Dune

Director: David Lynch
Year of Release: 1984

Writers: Frank Herbert (novel), David Lynch (screenplay)
Cast highlights: Patrick Stuart, Sting, Linda Hunt, Some pretty boy too old to play a young Paul

Element of wonder *****
Level of Bizarreness *****
Visual Beauty *****
Counterculture Appeal ***
Story Depth *(ruined)

Best Quote...
Duke Leto Atreides: "I'll miss the sea, but a person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside, allowing him to grow. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken".

I loathe and love this film at the same time.

When you read up on the history of people trying to bring Frank Herberts masterwork to film, it could make lovers of the novel absolutely cry. So much missed opportunity, ego, and excess. In the end, poor Mr. Lynch tried... he really did. You can tell, and I respect his efforts! But I feel, he was in over his head. Human evolution had not yet created a Peter Jackson yet... well it had, but he wasn't finished "cooking"yet and was probably still working of some crap like Meet The Feebles. I just don't know if ANYONE could have done it at the time. So, I try to enjoy it as best as I can, and ignore the parts that make me twist up and grab the armrests bending my fingernails back because they are so far off from the messages of the novel.

The best "worst" moment of this film is Sting dressed in his silver-winged speedo screening "I -WILL- KILL HIM!" (wasn't sure how to punctuate his "weird, over the top, mental patient, all scream, battle cry" that he substituted for genuine intensity and acting ability.)

Oh Mr Lynch... you created the most beautiful piece of cinematic disappointment ever. So close... so close. Whats it called when you try to have an orgasm for 137 minutes and then realize you can't?... oh yeah, I think thats called Duneing.

The American Astronaut

The American Astronaut is a dark space-western/musical, directed by and starring Cory McAbee.



Cast
Cory McAbee as Samuel Curtis/Silver Miner
Rocco Sisto as Professor Hess
Greg Russell Cook as The Boy Who Actually Saw a Woman's Breast
James Ransone as Bodysuit


Imagine if you will a film that combines elements of David Lynch's Eraserhead with The Mighty Boosh and a thousand other things and you might begin to describe The American Astronaut. Bottom line is that it was weird, witty and I loved it.


Quotes: (Hard to pick just one)
Samuel Curtis: South America is where I'm gonna' go.
The Boy Who Actually Saw a Woman's Breast: Don't you fear the Yetis in Rio?
Samuel Curtis: No...


Samuel Curtis:What's the matter with him?
Lee Vilensky: Ah, you know how kids are. You sell 'em to a shitty planet, and they think you're the bad guy.


Samuel Curtis: Mind if I use your bathroom?
Eddie: Sure... It's a real toilet, so be careful.


Lee Vilensky:Gentlemen, you have all worked very hard. And among the lucky, you are the chosen ones. You have been sprinkled with lucky stardust. Yes, you have. For today, you have been chosen to reside in the court of the Great One. Gentlemen, I give you the boy... who actually saw... a woman's breast!

The Boy Who Actually Saw a Woman's Breast: It was round and soft. Now go back to work.


Ship Voice: What did your father teach you? What did your father teach you? What did your father teach you? What did your father teach you? What did your father teach you?
Samuel Curtis (waking up): My father taught me to kill the sunflower.
Ship Voice: Congratulations, Mr. Curtis. You are now awake. Two hours to Jupiter.