This was a large discussion group, considering our underwhelming attendance for this epic film version of Frank Herbert’s novel, which has sold 20 million copies. The empty seats meant there were plenty of Karen’s splendid Pecan Sandies cookies to go around. The audience member who nominated the film was proudly there to watch it.
One of our discussion group attendees who had just enjoyed watching Dune: Part One, called Dune: Part Two “majestic”. Others found the violence and cruelty difficult and upsetting. It was de-sensitising and didn’t feel like fantasy. For them, it uncomfortably resonated with real-life present-day conflicts and over-zealous religious fervour.
There was some discussion about the characters and if they were two dimensional or had developed from Dune: Part One. Our discussion leader wasn’t too keen on Christopher Walken’s performance. We wondered why characters were still fighting with knives, if they were so developed in their technology.
Our new sound system really did show the film to its advantage and the sound was highly appreciated. This has made such a difference to the quality of our experience. There was praise for the film’s design, including the costumes. The awesome locations, with the beautiful shimmering of light on the dunes, were memorable. Hans Zimmer’s powerful compositions were a highlight.
We heard that Dune: Part Three is in the pipeline. Maybe we should book an RCC slot for 2026 and start publicising it now. Looking forward to more Pecan Sandies!
Anne
The sound system was enhanced this summer in anticipation of the August screenings, Dune 2 in particular. The technical aspect of this evening was near perfect - the lights dimming, the screen taking position, the sound, it was an impressive cinematic experience.