Newsletter: Dune 2 Review, Oscars & New Music!
Added 2024-03-01 22:01:04 +0000 UTCMerry March, witches! I just dreamt of the gorgeous looking trip that is Dune Part 2. So, for the film nerds that care about such things, look for my review at the end of this newsletter. I'd also like to shout out The Curse on Showtime and name it the best show of 2024, noting I have not yet finished Issa Lopez's awesome tribute to The Thing, True Detective: Night Country.
Isn't it nice that if you ever feel like an idiot, you can think: "At least I'm not Nic Pizzolatto!" Can you imagine ranting like that publicly and unprofessionally like a little child who's toy got taken away? May therapy be in his and many men's near future. Here's what's going on in my music world, plus some nice March happenings!
New Music 🎶
I just shared new music with the High Priestesses. It was inspired by an underrated John Carpenter movie and I'd love to know your thoughts. I've been working on music inspired by horror and sci-fi movies, so future lyrics like "ride the worm" come to mind...
DJ Bruja Radio - March 🎧
What do we think of the March slate? Shout out to High Priest, Mike, for the Oscars idea!
3/5 Oscars Music
3/12 Psychedelic Rock
3/19 Trip Hop
3/26 Witches - my favorite female artists
YouTube 📺
I've been conjuring a livestream series where I dedicate a show to an artist (from John Williams to The Beatles) and play Guess-The-Song with y'all for both praise and embarrassment. In the meantime, my next interview is happening with Dr. Drea Letamendi on April 15 and we'll be talking modern psychology, music, and of course, Batman. I also just had lunch with Ken Napzok and he's agreed to be a guest, too, because I'll be stopping by his new show with Alden.
Upcoming Coven Events 💃
30 Day Song Challenge - Y'all have great ideas, so thanks to one of our High Priestesses, Sam, I created a 30 Day Song Challenge for the Coven to share music in March on Discord.
Watchalongs - Let's watch the Oscars together on Discord happening Sunday March 10. Also, it appears that many of you have not been able to appreciate the magic of Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, or Amelie, so we may have to rectify 1 or 2 of those this month. Save the date for Monday March 18.
Listening Party - We're listening to the Coven's favorite songs on March 7 and I'm being told I should limit, so please add 5 of your favorite songs to this playlist.
DJ Bruja: Godzilla is Risen - Godzilla comes out the same weekend as Easter so dance with me on March 29.
Dune: Part Two
I don't think Denis Villeneuve is able to make a bad movie. Regardless of what we might think of his scripts, sitting in a movie theater watching his work and Greig Fraser's staggering cinematography is pure joy. Just gorgeous looking art and the reason why we go to the movies. I was entirely hooked the first part of the movie as we got immersed into the Fremen's world and Frank Herbert's themes about colonialism and religious fanaticism were front and center. The tensions and complications of hope, ego, and resentment were beautifully exposed, especially with Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya being perfect with what they were given.
Then something happened when we left Arrakis for Giedi Prime. As the one-dimensional Harkonnen became more spectacle than actual scary villains to this story, I realized we were missing Eric Roth's writing to help Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts' unpoetic dialogue. There's a reason why Eric has won and been nominated for several Oscars, including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Forrest Gump, Munich, amongst other stories highly focused on characters, their arcs, and their humanity.
The point of sci-fi is to explore the big questions of ethics. Frank Herbert has so much to say about religion as a form of control, about so-called white saviors, and the damage of imperialism, which is why it's been difficult to adapt his ideas into the film medium without being heavy handed or ridiculous. Part 1 did really well in translating these ideas about humanity and its place in the world to the big screen, whereas Part 2 reminded me of modern Star Wars. Not just a lack of subtlety in dialogue and mythology, but action and spectacle in place of character and story.
Paul's turn from tortured hero to power hungry wannabe emperor didn't do it for me, and I think Timothée Chalamet is a fine actor, so the lacking was in the script. By the time we got to the final battle, it was clear bigger was not better, so when the duel between Paul and Feyd made me feel nothing, I was so happy for the dude behind me that screamed.
Similar to how the original Blade Runner is full of deep, philosophical poetry about the human condition, but Blade Runner 2049 is lacking, Dune: Part Two has more action, exhibition, and pageantry than story. I think Dune: Part One is nearly perfect, which is probably why I went into the sequel with very high expectations. Something I rarely do these days when I see a franchise movie. Alas, similar to the Blade Runner sequel, it looks and sounds beautiful, so that's all this Dune nerd can ask for. I hope y'all enjoy the movie and my contemplations, and I'm looking forward to the coven's reviews.
According to the stars, March is supposed to be a bit blurry and confusing, so we're being asked to rest and take pause before we act, in order to get ready for a chaotic April. Fun stressful times! But, hopefully, more so transformative times for us all and this beautiful planet we must defend from dumb wannabe emperors.
Thanks for being here. Wishing you many spicy blessings and tacos ❤️
Comments
Can't argue with the dialogue & pacing issues those are the main reasons I gave the movie an 8 out of 10 rather than 9 out of 10
Sam Redd
2024-03-03 16:49:09 +0000 UTCYES RYAN
Dorina Arellano
2024-03-03 05:07:53 +0000 UTCAfter my second watch I have to agree that there was a lot of dialogue & pacing issues with Part 2. The lack of dialogue robbed a lot of character interaction that would’ve added so much more depth to Paul’s internal struggle & the philosophical discussion of prophecy. Everything felt rushed compared to Part 1, where the story was allowed to unfold as Paul was our introduction to Arrakis. He should’ve been our introduction into the Fremen culture & Jessica could’ve been the same for the religious propaganda that shaped the Fremen on Arrakis. Part 2 felt promising but is utterly just filing for the Holy War that Denis is driving head straight towards.
Ryan Payne
2024-03-03 04:04:00 +0000 UTCI love that we're an overanalyzing coven! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. Once everyone's seen the movie, I feel like doing the March Q&A early just so we can all talk Dune and Blade Runner 🤓
Dorina Arellano
2024-03-02 02:59:16 +0000 UTCDune: Part 2 - I love overanalyzing thought-provoking movies with lots to discuss, so I like reading your contemplations. Your comments about hope, ego, & resentment being represented in the trio that you mentioned was very well said. I better understand your criticism about the Harkonnen. I think the script was balancing too much, so certain story elements ended up underdeveloped (another example being the dynamic between Paul & Chani). I also better understand how the 1st movie explores the themes of humanity. I now remember scenes such as Paul arguing with his father about his plans for Arrakis. In Dune: Part Two, the concept of humanity still shows up but in a different form than previously. Without saying spoilers, one specific character seems to best embody this concept by acting as the audience’s POV. I’ve seen a lot of people praise this particular person’s performance, but it did not hit me as much as it did others. Despite that, I still find this character to be very intriguing. Regarding the final fight, the main reason that it worked for me didn’t have anything to do with the plot or characterization in Dune: Part Two. Instead, I just really appreciated the nod to the training scene with Josh Brolin in the 1st movie. Additionally, I enjoyed the choice to emphasize the sound design over the score. I definitely have thoughts on Blade Runner 2049, but that is a completely different conversation for another time.
Sam Redd
2024-03-01 23:52:48 +0000 UTC
