TV/Movies Megathread

[crazy canuck]

I wouldn't rank Dune the best sci-fi novel ever. In fact, I tried reading it in my teens, but aborted it. Only picked it up a few months ago when I heard they were making a new film, and everyone was getting excited.
I thought it was OK. Had an interesting premise, but, especially towards the end, got bogged down in heavy spiritual mumbo jumbo. I haven't bothered yet with any of its sequels.

I quite liked Dune as a kid (well, young adult).  Second book was also good, kind of went downhill afterwards.  I understand the ones written by Frank's kid are terrible.

Not sure how it would hold up as an adult.  I do remember re-reading Lord of the Rings maybe 10 years ago which held up fantastically, but Dune... maybe not.

Yep, the ones written by his son are terrible. 

But I disagree with the notion the original series went down hill the whole way.  More like a U shape.  The middle books are tedious but the last two are amazing.  He really started to explore the cultural themes he had developed.  It ends in an unsatisfactory way because, well he died before he could write the concluding book.

[grumbler]

At least,  I read the book, because I feel so sorry for anyone who tried to make sense of it without the book. It was incomprehensible.

Good point.  Part of my enjoyment was seeing Lynch completely miss the point of the book.  Kinda like Return of the King, actually.

[Darth Wagtaros]

At least,  I read the book, because I feel so sorry for anyone who tried to make sense of it without the book. It was incomprehensible.

Good point.  Part of my enjoyment was seeing Lynch completely miss the point of the book.  Kinda like Return of the King, actually.

The Rankin Bass one or the more recent Jackson one?

[Malthus]

At least,  I read the book, because I feel so sorry for anyone who tried to make sense of it without the book. It was incomprehensible.

Good point.  Part of my enjoyment was seeing Lynch completely miss the point of the book.  Kinda like Return of the King, actually.

The Rankin Bass one or the more recent Jackson one?

Everyone loves the Rankin Bass version!

"Where there's a whip ... there's a way!" 😀

[Razgovory]

I didn't like Dune either.  I tried to read it during Highschool and gave up.  I later read as an adult but it still wasn't very good.  There was a lot that annoyed me, the emperor is clearly stated that he's a "political animal" but his plot to destroy a rival house is convoluted and stupid.  There is a classification of doctors that are defined as incapable of betraying their charges (I think they were called "suck doctors" which should be a good enough of a indication that you shouldn't hire them), but some of the bad guys kidnap the doctors wife and thus gets him to betray his employers.  Gee, why didn't anyone else think of that?

[Josquius]

I wouldn't rank Dune the best sci-fi novel ever. In fact, I tried reading it in my teens, but aborted it. Only picked it up a few months ago when I heard they were making a new film, and everyone was getting excited.
I thought it was OK. Had an interesting premise, but, especially towards the end, got bogged down in heavy spiritual mumbo jumbo. I haven't bothered yet with any of its sequels.

Its one of those things like Citizen Kane as one of the best films ever. Its taken as a matter of common faith but looked at objectively as a work standing on its own merits...meh. Its greatness comes from the massive influence it has had on others and how many conventions it started.
I liked the original Dune but I did get lost at some point in the first or second sequel iirc.

[The Brain]

I didn't like Dune either.  I tried to read it during Highschool and gave up.  I later read as an adult but it still wasn't very good.  There was a lot that annoyed me, the emperor is clearly stated that he's a "political animal" but his plot to destroy a rival house is convoluted and stupid.  There is a classification of doctors that are defined as incapable of betraying their charges (I think they were called "suck doctors" which should be a good enough of a indication that you shouldn't hire them), but some of the bad guys kidnap the doctors wife and thus gets him to betray his employers.  Gee, why didn't anyone else think of that?

Much like LOTR you're not supposed to think too much about things. I found the book reasonably enjoyable, even if it is a confused mess.

[Eddie Teach]

I wouldn't rank Dune the best sci-fi novel ever. In fact, I tried reading it in my teens, but aborted it. Only picked it up a few months ago when I heard they were making a new film, and everyone was getting excited.
I thought it was OK. Had an interesting premise, but, especially towards the end, got bogged down in heavy spiritual mumbo jumbo. I haven't bothered yet with any of its sequels.

Its one of those things like Citizen Kane as one of the best films ever.

I don't think Dune's reputation is that great.

[Barrister]

Its one of those things like Citizen Kane as one of the best films ever. Its taken as a matter of common faith but looked at objectively as a work standing on its own merits...meh.

[The Minsky Moment]

I didn't like Dune either.  I tried to read it during Highschool and gave up.  I later read as an adult but it still wasn't very good.  There was a lot that annoyed me, the emperor is clearly stated that he's a "political animal" but his plot to destroy a rival house is convoluted and stupid.  There is a classification of doctors that are defined as incapable of betraying their charges (I think they were called "suck doctors" which should be a good enough of a indication that you shouldn't hire them), but some of the bad guys kidnap the doctors wife and thus gets him to betray his employers.  Gee, why didn't anyone else think of that?

The political plot IIRC was pretty straightforward; the Atreides see it coming but feudal convention prevents them from avoiding it.  As for the doctor, it is implied that his relationship with his wife goes beyond the usual (i.e. that she used her powers to bind him in some way that could undermine the conditioning).

[celedhring]

Its one of those things like Citizen Kane as one of the best films ever. Its taken as a matter of common faith but looked at objectively as a work standing on its own merits...meh.

Tyr and his awful takes

Just on the purely technical level there's precious few films with that kind of camerawork. And this one was made 80 years ago.

From a narrative standpoint, the story of Charles Foster Kane is one of those "great american stories" that's culturally significant.

[Duque de Bragança]

Its one of those things like Citizen Kane as one of the best films ever. Its taken as a matter of common faith but looked at objectively as a work standing on its own merits...meh. Its greatness comes from the massive influence it has had on others and how many conventions it started.

[Sheilbh]

Tyr and his awful takes

Just on the purely technical level there's precious few films with that kind of camerawork. And this one was made 80 years ago.

From a narrative standpoint, the story of Charles Foster Kane is one of those "great american stories" that's culturally significant.

I think it's quite a good film even apart from the technical level. But it is one of those films where if you're a certain age (and I am) you've first encountered it through the memes or the Simpsons

[Barrister]

I think it's quite a good film even apart from the technical level. But it is one of those films where if you're a certain age (and I am) you've first encountered it through the memes or the Simpsons

I get that.  You're unlikely to be surprised that Rosebud was the name of his sled, too.

But I don't understand how that would it any less a brilliant film.  Even if you didn't know how many of the camera tricks of framing was invented in that movie.

[Darth Wagtaros]

I think it's quite a good film even apart from the technical level. But it is one of those films where if you're a certain age (and I am) you've first encountered it through the memes or the Simpsons

I get that.  You're unlikely to be surprised that Rosebud was the name of his sled, too.

But I don't understand how that would it any less a brilliant film.  Even if you didn't know how many of the camera tricks of framing was invented in that movie.

It actually may also have been a pet name for his lover's anatomy.