It is, it's worm waste:

"The spice is a by-product of Shai-Hulud's gestation cycle. The great worms begin their life as a being that is as much plant as animal, known as the Little Makers. Each one may as well be a colony of plankton, which seeks and traps moisture in the sands deep below the dessert with a multitude of them acting together as a membrane that contains the mixture. Their waste reacts with the water and sand and creates a gaseous fermentation process that brews the spice and when enough pressure is accumulated, blows it all over the surface of the dessert. The adult sandworms then feed on the melange, and begin the process over again"

I know its reddit but these guys are Dune nerds
https://amp.reddit.com/r/dune/comments/b9q2u2/is_spice_worm_poop/

True, its made by sandtrout excreting it to trap moisture. It is not worm shit. I’m one of the Dune nerds if you couldn’t tell already

Respectfully, in all but a few cases, the producer is the final say. Almost no directors have what’s called “final cut”. The buck stops with the producer, who is responsible for financing, the budget, the final product, etc. if something is really bad they have a responsibility to tell the director.

Okay, fine. Then we're in agreement that Oscar Issac was handicapped then.

Awesome.

I wouldn't argue that. But in this case you need to read that passage again...this time with attention to the "waste" part

OK, but is there one thing we can all agree on?

I thought the ornithopters were PERFECT! Total design win.

Later,
EV

P.S. Good summary of the attempts to properly visualize a 'thopter...
https://www.thecompanion.app/2021/10/24/dune-ornithopter/

LOL

Dune Part Two. 10/20/23

CO2 is a waste product of breathing but i wouldn’t call it shit. Not the point tho, the point is it doesn’t come from the worms.

lol . love this part from that article you quoted .... . So a Sandworm shits itself ,eats itself ,and reproduces itself in an odd way . Grand pa Logic , I Got lectrolights !

Here’s an alternative explanation from the Dune wiki:

“It was created in a process whereby the fungal excretions of sandtrout would mix with water to form a pre-spice mass. This mass would then be brought to the surface of the desert through an explosion of pressure, and under the intense heat and air of Arrakis, melange would form. When the worms died, sandtrout would be released into the sand, and the cycle of creation would repeat.”

I got your sandtrout…

This Canadian director proves your point. I was a 14 year old on vacation in Toronto from Detroit. This gem was on the tv in the hotel. Never ever forgot it.

Great movie. Cronenberg fully proves your point. He is genuinely creepy.

My side note is I fully hope you have seen this.
5E85D38A-5246-4659-BED8-4949A50D4C92 (resized).jpeg

Just because of my age I am kinda into the 80's and newer stuff. I do love his stuff though, Videodrome blew my mind as a kid have been hooked since.

I look forward to reading this thread. I read Dune (just the first book) a few months back at the recommendation of Pinside community. Loved the book. And I thought the movie was sooooooooooo good; saw it at home via HBO. Had goose bumps at times. I think the 1982 version was not good at all. Looking forward to seeing it in IMAX now. To each their own.

I suppose it's a reference to the circle of life bs...it's all from a figment of some guy's imagination so I think he would've wanted us to be free to come to our own conclusion.

That was a good watch. I could listen to him explaining every scene of the movie like that.

I haven't kept up with the thread. Where can get one of those machetes? Closest thing I have seen is Zombie Tools Rat Bastard:

https://zombietools.net/collections/blades/products/the-rat-bastard

Slippin’ one over my hand. Better watch out.

Videodrome is my favorite horror film. It warrants a sequel from Cronenberg himself, IMO.

His son is directing movies. I have only seen his first. I think his second film is making the rounds.

Videdrome is nearly perfect to me.

“Television is reality”

I enjoyed it as well. Thought it was fun. Pacing wasn't an issue at all. To each their own indeed.

I'm a big Dune fan and one that loved Lynch's film. I'm an 80's kid which is why the Lynch film really connects with me. I saw it a decade and a half before I considred reading the books. If I was 30 back then and into the books I may have a totally different opinion on it. I'm just hooked on the visuals and the casting of that film. I also liked the SciFy miniseries and have it on DVD. It was definitly restrained by budget and had some strange costume choices, but was a huge success for them. I was really waiting for this new Dune to come out.

I was reading this thread and someone mentioned a major person on the Dune movie did Prometheus. This makes total sense because it has the exact same vibe. Also, like Prometheus, I was luke warm on the first viewing, but the second time was really into it. I'm an HBO Max viewer.

There is a lot of good, but it's more fun to concentrate on your gripes, right? One, the casting of Paul had me thinking of Kylo Ren the whole time. I don't know if it's the hair, nose, or just constant scowl, but I couldn't get Kylo out of my head. I liked Baron Harkonnen, including the Marlin Brando/Apoclypse Now vibe he gave. The one scene with his chair where he flies up was another scene where I was just thinking Star Wars. I couldn't shake Star Wars out of my mind and it was taking me out of the Dune world.

My biggest gripe is they didn't explain the Mentats and they totally got rid of all the tension that should have been there over Jessica and Hawat. I just didn't connect with the charactors and this would have helped. This is something Lynch did very well. Also, Yueh and the Suks should have been explained. They didn't and the betrayal made little sense because of it. This is one of those things where the director had a lot more time to tell the story than Lynch, but what did he do with it? Not character development and explaining key Dune attributes.

I like how the shields were handled. I liked the downbeat tone of the movie, including the color grading and score, and all of the effects. Besides Paul, I liked all of the casting choices. The worm was fantastic. I love the story. This really is just the warm up for Part 2, which I believe will be epic.

I didn't even try to watch this with my wife. I firmly believe anyone not familiar with the books would be pretty lost. I'm glad this has been considered a success and the 2nd movie has been green lighted. Hopefully, they can get it to us by next November (wishful thinking).

Edit: The wife thing wasn't fair really. She doesn't watch an Scifi or Fantasy anyway. I only mentioned because a casual viewer would probably be confused and this story doesn't have the charm of LOTR to keep non fan's of the genre attention.

A question. Why do people call the Dune books a trilogy in this thread? It's 6 books by Frank Hubert. Yes, book 4 is 3 thousand years later, but it's still in the series. Honestly, I would have been happy if FB ended the series with book 4.

I was skeptical 1st was horrible .New 1 was good cant wait for part 2.

After reflecting a bit on my one and only viewing, I tend to agree with Ryan. I appreciate what the movie did offer, but the interpersonal complexity was sorely lacking. Rebecca Ferguson and Skarsgaard came closest to breaking through on that count. Still a thumbs up from me.

You know, I just had a F'd up thought, but I'll share anyway. This is like an adult film before the intercourse starts. Lots of heavy petting and other pleasures before the real fun starts. Part 2 will have the money shot.

Yeah! Sex and revenge! Show us your sand boobs! Spice for life!

I watched most of part 1 last night. I should mention that I have not read the books. This new one is similar to the original in the fact that it has the "wtf am I watching feel." Lots of murky shots and people constantly mumbling to themselves. Big wide open scenes though. The main character is there but this time he reminds me of a twink. He is way too young for the part. His mom is missing about 30% of her attractiveness. The movie sorta of drags along with some of the original scenes like the floating death dart, the box of endless pain and the poisonous tooth. The floating fat guy has better skin this time. Twink and milf-lite end up in the desert and the blue eye people make him their leader. The girl is no Sean Young but cute. I fell asleep near the end but I assume twink goes surfing on the worms soon. See ya in 2 years. Maybe

Paul is supposed to be a teenager, so why does everyone want him to look like he's 30? Is it the Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club effect?

"Horribly slow and incoherent."
That's pretty much how I would describe all the books and movies from Dune. But also one of the reasons I like it so much.
Now I really need to watch it.

I don't know where OPs negativity is coming from, I thought this movie was absolutely brilliant. My wife had not read the books and she thought it was amazing as well. Some absolutely stunning shots in the film, and the soundtrack was exceptional.

Caught this movie a the cinema last night with a friend. I haven't read the books and enjoyed it, it held my attention the entire movie and it's a long movie.

Watches it on HBOmax with the wife. Did some explaining of the plot line but not too much. Loved the visuals, I would say majestic even. They helped convey the feeling of the dynasties at play here. Best part of the movie. Looking forward to Part two.

This is a great review, I am still laughing and this may be more entertaining than the movie. You should be a professional movie reviewer.

I will note that the main character is not too young for the part, he is very young in the book. But the rest is spot on.

Honestly take that time to read the book, it's good. And the movies ending, while abrupt, was at a perfect part of the book.

I'm not going to get on anybody's case just because they didn't like a movie, but WTF is a twink?

It's a homophobic slur against attractive guys that are teenage-twenty something. Basically saying if your young and good looking you must be gay, with negative connotation. Well to be fair people do use it in a positive way so that could have been the context he was using it. It is short for twinkie, a snack, something you would like to take a bite out of. Its all in the delivery.

Yeah I wasn't getting that warm and fuzzy vibe from that review in general. Oy vey

Agreed! My wife is not a huge sci fi fan, but I gave her a very quick primer of the dune universe on the way to the theater and she picked up on it right away. She really liked the film!

I think there were some parts that could have been further developed but I trust and respect Denis enough (and his love for the source material) to believe his decisions were justified. He’s created another wonderful version of Dune that has me inspired to read the other books in the series.

Watched this last night. I've read the books and thought it was pretty good. My wife liked it too and she has not read the books. Jason Momoa's acting is the weakest part of the film for me, especially considering how good the rest of the cast is.

The first three neatly tie everything up that happens in that time period of a few generations, I think that’s basically the reason it’s known as the trilogy. Yes the next one continues it with the same main character, but it’s a different adventure with all different people (and some gholas) and as you said with thousands of years gone by, so it’s a different arc.

I like the other 2 books he wrote as well, and also all the others Brian Herbert and Anderson wrote. There is good fodder in there for some cool movies, with action stuff. Like for example when Miles Teg lays down some smack on the Honored Matres. Or the origin story of Gurney Halleck, that’s pretty gnarly.

Just saw it at the theatre. Pretty epic. Looking forward to part 2.

Yeah, and critics complain Kyle was too old at the time. It's hard to imagine a 15 yr old that could physically keep up, so I don't blame movie makers casting a slightly older actor. At least he was trying to pass as a student at Bayside High.

Agreed on Jason’s acting. He definitely looks the part, but his delivery was flat and at times took me out of the moment.

I thought Timothy was great as Paul and Rebecca Ferguson was fantastic as lady Jessica. Although I had trouble understanding some of her dialogue due to her accent.

WOW!! Just watched. Was worried it was going to be another water down remake but glad to say it wasn't. Visually stunning and long slow paced film that makes Dune the great movie it is. Can't wait to see the next film. Also can't wait to own this on a extended edition Blue Ray set.

The tech upgrades since 1984 are pretty awesome, but not always better. I can't really think of 1 acting upgrade either.
It's basically the same as 1984 so far, which is fine, but not mind blowing.

Big fan of Lynch version & never read any books.