 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Sep 7, 2011 - 11:10 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
bdm
(Member)
|
Big fan of the book (still trying to make it through the sequels - they just kind of drag for me; but I'm trying).
Like the Toto score - works well. The film itself? ...Well, it tried, but got caught in it's own pretensions. Great cast for the most part - all actors good, but some mis-cast (there still hasn't been a good Duke Leto - need that likability with wits, power, and grace... George Clooney might be able to pull him off; Mel Gibson before he went nuts all over the place maybe...; Russel Crow?). Thought Max von Sydow would have made a better Shadam...
The design choices took me out of the film, rather than drawing me in - those eyebrows; c'mon!
I prefer the mini-series for telling the story with less pretension, but it is not as well cast.
The effects were lacking (true Temple of Doom had rough bits, but that was Lucas' and Speilberg's intent - give 'em that 30's vibe; also why effects in Last Crusade were also a tad off. Would have preferred the Raiders approach myself, but it's their film) to my mind at the time. On further viewings, they don't grate as much, but should have been better all things considered.
I like David Lynch, but he shouldn't have directed this - didn't suit his style or strengths. Ridley Scott is more the man for this story.
The score works - I have both the original album, and the Toto promo from awhile back.
I would love to see the fillm remastered on blu-ray, with Lynch giving us his director's cut, along with the original theatrical release (warts and all), and the tv cut.
An delux treatment of this score would be nice too.
And Flash Gordon too, while were at it - but that's another posting!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The movie was and in my view still IS apallingly bad. I cannot believe a major studio found it worthy of release.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Always liked the score. Toto did a fine job, a better rock-orchestral blend than Queen/Blake's Flash Gordon.
While I have a soft spot for many a Hollywood catastrophe (1941, Heaven's Gate, The Wiz, even Bonfire has its moments), I can't muster much love for Dune. The design and photography are impressive and otherwordly, but misplaced it seems to me. Does every planet have to be dark? The visual effects are mostly terrible -- I don't mean dated -- they were laughable at the time, especially the space effects. Lynch was obviously hamstrung by the running time imposed on him so little unfolds smoothly and a great cast is left hanging, saddled with exposition that does nothing to orient the audience or further the plot.
My favorite moment by FAR is early on when Jose Ferrer is giving his little morning report to that big brain looking thing in the tank that talks out of a vagina (I used to know all the Dune names but they've left me, sorry). Ferrer puts all his oratory skill to bear to put over his utterly confusing expository speech explaining who wants what and why ... I was waiting for vagina mouth to say "Come again ...?"
Lynch was not the guy for this. The project had George Miller all over it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
