They're closing all the DFW locations of Alamo Drafthouse, and I have some strong feelings about that. When I moved to Denton, I had my job and a few friends from high school, but I also had the Alamo. I paid about twenty bucks for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see Emma Seligman's Bottoms, which started with the iconic pre-picture features and some shameless ads for other things doing down in the theater. That included the Alamo Pass, the reason I stand here today with such sorrow. What I paid to see Bottoms, I was now paying once a month to see a movie a day if I so desired. Best you believe, I ran that thing up.
What does that have to do with Dune? Not a whole lot considering 3/4 of the reviews you'll see later in this post were viewings that didn't take place in an Alamo. However, this is my platform and this is a rising issue that affects me directly, so...HA, I guess.
Beginning my soul search of franchises to gather for the Summer O' Series, I had to try and reflect on what I may have already exposed myself to before diving into a commitment so new. I have not read the books, I have not traversed the series, but I have touched down in the fandom of Dune, more prevalently in the wake of Dune: Part Two's release earlier this year. This is me saying I'm a poser and bought into the hype so you lovely people don't have to. My self-deprecation knows no film bro.
Similar to last week's ape piece, what follows are my initial thoughts and prayers on each of the Dune films. with additional comments and concerns. Most prominently, my concern with the pugs or lack thereof throughout the franchise.
Dune (1984):
Now, no David Lynch effects are winning Oscars, and neither are a few performances (some on the actor, some on the writing). With mere exposure to Villeneuve's Dune and no other canon, this was an amazing story that successfully hooked me onto this world and its characters' journeys. Also..there are pugs in space.
Let's be honest: simply put, I got to see what I was expecting, albeit rushed according to my viewing companion. Having no prior knowledge on the skeleton of this narrative, I didn't feel anything was left out to me, but I'm only a fraction of the average Dune consumer. There's no way to time jump with omniscient narration without seeming like you're copping out, but I remain indifferent.
Pretty Paul always. Again, I feel the writing took me out of taking some conflict seriously, but not enough that I deem it cringeworthy or anything. The sound design and pretty much every visual element of this film goes insane, as is the Lynch way. Iffy pacing, but all in all incredibly engaging and craving a deep dive to fully prepare for what is being called Denis's EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! Here's to the pioneership of my Dune fellowship!
Dune (2021):
(review from October 2021)
Was working on a puzzle when I finally indulged in this..and got HOOKED! Star studded! Great action! World building! Amazing pacing! and DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THAT MUSIC! Denis put the entirety of his artistic soul into this mofo, and we were HERE for it!
Loved the eerily normal names for the characters, yknow like PAUL and DUNCAN. Made me feel a lot more comfy going into this new world.
Though I'm pained I must wait until I'm a sophomore in college to see Part Two, this gave me just enough to stay pumped until then. I experienced it on my thirteen inch Macbook on HBO Max, but for sure know my brains would be blown if I witnessed it in a theatre. Still worth a watch, in any way possible.
(review from February 2024)
Reading my last review on this made me incredibly senti. I'm now a junior in college, and I will get to see this film's highly anticipated sequel on the big screen with one of my bestest friends.
Still just one of the coolest things to come into cinema while I've been alive. Villeneuve's power remains untapped in his own realm, and I remain enamored with every minute he brings us.
This world, that score, these people. A Holy Trinity. Get ready.
Dune: Part Two (2024):
They're bald and they're torturing people who have hair.
On the biggest screen I could get to, and tickets a month in advance, Alan and I were AMPED! Equipped with half the Alamo Drafthouse's menu, and the guttural voice behind an all-consuming black: we're IN!
Sick pacing, amazing everything, it's so near perfect it's insane. I just can't grant the majority the satisfaction. Once the hype blows over and I give this a second watch, we'll talk. It would just lull a bit, misplaced tones in certain spots, but I'm blessed, I'm grateful, and I'm so happy to be alive in the year of Dune: Part Two. Denis and gang, you bunch of disgustingly talented freaks, Thank you.
Denis Villeneuve is responsible for some of the most imaginative, rich, and masterful pieces of storytelling I have ever seen. The exhaustion and thrill of Prisoners and Enemy, or the beginning of his celebrated sequel phenomenon in Blade Runner 2049, and others I've yet to have seen personally, but continue to hear praise about (Sicario, Incendies, Arrival).
I'm not on the track to say Dune is cleaning up Star Wars in its entirety, but in this day and age, Dune is just on the up-and-up as Star Wars refuses to be put to rest. Although, this is the song that every franchise sings at one point or another. When put in doting and respectful hands, any story has the opportunity to be revived, prolonged, or concluded well. Denis, Timothée, Zendaya, Greig Fraser (director of photography), and crew: you lead this story just as it should.
More to come, thanks for skimming.
Cheers,
MO
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