The Children of Dune

[alexandral]

The Children of dune

I am feeling rather down – there is something wrong with my eyes. At first I thought that I am just tired as I have been working long hours overtime on the computer but yesterday I had to admit that the eyes should have gotten better already. They are red, teary, swollen and feel like they are full of sand. I had a prayer at the church yesterday and they are much better today but still feel like I better have some rest. But how one has an eye-rest? Anything even remotely interesting involves eyes! (and this is the source of Alexandral's feelings of deprivation!)

But I swear I'll have some eye rest just after I post "The Children of Dune" screencaps. :D I started watching these mini-series from baleanoptera's rec and though they are flawed "The Children of Dune" are intensely, insanely beautiful. I used to be a huge fan of the books with their mind-boggling complexity and "The children of Dune" is probably the best adaptation so far. I haven't finished watching it yet (see – EYE REST!) but I made some screencaps, I just could not stop. I am not usually not a fan of intense yellow colour but it all changed after I beheld golden Leto Artredis (aka James McAvoy) and his sister..So iconable !

Comments

[the-grynne.livejournal.com]

Their beauty is painful.

That was the first thing I saw McAvoy in.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It was "Shakespeare re-told: MAcbeth" for me which is so fabulous!

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

Okay, I have NO idea what this is about but he is so pretty! *flails*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, it is fantastic - it is adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune (http://www.amazon.com/Dune-Chronicles-Book-1/dp/0441172717) - a space opera/philosophical musings series. I am a great fan of the first book in particular!

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Your posts always distract me. I think I shall go ahead and comment now to get it out of the way so I can do work. (This is not your fault, it is mine, for not being able to focus.)

Books: I read two and a half, I think. The first was awesome and wonderful and I read it my freshman year in college. I thought the second was kind of weird and by the third I was beyond irritated and put the series down. What sucks is I really wanted to like it: space opera with ruling dynasty families is one of my favorites (at least in concept).

As I did not watch the original Dune miniseries, I did not feel right in watching Children of Dune when it aired. Not that David Lynch's is the end-all-be-all of series that should never be remade (such as BBC's Pride and Prejudice) but... I just didn't feel a desire to watch it? Or something.

However, I will say that the Children of Dune soundtrack is bee-yu-ti-full. If your email on your profile page can take big attachments (I do not know what this googlemail is, just gmail) I'll send you the theme. There were some other awesome songs on the soundtrack and I listened to it often during work... until I lost the CD :(

*squint* who is that pretty boy in the last screencap? Why does he look familiar? I can't even look up the actor because I never watched it and don't know the character...

And why is James McAvoy entering my radar from every which way? GAH! I've not seen him in anything but I swear, his name constantly comes up.

As soon as I finish The Last King of Scotland I'll watch it, and see him in action.

ps

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

I remember being irritated hearing that they'd aged the twins 7 or so years. I figured it was because 1) they couldn't find kids capable of acting the parts (there's only one Dakota Fanning in the world, after all) and 2) to make it more palatable and interesting to mainstream audiences.

hahaha.. that reminds me of a blurb I read this morning about Ang Lee's new film. We have a free daily distributed at the metro stations, a kind of abbreviated bit of The Washington Post. The penultimate page has celebrity blurbs, and I always read them.

Diplomatic: Lee Finds Gentle Way of Saying We Won't Get It

Oscar-winning Taiwanese director Ang Lee said Sunday he has low expectations for his new spy-thriller Lust, Caution in the U.S., because it is a "very Chinese" film that may be alien to American audiences. "Its pace, its film language—it's all very Chinese. I also used Western film noir. It's not very audience-friendly for a market like the U.S. It's not their subject matter," said Lee. He acknowledged that "Lust, Caution" could marginalize him in the U.S. market.

(caption for the photo of Lee: Lee's film will test U.S. viewers' intelligence)

This makes me giggle, and it's very true too.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

*squint* who is that pretty boy in the last screencap? Why does he look familiar? I can't even look up the actor because I never watched it and don't know the character...

Heh! He's a mainstay of US TV being the "prissy/possibly evil British guy" - he played Sidney Bristow's fiancé Danny on "Alias" (a short role!) and he was Atherton Wing on "Firefly" - Edward Atterton (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0041029/) (whoa, it's cool that he trained as an opera singer, apparently!)

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

lol, I just saw the Duncan Idaho reference by baleanoptera so I found out he was in Shindig. I did see Alias reference in the forum but I didn't make the connection with Danny... despite having just re-watched the first season recently.

Looks like he's also a black belt. He is pretty pretty. Let him make something else soon.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Books: I read two and a half, I think. The first was awesome and wonderful and I read it my freshman year in college. I thought the second was kind of weird and by the third I was beyond irritated and put the series down.

I am quite similar on this – I have read 3 books, I was absolutely blown away by the first one, found the second rather strange but interesting and liked the third. But I had to stop.. I am not starting on my rant about "serial" books here! But – I think any good idea deserves a book, small or big, but one. With serialization the characters start to change, the direction starts to change too. The only serial book I loved in all it's parts in ASOIF which IIMHO is different. It has so many characters and so complex that one volume is just not enough..

As I did not watch the original Dune miniseries, I did not feel right in watching Children of Dune when it aired.

I haven't seen the "Dune" miniseries too though now I think I will – I finished "The Children of Dune" and overall they are quite good. But because I already "knew" the story I decided that I can watch..

Not that David Lynch's is the end-all-be-all of series that should never be remade

Oh, I didn't think David Lynch's film was anything special for me. I think the problem was that Lynch has his own style in everything he does but sadly his style and "Dune"'s style clashed..

However, I will say that the Children of Dune soundtrack is bee-yu-ti-full. If your email on your profile page can take big attachments

Oh, that could be wonderful! The attachment size seems to be 20 megabytes – is it small? I think googlemail is just British for gmail. :D

*squint* who is that pretty boy in the last screencap? Why does he look familiar?

He played Duncan Idaho – so fabulous! And please watch "The Last King of Scotalnd", it is one of the best films this year!

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

re: serial books

I've noticed something very similar to your complaint, in which the series get stale after a while. However, I will highly highly recommend The Dresden Files books as a rare example of a series improving with each book. Some aren't as good as others, but the 9th blew me away. His writing got better (the first two are rather weak, but from what I understand they were for a creative writing class and he was learning).

The characters also start developing in awesome directions. He took an interesting approach, adding "elements" to his Chicago (mob boss, the faerie courts, the vampire courts, some personal friends) and kind of combines them into different stories. One character pops up then doesn't come back for a bit—but in the meantime, the character's grown and changed. I think you'd really love the series, I know you liked the show. To me, the show wasn't more than a mid-level diversion that could've gotten cool given the chance. The writers made some changes that were good for a tv audience (Bob's my main example, in the book he's a sprite similar to The Tempest's Ariel, rather than a ghost), and sometimes the books can be on shaky ground, but overall they are fantastic. I can't wait for the next one :)

I, sadly, did not read past A Game of Thrones :( I know it's the adult fantasy series of the early 21st century but... medieval fantasy makes my teeth hurt. I read way too much of it growing up, to the near-exclusion of everything else. And what I read of the first book didn't catch me as I'd expected it to from the reviews.

Of course, I don't have the song here at work, I'll email it to you when I get home.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I will highly highly recommend The Dresden Files books as a rare example of a series improving with each book. Some aren't as good as others, but the 9th blew me away

Oh, I absolutely agree ! ( I am on 4th book now and I really love them!) His books are amazing phenomena – they keep getting better. His writing improved but apart from this I think they have quite a winning formula! To start with, they don't take themselves too seriously!

One character pops up then doesn't come back for a bit—but in the meantime, the character's grown and changed.

This is so extremely intricate – it can be difficult to keep all the characters "working" at the same time but it is also annoying in some crime series (where every book is a new story) that their characters just disappear..

I, sadly, did not read past A Game of Thrones :( I know it's the adult fantasy series of the early 21st century but... medieval fantasy makes my teeth hurt. I read way too much of it growing up, to the near-exclusion of everything else. And what I read of the first book didn't catch me as I'd expected it to from the reviews.

ASOIF also gets better as it goes; my favourite book so far is "The Storm of Swords". I don't think it is anything very original in terms of world building BUT! The world-building is so coherent and so well thought-through that sometimes I think Martin is a big super-computer, I don't remember anything quite like it. Everything is connected and everything serves the purpose. :D Also it has some of the best characters ever written..

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Yay for the beautiful screencaps! Even Duncan Idaho is represented. hee.
But most of all I love golden Leto and his sister - so gorgeous. I also like how the golden hue makes their eyes seem even bluer.

I think one of my favourite scenes in the series is when Leto and Ghanima are speed-playing chess. They are laughing and happy, and it's such a great portrayal of their relationship.

But so sorry to hear about your eyes. Could you be allergic to something? Because the symptoms sound a bit like allergy to me.
At any rate a wet cloth or cucumber slices over the eyes actually help a bit. Hope you get better soon!

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

Even Duncan Idaho is represented. hee.

Ah ha! I went and looked him up and saw he was in "Shindig" of Firefly... and that's where I recognized the actor from. It was starting to drive me a little batty.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Yup! And IIRC he also played Sidney's first, dead boyfriend on Alias.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think one of my favourite scenes in the series is when Leto and Ghanima are speed-playing chess. They are laughing and happy, and it's such a great portrayal of their relationship.

Oh, this is such a gorgeous scene! And when Leto comes back and Ghanima is so happy and she is showing him her wedding gown? AWWWWWW! I finished the miniseries and I really liked the second and the third episodes..

But so sorry to hear about your eyes. Could you be allergic to something? Because the symptoms sound a bit like allergy to me.

I got some atibiotic drops from our GP as he seems to think is is a form of infection but my eyes still not 100% better. They were much better at first but with the manic work situation at the moment I feel tired and they are slightly worse again (I am sorry - this keeps me off LJ at the moment!).. But I am sure they will clear soon! Thank you very much!


At any rate a wet cloth or cucumber slices over the eyes actually help a bit. Hope you get better soon!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

No need to apologize. Taking care of your eyes comes first! Also be sure to get plenty of rest what with work being so hectic! *hugs*

I finished the miniseries and I really liked the second and the third episodes..

yes, I think the series gets better when they move away from Paul and focus more on the twins. It's still not the perfect rendition, but parts of it are great.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It's still not the perfect rendition, but parts of it are great.

"Dune" is quite complex and full of secondary characters that are important to the story, it must be quite difficult to make a film version of it. And this is what I am so afraid in ASOIF's case - in any adaptation (unless they make a really long one) they will have to get rid of many secondary characters and so many of them I love dearly!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

And this is what I am so afraid in ASOIF's case - in any adaptation (unless they make a really long one) they will have to get rid of many secondary characters and so many of them I love dearly!

*nods* Also I'm afraid that an adaption will not be able to convey the mood of the books. Now LOTR was successfully conveyed both in story and mood, but that book had decades of fan-material like paintings and previous adaptions to build upon. In many ways all these previous LOTR adaptions had cleared away all the "bugs in the system" so to speak - and left Peter Jackson and co with something to build upon. ASOIAF doesn't have this to the same degree - and therefore I worry.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hmm, there is quite a grat deal of ASOIF fan art too.. But I agree - ASOIF really needs a director with a clear vision and sadly it needs big investment IMHO. Rome would never have been "Rome" without lovely costumes and settings..

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hmm, there is quite a great deal of ASOIF fan art too.. But I agree - ASOIF really needs a director with a clear vision and sadly it needs big investment IMHO. Rome would never have been "Rome" without lovely costumes and settings..

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Yes, but the fan art has only exited for a rather short time - as ASOIAF has only existed for a short time. In comparison LOTR had existed for several decades before it was filmed, and I cannot help but think that this made a difference.

And ASOIAF is going to be massively expensive. Mush more so than Rome, with more costumes and a larger cast. Imagine all the castles for instance.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yes, but the fan art has only exited for a rather short time - as ASOIAF has only existed for a short time. In comparison LOTR had existed for several decades before it was filmed, and I cannot help but think that this made a difference.

I think fortunately we are living in a totally different time now and the speed with which fan art is generated and shared over the Internet in much much faster then in previous decades. This can be said for film-making - it is moving ahead really fast and already moved ahead after LOTR. Now even small-money-scale projects as "Night Watch" can look very stunning visually.

Actually, my husband (who is interested in photography) has an unpopular opinion on LOTR visuals - he doesn't like them :D, especially the way hobbits are made. He says that he can see changes in scale from frame to frame and finds it very confusing for his eyes.

But it has to be a well-financed adaption for ASOIF - it is more of a costume drama then a fantasy, really.. I think LOTR had a bigger fan base and this is why it's huge beautiful project was undertaken. It could be good also if BBC does ASOIF (at least in partnership) as it has a really good expertise in costume dramas and I also think that British actors can suit better.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

Children of Dune is so, so pretty. These are awesome screencaps, thank you!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I have finished watching these series and I am so impressed!

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

Go to the doctor! Now! You could have an eye infection, and if you don't get it treated, you could permanently damage your sight. Even if you don't, your doctor can probably prescribe something to ease the symptoms.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee! I went to the doctor, of course! He seemed to think it is an infection and gave me some antibiotic drops. This made it much better at first but after three days of manic craziness at work the eyes are funny again, but I think it is just taking some time to clear!..

[ysrith.livejournal.com]

Red eyes are bad. Remember my uveitis last year and how I ended up not able to see for nearly 3 months. Go get your self checked out

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I have been to the doctor , he seems to think it is an infection!

[rika-66.livejournal.com]

Take care of your eyes, if this had happend suddenly, this can be some kind of infection! Wish you to be well soon.

But red eyes because of the PC... oh, this is a common thing for me, too. At work we have to look at monitor too much, but it can't really be helped, alas. =/

A lot of beautiful pics... "Children of Dune" - is it the 2d novel of the series? Where Duncan Idaho comes back? Well, I've read some novels of the "Dune" series, but never liked them so much, I confess. The stories were too cruel for my taste. The only novel I liked was the second one...may be because Idaho was the only character in "Dune" I really liked.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I have gone to the doctor - he seem to think it is an infection and gave me some antibiotic drops. They are helping but the infection still takes some time to clear . :(

"Children of Dune" miniseries cover two books - "Dune Messiah" (2nd book) and "Children of Dune" (3rd book) . The second one is where Duncan comes back and it is the first episode in these eries. Duncan Idaho is sooooo fabulous !(See the last picture).

[sundae-sweet.livejournal.com]

This movie began what will most likely be a lifelong obsession with James McAvoy. You should check out Becoming Jane for the sole fact that he is charming, snarky, and fights shirtless.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much for the rec! Shirtless fights!!!!

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

Here via [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]. Hi! Such gorgeous screencaps! The twins are just so beautiful. This was only the second time I'd seen James McAvoy, after "Band of Brothers," and he really jumped out at me. He has an amazing screen presence.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I watched "Atonement" recently and was absolutely blown away by his performance. The guy is such an amazing actor (and pretty into the bargain!). I also thought he was FANASTIC in "The last king Scotland" !

[misseri44.livejournal.com]

I'm here via koalathebear. I remember this Tv series was showed here although i didn't watch it. Looking at the screencaps it seems the colors are important in it, although Mcavoy's blue eyes are quite weird to the point of being creepy :)

Ohh, and the last screencap is of Edward Atterton!! I hadn't seen him in a long time, i remember i first saw him in The Man in The Iron Mask with Jeremy Irons

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

although Mcavoy's blue eyes are quite weird to the point of being creepy :)

There is this strangeness in them, isn't it? I thought it was very much fitting in with Leto's character (who was a God-emperor , after all :D)

Ohh, and the last screencap is of Edward Atterton!! I hadn't seen him in a long time, i remember i first saw him in The Man in The Iron Mask with Jeremy Irons

He played Duncan Idaho and he was FABULOUS!

[misseri44.livejournal.com]

*ogles at the icon*

I love the icon you used :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, henry is soooooo beautiful!

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Rest up, and I hope you're feeling better soonest. *hugs*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so much better but it is still there, especially busy days at work. Fingers crossed, I think it is just taking some time to clear!

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Glad it's better, and please take good care of yourself.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

** Hugs **

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Right back at you. :)

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

I love the colours in this series, all the beautiful golds and browns and greens. The thing I lament is that they didn't keep the beautiful reds and purples that were a large part of the Dune mini from 2000, but of course thematically that would have been difficult.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, I haven't seen "Dune" miniseries yet, but I think I am going to, from your rec! Thank you very much!

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

Oh, just a warning that the acting is not exactly the best! But it is a great rendering of the book, and it is visually quite stunning.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I thought some of the acting in "Children of Dune" left some space to be improved too. But at the same time - I am not quite sure how one can utter some of the dune-ish dialogues with a serious face, it is quite flowery (but I love it!)..

But as far as it goes, I also thought "Children of Dune" was one of the best adaptations..

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

I never watched this series because I read the first few books of Dune and didn't like them at all, but I adore James McAvoy so I very much liked this pic spam :) I also have some fans of Children of Dune on my friends list so I know that they'll be very interested.

As to your eyes, definitely see a doctor! I had a lot of eye troubles when I first moved to Asia. My eyes just weren't used to the pollution and it's very difficult to concentrate (or see!) when your eyes are sore.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, why didn't you like the books? (You don't have to answer - I am just curious!)

I am so sorry to hear about your eyes! Of course, I went to the the doctor. He said it is a form of infection. I am still battling it - some days are better then the others!