Dune (2021) – A Worthy Adaption of the Best Sci-Fi Book Ever Written – Film Review

Posted on October 19, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Writers: Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, and Zendaya

Rating: ★★★★

Frank Herbert’s Dune to many is one of the greatest pieces of sci-fi ever created. It has been claimed time and time again that the story is unfilmable. For a lot of people the first adaptation by David Lynch is only proof of that. When Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve was announced to be making his own version of the classic sci-fi novel, there was a sense of hesitant excitement. Surely if anyone can bring the sprawling epic to the big screen it’s the director of two of the best sci-fi films of recent years? Any anxiety was eased by the overwhelming positive reception the film got at Venice Film Festival earlier in the year. Dune is finally here, and Villeneuve’s adaptation gives justice to Herbert’s book.

If you’ve seen the previous adaptations or read the original novel, then the story will feel very familiar. This is a very faithful adaptation of the spice mining epic. All the politics and nuance is here, and the story is given time to breathe. The film, which is shown as Part One when the title appears at the beginning, adapts roughly half of the original book. While it hasn’t been greenlit yet, the second part will adapt the second half and a third part will adapt the first sequel, Dune Messiah. Those not familiar to the source material don’t need to worry. The film does an excellent job at building the world in an accessible way and you’ll be fully invested by the time the film reaches the end.

The film is gorgeous. From the opening frame Villeneuve has created one of the best-looking films in recent years. The world is awe inspiring and you’re sucked into the screen and taken away from start to finish. It’s a work of art. On top of that is Hans Zimmer’s score. It’s loud and epic, with thumping and pulsating moments. Even the quiet moments feel extremely silent, contrasting the loud moments.

The cast is perfect. Timothée Chalamet is an excellent Paul Atreides, he’s confident and thoughtful. You can tell straight away that he is born to be a future leader. Oscar Isaac is great as Leto Atreides, the Duke who takes his family to Arrakis to take control of the spice mining. Rebecca Ferguson plays Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother. She’s protective and in control, a fierce fighter when needed. The relationship between Paul and his mother is the backbone of the film, through tragedy they are forced to survive together in the wilderness of Arrakis. Stellan Skarsgård is channelling Marlon Brando from Apocalypse Now as the villainous Baron Harkonnen. Jason Momoa is great as Duncan, a born fighter and Paul’s mentor.

This is a long film, over two and a half hours in length, and at times you really feel it. The first half builds the pace nicely, giving enough time to introduce you to the world and move the narrative forward without slowing down. Then as the film goes beyond two hours, you start to feel the length. It spends the last act setting up the second film, which loses some of the momentum. Sadly, this isn’t like the first Lord of the Rings, where you finish the film amazed at how fast three hours went. The fighting also leaves a lot to be desired. Apart from when Jason Momoa is on screen, the choreography for the fights is really tame. The violence mostly happens off screen and it’s not very brutal when you do see it. The mid-way point of the film is a massive battle, that’s not very entertaining. It feels like it’s holding back to ensure it doesn’t get slapped with a higher age rating.

Despite its flaws, Dune, is a worthy adaptation of a classic book. Unlike Lynch’s version which throws you in at the deep end, Villeneuve eases you into the story and dense world. The cast are great, the visuals are excellent, and the score is outstanding. It’s an epic sweeping film and part two can’t come soon enough.

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Dune, The French Dispatch and Bigfoot Hunters

Posted on October 18, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

I’ve just gotten back home from seeing Dune. I’m a big fan of the book, and I’ve recently came around to Lynch’s version, which I really didn’t like on first viewing. I quite liked the new one, although I don’t think it’s as perfect as some people have been making out. I’ll have a review up tomorrow for it. It’s Monday, which means it’s time to go through what I’m going to be watching this week.

I mentioned Dune, because I’ll be watching it again on Thursday. Tabby was blown away by it and didn’t want it to end. While the sequel is years away, if it gets made at all, we will be going back on Thursday. This time in IMAX, hopefully.

I’m also going to be watching The French Dispatch again when it releases on Friday. I’m hoping I’ll like it more the second time. I love Wes Anderson’s films, and I’m hoping I was just expecting too much the first time.

The other things I’m watching this week is Bigfoot Hunters and Demonic. I’ll have reviews out for both this week. I have a small pile of films that I’ve rented that also need watching, which I will be doing from tomorrow.

With books, I really need to finish Alejandro’s Lie. I started it over a month ago and just haven’t had enough time. I’m really enjoying it, and I’m determined to finish it tomorrow so I can start something else. Not sure what just yet, I have a long to-read pile and it’s just growing.

So that’s what I’ll be watching and reading this week, what about you? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley

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King Richard – Film Review

Posted on October 18, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Writer: Zach Baylin

Starring: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn and Jon Bernthal

Rating: ★★★★

Following in the recent trend of biopics is King Richard, which follows the story of Richard Williams as he raises his two daughters, Venus and Serena, with his plan to make them into the world’s biggest tennis stars. Their names are well known, even outside of the tennis world, so it’s fitting to see their story on the big screen.

Richard Williams had a life plan for his two daughters becoming tennis stars before they were even born. At time’s he’s selfish and controlling and at others he is full of compassion, and you can tell he just wants his children to have the best life possible. Will Smith captures all of this perfectly, really showing the different aspects of Richard. He’s as charming as he is difficult. The writing by Zach Baylin also deserves a lot of credit for that. It would be very easy to turn someone like this into a one note character, but the complexity is authentically presented.  

This is a film that is all about performances. Will Smith is incredible in the role of Richard Williams, the determined and sometimes overbearing father of the two tennis legends. Smith can really act, and he absolutely shows it here. He will probably and deservedly receive a lot of nominations for this performance.

The actors playing Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) are also fantastic. Stepping into the shoes of the sisters must be daunting, but both of them are great, feeling like true family. Aunjanue Ellis is excellent as Oracene Price, Richard’s wife and the sister’s mother. She’s just as determined as Richard to make sure her daughters succeed. Ellis also delivers one of the most emotional moments of the film. The whole family feels real and when they are all on screen together there is something special about it.

Like any biopic there is a certain extent of dramatic licence. There are scenes that probably didn’t happen the way they are presented. Things are contrived, but it doesn’t matter because this is a wholesome and uplifting story. The Williams’s sisters career is inspirational and incredible, and the film captures that.

King Richards is a celebration of two of the most successful tennis players of all time. It’s an inspiring story and told in a fun and engaging way. Whether you know the history or not, love tennis or can’t stand it, there is a lot to love here, and you will leave the film with a smile on your face.

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The Singing Ringing Tree – Film Review

Posted on October 17, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Francesco Stefani

Writer: Anne Geelhaar and Francesco Stefani

Starring: Christel Bodenstein, Charles Hans Vogt, Eckart Dux, Richard Krüger, and Dorothea Tiesing

Rating: ★★★ 

Originally released in 1957 in what was then known as East Germany, The Singing Ringing Tree is a strange and surreal fairy tele about a spoiled princess who wants a potential suitor to find her the mythical titled tree that can dispel all evil from the world. In the 1960s, the film was bought by the BBC and cut into three parts as a mini-TV-series as part of Tales from Europe. Because of this it has a legacy in the UK of terrifying children, with it’s strange and bizarre moments.

Now it has received a Blu Ray release in high definition for the first time from Network. The Blu Ray comes with a couple of extras, most notably a 2003 interview with Christel Bodenstein, who played the princess. It’s an interesting interview for fans of the film. The film also looks great in the new restoration.

Based on the fairy tale by The Grimm Brothers, The Singing Ringing Tree, tells the story of a prince who travels half way around the world to meet a princess. She rejects his gift of pearls and asks instead for The Singing Ringing Tree. He sets off to find it and bring the tree back to her. Once he finds the tree the princess must love him by midnight, or he will turn into a bear. She rejects the tree and he turns into a bear as promised, with the princess’s love being the only way to break the curse.

The film was noted in the 1960s with it’s release in the UK for being bizarre and nightmarish. For a children’s film, this does have some strange moments in it that could scare children. It’s not trying to be scary, but there is some absurd moments, including a giant fish and a magical reindeer, that are more than a little strange. For older audiences there is something charming about the strangeness. When the prince turns into a bear it’s just a costume, making it feel a little bit like a pantomime without the humour. While the film was recorded in German, when it was re-released in the UK, including this release, there is a narration filling in everything that’s happened. The dialogue isn’t dubbed.

The whole thing looks like a storybook, with handmade scenery and backgrounds. It feels like you are watching a classic storybook on the screen. The colours are bright and nothing looks quite real. The visuals are reminiscent of something like The Wizard of Oz, with bright bold colours. Even though nothing looks real, and the effects are dated, it still looks magical and takes you away on the story.

The Singing Ringing Tree is a fine family film. It looks great in high definition, but this isn’t a classic that’s going to make any children’s (of any age) favourites list. It’s a classic fairy tale told and is charming in its own way.  

Pre-order: https://bit.ly/3yRgVJy

The Singing Ringing Tree is on Blu-ray 18 October from Network

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Venom: Let There Be Carnage – More of What Made The First One So Great – Film Review

Posted on October 17, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Andy Serkis

Writer: Kelly Marcel

Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Woody Harrelson

Rating: ★★★½

Three years ago, Venom was released and was ripped apart by most critics, who hated almost everything about it. The pacing, the tone shifts, the comedy. Even more important though, the audiences loved it, and the film made a lot of money. It was one of those films that divided the critics and audiences completely. Now the sequel has arrived, doing almost everything the original did in a more streamlined run time (a little over ninety minutes compared to the almost two-hour runtime of the first one). If you liked the first one, you’re going to like this one as well.

The film starts where the post-credits scene of the first one ended. Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) is in prison, Eddie Brock and Venom (Tom Hardy) are trying to get along with each other, while at the same time Eddie is the only person Cletus will talk to. Eddie visits Cletus in prison to try and find out where the bodies of his victims were buried to bring closure to their families. On one of these visits, things get heated and Cletus bites Eddie, tasting the symbiote blood and creating Carnage at the same time.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a lot of fun. The humour from the first one is back in full force. Eddie and Venom play off each other so well. Director and motion capture master Andy Serkis has described their relationship as being at the ‘odd couple’ stage, and that’s a perfect description. The FBI are still investigating the events of the first film, which means that Eddie and Venom must be on their best behaviour. Venom can’t eat people, instead having to eat chocolate and chickens to survive. Apart from the two chickens he’s taken as pets, named Sonny and Cher. The comedy works and Venom has some hilarious moments.

The action is slick and entertaining. At its heart this is a monster movie, something akin to a Godzilla film. Venom and Carnage have a massive CGI fight and it’s awesome to watch. Andy Serkis does a great job of directing the action sequences, everything is clear and easy to follow. While you know what the outcome will be, it’s still a good time getting there. The shorter run time than most superhero films really helps the film, making it a thrill ride from start to finish. This isn’t trying to be anything more than a fast energetic comedy-action film and it succeeds at that in every way.

Much like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, or Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, Tom Hardy is the perfect Eddie Brock. He is excellent in the role, trying to live his life normally while at the same time having to constantly try and stop Venom from eating people or taking control. It’s a great dynamic and Hardy is the best thing about the film. Woody Harrelson is also great as Cletus Kasady. He’s demented and twisted and the interplay between him and Eddie works.

The supporting characters are also great. Anne Weying (Michelle Williams) is back from the first film, now engaged to Dan (Reid Scott). The relationship between her and Venom is a highlight of the film. The shopkeeper (Peggy Lu) is also back from the first film, and is the one keeping Venom fed with chocolate.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is more of the first film. It’s just as entertaining and just as funny. There are no real surprises, nothing new is brought to the table, but it’s entertaining and fun to watch. It looks like there’s going to be more, which is definitely a good thing. The mid-credits scene is also worth staying for. It sets up sequels and is a real treat for Marvel fans.

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