Cinepals - DUNE (2021) Reaction & Review!

Episode Date: March 11, 2024

Achara and Kristen watch Dune (2021). Dune is directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Arrival, Bladerunner 2049) and stars Timothée Chalamet (Wonka), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Euphoria), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One), Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country For Old Men), Josh Brolin (Avengers: End Game), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Stellan Skarsgård (Andor, Thor).    The video version of the podcast as well as other movie reviews and reactions are also available on our youtube channel www.youtube.com/@cinepals.   SOCIAL MEDIA ~KRISTEN STEPHENSONPINO~ Instagram: @Kris10Kesp ~ACHARA KIRK~ Twitter & Instagram: @AcharaKirk ~CINEPALS~ YouTube: @CinePals Insta: https://instagram.com/TheCinePals Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCinePals

Senna. Pals! We're watching Dune! Kristen has not seen this movie and I wanted to re-watch this movie. She was here and I was like, you know what, I'm just going to watch it with her. What? That's how we're going to end it? Yeah.

No! Yeah. Can you imagine how I felt when this ended and it was like, wait, how long do we have to wait until part two? But part two is here, so you don't have to wait that long. Oh, good. But what? What? I was like, I'm invested.

That did not feel like it was two hours and 30-something minutes. No. I mean, yeah, it's incredible because there's so much world building that's going on, but it's so immersive. But anyway, I've seen it. Like, they know what I feel. So how did you feel about it? Oh, I think this is the coolest thing that has hit the market in some time.

Every single thing in this film was very, very, like, thought out. Yes. Every little detail. They did not cheap out on anything. Yeah. Even the slightest little detail, they threw it in there. Yeah.

And I'm like, wow, like, this is gorgeous. This is fascinating. And it's interesting because at one point I was like, is this going to be like Star Wars or something like that? Like I haven't seen Star Wars. I've seen like parts of it. And when I was little, I went to the theater and fell asleep. you know, you do what you do

and a lot of you will hate me for that but whatever and I was like is this like a Star Wars thing in or you know because it's kind of like outer space yeah spacious but then it's not at the same time the storyline is so damn cool I love that they put so many different

cultures yeah out there and you have these two characters that are so freaking smart right and they know all these different languages that the average person doesn't but the sign if this does not make you want to learn sign language i don't know what will honestly like i've seen a lot of films with sign language and you're like yeah it's cool they threw it in there this one i'm like yo i got to know today no i

needed to know like 10 years ago because i used to sign and i'm like okay i got to get back on that because and then i need to teach my people like whoever i'm with so that i can be like conversation. Yeah, you could just look at him. But the fact that she, I love the scene where she's having the conversation with the lady who gives her the tooth sword from

the slug, the worm. And she's sitting there, she's having a conversation and having a whole other one with her hand. That is just genius. Yeah. The way, they, every single thing they did in this film was

brilliant. Yeah. It was so, it was done and so well, but also you're like, man, you're so smart. Oh, you're taking this to a whole other level of creativity, but also, I love that they're using the brain to, like, the max. Yeah. Because it gives you so much stimulation, even in the most subtle, like, scenes. And normally I hate films that are, like, really slow.

I loved every single portion where I'm like, you could slow this thing down even more for me, and I would still enjoy it. Yeah. And I would, because it's like, it's all about the detail. Yeah, there's so much going on. And I think the world is just so inviting that you're like, yeah, please hold on to this image of like the desert or space or whatever it is that we're looking at. And also, like, Denisov, the director, he really allows the moments to breathe. Yeah.

And then you're just watching the reactions of the different characters that they're like going back and forth. And like you said, everything is just so subtle. whether it's like the hand, the signing, or like... So good. The communication with the eyes that they're doing, the looks and all of that. Even like the buildings, like everything, the suits. Like, I'm amazed by the detail. It's so beautifully done.

But not like that. Like, I feel like it's so fresh. I can't look away and I'm very drawn into it. Okay, so I've watched this film many times now, and I've watched the second one. And I will say, going from watching the second one to watching this, there's stuff that I'm like, Oh, wow. I didn't realize when I was watching part two,

there are so many motifs that come back again and again. It did a lot for shadowy. Yeah, and then it pays off. So maybe you'll see that when you finally watch part two. But it's just so beautifully done. I get the sense that it feels connected, right? Because you said that once this finished, you're like, wait, what, that's the end? Yeah.

How can it be? I want more. I feel like I'm like, I'm like, did I just get kicked out of the club? Like, because I felt like I'm like on this insane journey where I felt like I'm like literally following and I'm exhausted too with them. But at the same time, I'm like, I just lost them. Yeah. Oh my God, which is having. But it's, so basically part one is a lot of just setting up, right?

So they do a really good job of setting up the world. You understand like who the people are, what the conflict is. You know that the emperor sent them there to die. You understand that the Harkinen are like brutal and. and just awful people. Yeah, but you know what I also like about it? It's not predictable on how they... Like, you, like, in the sense of,

okay, you know, danger's coming. And you know, like, sometimes you're like, are you getting set up? But the manner and the play, like the moves they make, is not predictable, which is nice. Yeah. And even what's to come out of their mouths

is not anything that you just automatically, like, oh, da-da-da-da-ha. Right. You know, like, it's a, Like there's so much meaning to the art, to the dialogue, to the music, to every little like body, like the body language and movements. There's so much to it. I mean, I think it's interesting that for the most part, that is all reserved for women, right? And when you think about throughout history, women have not often been able to take positions of power.

And so here they are this sisterhood who work in the shadows, who have spent thousands of years planning, who have bred, you know, they have specifically bred people like produced offspring and the offspring have had offspring until it ended up with him. And it wasn't even supposed to be him, but there's like a certain sense of prophecy of like there's a prophecy that he has to step into, whether that's like the Lissan Al-Gaib for the Fremen or whether it is the Kuzat Hadarach for the Benegeserite you know like there's so much going on and there's this sense where he's like there's too much like is it my choice or is it my destiny and I find that just really interesting and it's something that they explore more and more throughout I mean yeah I'm loving it and I think the main character he's giving me low-key vibes

like on the look-wise and I'm like here you hat no he is and he's so good he's really good and it's so funny because like I literally just watched him in part two right and then watching him in this I'm like oh my god he was such a baby oh is he like more has he turned a little man

well I mean it's inevitable right I don't know when they filmed this but it's been many years and so now he's definitely grown up but in this one it's like that's such good casting because you feel how vulnerable he is as like a young man he's barely a man you know and he's having to have all this responsibility just like thrown on him and not only that but like a whole prophecy and everything like he's learning now as like it's it's interesting because he's been getting trained his entire life but he never knew the full reasoning behind things and i almost feel like sometimes like

that keeps people pure and more humble but at the same time it could go either way right you either have the people who are going to step up to the plate and be that humbleness like humble like whoa I don't want this kind of type of person or it's going to be or it's going to be like

you get filled with like anger and chaos or whatever right I feel like that's a hard choice like it's a hard thing to do as a parent because you also know bringing up a child already knowing this thing and be like, oh, you're so great, you're so great, you're so great. You become, you, you, you can create a little monster of ego and power. Yeah.

And so it's interesting because, yeah, when you get older, you're going to get frustrated because you're like, why wouldn't you tell me this, dude? Like, this is intense. This is not really, like, this is scary. And you're just telling me now that's messed up. And so I can understand the frustration, but at the same time, I feel like there's that fine line of, like, keeping it as pure and as, like, good as possible. Yeah.

So you don't taint your frustration. fruit. Yeah. And I think as well, you pointed this out, but Rebecca Ferguson, who played Jessica, his mother, I thought she, she does a fantastic job in this role. She is just fabulous. And I love, like,

she's just naturally gorgeous. But she's a badass, man. She is the coolest. Like, honestly, she's one of my favorite characters in this film. And normally I feel like the mothers kind of get, like, you know, like, go to the side and you're like, oh, I like them, but then you kind of forget about them. No, she's

holding her own and making her stance like she she's so strong in her character like I love how she's going through all the emotional damage right yeah and how she's terrified but she keeps saying fear is the mind killer yeah I will not fear

I will not fear fear is the mind killer to keep her sharp and clear of with a clear vision and I love that but I also love how she has her moments and she allows herself to kind of break and then she comes in the room and just demands your attention and goes you know and even though you can see she's like oh I'm here for you and

she's like the motherville mothers of I will comfort you I will be there I will teach you I am stern as well as I am kind yeah it's kind of a hard it's yeah and it's kind of like the archetype of the mother right like I I truly feel that mothers are some of the strongest people in the world and I love that you know she's given the opportunity to show us that she's also scared that she's struggling and it's terrifying for her but she has to be strong not just for herself but for her son and everyone around her and yeah Rebecca Fergus

kills it she is like I'm obsessed I'm in love with her I'm obsessed I think she is the coolest character and like I feel like she just got on my roster to be like I think she's like gonna be up there with some of my like favorite female actresses I think she's like she just hit my touch Top two, top three right now.

She's awesome. And I love the scene where he's like, oh, she's weak, you know? Like, I think I'm in the fight. She's just like, boom. To me, I was worried for her, but I knew she could, I knew she can like pull her own. Yeah. But for some reason, I feel like hearing him say those things about her hurt my feelings. And I was like, no, not my girl.

Yeah. And I just, I don't know, like, because you forget, she's so lovable. You sometimes forget how powerful she is. and in that moment I've had forgotten I completely forgot because I feel like her son just took over

to like protect her kind of and almost like mother her in some shape of form and she actually backed down to allow him to become this man and to fend for both of them and I think because of that I think a part of me forgot

because we start seeing more of her feminine side and his masculine side of like hey I'm protecting you And then so by the time we got to that scene, it's like we almost forgotten that how powerful she is because you're also like, her son allowed her to be that feminine character. Right.

And the moment she busted out, you're like, oh yeah. Yeah. I forgot. She was everyone alone. Yep. You are. And then you're like, damn, you are so good. You're so clever.

You're so wise. You're so. Oh, my gosh. Like you're patient and you're a watcher and you're a listener. her. Who, girl, watch out. What's out. And you're emotional.

You know, like, you got another child inside of you. And you're still so composed with poise. And then you're like, suck. I mean, it's an awesome portrayal of the feminine. Like, all the different facets of what you can be. Even her movements, though, from the beginning, I see her as royalty. Yeah. She's honestly, she's just royal.

And she's, but she's so elegant. even in the way she fights. I don't think anybody could have done it as well as she has done it. I don't think I've ever seen somebody play a role like hers to that extent. Right. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. Like, I feel like normally it's just like, it's very like, it is what it is.

Yeah. Yeah. I feel like hers is like so patched. Yeah. She's definitely like a very, very interesting character. She is. What did you feel about Letto, the dad? I think.

think he was very loving, very kind. He was like this king who's just so wise and wants the good over all, over everything else. I'm bummed out that we lost him so soon. Yeah. It's interesting because as strong as I felt he was, he was so soft. Like the scene where the guy's like, oh, I'm retiring. He's like, no, you're not. I don't think so.

You know, like he had so many moments that were so powerful and strong, but you couldn't help but go, why would he be my dad? He was like a husband and a father at the same time, and you could feel the strength in the husband, but you could feel the loyalty, well, he wasn't really, you know, they weren't married, but... He loved her,

though. You still, yes, you still felt that presence of a true marriage, if that makes sense. Even though they weren't married, I think that the way he ran to her, like, you know, like when men, when they really love a woman, they are so vulnerable and they become so

kind and soft. And so when he runs to her, or even speaks to her, you know, he spoke with her and asked, no, are you going, I'm not asking you as a mother, if you're going to protect her son, I'm asking you as your, you're a Jesuit, yes. I think that was a very powerful scene.

Yeah. But even after that, he goes and lays into her laugh, he's like, hey, I want to be with you. Yeah. You know what I mean? And he's so, you can't help but feel so comfortable and in love with that character. Right. Also, just overall, because he's also very powerful and a badass, but he has morals.

But unfortunately, being an honorable man does not get you far. No, it doesn't. In politics, you die. But for being a good man, you die. I think the wife is a lot more harsh and a lot more like cutthroat than he is. Absolutely. But at the same time, I didn't mind. There's parts of him that were kind of like, you know, a little weak.

But I feel like that kindness shows more strength and weakness. Yeah, I agree. And I feel like a lot of people would take advantage, but he wasn't dumb. He knew what he was doing. Yeah. And he knew like, hey, I have no choice, but at the same time, all right, I know what's to come to a certain extent. And I think, like, especially now, now that you know what happens to him at the end, if you watch it again, which I'm sure you will, because most people, like, watch this movie more than once. Yeah.

This time round, I noticed, you know, and even you picked up on it as well, when it came time for, him right at the beginning to put his seal on the document, he paused. Yeah. Like he knew. He knew that if that was his death sentence, but because he's a man of honor, he had to do it anyway. And there were so many moments I felt in the movie where you get the sense that I know that this is my inevitable duty. But I have to keep doing the thing. I have to keep playing into this game knowing full well that I die.

but hopefully my wife and my son get to live. Yeah, that's all I care about. But I also think that speaks volumes to the moment where he was like, how many people are on there? Yeah. You know, I think that also, because he's like, he knows the time's limited. Mm-hmm. And so now he's also, he's like, I'm just, I'm going to save as much as I can and do as much good as I can while I still am here. You know, I'm even like, and it's interesting because even when he was going to sleep, he didn't take the pills, right?

He's like, not like that. This cast is insane. Not one week link in this film. Not in the music. Yeah. Not in the graphics. Not in the art. Like any of the set design or wardrobe or directing or dialogue or storyline.

There's no. You guys tighten this up real good. You're like, go ahead. Critique me. I got none. Well, this is based on the novel, June, which is also like a whole series of novels. I want to go and read that. Yeah.

Like, I will read that. Yeah, for sure. That's how intrigued I am. I'm going to start. I haven't started yet, because this is so long. I want to order it tonight. But, yeah, I love the world. I love just like the intrigue, the politics, all of the little details of just everything.

And I can keep returning to this film time and time again. Oh, I can definitely watch this again. I would watch it. it like probably several times tonight i might honestly i might go home and watch it again tonight so because i've heard of this okay and i happened to stumble upon a clip about it with the the big guy where they showed this big guy and it was like about the makeup and i got caught into it because i was like oh cool makeup but i didn't know like what it was for i just knew that they were doing some makeup or whatever and they're doing the process so apparently that guy all the his trunk is put on

prosthetic, yes, and it's like super heavy. And so I guess like I watched that and they said it was like really intense. He said it's like the most intense makeup. I think I had read or heard somewhere that actually Stellan Scarsgaard asked Denevina for the director if he could just make him as like gross as possible. And I think he truly succeeded because every time the baron is on the screen, it's just like, he's gross. He just reeks of like gluttony. And I think that that also like thematically lends really well into the story

because like the Harkinen are really greedy. They're and even just in general like the empire and how they're here on the planet. And they had the choice. It was like, oh, they had the tech to bring water back to the planet and build more like greenery and life. but because they found the spice they're like yeah screw that we're just going to harvest as much spice as possible instead of helping these people

have a better life on their planet I love that they chose spice to be the main reason for the war because that's like in history right yeah exactly it's the same thing but I love that they threw it into like the sand in the desert you know and it's like in history

how many times do we go to war because of oil oil, spices, food, you know, all these things. Yeah, riches. Riches. Like, all these exotic things or it just makes so much sense. But then you also look at this desert. You're like, this is full of it. Yeah.

Come on. Really, you're that greedy. But then you're like, yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, we are. Because you're sitting there, you're like, look how much you have. Are you serious? Even if you sat there and you created this water source thing for everybody,

but you still have plenty of spices to go around. But because, especially in politics, you know, everybody's so damn greedy and corrupt, it's like, I believe it. Yeah. I believe all of it. Like, it's so real. It's so relatable. It's so relevant. You're talking about people coming in, taking resources, you've got colonialism.

I love how they talk about, like, religion, because he's talking about, like, they're about, he has this vision of this religious war. that is about to happen and you know like you get here the inklings of like is he the Messiah yeah the one and he's like I don't think I don't know I am and it's like how much of that is manipulation how much of that is actually true so this is what kind of tripped me out it was really quick really brief but it stood out to me still even though it was that quick when they had the people upside down with their arms and legs yeah cross upside down as their blood drip down into the pile. Yeah.

And they put the blood on the top of their head. It reminded me of like the Catholics and stuff, you know, when they do the Ash Wednesday. Yeah, Ash Wednesday, yeah. And, but also I was like,

oh my gosh, that's also kind of like God dying on the cross a little bit except for you're upside down and now you're on this wall, but you're allowing all the blood to like... Which is also kind of like Satan too. Yes. Yes.

See? You get it? Yeah. You see me? And I was like, how interesting. Because like you said, they were going into like the whole whole religion thing and I'm like

that's so dark. Yeah. You know, but and it's interesting because like that part really stood out to me and got engraved into my mind especially like especially when they started doing that I was like yeah because it feels it feels religious like even the way that the guy

was standing there and he's like chanting and whatnot. It felt like he was almost like blessing them before they go into battle or something but it seems wrong just the way they're going about it. But I felt like there's like a few different religions that I could sit there and kind of be like, ooh, it's kind of like this religion,

that religion, this religion. And so it's kind of cool to see that they've picked a little bit of this, a little bit of this, and put it into this one idea that just expands worldwide. Right, yeah. And it's like there are definitely things where you could go, oh, that definitely feels like Islam or that feels like

maybe Christianity or something like that, but it's not too like... It's not too like... A parent. Yes. Or too much that you're like, oh, they're definitely talking about this. It's like, no, this is just inspiration that we're drawing from to create this world that feels really lived in. I love all the inspiration that's coming into play with it. I think this is a brilliant film. This is my favorite film of the year.

And I know we're still early. Their favorite film of the year from 2021, but don't worry. Oh, is that when it came out? Yeah. Don't worry. We'll get to. You had to wait that long for number two. Yo, I'm so glad I didn't watch this in 2021.

Okay, well, I'm going to say, this is my favorite film for last year or two, even though I'm just watching it now. That sucks. I know. Can you imagine? I didn't even realize this only came out 20. I only heard about this recently,

that's why I asked you, hey, can I watch this and blah, blah, blah. I heard good things, but that sucks. Yeah, don't worry. You won't have to wait as long for part two. I think I kind of like the fact that I like my strength. of like waiting until everything comes out. I think you don't have to wait as well.

You don't have to wait. I would be so irritated if I had to wait for this one. Anyway. It's good. It's great, you guys. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the reaction, the discussion, the review. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we will see you next time. I'm Achara Kirk.

This is... Kristen says Pino. Ciao! Bye!