I'm Just A Little Bit Excited For Dune 2
I will be seeing 'Dune: Part Two' later today.
While locked up in New Jersey—one of the worst states (of being/in the country)—during the peak of the COVID pandemic, I read Dune. Dune is a very good book with a tremendous beginning and a fantastic ending. Maybe it goes on a little too much in the middle, but it is what it is.
I love a good sci-fi story and my official Dune take when it comes to the adaptations is, and please quote me on this: “Fuck yeah.” In a blockbuster landscape of hacky jokes and mediocre setpieces, Dune (and hopefully Dune: Part Two) is a true classic from a visionary director. I saw the one from a few years ago in IMAX, because of course, to set up for the upcoming one, and it just rips. The actors are all on board, the sets are real and spectacular and the movie makes most other ones look like shoddy replicas.
If you’re reading this on the day it was published, as you ALWAYS should, then that means that I’ll be seeing Dune: Part Two today. On the biggest screen in New York.
Because media is dying, I decided to harken back to the good ol’ days. Yes, that’s right. Here’s a Buzzfeed-esque listicle on Dune things I’m excited for:
1. New Nicole Kidman Ad?
The following headline dropped from Variety this week: “AMC Theatres to Release Three New Nicole Kidman-Led Ads.” The rumors are saying March 1. We’ll be seeing Dune: Part Two on March 1. Will I see one of these new Kidman AMC ads for the first time on an IMAX screen? That’s almost more exciting than the movie. Please note that I said “almost.” Don’t want the aggregators to get me there.
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2. Rebecca Ferguson
I mean … come on.
Rebecca Ferguson rules. I’m excited that the internet agrees. She’s even started a bit of chaos leading into the new movie, as the Twitterverse is attempting to trace down what star once yelled at her.
The Swedish star told the Reign with Josh Smith podcast that she once worked with an "absolute idiot of a co-star". She said she learned to stand up for herself after the star criticised her and she eventually asked for them to turn their back while she was acting. Ferguson did not reveal the co-star's identity or gender. -From the BBC
Keeping the internet abuzz with rumors is what it’s all about. We’ve already seen The Rock, Jake Gyllenhaal and Emily Blunt all thrown under the bus. One day, we’ll find out who it is. Until then, we have a new Dune movie in which Ferguson does Ferguson things. She’s the best.
My guess by the way is Jacob Tremblay.
3. Timothée Chalamet Is Good
I have heard many a time, sometimes even from so-called friends, that they do not like Timothée Chalamet and that they think he is a bad actor. I’m fine with everyone out there having their own opinions, but they’re idiots.
Chalamet is famous for two reasons: He’s good at being famous and he’s good at being an actor. It’s the second one we care about here.
The kid’s 28 years old—he’s two months younger than me, which I hate—and he’s already been in quite a few of the better movies of the 21st century: Lady Bird, Little Women, Lady Bird, Interstellar, The French Dispatch and Bones and All. Please pay no attention to Don’t Look Up.
Chalamet took his star appeal and used it to great effect in Dune, playing a future ruler grappling with his talents and the chaotic world around him. I’m glad he went this route instead of some of the other shlockier blockbuster options from the superhero stuff to the Jurassic worlds to other garbage.
Chalamet is good. I have no doubt he’ll continue that winning streak in Dune: Part Two.
4. Josh Brolin The Poet
I did not know that Josh Brolin was an aspiring poet. Now, because of this movie’s press tour, I know that. And I’m the better for it.
5. The New Ones
I enjoy how these movies decided that there’s no such thing as too many good actors. Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Mamoa, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Rampling and Stephen McKinley Henderson weren’t enough. Now we have Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken joining the cast. Hell yeah. Throw everyone in here. Speaking of…
6. Bald Elvis On Arrakis
After his whatever Elvis movie (good performance though), we’re about to see Austin Butler play one of the more unhinged and entertaining villains in recent memory. He looks like one of those hairless cats. It’s terrifying. I must see it on the biggest screen possible.
7. A Win For Canada
Noted Canadian Denis Villeneuve is on a heater right now. He’s making IMAX movies for huge audiences and is coming off a run of Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and now the Dune movies. The guy has a vision, tells compelling stories and cares about the medium in such an interesting way. He gets whatever actors, cinematographers and artists he wants to join his projects and then puts it all to good use. What else could one want?
In summary, I’m excited for Dune: Part Two. It won’t be, but if it’s bad, please don’t try to talk to me for at least the next two weeks. Okay, cool. Bye.