Good morning, gentle readers, and welcome to March 11, 2024!
I know, I know, I know ... where have I been? Ach, my friends, but the wifey had a few vacation days scheduled, so we were off playing here and there. It was, actually, a very busy few days in which we crammed in some chores along with some play, some much needed distraction from the daily grind that she toils away on each and every day. So sue me. Just be thankful that I'm back and refreshed and on-the-job in this space as it were; and I'm also ready and raring to go with an incredible 52 genre trivia citations this morning to make your Monday special.
No, no, and no: I don't watch award shows. Honestly, I don't watch any of them. So, no, I really don't have anything to say about the Academy Awards. I detest how those platforms have really been coopted by folks who use them for political means, and -- as a consequence -- I tune them out. Now, this isn't to suggest in any way that those people are wrong for expressing themselves, readers: on that front, I say to each his or her own. I occasionally use my space here on SciFiHistory.Net to push an idea; I guess it's just that I don't feel I browbeat anyone into submission on any topic. I mention it, and then I move along. I do think that a bit of moderation could be exercised by the wealthy elitists in Hollywood, but that's probably an argument for another day.
As for ... Dune: Part 2?
Well, I tried to temper expectations, folks. While it's done respectable box office to date, it certainly doesn't appear to be on track for the "predicted" one billion dollars in ticket sales that some in our field of expertise had said "possible." (There is some chitchat in certain corners of fandom that suggests the film has failed to deliver on its potential or something like that.) As I've always said regarding the franchise, Dune is not mainstream Science Fiction and Fantasy. It will never achieve the heights that Star Wars has, no matter how many times diehard enthusiasts proclaim its greatness. (And, yes, it is great, but it's also a niche property with very, very, very little mainstream interest.) Besides, I reviewed the flick right here, and I think I said as such. Anyone who suggested that Villenueve was going to be the Second Coming of George Lucas was likely speaking from their own perspective and not with the lessons of history in mind. It just is what it is.
I know, I know, I know ... where have I been? Ach, my friends, but the wifey had a few vacation days scheduled, so we were off playing here and there. It was, actually, a very busy few days in which we crammed in some chores along with some play, some much needed distraction from the daily grind that she toils away on each and every day. So sue me. Just be thankful that I'm back and refreshed and on-the-job in this space as it were; and I'm also ready and raring to go with an incredible 52 genre trivia citations this morning to make your Monday special.
No, no, and no: I don't watch award shows. Honestly, I don't watch any of them. So, no, I really don't have anything to say about the Academy Awards. I detest how those platforms have really been coopted by folks who use them for political means, and -- as a consequence -- I tune them out. Now, this isn't to suggest in any way that those people are wrong for expressing themselves, readers: on that front, I say to each his or her own. I occasionally use my space here on SciFiHistory.Net to push an idea; I guess it's just that I don't feel I browbeat anyone into submission on any topic. I mention it, and then I move along. I do think that a bit of moderation could be exercised by the wealthy elitists in Hollywood, but that's probably an argument for another day.
As for ... Dune: Part 2?
Well, I tried to temper expectations, folks. While it's done respectable box office to date, it certainly doesn't appear to be on track for the "predicted" one billion dollars in ticket sales that some in our field of expertise had said "possible." (There is some chitchat in certain corners of fandom that suggests the film has failed to deliver on its potential or something like that.) As I've always said regarding the franchise, Dune is not mainstream Science Fiction and Fantasy. It will never achieve the heights that Star Wars has, no matter how many times diehard enthusiasts proclaim its greatness. (And, yes, it is great, but it's also a niche property with very, very, very little mainstream interest.) Besides, I reviewed the flick right here, and I think I said as such. Anyone who suggested that Villenueve was going to be the Second Coming of George Lucas was likely speaking from their own perspective and not with the lessons of history in mind. It just is what it is.
Speaking of George Lucas (see above) ...
Those of you who don't know, the talented auteur had actually already kinda/sorta somewhat established himself in the realms of the Fantastic with his 1971 flick, THX 1138. (Kiddies, don't run out and watch it thinking that it's anything remotely resembling Star Wars: it's social Science Fiction, and -- as such -- it is a bit harder to relate to.) It was first released theatrically on this day all the way back in 1971, and it gave audiences a look into a rather harsh tomorrow, one ruled by drugs and Dystopia. It starred Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie, and genre regular Sid Haig.
Here's the plot summary provided by our good friends at IMDB.com:
"In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly controlled society."
Any time I've discussed Lucas with others, I get asked my opinion of the film; and, frankly, I really don't have one. (I know, I know, I know: that ain't fair.) I guess my take on it is that it resembles a lot of classic SciFi works so closely that I've not yet quite formed an assessment of it that I feel worth mentioning ... and, yes, that's really on me more than it is anyone else. Thematically, it keeps with the theatrical trends of Science Fiction of its day -- late 60's and early 70's stuff was reasonably dark -- but ... other than that? Meh. I'm just not strongly moved by it, certainly not enough to think about it in any great estimation. Interesting but still a bit detached.
Maybe I'll someday tackle it in a full review, but for now? That's really all I've got to say about that.
Those of you who don't know, the talented auteur had actually already kinda/sorta somewhat established himself in the realms of the Fantastic with his 1971 flick, THX 1138. (Kiddies, don't run out and watch it thinking that it's anything remotely resembling Star Wars: it's social Science Fiction, and -- as such -- it is a bit harder to relate to.) It was first released theatrically on this day all the way back in 1971, and it gave audiences a look into a rather harsh tomorrow, one ruled by drugs and Dystopia. It starred Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie, and genre regular Sid Haig.
Here's the plot summary provided by our good friends at IMDB.com:
"In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly controlled society."
Any time I've discussed Lucas with others, I get asked my opinion of the film; and, frankly, I really don't have one. (I know, I know, I know: that ain't fair.) I guess my take on it is that it resembles a lot of classic SciFi works so closely that I've not yet quite formed an assessment of it that I feel worth mentioning ... and, yes, that's really on me more than it is anyone else. Thematically, it keeps with the theatrical trends of Science Fiction of its day -- late 60's and early 70's stuff was reasonably dark -- but ... other than that? Meh. I'm just not strongly moved by it, certainly not enough to think about it in any great estimation. Interesting but still a bit detached.
Maybe I'll someday tackle it in a full review, but for now? That's really all I've got to say about that.
And just like that you've reached the part of this daily experiment wherein I tell you that there's more -- a lot more -- awaiting your very own deep dive on the Daily Citation Page for March 11. So don't delay ... head on over to that space so that you can begin your journey into Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror like no other ...
As always, thank you for reading ... thank you for sharing ... thank you for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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