Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
01-11-09, 08:25 PM
#27
DVD Talk Godfather
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Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
(I actually liked the "prequel" books written by Herbert and Anderson, but I seem to be in the minority on that one...)
Fuck 'em. I liked most of the prequels with the "House of" books being my personal faves.
Funny thing about the Children of Dune TV miniseries... technically, it's infinitely superior to the original miniseries. Better acted, better shot, better directed, better edited, better production values... everything across the board is superior.
EXCEPT the story. You can't polish a turd.
EXCEPT the story. You can't polish a turd.
I think the Dune Universe in general is a Love it, or Hate it type thing.
Last edited by Giantrobo; 01-11-09 at 08:28 PM.
11-09-09, 02:41 AM
#28
Senior Member
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
In my 39 years on this planet I don't know how I managed not to see Dune... until today!
I must say W T F... man, partying in Hollywood in the 80's with David Lynch must have been a freaking blast! I bet the "spices" flowed alright... flowed right up every single person's nose associated with the creation of this flick. Tell me they weren't all flying high as kites when they were making Dune.
I mean how freaking bad ass must it have been for Lynch to pitch Dune to a studio exec (obviously high on coke) "okay, here's the story, there are these gigantic killer worms." "And these dudes end up harnessing these worms to do battle... it will blow (pun) your freaking mind!" "Imagine if you will, tons of bald women... oh, hold on, it gets better, Sting, yes I said Sting, will battle the chosen one to the death in a knife fight that will end all knife fights." "It's gonna be baaaaaad ass!" Oh to be a fly on a wall during that meeting.
I'm sorry, but I saw this steaming pile tonight for the first time ever... can someone tell me why I really, really wanted Duran Duran to appear half way through the movie and start singing a medley of Wild Boys/Union Of The Snake/New Moon On Monday and The Reflex... Now if that had happened, that would have made this turd truly bad ass!
I'm sure there are a lot of fans of Dune, admittedly I like my fair share of terrible movies, I really can't think of any at the moment other than Jaws 3 of course, oh, and He-Man Masters Of The Universe. To each his own, but damn I really wanted (actually expected) Dune to be amazing... but all I could do is laugh.
I must say W T F... man, partying in Hollywood in the 80's with David Lynch must have been a freaking blast! I bet the "spices" flowed alright... flowed right up every single person's nose associated with the creation of this flick. Tell me they weren't all flying high as kites when they were making Dune.
I mean how freaking bad ass must it have been for Lynch to pitch Dune to a studio exec (obviously high on coke) "okay, here's the story, there are these gigantic killer worms." "And these dudes end up harnessing these worms to do battle... it will blow (pun) your freaking mind!" "Imagine if you will, tons of bald women... oh, hold on, it gets better, Sting, yes I said Sting, will battle the chosen one to the death in a knife fight that will end all knife fights." "It's gonna be baaaaaad ass!" Oh to be a fly on a wall during that meeting.
I'm sorry, but I saw this steaming pile tonight for the first time ever... can someone tell me why I really, really wanted Duran Duran to appear half way through the movie and start singing a medley of Wild Boys/Union Of The Snake/New Moon On Monday and The Reflex... Now if that had happened, that would have made this turd truly bad ass!
I'm sure there are a lot of fans of Dune, admittedly I like my fair share of terrible movies, I really can't think of any at the moment other than Jaws 3 of course, oh, and He-Man Masters Of The Universe. To each his own, but damn I really wanted (actually expected) Dune to be amazing... but all I could do is laugh.
11-09-09, 10:22 AM
#29
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
It was based off of the best selling science-fiction book of all time - that's why there were worms and why people were riding the worms into battle. You aren't going to get much sympathy about the plot from people who have read the book.
Now, the execution of the book into a movie... yes, it left a little to be desired.
If you want to read more about the plot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel))
From the discussion in wikipedia on the film:
Now, the execution of the book into a movie... yes, it left a little to be desired.
If you want to read more about the plot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel))
From the discussion in wikipedia on the film:
In his review, critic Roger Ebert gave Dune one star out of four and wrote "This movie is a real mess, an incomprehensible, ugly, unstructured, pointless excursion into the murkier realms of one of the most confusing screenplays of all time." Ebert added that "The movie's plot will no doubt mean more to people who've read Herbert than to those who are walking in cold," and later named it "the worst movie of the year."] On At The Movies with Gene Siskel and Ebert, Siskel began his review by saying "it's physically ugly, it contains at least a dozen gory gross-out scenes, some of its special effects are cheap — surprisingly cheap because this film cost a reported 40 to 45 million dollars — and its story is confusing beyond belief. In case I haven't made myself clear, I hated watching this film." The film was later listed as the worst film of 1984 in their "Stinkers of 1984" episode. Other negative reviews focused on the same issues as well as on the length of the film.
Last edited by Heat; 11-09-09 at 10:29 AM.
11-09-09, 02:34 PM
#30
Banned by request
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
I was mildly curious about the books but the movie (and the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series) killed any thoughts of reading the books. It just felt odd and uninteresting. I may still read the books someday just to see what all love for them stems from (and I don't trust any movie to be page for page translation of a book).
11-10-09, 03:25 AM
#31
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
Roger Ebert hated "Blue Velvet," too.
11-10-09, 12:30 PM
#32
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
I'm not usually one to defend "popcorn" style movies, but in Dune's case Lynch was fairly obviously trying to do something a little better than usual (considering it was sourced from a classic science fiction novel). For that reason I'm able to grade a movie like this "on a curve" if you will. Even missing major chunks of the novel, movies like this that are based on existing properties help give a viewer a "slice of life" view of that particular franchise. It's not perfect, but it should be a gateway or just an introduction to that larger world.
And I also love the extended cut on DVD. It's still clunky, but the extra scenes allow even more of that "slice of life" feel I mentioned.
And I also love the extended cut on DVD. It's still clunky, but the extra scenes allow even more of that "slice of life" feel I mentioned.
11-10-09, 12:53 PM
#33
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
I've read the books. I actually like the David Lynch movie.I bought the French Blu-Ray Dune form Amazon.fr. The disc is region free. The picture is excellent and audio good.
Though, I do like the David Lynch. I prefer the the Sc-Fi miniseries Dune and The Children of Dune. I hope they eventaully release them on Blu-Ray.
Though, I do like the David Lynch. I prefer the the Sc-Fi miniseries Dune and The Children of Dune. I hope they eventaully release them on Blu-Ray.
11-10-09, 01:14 PM
#34
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
Roger Ebert has seldom been a fan of films with a certain "Cult Movie" appeal, particularly ones that are morally ambiguous.
For example:
- his negative 1972 review of "A Clockwork Orange"
- his negative 1986 review of "Blue Velvet"
(Although he has come around a bit in his old age.)
For example:
- his negative 1972 review of "A Clockwork Orange"
- his negative 1986 review of "Blue Velvet"
(Although he has come around a bit in his old age.)
11-10-09, 01:18 PM
#35
DVD Talk Gold Edition
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Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
I think somewhere in what Lynch attempted there lies the potential for the best possible adaptation of Herbert's work - but that potential will likely remain unfulfilled.
01-16-24, 02:15 AM
#36
DVD Talk God
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
I know this is a really old thread, but this is worth mentioning. Dune 1984 is being re-released in theaters next month for 2 days only for its 40th anniversary.
01-16-24, 08:17 AM
#37
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
First half was awesome then it turns into a rushed mess. Shame as it had the potential to be a great flick. Lynch wanted a 3 or so hour run time as well. He should have took that jedi job.
I just watched it for the first time about a month ago. Was really pissed off at the second half, again...it turned into a sloppy and rushed mess.
I just watched it for the first time about a month ago. Was really pissed off at the second half, again...it turned into a sloppy and rushed mess.
01-16-24, 01:33 PM
#38
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Dune (1984) - Thoughts?
Saw this a few years ago for the first time, was not good at all.
I was hoping they'd have some IMAX screenings for the 2021 Dune before the 2nd one releases
I was hoping they'd have some IMAX screenings for the 2021 Dune before the 2nd one releases
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