Dune (2021)

It is the year 10191.  The story opens on Dune.  Chani (Zendaya) explains how the Harkonnens have ruled the planet since before she was born.  The Harkonnens have become richer than the emperor thanks to the spice, a substance found only on Dune.  Now, inexplicably, the Harkonnens are gone by imperial decree.  She wonders who the next oppressor will be.

On Caladan, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) awakens with a dream of Chani still lingering in his mind.  He has visions, not all of which come true.  He is a skilled swordsman; he fights sword master Gurney Hallek (Josh Brolin) to a draw.  He has some training in controlling others with 'The Voice.'  His mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), is a Bene Gesserit, an order of women with seemingly magical powers; the powers have been achieved through selective breeding and consumption of spice.  Paul idolizes Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), a skilled warrior and big brother figure.  Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), Paul's father, has been called upon by the emperor to assume command of Dune and make the spice flow.  He accepts the assignment but knows there is more to this than it seems; it's a trap.

Arriving on Dune, Leto seeks to ally himself with the native Fremen; he doesn't want to be an oppressor like the Harkonnens.  However, the Harkonnens have left Dune in ruins, making it nigh impossible for Leto to meet the spice demands.  Worse still, there is treason afoot and saboteurs hidden.

Despite a two and a half hour runtime, the movie ends in the middle.  The sequel will have to complete the epic.  What is here is vastly superior to the 1984 version, and not on account of the better special effects.  The characters are given an opportunity to develop.  Duncan has lots of interaction with Paul and shows the bond between the pair.  Whereas anyone who hadn't read the book would wonder at the inclusion of Duncan in the previous attempt, here he comes to life and plays an important part in Paul's journey.  Lady Jessica likewise has more opportunity to develop.  Rather than an occasional support figure for Paul, she is a main player in the events.  Gurney has dispensed with the funny guitar, dramatic quotes, and laptop dog to become a hard-as-nails military man.  He's less quirky than Patrick Stewart's portrayal.  Likewise, the Harkonnens are much better.  Stellan Skarsgard's Baron Harkonnen offers measured and thoughtful villainy, rather than the obnoxious rants of a madman.  Indeed, where the last incarnation was wild and out of control, this baron is a chessmaster who has planned many moves ahead.  Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) is full of anger and brutality, but he isn't a grinning, mindless thug with food spilling out of his mouth.

This is an excellent sci-fi epic and should definitely be seen on the big screen.  Thumbs way up!

At Eternity's Gate (2018)

Vincent Van Gogh (Willem Dafoe) is in Paris and trying to establish himself as an artist.  He sells nothing.  The shop clerk where he has displayed his paintings demands that he remove them immediately.  At a meeting of painters, there is a proposal to spread the income from those paintings that sell among all the members.  Paul Gaugin (Oscar Isaac) storms out and Vincent follows.  Thanks to his brother, Theo, Vincent moves to the south of France and paints.  He has his breakthrough in style though no one appreciates it.  Gaugin visits - being paid by Theo to do so - but soon leaves.  Vincent slices off an ear and is soon in a sanitarium.  Arles no longer wants him so he moves back to Paris and produces almost a painting a day until his untimely death.

The movie attempts to put the viewer in the mindset of Van Gogh.  This rarely works and is mostly annoying.  There are many times when the screen is blurry and discolored.  Frequently, exchanges Vincent has are repeated several times as he weeps and wanders about.  When he is coherent, he is often abrupt and it becomes clear why he does not get along well with others.  I am far more interested in exploring his art than his mental illnesses.  Yes, one may lead to the other but putting the emphasis on the art would have been better.

 

The movie proposes that a pair of hooligans shot Van Gogh and buried the canvas he had been painting.  What is this about?  It does not delve further into it, as such it should have left is out and just had a gunshot (off screen) followed by Vincent walking back to town with a bullet wound.  Don't introduce conspiracy theories if you aren't going to explore it.

 

Dafoe is terrific in the role, an inspired choice.  He is 62 and Van Gogh died at 37.  But Van Gogh had a difficult life and Dafoe perfectly shows that.

 

I know little of Gaugin and have never cared for his art.  Isaac plays him as a know-it-all jerk.  He is constantly lecturing Van Gogh on how to be a good painter while Vincent counters with his opinions with equal confidence but less vigor.  If anything, I like Gaugin less from this depiction of him.

 

It is a difficult movie to watch but has its moments.