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Dune: Part One (2021)
Set and vehicles : Good. Story things that were left out : >:(
The second half of this review is me ranting about how Denis left out my favourite parts. You have been warned.
I like what Denis Villeneuve did with laying out the scene of Dune, like the castle and ornithopters, and just the set and props altogether I felt was really accurate and just brought Dune to life. He left out some bits of the story, but it wasn't anything major. I did have a problem with Liet-Kynes, specifically her being called Liet-Kynes from the beginning.
Btw spoilers start here.
Not just for the movie, but hopefully for part two when it comes.
To the Atreides, Liet was the focus of an upstart religion in the Fremen, and didn't have much consequence on them. Kynes, however, was the lead planetologist and very involved with the Fremen and Arrakis becoming a better world. If Leto knew that Kynes was Liet he would've convinced him that he would like that too, and then when Paul and Jessica went to Liet they would've gotten out of there faster which would've saved both Liet and Duncan Idaho. But he didn't know, he didn't work with Liet, and only Gurney survived out of the people that served Leto. Also I don't think that there is any of the "Leto acts like he thinks that Jessica is the one in the inner circle that betrayed him to everyone except Paul but he really loves her" in the movie, which bothers me a lot because I really liked the part of the book where Paul reveals to Jessica that Leto loved her to the end because it really hammers home to her how much Jessica loved, loves her Duke and what him dying means to her. It also cements her resolve to take revenge upon the Harkonnens.
The Boys from County Clare (2003)
Magical Music Comedy
The acting was grand, the music was authentic and the story was cute. Made me laugh and my wife cry, as romantic comedies should. If Irish people are your thing then watch this.
Andrea Corr does a fine job as the lead of the one band. I would guess that she grew up in a similar environment and probably played in a band just like the one portrayed.
The Irish music is great. It made me want to go out and get traditional Irish CD's
Might have been better if they cut the movie after the final dance at the competition. The story after this is OK, but not great.
Great Craic.
Forgiveness (2004)
Solid South African production
I watched this over the weekend. For a relatively low budget movie I was quite impressed. Kudos to Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) for coming back to SA to support the local industry. It is also great to see the local guys putting in convincing performances.
The story moves at a reasonable pace for the most part, though it was a bit slow in places. The plot is one which South Africans will identify well with, though foreigners will be able to follow it with ease. The movie explores strong racial antagonism which mellows towards racial reconciliation. This theme has been overworked in the past, but this movie gives it fresh spin and there are some quirky, dramatic and tense scenes. Even with the slightly surprising ending, one does get a sense of closure.
While not brilliant, the camera and director work was more than adequate and did not detract from the movie.
It would be great to see more South African movies. It was a pity that the theater was mostly empty. Lack of support for something as solid as this is disheartening. Local industry needs more support from the viewer base. Even though the movie is 'arty' it should have perhaps been released on the main circuit to give it greater exposure.