Ha! I like the simplicity of Goss’s comment. Yeah, a little harsh, especially when you seem to be elevating Avatar above it, which is hard to justify when comparing the two sequels. That said, I understand this essay isn’t really about comparing the two movies; it’s more about the murder-suicide pact we’re in with late-stage capitalism. I agree we’re in trouble in that regard, and that Dune is reflecting this sad state of affairs, both overtly and inadvertently, but also, in a way, every Hollywood movie is doing that, well at least the inadvertent part. They’re all using beautiful, popular people with varying degrees of talent (always some talent to be fair), who we kind of wanna be, to star in films, so we’ll come see them! Poor Things was a work of art that I thought was pretty great, my favorite of the Oscar contenders, but it’s guilty of the same crime. The stars are held in a place above the rest of us: the silver screen, where dreams are made into coherent narratives, and then in various media forms being fabulous. It is gross but also old news. What to do? Can we be in capitalism but not if it? We gotta be, right? Are the Dune movies or the Avatars in it but not of it? Can they somehow be both, in and if Capitalism, yet also offering something beyond it? Yes!! Because they are stories, and stories can be transcendent, and also, the truth is often a paradox. Now then Guy, this is a long comment, I suppose. But still, I can’t come close to touching upon all the things you covered in your erudite, flustered, and beautifully written critique of Dune 2 and the thoughts it made you think. But maybe I’ll give it some more thought and write down a full-fledged response to continue the conversation. It should be said: I agree with much of your thesis, but damn! Can’t we just enjoy the occasional blockbuster film that doesn’t suck? PS - “Spice” is way better a name than “unobtanium.” I’ll leave it there. Thanks for sharing dude!
Ha! I like the simplicity of Goss’s comment. Yeah, a little harsh, especially when you seem to be elevating Avatar above it, which is hard to justify when comparing the two sequels. That said, I understand this essay isn’t really about comparing the two movies; it’s more about the murder-suicide pact we’re in with late-stage capitalism. I agree we’re in trouble in that regard, and that Dune is reflecting this sad state of affairs, both overtly and inadvertently, but also, in a way, every Hollywood movie is doing that, well at least the inadvertent part. They’re all using beautiful, popular people with varying degrees of talent (always some talent to be fair), who we kind of wanna be, to star in films, so we’ll come see them! Poor Things was a work of art that I thought was pretty great, my favorite of the Oscar contenders, but it’s guilty of the same crime. The stars are held in a place above the rest of us: the silver screen, where dreams are made into coherent narratives, and then in various media forms being fabulous. It is gross but also old news. What to do? Can we be in capitalism but not if it? We gotta be, right? Are the Dune movies or the Avatars in it but not of it? Can they somehow be both, in and if Capitalism, yet also offering something beyond it? Yes!! Because they are stories, and stories can be transcendent, and also, the truth is often a paradox. Now then Guy, this is a long comment, I suppose. But still, I can’t come close to touching upon all the things you covered in your erudite, flustered, and beautifully written critique of Dune 2 and the thoughts it made you think. But maybe I’ll give it some more thought and write down a full-fledged response to continue the conversation. It should be said: I agree with much of your thesis, but damn! Can’t we just enjoy the occasional blockbuster film that doesn’t suck? PS - “Spice” is way better a name than “unobtanium.” I’ll leave it there. Thanks for sharing dude!
Little harsh on Dune2