Dune

Lynch and Herbert are like caramel and ketchup - fine on their own but disastrous together. My rating is for the longer TV cut that actually tries to make sense (but still doesn't). At times hypnotically captivating, but those unfamiliar with the novel can be forgiven for throwing up their hands and turning it off 20 minutes in.

I guess one could give De Laurentiis credit for tackling such an ambitious project...as one could give credit to that guy in Japan who stuck 477 clothespins to his ass in an attempt to break the world record for clothespins stuck to one's ass--but that doesn't mean they should've done those things. Dune is the movie no one wanted--too complex for people who haven't read the book, too removed from the book for those who have, and too filled with internal monologue for anyone to take it seriously.

For a long time it seemed like an okay movie -- far from great, but passable. But from when Paul joined the Fremen and on the movie rapidly descended into awfulness. The last half hour was so incomprehensible it could've been stretched out to twice its length and still feel rushed. The love story was one of the most inept and undeveloped I've ever seen. All of the mythological aspects were falling painfully flat. By the time the final battle came around I couldn't care less what happened.

I haven't read the book, and I've had to make a few attempts at getting through this. It's a mess, on a few levels, but it has a certain appeal that meant I eventually warmed to it - I think you'd have to be in a forgiving mood, frankly. The special effects should have been so much better in the post-Star Wars era, but some of the design is quite impressive in parts. Good, quirky cast as well. I'll possibly never read the book, but I'll happily check out Denis Villeneuve's forthcoming version.

There was even a voice over for me sitting there in my pajamas, sprawled on the couch - “I have absolutely no idea what is going on anymore” .