Dune: Part Two — The Review

4th July, 2024: an announcement!

Finally … I have an evening, free!

One where I can watch a movie!

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to seeing Dune: Part Two, tonight.

Hopefully?

I’ll have my review up by tomorrow: or by Saturday, at the latest.

Dune: Part Two is a long film, after all!

~≈🪱≈~

Dune (2021) — A Review

29th October, 2021.

Right … 

It’s getting near to bedtime.

At least … it is: for me.

I have to get up in the morning to writ tomorrow’s Teaser post.

But … ?

I want to make a confession.

I’ve seen a movie, tonight: Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 version of Frank Herbert’s Dune.

Or, at least, the first half of the novel.

I’ve just seen something that’s both true to it’s source material — something Hollywood’s bad at — and absolutely superb.

Really!

Right now?   I’m going to hit the sack … and tell you more in the morning!

~≈🎬≈~

Dune: Good Science-fiction Doesn’t Age

I think I have DEFINITELY got a confession to make.

Occasionally I will happily have conversations with people.

Not often, granted, but it’s been known to happen.

Equally as occasionally, I’ve been known to agree with people.

That science-fiction comes in a whole slew of forms: written, big-screen, small-screen, audio, games, art.

Science fiction is everywhere.

As an example of a subject.

Another thing that get’s agreed on?

Sometimes, we have to go back to starting points.

Sometimes, we have to look at story in its original form, as well as looking to what’s been made of it, before we voice an opinion.

And yes, I have a story in mind …

~≈Ÿ≈~

But, let me guess, here.

You’re thinking “Paul’s English, isn’t he … ?”

“He’s banging on about multimedia science-fiction: and got to be talking about TheHitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy, hasn’t he … ?”

I’m not.

You see, I’m talking about possibly the best selling science-fiction novel there’s ever been: and one that, like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy, has cropped up in various forms over the years.

I’m talking about the 1965, Frank Herbert novel, Dune.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Jodorowsky’s Dune: What … If … ?

6th August, 2015.

You know, it has to be said, I like a film, now and again.

You’d possibly guessed that, hadn’t you?

What you possibly may know know?   Is that there’s a few books I tend to keep around.

I have done for years.

Terry Pratchett’s a favourite: with his death … ?

With his death, literature’s a poorer thing, I think.

William Gibson … ?   Got a few of his books, too: the seminal Neuromancer has been lurking on my shelves, whenever I’ve been able to have a copy.

Julian May … ?   Storm Constantine?   Debbi Mack?

Yep.

J. R. R. Tolkien?   He’s on the shelves, somewhere.

I could possibly do with more Neil Gaiman.   Oh, and H. G. Wells.

And possibly some Dickens, as well, just so people can’t accuse me of being a total philistine.   Although, frankly, there were never enough laser guns in A Christmas Carol, if you want my humble opinion.

You possibly don’t.

And when has anyone ever had a humble opinion?

At ANY rate … ?

You’ve possibly also worked something else.

That I’d also have a copy of Frank Herbert’s Dune sitting on my shelves.

That I’d love it …

Love it and be interested in seeing any given film or TV adaptation doing the rounds.

You’d be right about that.

~≈Â≈~

Dune: The Review …

23rd November, 2018.

OK … 

I think I managed to totally ruining that intro video, there.

Yes: I’ve used the Pitch Shift Down button on the whole clip: rather than the few seconds I meant to use it one.

Cie la Vie!

If you’ll excuse the term.

At ANY rate … ?

It’s getting late … 

But I wanted you to know I’ve watched another movie.

Yes: I’ve finally decided to sit down and watch — and then write about — the David Lynch film that is … 

Dune … 

~≈§≈~

Dune — The Extended Cut: Ummm …

1st March, 2017.

You know: this may be one of those rare — for now — times where I go to bed, leaving a post unfinished.

I don’t like doing that.

Well … 

Not often, at any rate.

But am very aware that I’ve had a free evening, tonight.

And watched a film: that’s three hours long.

The extended cut of David Lynch’s Dune.

The one he took his name OFF of.

It was … 

Long … 

~≈Â≈~

Arrakis

I’ve managed to postthis shot of Siân Phillips, as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, and José Ferrer, as the Padishah Emperor Shaddam the 4th in David Lynch’s film version of Frank Herbert’s Dune.   

As a fan of the novel?   I always felt a little ambiguous about Lynch’s film version, beautifully designed though it is.

You see, I’ve always felt that, before you go and see The Film of the Book I always think that – given that it’s a book or film you may think is eye-catching enough to go and spend money on – you should read the book first.   Let’s face, we all know that, just occasionally, Hollywood can make a complete horlicks of a job, and turn out something with little or no resemblance to its named source material.

I,Robot is one such example.   It’s a great, entertaining romp of a Will Smith action movie — something he can and does  dovery well — but in my view, one that had little to do with Isaac Asimov’s original short story collection of the same name.

Beyond a few names, and the obligatory quoting of the Three Laws Of Robotics, that is.

But I’m sidetracking, here.

Returning to my original point, I bought my first copy of Dune, just before the David Lynch film saw its UK release, back in the mid 1980s.   Frankly, the quote from Arthur C. Clarke, on the back cover, about Dune being the SF equivalent of Lord of the Rings had caught my eye, along with the attendant publicity surrounding the movie.

And practically fell in love with that novel, from that first line; – “In the week before their departure for Arrakis, when all the final scurrying about had reached a nearly unbearable frenzy, an old crone came to visit the boy, Paul.” (Extracted from Dune, © 1965, Frank Herbert)

I shared my first name with Paul Atreides, was roughly the same age as him, and could sympathize with someone who was described, practically within the first couple of pages, as “… small for his age”.

I’m 5’ 2”, just so you know.

What’s more, Paul Atriedes ends up ruling the entire known human universe: something that had a lot of appeal to a spotty teen, who’s very unsure of himself.

I didn’t have the actually money to see the film, on its UK release, though.

But that purchase did start a love affair with both the rest of Frank Herbert’s Dune series.   Although I wasn’t as impressed with the spin-offs and prequels Brian Herbert co-wrote with Kevin J Anderson; – although, granted, if it’s anyone’s sandbox to play in, it’s Brian’s.

Seeing the film, though, was something of a disappointment, in comparison.

I’ve seen enough of David Lynch’s film to satisfy myself that he is one of the cinematic greats of our time; – Elephant Man is an iconic, must see flick, and I’m looking forward to tracking down some of his other work, in time.

But I can’t help but think, especially having seen the Peter Jackson version of the Lord of The Ring trilogy, that he was the wrong man to attempt Dune.

But that original novel of Frank Herbert’s?

Let’s face it, a book that, on one level, tells the story of a group of religious fanatics, fighting for their freedom, in the middle of a desert, and trying to disable the one thing that keeps the transport system going is very, very relevant.

And needs VERY careful treatment.

Wouldn’t you say?

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th October, 2020

6th October, 2020.

Alleluia!

We’ve now had the upstairs window repaired.

Although that’s possibly too strong a phrase.

It’s been made safe.

In other words, it’s been temporarily repaired: so that intruders can’t get in, or the thing fall off, until a more permanent repair is put in place.

Here’s hoping that’s quick!

~≈¥≈~

You’ve been keeping you eyes on the news, haven’t you … ?

You’ve realised Cineworld’s temporarily closing its venues.   And that the next James Bond film’s been postponed again.

You’ve possibly realised I’m a fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune.

I was looking forward — even under Covid-19 restriction — to see the most recent film version when it got released in November.

Well … Dune’s been delayed until next year.

BREAKING: Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE has been officially delayed to October 2021. pic.twitter.com/0xJmMgiggC

— ⊃∪∩⪽ (@DuneNews) October 5, 2020

And the Odeon chain’s planing to only open at weekends.

Bill and Ted Face the Music had a mixed theatrical and VOD release.

Given the closures, I’m convinced that’s the way Dune, and No Time To Die, should have gone.

~≈¥≈~

Through The Glass, Thirdly.

Hmmm.

We have a distinct excess of crisps.

For those of you who follow me, you probably realise that, skint as I am, this means myself and an old friend have been watching the third of the ‘Matrix’ movies, “Matrix Revolutions”.

Which is lighter on the philosophy and heavier on the action than the first two entries in the series.

Mind you, I wouldn’t mind one of those giant APU things.   As Adrian put, it wouldn’t half make the shopping easier …

Wouldn’t it just?

I love to be in one if someone in front of me is paying by card when I’m in a rush, I know that!

But I digress.

So you know, I’ve put a link into the IMDb entry for The Matrix Revolutions there, so you can look up the plot summary.

And there’s possible a point to get onto here, as well …

As I mentioned earlier,  The Matrix Revolutions is a bit lighter on the philosophy.

It was much more action based.   Very different to the first two, in that sense.

But I think I can state the blindingly obvious, here, and point to the fact that this part of the trilogy has a strongly messianic feel to it – I’m assuming this link, a christian one that argues exactly that, will link to others – and simplifies the philosophical elements that attracted many people to the series in the first place.

Now, as I’ve always said, this isn’t too much of a problem, for me: beyond reaching for the dictionary, of course

One thing I have always felt is that whatever works for you, is fine by me, and so long as we both look at each other’s beliefs in the same way, we’ll rub along fine.   I’m also thinking that the ol’ pop pagan idea – that, that doing your own thing is fine, so long as you harm no one – is a nice little ethic to go along by.

And, in this case, I felt the simplifying was helpful, in a way.   It let the trilogy bounce along to an emotionally satisfying conclusion, without having to do a quick mental double check, to see if one’s caught all the references.   Something I felt that maybe the first two films suffered with, although it did make for interesting discussion, afterwards.

But I do realise that many will disagree with me, here.   After all, for many of us, part of the Matrix trilogies appeal will have been the floating of philosophical concepts that we wouldn’t have otherwise come across, and having a chance to investigate them further.

Which has been burried in science fiction for years, now, I think.

Certainly, a lot of political philosophy, if I’ve understood what I know of Karel Capek’s R. U. R., the play that introduced the English speaking world to the word ‘ROBOT’.

It’s generally known that Gene Roddenberry always encouraged writers on the various incarnations of Star Trek
to tell an entertaining story first, but work in a nice point, where possible.

But messiahdom in sci-fi has cropped up, before …

Frank Herbert fans will know exactly what I mean.

One of my favourite novel’s was Frank Herbert’s Dune: a book that strikes me as being relevant, here.

Matrix Revolutions and Dune, while I find them both entertaining, both seem to take very different views.   The Matrix trilogy, in the end, takes a traditional view  of its central character: that Neo, ultimately is there to save the world.

Paul Muad-Dib, the central character in Dune, isn’t.

He’s a warning.

In the context of the novel, he’s a well educated, superbly bred, almost super heroic warning: messiahs fuck you up.

We only have to look at Adolf Hitler,  Josef Stalin and the likes of Osama bin Laden, to see that our religious feelings can be manipulated to another’s ends.

There’s also talk of how this can be argued about John F Kennedy, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.

Let’s be frank, we all want a hero, to save us from ourselves.

That’s not a bad thing, not at all, but I also believe we forget that messiahs are human …

Don’t forget, Frank Herbert grew up during World War Two, and was in his late twenties during the Kennedy years; – Kennedy, Hitler, and Stalin can be seen as very human, and very culpable Messiahs

I can do no more than quote from the original novel.

“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movement becomes headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget that a precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late.”
Bene Gesserit proverb, Dune (Frank Herbert)

“When law and duty are one, united by religion, you never become fully conscious, fully aware of yourself. You are always a little less than an individual.”
‘ … from “Muad’Dib: The Ninety-Nine Wonders of the Universe” by the Princess Irulan’

I think I’ll quietly admit I’ll leave it there, for now, and blog more in the morning.

But I can’t help but still agree with that first quote.   Considering the USA’s current and previous president can be seen as having overtones!

The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 4 — Chapter 12 The Siege — A Review

27th February, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.

A couple of things have happened, today.

I’ve just managed to do a halfway decent pot of decent chicken stew.

I tend to make enough to last three or four meals, so you know.

Tonight’s?   I’ve made enough to last until Wednesday.

It’s amazing how long chicken pieces, a litre of stock, three peppers, two red onions, half a dozen mushrooms, three carrots and a parsnip will last.

I think I’ve got the right amount of flour as thickener, as well.

The other … ?

It’s my birthday on Thursday: but I’ve had my birthday present, a new mobile phone, a few days early.

Something I know I was nervous about, this morning.

But that seems to have gone well.

At any rate … ?

That’s possibly something for another time.

For now?

I’ll be closing this part of the post: by telling you I’ve seen another episode of The Mandalorian, Series two.

I’ll tell you what I though, tomorrow night.

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser: 18th August, 2021.

18th August, 2021.

Yes: you’re right.

Me thinking, IS odd!

At any rate … ?

I’ve been thinking, recently: that Frank Herbert possibly had a point.

You’ll remember I’m a fan of his seminal novel, Dune: set some twenty-six thousand years into our future, in a galactic empire dependent on a hideously addictive drug to safely run the transport system.

The drug is from the fictional planet, of Arrakis.

The planet’s native peoples, the Fremen?

Are a tribal group of religious fanatics, funding their fight against foreign occupation/evil oppressors by bribing the right people with Spice … and on the income from smuggling it off planet.

Given its place in the Dune universe?

I believe Frank Herbert was using Spice as a metaphor for oil: and how our entire economy is reliant on it.

Good ol’ oil makes god knows how much fuel: and is the chemical source for so many things.

I think Herbert may have had other things in mind.

Or people, I should say.

You look at international events.

Afghanistan’s popular at the moment.

The Taliban have recently taken control of the country, after Western forces pulled out.

Famously, the group are extremely militant Islamic fundamentalists: having imposed an extremely conservative form of Sharia law, when they were in power in the 1990s.

And, although it’s something they tried banning?   The Taliban ending up controlling Afghanistan’s poppy fields: effectively controlling the country’s opium trade.

Religious fanatics, fighting for control of their land: and dealing in viciously addictive drugs in order to fund their fight … ?

I think Frank Herbert knew what he was writing about.

And that those who tell us science fiction had nothing to do with reality, should possibly read Dune … 

Before someone tells us we should ban the movie … 

~≈🪱≈~

Dune, on iTunes

Well. here’s a how-de-do.

Debatably, anyway.

As you may or know not know, by now, I’m something of a fan of “Dune”, by Frank Herbert.   And I’m getting to be something of a user of the iTunes store, as well.

So finding an unabridged copy of one, on the other was something of an expensive treat for me.   And rather an interesting listen so far; – because whoever the producers cast as Vladimir Harkonnen certainly has the basso profundo voice described by Frank Herbert.

Which is more than I can say for the film or tv versions, certainly!

Saying that, I’ve always thought that they were interesting efforts.   David Lynch’s film version, back in 1984, had generally a very good ensemble of actors, but the mixture of Kenneth McMillan as Baron Harkonnen, and Sting and Paul L. Smith as, respectively, Feyd and Rabban, and the David Lynch script, managed to turn the nastiest family of villains I’ve personally come across, onto a science fiction version of the Three Stooges.    Gorgeous as the film version looked, genius that David Lynch undoubtedly is, and beautifully cast as the movie otherwise is, this was something I found very off-putting.

Equally with the TV version, back in 2000.   While it’s a lot closer to the original novel than the 1984 film, and does a much better job of the look of both the sandworms and the Fremen, it does, to me, seem somewhat cheaper in terms of costuming and set than the film.   Which could easily be explained by the budget differences between separate film and TV productions of a given source text, but was something of a disappointment to me.  Saying that, the one good thing that the John Harrison TV version did, I feel, have in its favour, was the casting of Ian McNiece as Baron Harkonnen.   Ian McNiece did a job and a half and I, for one, am grateful he was thrown into the mix.

But enough of my burblings!   I’d really suggest you follow the link, in the title, to the Wikipedia entry on Dune.   Let me know what you think!

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2026 — The Name’s Bonds-Premium Bonds

18th April, 2026.

Right now?

Right now, it’s Saturday.

And the silly jokes I’ve uploaded seem to be doing well.

It’s also the day after I’ve put in an order for stuff from Amazon.

Including a cheap, 4k camera*: and a 2k copy of the 1981, BBC version of The Day of the Triffids.

I’m looking forward to the thing turning up: I’d love to see what the extra features, if there are any, are like.

~≈🥀≈~

You’re probably as aware as I am, that the 47th US president is a bit of a twit.

To put it mildly.

And also aware of the image he deleted from his social network: depicting him as a messianic, healer figure.

The image has been criticised: for looking a little too messianic, and crossing a line.

Of good taste, if nothing else.

I agree.

But also think a couple of things.

One?

Is that this image of the president, and others like it, looks a lot like some of the WW2 era Nazi propaganda, the sort designed to make Hitler look like a hero.

And second?

I grew up one Frank Herbert’s Dune novel: and came away from them convinced the writer didn’t like messiahs.

Or, at least, didn’t like the idea of politicians using religion to gain power.

Devout Republic that Herbert was?

I suspect he’d be spitting, on seeing these images of the President.

“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way.”

From Dune, by Frank Herbert.

“Beneath the hero’s facade you will find a human being who makes human mistakes.   Enormous problems arise when human mistakes are made on the grand scale available to a superhero.”

From “Dune Genesis”, by Frank Herbert.

~≈🪱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th October 2021

30th October, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.

I’ve managed to see the Denis Villeneuve version of Dune: or Dune Pt One, we should say.

Dune Pt 1

I’ll have my video and written review up, tonight.

But … ?

It’s impressive.

~≈🌶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2021: Storming the Bastille

14th July, 2021.

It’s official.

The weather looks a lot like it did on Monday: ever so slightly grim.

It’s overcast: with the possible promise of rain.

Unlike yesterday, which was relatively sunny.

That means stocking up on spuds … ?   Is going to be fun!

~≈Ê≈~

It’s got to be said, I’m not one for awards.

Or, to be more precise, watching the Emmys.

They don’t usually get aired, over here.

However?

This year’s nominations have been released … and The Mandalorian’s done well.

It’s nice to know I’ve backed a potential winner.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-5-2017

I have to admit it … 

I have Safari — the default Mac Browser — open over several table and windows.

With one parked in an alternative space to the immediate right.

Frankly?

I’ve got to confess, this is where I miss having really good speakers.

This week’s episode of Just a Minute is hysterical!

Paul Merton is on serious form!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-1-2020: Watch the Watch …

3rd January, 2020.

You know, it’s true.

There are times I wonder what to watch on TV.

Believe it or not, I’ve got plenty of choice.

I’m thinking, though, that catching up up with the Moffat/Gatiss cut of Dracula — the one the BBC have been showing — would be an idea.

We’ll have to see.

~≈¥≈~

I also have to admit something else.

Yes: I’looking forward to season four of El Ministerio del Tiempo: the sooner that drops, the happier I’ll be!

It’ll be nice to see what Alonso and the rest of the Strength and Honour* squad are up to.

But, on top of that … ?

I’ve caught Joker.   I’ve seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

I’m now looking forward to the 2020 cut of Dune.

Granted, I have my reservations about the casting.

But … ?

I’d like to see that.

Except — wouldn’t you know it — it gets released in December of this year.

It’s a wait, isn’t it … ?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2021: Halloween

31st October, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.

It’s so officially official, the government’s got web pages about it.

Yes: the clocks have gone back, and I’ve had an extra hour’s sleep.

Which is handy.

I saw Dune on Friday: which is fantastic, I should add.

But, boy!   The post and video reviews took a while.

I just hope I get a comment on the video version … !

~≈🏜≈~

Oh, JUST ad a quick thought, as today sees the start of the new series of Dr Who … ?

Bookies, William Hill are offering 9/4 on Lydia West to be cast as the 14th Doctor.

Whether that’s worth your time, I don’t know.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-2-2019: The Crash

6th February, 2019.

Yes: I’ve had the bad news from BT.

I’ve not been picked for a second interview.

I am … 

Not surprised, somehow.

As the next stage of the process was the online assessment I took, yesterday.

It was one of those with three components.

Part one’s a timed numeracy and detail matching test.

I get the feeling I do well on these: any deficiencies on the time I believe is countered by my basic ability with maths and detail.

Part two?

An audio based section on customer services that, again, I think I did well with.   Especially after this many years in customer facing roles.

Part three?

Was one of those tests where you get a series of statements, with with a range of multiple answers: ranging from ‘Strongly Agree’ to ‘Strongly Disagree’.

I hate these tests: and never get through them.

Tests like these are something I don’t know how to navigate: or, at least, navigate with a good enough result to counter any of my failings in the first and second parts.

Frankly?

My next appointment with the Job Centre is tomorrow.

I think I might want a LONG chat with my work coach.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th April 2026.

16th April, 2026.

It’s official!

I’ve been paid!

That’s a good thing: it means I can pay off a few bills, and indulge my cravings for chocolate.

Suitably low sugar chocolate, obviously: diabetes is unforgiving, like that!

~≈🍫≈~

I’m left handed: you’d possibly worked that out, if you’ve been following me for a while.

I’m very aware there are some who put handedness on a pair with sexuality, and will make a negative moral judgement about you, based on one or the other*.

I’m also not a fan of terrorism: the idea of using violence in support of your cause.

I don’t think violence works, in persuading others your cause is just, and invites violent retaliation from your victims.

So … ?

So I welcome police probes into one group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, who are claiming responsibly for several arson attacks.

It turns out, though, that their name translates as ‘The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand’.

OK: I’m maybe being a little paranoid, here, a little sensitive over nothing.

But their name tells me that — in amongst the antisemitism, and attacks on Jewish, and Israeli, targets — they’re prejudiced towards left-handers, like me.

I don’t think the group will be fire-bombing my flat: I think they’re more concerned with fire-bombing synagogues.

But that name feels like a personal attack.

~≈👎≈~