Dune by Frank Herbert
Just finished re-reading this book. I was amazed at how many things I either missed or forgot since I last read it about 15 years ago. Now if they would just make a better movie adaptation out of it.
8 years ago by caelreth
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Am I the only one who enjoyed the David Lynch adaptation? It's kind of bonkers, but I love that damn movie. Who doesn't want to see a young Sting in a shiny diaper, or young Patrick Stewart with a bit of hair? Not to mention it's just a funny movie. So many parts make me crack up. I can't stay mad at Lynch no matter how hard I try.
I would like to see another movie made. I tryed to watch the SciFi channel's miniseries, but I just couldn't get into it (I think it was made before the switch to "SyFy", lol). I've read the books as well. The first one is the best by far, IMHO. I haven't read it in a while. Maybe I should pick it up again and see how I like it now. It's always interesting to see how your opinion of a book changes over time.
No, I really did like the David Lynch adaptation. And if that were the only one ever made, I would probably be fine. But then the Sci-Fi/Syfy channel made their adaptation and left a bad taste in my mouth, so I want a better update! :)
I'm glad you liked it! People tend to hate that movie, which I find surprising. Maybe it's not Dune enough for Dune fans, and not Lynch enough for Lynch fans? IDK. I found the miniseries boring, and Muad'dib was just so unlikable, but it's been years since I watched it, so maybe it's not so bad as I remember? SyFy isn't exactly known for their quality programming. They did an adaptation of Brave New World staring Leonard Nimoy that made me want to punch my TV, lol.
I think I was influenced by how much my grandfather liked the David Lynch version. But there are certainly parts of it that are memorable - including Patrick Stewart as Gurney Halleck.
Patrick Stewart is always just so darn likable. :)
Agreed. Though, when I read the book this time, I didn't think Gurney Halleck came across as quite as likable.
I remember Gurney being very strict in the books, not at all warm or affectionate.
Good - wasn't just me, then :) Though, he does often sing in the book as he did in the movie. But he does seem more mirthful in the movie than in the book.
I don't remember it well as it was a long long time ago, but I liked it then.
I haven't seen it in a while, either, but I've watched it multiple times and always liked it. Gosh, it's old now!
I feel the opposite of you, I really loved the Sci-Fi versions and could never really get into the David Lynch movie. I've read the original books plus the ending books by his son. I've been thinking of picking up all of the books, both Frank's and Brian's and putting them in chronological order and trying the series again. I've read most of them I believe, except for the new one like Mentats of Dune or something.
Yeah, Lynch isn't for everyone. I saw the movie before I read the books, so that could have something to do with it as well. I liked the books, but I still like the movie also. I only read the first three books and never got back into the series. How are the other books? Good? I think I got disinterested after Muad'dib died.
Why did I hover over the spoiler. It's the honey that attracts the flies damn it... I saw Ralph Bakshi's LOTR before reading the books. All I could do was see the characters the same way he had animated them. Not that that was a bad thing. Without reference I could have pictured Hobbits as a spherical shaped humanoid that rolled around instead of walking.
Oh, sorry about the spoiler! I always have trouble resisting as well. ;)
I've never seen the animated LOTR. Is it any good? I always pictured the hobbits way furrier than I've ever seen them depicted. The book versions I read didn't have any pictures of them, so I had no preconceived notions.
For the time it was amazing. "The film is notable for its extensive use of rotoscoping, a technique in which scenes are first shot in live-action, then traced onto animation cels. It uses a hybrid of traditional cel animation and rotoscoped live action footage.", that blew my mind as a kid.
No problem about the spoiler, my mouse gravitates towards grey boxes.
When you mentioned the rotoscoping technique I thought of Fire and Ice, which I have seen, and Ralph Bakshi did that also! Now I want to see his LOTR. I don't know how I missed it as a kid. :)
Fire and Ice and Wizards were a favourite as well. Going to have to hunt them down again and watch.
I thought it was cool... but the acting was just so bad. Man, the screenplay was so sterile and very dense.
Oh, I love the acting! Brad Dourif with his freakish hand movements and generally creepy performance, Kyle MacLachlan being Kyle MacLachlan, and lines like, "I am the shadout mapes... the, housekeeper!" Haha, I can't get enough of that. I think I like my performances a bit hammy, though. :)
I've been re-watching the X-Files series and just saw an episode with Brad Dourif in it. His character in the episode was every bit as odd as his Piter De Vries.
I remember that episode vividly! It's a good one, very creepy and intense. Brad Dourif is always so dark and freaky. That's his thing. Even in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest he was pretty creepy, and I don't know if that was intentional. I mean, you're supposed to sympathize with him in that one, and you do, but he's just so intense all the time. He's in a lot of sci-fi, and obviously his being the voice of Chucky adds a lot to his reputation for creepiness. I like him, though. He's uniquely him. I remember being happy to see him in LOTR, I thought it was a great casting choice.
Now I want to re-watch X-Files! I can't believe they're making more! ... I ... I want to believe. ;)
I love that they're making more X-Files. Just wish it was going to come back more fully. Ah, well. I'll take what I can get, I suppose.
Hmm...maybe that should be the next series I re-read until I find something more current to dig into.
I really enjoyed reading it again. And I am enjoying Dune, Messiah currently.
Yeah a movie remake would be awesome.
They kind of did, based on Herbert's original vision.
I didn't like that adaptation nearly as much - but I think it was more the acting.
I didn't know about this. I'll have to check it out, it even got a decent rating too.
This book is so mind-blowing when you read it at first. I can only imagine (yet) how good it can get once you read the second time and understand all the details.
I also find the transition from the image of a "God" in the first book to the one in the future to be absolutely incredible. Definitely a series that is completely worth the read. I am jealous of those who didn't yet read it simply because they will get to enjoy the shivers you get when the main character evolves, together with those around him.
I can definitely see the potential to make an amazing series / movie out of it, but I'm not sure how the concept of prescience can be rendered in its true shape in the context of a visual novel.
Don't give away too much, now :)
Sorry if I did, I feel like I wrote just enough to spark a person's curiosity. If it's too much I'll edit out some stuff.
Edit: There.
Heh, no worries. I've read them. But I wasn't sure what others might want to find out on their own :)
I recently bought this. Have only read the first chapter, I should get reading. Seems like a pretty good book.
It is a good book.
Fine, you've made me want to read this book for the first time.
My work here is done! (Or maybe it was someone else's work. Either way...)
I work at a book retailer, so hopefully I can manage to get a copy... somehow. Don't know how... :D
I have a copy at home, but it's been read more times than it was meant to have been. Pretty such it has no spine.
I don't know. Might be a pretty rare find :)
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