Future releases [2]

Out on netflix. Casting looks hopeful. I also hope the film is edited better than the trailer, which doesn't seem to hold together. Comedy is all in the timing which is all in the editing.

that vid is unavailable in my country

That's strange - it's a netflix flick, which I'd think they'd want to provide access to all over. Lena Heady and Karen Gillan doing "Gunpowder Milkshake".

Just watched it.  Truly fun - it has Dick Tracy color pallette with a Desperado giddy joy in shoot-em-ups, all with a gritty touch of Spice Girls grrrl power.  Some good writing between the action.

Karen Gillan holds up her end well as a lead player, and does it all with an American accent, which doesn't make too much sense given that Lena Headey keeps her accent, and is supposed to be her mother.

Thought this had a clip from the new Amazon Lord of the Rings series, but I think it's taken from a game. I THINK.

https://youtu.be/F2ZOGLDqEt4

No I think it's an honest to god trailer! But it's bundled with a bunch of others, skip to 6:10. (first trailer has John Boyega as the lead, indicating that when he's given good material he actually can act).

Okay, I've watched that 20 second spot a couple times, and the main thing I get from it is the production values are not as good as Jackson's LotR. Almost nothing else to go on...though it's strange that the map shows Gondor: is this a framing device? They can't possibly be starting that late in SA unless it's meant to set up viewers unfamiliar with the larger story, showing how things will eventually fit together.

I was put off by the nazgul.  Though they are probably active in the wars of Angmar, I don't think of them being mounted on fell beasts until the late third age.

{{Pretty sure thats fan made Halfy- if you look at the l;isting for the vid below it lists it as - 'LORD OF THE RINGS: Season 1 Unofficial Teaser'. Its the only one in that vid to be listed as unofficial. So almost certaintly just a fan made invention. Plus shouldnt be called Lord of the Rings, as thats a different thing.}

Ah, now I see it. They shouldn't bundle it with real trailers then. If fan made then the quality is pretty good, though it falls down with all the Gondor stuff.

Definitely not using Herbert's dialogue, which I have mixed feelings about because he's not a great writer of prose, yet he does make iconic scenes which you relate to his spare dialogue. Humor has been added which Herbert lacks, which is a good thing when used judiciously.

What I'm uncomfortable with is making the Fremen into an oppressed people. They are, but they refuse to act like it, and the approach shown waters down this essential characteristic.

{{ I thought the same about dialogue Halfy- first thing that struck me about it, it doesnt sound like Herbert's characters at all, it does sound very much like a Hollywood film however }}

The trailer makes it look as though the Fremen are hunted down for extermination, but this is not the way of the novel. I don't like it.

How many times have they used the "I am smiling" line? The one that stands out to me is from Black Dynamite.

In the book the Fremen are being hunted down for extermination, but rather than being traumatized they seem to relish the challenge of it.

After the invasion of Arrakeen that drove out the Atreides, the mentat Thufir Hawat was amazed to see a band of Fremen overwhelm a larger squad of Sardauker. "Those were Sardauker!" he exclaimed. "Yes" said his Fremen companion, nodding in appreciation, "did you see how well they fought?"

Well it's not the point of the Fremen then, as I recall.

Agreed, it's not the main point at all.  It looks like they are trying to tug at our heartstrings for the poor Fremen, but true Fremen wouldn't have even comprehended such an attitude.  It's totally mischaracterizing the Fremen and the intent of the book.

I can see why people get mad at the media. Here's a description of Dune I just read:

"editor@purewow.com (PureWow)

...

In the movie, Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto Atreides (Isaac) and heir to his aristocratic family. Soon, he begins fantasizing about a mysterious woman named Chani (Zendaya), who lives on a deserted planet where a highly sought-after drug is produced. When his family is sent to investigate, they realize they're being set up.

...

Hmm, if this same reporter got hold of Lord of the Rings, I suppose it might read

"Frodo, one of a race of dwarves discovers a mysterious jewel capable of making people invisible. With the help of nine friends he rushes to find its maker in a volcano, the only one who knows how to melt it."

Gripping stuff.

This looks interestingly GOTs.



Review

Dev Patel as the Sir Gawain?  What an interesting choice.  He's so good at comedy I wouldn't have expected this casting.  But I suppose he's trying to avoid type casting, and the reviewer liked his acting approach.  Judging from the trailer alone I would have thought it overwrought, but you can't tell from trailers.  Posting it with the review was a good move.  I may have to see this, expecially since I admired Dev Patel's performance so much in the Marigold Hotel duo.  I had a hard time with Tom Hank's move to drama, but eventually bought it.  Dev Patel is not as well established as a comedic actor, so it's smart he's doing the flip to drama early in his career.

I really like this casting, he is suitably brooding and Mediaeval looking.

Pulled from UK theatres, it seems because the studio is worried the covid outbreak will dampen attendance.

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a37123332/dev-patel-green-knight-cinema-release-pulled/

{{Getting good vibes from this, like original Ghostbusters meets a modern Goonies. }}