REVIEW: Dune (2021)

Josh Brolin, left, as Gurney Halleck and Timothée Chalamet, right, as Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE — Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures / Legendary Pictures.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) — Screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth.

When science-fiction neophytes first lay their eyes on the marketing material for Denis Villeneuve’s latest science-fiction film, Dune, they should be forgiven, if they immediately remark that it looks like an imitation of Star Wars — or other similar films. Obviously, they would be under a false impression, but, after all, it is a little bit strange that one of Star Wars‘ most obvious sources of inspiration — Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune — has not previously generated a widely known or appreciated adaptation.

In fact, the Dune property is perhaps especially renowned for being difficult to adapt. Famously, Alejandro Jodorowsky tried but failed to get an adaptation off the ground, while David Lynch’s adaptation from 1984 was critically panned. Those ‘failed’ attempts are, in fact, more widely known than the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series that the franchise also spawned. Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. have now entrusted auteur Denis Villeneuve with the job of adapting Frank Herbert’s rich, influential, and dense source material, and I think that was a very smart decision.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Dune (2021)”

REVIEW: Veep – Season Seven (2019)

Release Poster – HBO

The following is a review of the seventh and final season of HBO’s Veep.

For seven seasons, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been the face of the state of American political satire. She has dominated awards ceremonies, cussed out her supporting cast more times than Jesse Pinkman said “Bitch!” on Breaking Bad, and given outstanding performances again and again. But now her time as Selina Meyer is over. She has left an already long-standing satirical legacy that is much more significant than her character’s political legacy if the final shot of Veep is to be believed.

Though Veep changed showrunner over the course of its run, it was almost always a step ahead of the political state of America, even as America seemed insistent on nominating someone for president who would be just as vicious and disinterested as Selina Meyer. As showrunner David Mandel once wrote in a column for The Hollywood Reporter: “there’s nobody more Trumpy than Selina. […] Trump, in a weird way, is sort of doing us. We’re not doing him.” Continue reading “REVIEW: Veep – Season Seven (2019)”

REVIEW: The Ides of March (2011)

Release Poster - Columbia Pictures
Release Poster – Columbia Pictures

The following is a quick review of George Clooney’s The Ides of March

George Clooney’s The Ides of March – which is based on Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North – follows Stephen Meyers (played by Ryan Gosling), a junior campaign manager for a Democratic presidential candidate, Governor Mike Morris (played by George Clooney).

Meyers is a very talented and respected campaign manager who is sought after by Morris’ competing campaign, which is managed by Tom Duffy (played by Paul Giamatti). But when Meyers makes a critical mistake, his loyalty is brought into question. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Ides of March (2011)”

REVIEW: Marseille – Season One (2016)

Marseille Reviewed

The following is a review of the Netflix Original Show about French politics: Marseille.

In mid-to-late 2014 Netflix arrived in France, and by now the streaming service has pretty much gone global. It was only a matter of time before Netflix catered directly to the French-speaking audience by producing a show centered in France, with the French language at the forefront, available everywhere. Marseille is the newest political drama, following in the footsteps of American shows like House of Cards and Boss, as well as the Danish show BorgenContinue reading “REVIEW: Marseille – Season One (2016)”

Terrified Capital: Terror Strikes Copenhagen


I’m going to preface this by saying that when it comes to terror I always try to keep religion out of it. Religion tends to, unfairly, cloud terrorism and events involving terrorists, so, no, religion won’t be a part of this post. The ultimate goal of this post is not to blame any group of people. That’s important for you, the reader, to understand. Today I’m speaking to you not as simply a passionate political and cinematic nerd, no today I am speaking to you as a Dane. Continue reading “Terrified Capital: Terror Strikes Copenhagen”

Introduction

Welcome,

This is my first WordPress blog ever. Previously I’ve mainly focused on the blogging site “blogger”, but I really like the look of this blogging site. On this blog you’ll read about my life, but mostly about my interests.

My interests include movies (of any genre), sports (like Football & Soccer, and sometimes Basketball & Hockey) – and, rarely, politics.

Hopefully, you won’t be disappointed.

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.