books a good shot though. They’re very good. You need to get through Children of Dune at least. I usually can’t get myself to sit around and read a book, but there’s great audiobooks for the Dune series. I highly recommend it. Based on your comment, you’ll like them.
I tried the first book and things just kept not happening and they kept talking in that one room with the long table and the painting of the matador. I mean, it’s a book, right? It costs nothing to build a new set.
Anyway, maybe I’ll consider an audio book because I do listen to things while I’m out walking and what not. Especially if it’s well acted. Is their a radio drama you recommend or a particular reading?
There’s an audiobook with an ensemble cast that’s very good. It’s narrators include Scott Brick and Orlagh Cassidy.