Y2/D227

[shadowkat]

Took the day off, actually taking Monday off as well, and Tuesday is a paid holiday. Crazy Org gives us Election Day off via our Union's Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Considering watching "Dune" tonight on HBO MAX - I discovered that I still have it. Which kind of surprised me. I thought it was gone because of Amazon? Although I'd been watching it via the app, not via Amazon for a long time now.

I realized in various discussions with folks who'd seen it, that I don't care all that much whether I see Dune in the movie theater or on my 55 inch television set. Actually I might be able to pay better attention to it at home, less distractions. And...I'm not ready to go back to the movies just yet.

On Twitter - Courtney Milan said something interesting about mental health...

We are all going to handle the crushing fear and worry that comes from the moments we are living through in different ways. Those ways are not all compatible. Some people use humor. Some people vent. Some people find joy in small things.

Courtney Milan T-Rex
courtneymilan
·
Oct 26
Whatever you are doing to keep yourself sane and present and fighting in this moment—you’re doing it right. You’re okay.

After reading this - I realized I've used all of the above. I've muted people online, swung away from some folks and towards others. And others have done the same with me. I'm keeping me sane.

I am not ready to sit in a darkened movie theater with complete strangers, by myself. It's not happening. Maybe church first - that's just an hour, and has strict rules, and I know most of the people. Granted, the movie theaters also have strict rules now - you get "reserved seats" and ahead of time. Also, must be vaccinated and wear a mask. But I don't want to. It's probably worth noting that I don't live near any movie theaters any longer, and this would require a 30 minute subway ride and 20 minute walk to get to them, on semi-busy sidewalks and trains. It's not a leisurely drive with a friend, parking, and voila.

Regarding Dune? An old social media friend has been posting the following articles on it, on FB:

1. Heresies of Dune - basically makes the argument that Herbert was heavily conservative and on the far right of the political fringe.

2. The Muslimness of Dune

3. Ecological Lessons of Frank Herbert's Dune

I may watch it this weekend. But I'm ambivalent. I don't know why. I think I've just lost interest? I did read it ages ago, way back in 1981. I was in junior high at the time. It doesn't age that well, and is kind of dated. Also, from what I've read - Lucas may have been inspired by it to do Star Wars. A lot of folks think Star Wars is basically Dune, so too did Frank Herbert at the time, who attempted to sue Lucas over it. He got nowhere of course. Because honestly the basic idea isn't that original, how it is written or done is. Having read Dune, seen two adaptations, and all the Star Wars films...I don't see the resemblance, unless I squint and work hard at it. But I could do that with a lot of things.

I'm actually more excited about seeing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney Plus in November. Also the Eternals. So there you go.

**

It's raining. Or was. But stopped. Gloomy today. Gloomy tomorrow. I'm hoping to take a walk down Abmerle and Argyll street tomorrow or Sunday, to see the Halloween House, before they take everything down. I keep planning on going, and forgetting. If I do go, I'll take photos.

**

Random Photo of the Night..

Comments

[rahirah]

I read the first three Dune novels in high school, and I might have started the fourth, but it was all just so... interminable. I didn't even nope out so much as meh out.

[mtbc]

Having read them a couple of times I can now barely recall what goes on after the first couple once we're past Leto II and into the Honored Matres and whatnot.

[shadowkat]

You got much further than I did with it. LOL!

I loved the first book - which I had checked out from my school's library (and I still can't remember if I read it in High School or Junior High - just that I was lugging it around with me and reading it whenever I could). I got the sequels for Christmas that year - and was excited. But I couldn't get through either of them. Something got lost as the story progressed, I think the writer stopped focusing on his characters and more on well everything else? I can't remember. I did read House Atriedes years later by his son, but was less than enthused although it was admittedly more gripping than the sequels, can't remember it at all. I do remember the first book though fairly vividly - but that's partly due to the David Lynch film.

[mtbc]

Me too: consumed plenty of Dune and Star Wars and, frankly, never noticed a relationship between them. I look forward to seeing Dune in the movie theater tomorrow but, yeah, I will make an effort for Shang-Chi too, just more a home one than a theater one, it does also sound good though.

[shadowkat]

I think if I lived where my brother lives, or yourself, I might have made more of an effort for a theater? I don't know. For folks who love cinematography and sound - I've heard that it should be seen in a big movie theater. It's actually why they held it back a year - instead of just streaming it last year like they did with Wonder Woman and Justice League.

Eternals may be the one I get to the theater to see...or it may end up being something in 2022.
I'm in no hurry. That 55 inch television set is the gift that keeps on giving.

[mtbc]

Yeah, I just have a 32" television that I bought maybe fifteen years ago or so, I suspect that's going to be replaced within the next couple of years (but I hope not by a "smart" one)! It was my first non-CRT.

[shadowkat]

No, you definitely need to see it on something bigger than a 32 inch. (I've a 55 inch...or whether close to a 60 inch flat screen).

I don't think you'll be able to avoid a smart screen tv. I gave up and just went with it. They aren't bad. Also how big the screen is - depends on what you want to do with it? I have a co-worker who got a 75 inch television screen which he watches in his backyard in the pool. Also indoors. But he watches a lot of football and sports. Also he's a gamer. Gamer's like big televisions.

[mtbc]

Yeah, not much sports or gaming going on here, hoping my television lasts a little longer yet!

[mefisto]

I watched Dune at home on my TV. It's a very visual movie, so I can see the appeal of a theater. That said, I don't think I missed much with the smaller screen.

Not going to talk about it until you've seen it; don't want to spoil.

[shadowkat]

I just watched it on HBO Max - I mostly agree. While it's a very visual film, with lots of excellent cinemagraphic moments, it's also dark, and more focused on people and militaristic sets and desert. So, hardly Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or Lawrence of Arabia. More Game of Thrones.

I played with the lighting of the screen to get a brighter picture - but it's a dark film (I was watching with the lights off in my apartment to get the full experience). For the most part, it didn't matter. But there's one scene with the sandworm towards the end that did - in that you can barely see it. I don't know if I'd have seen it better in the theater. (It kind of reminded me of the zombie fight in Game of Thrones - in regards to lighting issues? That said, I don't really need to see a Giant CGI worm in a theater.)

Anyhow will give full review tomorrow in a separate post.

[mtbc]

Ha, thinking of zombies, The Walking Dead used to amuse me with its night-time fight scenes, really couldn't see what was going on or who was doing well or badly.