Substitute oil for spice and the fiefdoms in the books are not that far thematically from the ones that dot the Middle East in current days. The military aggression in that part of the world to keep American cars filled with dead dinosaur juice is also somewhat of a parallel. Herbert who died in 1986 was on to something.

Adding Director Denis Villeneuve to the cinematic versions of the books was an astute choice. No one in Hollywood can create more arresting environments on screen. His hard-won clout also allows him to hand-pick a cast that is representative of the most high-profile actors of the current time. This adds a substantial amount of sizzle as the cast reads like a who’s who.

The action in Dune: Part Two is intense and somewhat impenetrable for those who haven’t seen the first instalment of the series or read one of Frank Herbert’s Dune books. The film also demands the biggest screen and best sound system in town to fully deliver the impact it’s capable of delivering. The sound design by Richard King, (who also works with Christopher Nolan) is spectacular. It’s a true epic but one that is enhanced by a small amount of preparation.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

DUNE: PART TWO explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

Tickets are now on sale for the opening week of the not to be missed sequel DUNE: PART TWO.

Want to re-acquaint yourself with how it begins? DUNE: PART ONE is screening for a limited time until Wednesday, February 14 or you can join us on Wednesday, February 28 for a DUNE DOUBLE FEATURE FAN PREVIEW EVENT. Go back to the beginning with the epic DUNE: PART ONE as we see the young Paul Atreides pushed into a great destiny beyond his understanding. After a fifteen- minute interval, see destiny arrive in DUNE: PART TWO as Duke Paul Atreides joins the Fremen and begins a spiritual and martial journey to become Muad’dib, while trying to prevent the horrible but inevitable future he’s witnessed.

This is the only way to be the first in the country to see DUNE: PART TWO so act fast before tickets sell out!

If you’re planning your trip into Arrakis on opening weekend, watch as Dendy Cinemas transforms into the HOUSE OF DUNE with EVERY SINGLE SESSION across all screens at Dendy Coorparoo including our Premium Lounge and Dendy Portside only showing DUNE: PART TWO all day and night on Saturday, March 2nd with sessions every 20 minutes.

The [cinnamon] spice must flow so in honour of the release of DUNE, our Premium Lounge kitchen at Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo is rolling out an offer that will have you levitating from your throne!

The perfect accompaniment to an out-of-this world film is to indulge in the Baron Burger Deal, which includes a limited edition Baron Burger (Double Beef and Bacon Burger with Fries) and Sandworm Sundae (Curly Cinnamon Churros, Vanilla Ice-Cream and Chocolate Sauce) with a Stone & Wood tap beer or soft drink. Enough to impress even a Harkonnen! Our Premium Lounge Signature menu is delivered straight to your fully reclinable luxurious leather seat.
www.dendy.com.au/home

The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka”, “Call Me by Your Name”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: No Way Home”, “Malcolm & Marie”, “Euphoria”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Avengers: End Game”, “Milk”), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis”, “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (“Black Widow”, “Little Women”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”, “Hairspray”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences”, “Lady Bird”), Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”), with Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years”, “Assassin’s Creed”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”, “Being the Ricardos”).

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Villeneuve is again collaborating with his “Dune” creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.

“Dune: Part Two” was filmed on location in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy. The film is slated for a February 29, 2024 national release from Warner Bros. Pictures.
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka,” “Call Me by Your Name”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Malcolm & Marie,” “Euphoria”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Avengers: End Game,” “Milk”), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Little Women”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter,” “Hairspray”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”), with Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”).

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Villeneuve is again collaborating with his “Dune” creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.

“Dune: Part Two” was filmed on location in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy. The film is slated for a November 3, 2023 worldwide release from Warner Bros. Pictures.
www.youtube.com/c/WarnerBrosAustralia

The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka,” “Call Me by Your Name”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Malcolm & Marie,” “Euphoria”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Avengers: End Game,” “Milk”), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Little Women”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter,” “Hairspray”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”), with Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”).

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Villeneuve is again collaborating with his “Dune” creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.

“Dune: Part Two” was filmed on location in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy. The film is slated for a November 3, 2023 worldwide release from Warner Bros. Pictures.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

For fans of The Dude, this has to be one of the biggest disappointments ever as The Jesus Rolls fails on so many levels. It’s stilted, uncool and worst of all, just not funny. It flaunts a very uncomfortable anti-feminist approach and completely wastes the considerable charms of its female lead, Audrey Tautou, she of Amélie and The Da Vinci Code.

In the film, Jesus gets out of jail and embarks on a road trip that goes nowhere with his old running buddy, Petey (Bobby Cannavale). They steal multiple cars, rob people and collect Tautou and Susan Sarandon along the way. After that, the movie basically does nothing, except present disagreeable sex scenes with the two fine ladies mention above and with each other.

Originally finished back in 2017, it languished in distribution hell for many years, and rightfully so. See it to satisfy your curiosity about how wrong a decent idea can become when actor, writer and director are bereft of any good ideas and have nothing particularly important to say.

Rob Hudson

When they discover this to be a lie, they set out together to find their real father, and end up learning more about their mother than they probably ever wanted to know.

FATHER FIGURES is directed by Lawrence Sher and stars Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, J.K Simmons, Bill Irwin, Katt Williams, Terry Bradshow, Ving Rhames, Harry Shearer, June Squibb, Christopher Walken and Glenn Close.

FATHER FIGURES releases in Australian cinemas on February 8, 2018
www.facebook.com/FatherFiguresWB

The film also includes some great laughs along with the heavy hits of pathos as you the audience discover the identity of the voice actors. Of particular note are the very funny antics of Bill Murray as Baloo and the Guido humour of Christopher Walken as King Louie. Idris Elba is also especially majestic as the king of the jungle, Shere Khan

The film travels down the well know path of the animated original but adds enough new depth to give it a relevance of its own. It does however feature a very dark colour palate and as such keeps you really glues to the screen trying to capture all the nuances. Some of child actor Neel Sethi’s (Mowgli) dialogue also requires full attention.

If this is Disney having expanded trust in a young audience and their ability to understand more adult concepts, it’s a great step forward. It also makes the film that much more enjoyable to the older audience members.

Rob Hudson
www.movies.disney.com.au