I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (Full Version)

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LTRsubNW -> I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:08:31 PM)

Largely because it's the last thing I haven't watched that I borrowed from my buddy's library...and because it's really long...(and my power and cable's out). 

I'm taking a small break to ask some very basic questions.

I remember when this movie came out.  It was BIIIIGGGGGG stuff.   Multiple years after Star Wars came out.  You'd think it'd be a step up.

Now, when Star Wars came out, the guy that made that movie, had, if I recall...something like 30 million bucks...he ended up spending something like 50 million....and that was just unheard of.

This movie (DUNE) cost 50 or 60 million.  It was supposed to be a movie of generational excellence.

Now, looking back...based on todays film capabilities...Star Wars looks pretty simplistic...but all in all...it holds up.

This movie (DUNE), truly defines the word "SUCK".  I'm actually thinking, having watched almost half the movie so far...the common phrase should be changed to "YOU DUNE!!!!".

And yet it has its fans.  I can only assume those fans limit themselves to those that think strings holding spaceships, legions of failed English majors who write scripts and those hoping that someday they too might have a shot at writing a screenplay are among the very best of these fans.

Would someone please take the time to explain to me (truly)...why this movie ever made it out of post production?

Moreoever, the editing room floor?



Aileen68 -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:11:48 PM)

I have tried to watch this movie countless times.  I've never made more than ten minutes.  I want to like this movie, but I just can't because it blows.



Desmodious -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:17:23 PM)

Read the book. A three hour movie could not do it justice.



BRNaughtyAngel -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:21:35 PM)

I was grossed out by the fat dude with all of the sores.  GAG!!! [:'(][:'(]

But I never could figure out WTF was the big deal about the "spice"....... I mean really, it just looked like Cinnamon to me.  I'm sure everything smelled nice, but REALLY, to risk being swallowed up by the giant wormies just for some Cinnamon Toast? [sm=ugh.gif]  I don't get it. 

Didn't they do a remake of it because the first version sucked so bad?  Maybe for the SciFi channel?



Nosathro -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:26:58 PM)

Which verison of "Dune" are you watching.  I am like you, I have watched two version.  I have to say I do so in parts. I will sit and watch it and when I get tired, I  turn it off.  I also try to like it, it is hard because of the the subplots, the book is better.  There are more "Dune" books out but I have not read them.
 
I wish you well
 
Nosathro



Chaingang -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:28:44 PM)

The spice must flow.



happypervert -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:32:32 PM)

I've read that a problem of this film, according to the director David Lynch, was that the studio cut a lot of it out to get it to a reasonable length, and in doing so they made it really difficult to follow the story.

But hey, if you don't like it, tough shit.



lighthearted -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:35:31 PM)

I think part of the reason it got made was on David Lynch's rep...if I remember correctly, it wasn't too long after "The Elephant Man" came out that they made "Dune"...throw in Sting, an 80s music icon, in a role that is supposed to be titilating with it's homoerotic references and a young, very hot Kyle Mclachlan, and in theory you have a hit.

I have never considered myself a sci-fi fan, yet for some reason, I have watched this movie about a bazillion times.  I haven't read the books, have no desire to, so I know it's not the story.  I guess it's a combination of the mid-80s production values, the cheesy dialogue and the cast, which is actually very impressive (in addition to those I've already mentioned...there's the pre-Star Trek NG Patrick Stewart, Richard Jordan, Brad Dourif, Jose, Ferrer, etc).  the creepiness factor is pretty high, too, when you sit and absorb all the elements.  it's a great movie to put on when you're cleaning the house or something else equally mundane..."send up a sonar probe immediately!" always gets a laugh in my household whether said on-screen or off.

of course, it's full of some of the most completely lame movie moments ever, esp the worms, which are supposed to be terribly fearsome, but in the end just look like giant penises.  at least to me they do.



Marc2b -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 7:48:24 PM)

quote:

Largely because it's the last thing I haven't watched that I borrowed from my buddy's library...and because it's really long...(and my power and cable's out).

I'm taking a small break to ask some very basic questions... etc.

I assume that you are referring to the movie with Kyle Mc-what’s-his-name from Twin Peaks and not the mini-series on the Sci-Fi Channel? I am afraid that I can not answer your question. I too am perplexed that this movie was inflicted upon a unsuspecting public. More than that, when I first wasted my money watching it in the movie theater, I felt betrayed.

I am a huge fan of the works of Frank Herbert and have (I’m pretty sure) read everything he has written. I first read Dune when I was fifteen and have considered it to be my favorite book ever sense. It is truly a work of genius. When the movie came out I knew that it couldn’t hope to be as good as the book (movies never are) but still, I was looking forward to it.

About half of the audience walked out before the movie ended. I didn’t and I’m not really sure why it didn’t – maybe I was just too stunned, or too angry, or both. Where do I start? The horrible acting? The terrible special effects? The chucking of whole plot lines? The alteration of what (now thoroughly muddled) plot they kept? I remember thinking how terribly unfair it was that some people might form an impression of the book from this piece of trash masquerading as a movie.

Frank Herbert was too polite a man to harshly criticize the movie but he did express disappointment (if it were me, I would have throttled the director) that the film betrayed the basic premise of the book. Namely, that the main character, Paul Atredies, was a man playing God, not an actual god who could make it rain with a wave of his hand.

So please, anyone who has seen – endured would be a better word – this movie and not read the book, don’t let it fool you into think the book is equally bad. Quite the contrary it is an award winning novel filled with action, political intrigue and philosophical musings on ecology, culture, religion and politics. Thinking people will find much to mentally "chew" on in it (and Herbert’s other works as well).

As for the Sci-Fi mini-series, it was okay. Just that, okay.

Note to Star Trek fans: Patrick Steward has a role in this "movie." I doubt he lists it in his resume.



JohnSteed1967 -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 8:02:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Desmodious

Read the book. A three hour movie could not do it justice.


You are SO DAMN RIGHT!



WyrdRich -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 8:15:40 PM)

        Take that piece of crap out of the player and try to erase the experience from your mind (LOTS of booze perhaps).

       If you want to watch it, get the mini-series version that was done by the Sci-Fi channel.   It does some justice to one of the real masterpieces of science fiction.



JohnSteed1967 -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 8:16:30 PM)

First to Enjoy the movie, you have to accept the movie as "Alternate version Dune" or "Dune For Dummies"

The whole Voice module thing was because the director/screenwriters didn't understand how to explain to the audience that in this world Human's had developed a way to turn their voice into weapons, and that not everyone could do it. By turning it into a piece of hardware they turn a concept into a reality.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Marc2b

quote:

Namely, that the main character, Paul Atredies, was a man playing God, not an actual god who could make it rain with a wave of his hand.


Your right and that is the real Crux of the failure of the movie at the box office, the director/screenwriters couldn't really explain to the audience that this Spice had transformed this man (The result of thousands of years of selective breeding) into a god-like creature.

The best that they could manage was that this guy was on this planet and had drug tripped out and got pissed off that this homosexual fat baron had killed his dad.

Oh yes I guess they left that out too, but the Baron Vladimer Harkonnen was GAY!



sissifytoserve -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 8:22:15 PM)

There's a heck of a lot more to the story than the movie provides.

Kind of like how beings (the Bene Gesserit witches) from the outer world came to Dune and seeded the planet with a mythos.

..and all the inhabitants considered them to be "gods"

Kind of reminds me of how religion is imposed on us.

Also..noted "the manipulation of bloodlines" talked about in the movie.

Kind of like how "Royal blood" is so valued here on planet Earth. How most
important politicians that ever hold office in britian or America have certain bloodlines.

I compare the value of the "Spice of Arrakis" (iraqis?) to the value of Gold or Oil on planet earth.

Good slaves that we are...we mine it...and money is more important than anything.

Money...the magical pentacle/spell over the masses.

Materialism above all else.

Funny how the movie is also riddled with a rather eqyptian feel to it.

If you really want to draw paralells and get weird with this....research monatomic gold.






Marc2b -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 9:02:12 PM)

quote:

The best that they could manage was that this guy was on this planet and had drug tripped out and got pissed off that this homosexual fat baron had killed his dad.


LMFAO [:D].  Thanks!

quote:

Oh yes I guess they left that out too, but the Baron Vladimer Harkonnen was GAY!


He wasn't just gay, he was a pedophile.  And he was Paul's grandfather too!  Considering how much the two families hated each other, the family reunions must have been really awkward social events.



Rule -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 9:02:23 PM)

I was and still am a fan of the first and later Dune books. On my advice some neighbours accompanied me to the movie. It was a severe disappointment.
 
quote:

ORIGINAL: Desmodious
Read the book. A three hour movie could not do it justice.

Quite.
 
quote:

ORIGINAL: happypervert
I've read that a problem of this film ... was that the studio cut a lot of it out to get it to a reasonable length, and in doing so they made it really difficult to follow the story.

Quite.
 
I also agree with every word in post 9 of Marc2b and post 12 of JohnSteed1967.



Tikkiee -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 9:43:12 PM)

I must be an oddity here then, because I found the movie itself to be totally fascinating...( I also read the books )
 



HatesParisHilton -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 9:47:49 PM)

Dune is ALL about plot and causality, plot and causality is to Lynch what Kryptonite is to Superman.  Nuff said.

Also Dune was (except for some implications RE Harkonnen) relatively non deviant, and Lynch needs things to be sleazy and horrid before he can cope with it all.

there ya go.



mgdartist -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 10:16:22 PM)

loved the movie, and the books were waaay too long. so i appreciated the condensation, and learning to fold space...



FangsNfeet -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 11:01:53 PM)

How can you say the movie just "Sucks" when it has actors such as Patrick Stuart and an acting performance from rock star legend Sting?



mastermargarita -> RE: I'm watching "DUNE" for the very first time.... (1/6/2007 11:53:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: happypervert

I've read that a problem of this film, according to the director David Lynch, was that the studio cut a lot of it out to get it to a reasonable length, and in doing so they made it really difficult to follow the story.

But hey, if you don't like it, tough shit.




There were two versions of the movie that came out later...one was the theaterical version which was a little over 3 hours and then one came out  about a year later that was over 4 hours.  where they went back in and re-added some of the scenes to better further the plot.  
I read all the time so I found the books more enjoyable as far as the storyline went.  The movie, especially the longer version, was eye catching, at a time when computer animation and CGI was just an idea at the studios, the movie allowed a glimpse into the world of Dune.   But dont forget to the soundtrack to the movie was done by an Eighties Rock Band....Toto.   I  still listen to that music, when i am feeling creative on the art boards.
Have a good one.



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