Dune 1984

I recently saw the 1984 version of Dune in a movie theater. It was thrilling to see on a big screen Princess Irulan introduce the story, House Atreides emerge onto Arrakis, blue-eyed Paul Atreides speak in a declamatory voice, and of course, the worm riding.

The main difference in terms of characters from the more recent movies is that 1984 Paul Atreides is clearly a hero. It is easy to sympathize with him as he struggles to free people and fulfill his destiny. The 2021-2024 Paul is more of an anti-hero.

In terms of plot, the main difference is the weirding way. In the 1984 Dune, this is a form of marital arts, but they also have weirding modules. Paul and others can shout into a weirding module, and a pulse of force emerges. This was almost inevitable after other science fiction space movies had ray and beam weapons. And it was shown as crucial in going up against armies with automatic weapons. The 2021-2024 Dune has the weirding way remain a form of martial arts, which is closer to the novel.

So without casting aspersion against the new version, I still have great affection for the 1984 movie. One needs to see the expanded version shown on TV to see the widow of Jamis, and also the wacko source of the water of life.

Instead of showing a typical trailer, here is funny story by Patrick Stewart, who played Gurney.

Two-Sentence Movie Summaries

I don’t remember who came up with the idea of two-sentence movie summaries that are both accurate and sardonic. Here is my take on this concept.

The Last Samurai: An American soldier decides Japan is more spiritual than America. So he joins a rebellion against the emperor.

The Wizard of Oz: Trying to get home from Oz, Dorothy almost dies on a mission to steal a witch’s broom. Then she finds out she only had to click her heels.

While You Were Sleeping: A woman pretends to be the fiancée of a man in a coma. After he wakes up, she leaves him at the altar and marries his brother instead.

Aliens: A platoon of Colonial Marines gets wiped out fighting the monstrous aliens. Ripley emerges triumphant by using a forklift.

Saving Private Ryan: A small group of soldiers goes behind enemy lines in World War II to retrieve Ryan, whose brothers have all been killed in the war. He decides not to go with them.

Titanic: A couple falls in love on the RMS Titanic. The ship sinks.

Pride and Prejudice (1995): Lizzy must decide who is truly guilty of pride and prejudice as she contemplates the seemingly hardhearted Mr. Darcy. When she sees him wet after a swim, she takes off.

Shane: The gunslinger Shane hangs up his guns to live a peaceful life with a family, including a little boy. He shoots a couple men to death in front of the boy.

The Lord of the Rings: Frodo must destroy the great ring of power to save Middle Earth. He claims the ring for himself, but his finger is bitten off, so happy ending.

Romeo and Juliet (1968): Although their families are literally feuding with each other, Romeo and Juliet decide to marry for love. They both die.