David Cranmer's Blog, page 16
September 17, 2017
Worth The Wait? Dune (1984)
I have a sister that speaks well of the Dune books and even likes the 1984 movie though I know there are other fans who view this David Lynch science fiction extravaganza as a major misfire. So after 34 years, and a being a fan of both director Lynch and actor Kyle MacLachlan, I decided to take a look this early Sunday morning. Here's my ultra pithy, in the moment, thoughts:
Dune's special effects are dated so the movie has to survive on its narrative merits and though it's a bit long-winded it has tons of complex, interweaved story threads to maintain interest. As I said earlier on Twitter, it triumphed in me wanting to read the Herbert novels on which this production was based. Gripes: too many character inner voiceovers and though it's no fault of their own, I look at Patrick Stewart and think Captain Picard and Sting as that rock and roller with The Police. They are fine actors, that's just my visual hang-up, and you may not have such issues.
I would give Dune a non-committal 2 1/2 ✨ out of four. Far from a stinker like many have suggested but it just needed a little more wind in those sand infested sails.
Dune's special effects are dated so the movie has to survive on its narrative merits and though it's a bit long-winded it has tons of complex, interweaved story threads to maintain interest. As I said earlier on Twitter, it triumphed in me wanting to read the Herbert novels on which this production was based. Gripes: too many character inner voiceovers and though it's no fault of their own, I look at Patrick Stewart and think Captain Picard and Sting as that rock and roller with The Police. They are fine actors, that's just my visual hang-up, and you may not have such issues.
I would give Dune a non-committal 2 1/2 ✨ out of four. Far from a stinker like many have suggested but it just needed a little more wind in those sand infested sails.
September 16, 2017
Worth The Wait? Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
No it wasn't. As a matter of fact I could barely finish this mirthless time traveling adventure. I recall Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) was stratosphere popular when I was 19. It seemed like everyone loved it and many of the silly catchphrases ("Bogus!") were in constant rotation. Maybe, I'm the wrong age for it now, perhaps, then again I don't think I would have enjoyed it any more back in the day. Huge fan of George Carlin and even those interludes seemed to lack focus and didn't register on the laugh-o-meter.
Next up, in movies I've missed until now, is David Lynch's Dune. Never read the book and have only seen a few parts of the movie.
Next up, in movies I've missed until now, is David Lynch's Dune. Never read the book and have only seen a few parts of the movie.
The Old Man and the Sea (1999)
Top hand-painted animation! From Alexander Petrov's adaptation of Hemingway's classic.
September 15, 2017
Tweet, Tweet
I'm on Twitter and below is a few of my last tweets. I'm usually over there several times a day if you wish to connect beyond Blogger.
Heartening to follow Cassini's pioneering descent into Saturn—humans succeeding at something other than political squabbling, war.
Co-worker retold my droll story, weeks later, as if it was his own. Harmless, but what stings, is the laugh-o-meter spiked on his version.
Finished book I'm reviewing and—bless the author—no "narrowed eyes" anywhere in 250 pages. Respite from that unrelenting, histrionic gaze!
Removing this etiolated mainframe of middle-aged bones away from the desk—off for a walk before rigor mortis develops.
I'm bringing back the word "devilry" that Merriam places in the low 30% of usage. Slipped into two colloquies in one week—no one blinked.
I try to remember every individual's totality is vast, complex, often with many tortured dead ends.
Read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1960) to my daughter for the umpteenth time and not bored—what rhythm Seuss conjured.
Crossing the Rubicon with Julius Caesar, 49 BC, is on my time travel bucket list. Not the strongest swimmer, will bring an adult floatie.
Such an impulsive drive to write. If I don't—miserable.
Heartening to follow Cassini's pioneering descent into Saturn—humans succeeding at something other than political squabbling, war.
Co-worker retold my droll story, weeks later, as if it was his own. Harmless, but what stings, is the laugh-o-meter spiked on his version.
Finished book I'm reviewing and—bless the author—no "narrowed eyes" anywhere in 250 pages. Respite from that unrelenting, histrionic gaze!
Removing this etiolated mainframe of middle-aged bones away from the desk—off for a walk before rigor mortis develops.
I'm bringing back the word "devilry" that Merriam places in the low 30% of usage. Slipped into two colloquies in one week—no one blinked.
I try to remember every individual's totality is vast, complex, often with many tortured dead ends.
Read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1960) to my daughter for the umpteenth time and not bored—what rhythm Seuss conjured.
Crossing the Rubicon with Julius Caesar, 49 BC, is on my time travel bucket list. Not the strongest swimmer, will bring an adult floatie.
Such an impulsive drive to write. If I don't—miserable.
September 14, 2017
The Seventh Seal
Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal is one of my very favorite movies and is now sixty years old. Here's an insightful article by Ned Carter Miles.
September 13, 2017
Natalie Clifford Barney
Researching, I came across Ms. Barney's remembrances of Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, etc. Writers may especially appreciate this 1966 curio.
