Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihuxe!chas From: chas@ihuxe.UUCP (Charles Lambert) Newsgroups: net.movies Subject: Re: DUNE: judge for yourself Message-ID: <1015@ihuxe.UUCP> Date: Mon, 7-Jan-85 22:25:25 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxe.1015 Posted: Mon Jan 7 22:25:25 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 9-Jan-85 01:48:51 EST References: <503@ut-sally.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 32 After browsing through this newsgroup and becoming ever more astonished at the favourable comments about DUNE, I am finally compelled to a cry of despair after reading the recommendation to go and judge for yourself. PLEASE don't. My one hope, having seen the film, was that the justifiably lousy reviews would keep others from going through the same ordeal, and that the makers would take such a ruinous financial soaking that they'd never attempt a similar venture again. Of course, I jest; I don't expect anyone to take my word for it so my treasured vision of financial disaster is probably not to be. I just wish I'd known in advance what an insult this production would be, so that at least I could have saved my $4. This is a gross, pretentious film. It makes continual use of voice-over narrative as a substitute for articulate screenplay. This "oh, by the way; in case you're not following..." stuff is an admission of crass scriptwriting which destroys credibility. As a cheap substitute for the magnificent malignance of the Harkonnens we are treated to gratuitous blood-spraying and a loving close-up of spittle oozing from the Baron's lips as he spits on Jessica. Even that might have worked, along with the splendid art-deco sets, if they'd played it high-camp. DUNE is so unredeemably bad that it'll probably rate as a masterpiece. *sigh* ... and I suppose people will flock to the box office in dis- belief. Go and see it if you must, but you'll only encourage them to do it again. Charlie @ the Death Star, Ill.