Monthly Archives: February 2024

Dune: Part Two

Timothée Chalamet is the top-billed star of Dune: Part Two. But, make no mistake, this is director Denis Villeneuve’s movie. 

As with other Villeneuve films (notably Bladerunner 2049 and Arrival, plus the 2021 Dune Part One) stunning images are a given. The desert landscapes and gigantic structures offer opportunities for compelling scenes that may or may not be have computer-generated elements but they look awesome.

The battles, big and small, employing high tech and low tech, involving thousands of souls or just two, the menacing desert worms (who provide a cool mode of transportation), the military aircraft that resemble mosquitos, that goofy sandwalk. One epic battle is staged in black-and-white to great effect. And it all proceeds at a good pace because there’s so much story to tell within a run time of 2:46.

Hans Zimmer, whose soundtracks are rarely subtle, charges in with low-pitched signatures that accompany key moments and fuel anticipation. This may be the loudest movie since Oppenheimer.

Because this film’s predecessor was released during the pandemic in October 2021 AND was made available to streaming at the same time as its theatrical release, many folks (including me) saw Dune: Part One on a small screen. Seeing Dune: Part Two on a large screen is, by comparison, overwhelming. It’s often said of films “see this movie on the biggest screen possible.” That suggestion applies here.

Is it necessary to have seen Dune:Part One to appreciate Dune: Part Two? No, but watching the first one or at least reading a plot synopsis provides context. 

Does Timothée Chalamet have the heft to portray a valiant warrior leading a classic quest? He is a slim man with a youthful countenance and cute curly hair. In the first film he is shamed by Jason Mamoa’s character for not putting on muscles. But, yes, he does manage to fill the heroic role ably because he is a talented actor. 

How do the Dune movies compare to the Star Wars films? There are similarities but the Dune movies lack the light-hearted moments and characters that populate the Star Wars universe. Villeneuve takes his sci-fi a bit more seriously.

The main plot: Paul Atriedes (Chalamet) leads a mission to the planet Arrakis to avenge the death of his father and to secure control of “spice,” the crop that fuels this future universe. He has the support of the planet’s persecuted Fremen who include his love interest Chani (Zendaya) and tribal leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem). 

The saga from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel includes mythic and religious hopes seen in modern Christianity and Islam. Is Paul the Chosen One? The Lisan al-Gaib? The Mahdi? Some of the Fremen believe him to be a messiah.

Returning from the first Dune film are Paul’s mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Gurney (Josh Brolin), Baron Harkonnen (an enormous Stellan Skarsgård), Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) and Reverend Mother (Charlotte Rampling). New characters in D2 include Feyd-Rautha (a menacing looking Austin Butler), the Emperor (Christopher Walken) and his daughter Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh).

Dune: Part Two is, on one hand, totally satisfying. A visual treat, a classic tale of good versus evil. On the other hand, there are a few elements of the story yet to be resolved. How soon will talk about a Part Three begin popping up? TBD.

But before that happens, don’t miss Dune: Part Two. It’s a must-see. As mentioned, strap in and see it in a theater. Rated PG-13.

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Bob Marley: One Love

The joints are thick and so are the Jamaican accents in the new biopic Bob Marley: One Love. Unless your ears are finely attuned to dialects, you may want to wait for this movie to hit streaming and cable so you’ll have captions available. 

The reggae tunes are cool and plentiful. The music and Marley’s vibe are the film’s main charms. Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) is seemingly always smiling, always moving and always brimming with optimism. Marley, as portrayed by Ben-Adir and in real life vintage clips, is not the greatest dancer but his enthusiasm is contagious. Music is performed on stages, in studios and around fire pits. 

Bob Marley’s life story is told via a handful of flashbacks. Much of the movie is centered around his time in Europe in the late 70s. That’s when Marley recorded and released his landmark album Exodus. Island records exec Howard Bloom (Michael Gandolfini) tries to convince Marley to put a picture of him and the band on the album’s cover but Bob says no. (Yes, Michael is the son of James Gandolfini). 

Bob Marley: One Love is being released on Valentine’s Day but it is not an especially romantic movie. Yes, there’s his loyal wife Rita (Lashana Lynch) who sets him straight and calls out his womanizing in a key dramatic scene. And we see a youthful Bob wooing a young girl. But don’t think that because the word love is in the title that this is necessarily a great date film.

Ya mon, there is quite a bit of marijuana smoked in the film. And whereas some who consume weed tend to lie about, Marley and crew are shown moving, jogging, playing soccer. 

Jamaica in the 70s was the scene of political turmoil which often led to violence. Early in the film, Marley is shot by a home invader but survives. Marley arranges a concert bringing opposing political groups together, leading to a period of peace in the island nation. 

Bob Marley: One Love is for music fans, especially Marley and reggae fans. Is it a definitive biopic? No. But it gives you a some good insight into the life he led, the music he created and the stamp he left on the culture of Jamaica.

Rated PG-13.

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Argylle

Argylle is an action-packed thrill ride. It’s the kind of movie the world needs right now. There’s your pull quote. 

Bryce Dallas Howard is terrific as a spy tale novelist who quickly finds herself doing many of the wild and wooly things her books’ central character Argylle (Henry Cavill) does. 

Argylle is clever, funny, sometimes silly, colorful and, oh yes, violent. But much of that shooting and punching and kicking and exploding is of a comic nature—just as fantastical as the stuff in John Wick films but with a wink from the filmmaker. Argylle doesn’t move nearly as fast as the quick cut preview trailer does, but there are few slowdowns once it kicks off.

Director Matthew Vaughn, whose film Kingsman: The Secret Service (released here nine years ago) was filled with surprises and dekes and feints, brings similar turns and twists to Argylle. Vaughn also directed two Kingsman sequels, an X-men film and the 2007 fantasy Stardust, taken from a Neil Gaiman tale. 

When Elly Conway (Howard) finishes her fifth book, she sends her mom (Catherine O’Hara) the manuscript. When mom offers a critique, Elly takes a train to visit her mother in person. On the train she encounters Aidan (Sam Rockwell) who tells her his occupation is espionage. She notices he’s reading one of her Argylle spy novels. 

In short order, a fracas occurs on the train, starting Elly and Aidan on their adventure that takes them from somewhere in the western U.S. to London and on to the south of France where they visit a vineyard tended by Alfie (Samuel L. Jackson). Ah, but growing grapes is not Alfie’s real mission—he’s guiding spy missions from his man cave. 

Alfie is also the name of Elly’s cat who rides along in her backpack and looks out through the backpack’s round window. He’s not just along for the ride; he gets into the action at a couple of key moments.

Elly and Aidan’s travels take them to an oil tanker where a long battle occurs with a couple of ridiculously creative scenes that scriptwriter Jason Fuchs and Vaughn have crafted to provide some neat visuals.

Also in the film’s cast are Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Dua Lipa and Ariana DeBose. 

You’ve probably noticed a generally tense mood in the nation and the world in recent months. It’s not necessary to list the reasons why in this review. 

But it is necessary to tune out the world occasionally. Argylle provides a healthy dose of escapism with an engaging story, an array of memorable characters, an energetic soundtrack and one cool kitty. If you could benefit from a couple of hours of fun, you might like Argylle. It’s rated PG-13.

In theaters now, coming to Apple TV+ at a yet-to-be-announced date.

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