Why Quentin Tarantino has no interest in the new Dune movies

As a cinephile and a devotee of the silver screen, I find myself consistently captivated by the unyielding originality that Director Quentin Tarantino brings to the table. His relentless pursuit of innovation, evident since the ’90s, has gifted us with timeless masterpieces such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Inglourious Basterds.

As a passionate cinephile, I can attest that Quentin Tarantino embodies originality in filmmaking. Since the ’90s, he’s marched to his own beat, crafting a plethora of movies that have transcended time to become modern classics – from the groundbreaking “Pulp Fiction” to the electrifying “Kill Bill” duology and the audacious “Inglourious Basterds.

Discussing Denis Villeneuve’s latest Dune movies, which are based on Frank Herbert’s iconic 1965 sci-fi novel, has garnered much praise from critics. However, in Quentin Tarantino’s view, he has already experienced David Lynch’s 1986 Dune film and feels no need to reexplore the story. In a podcast with Bret Easton Ellis, he stated, “I watched [David Lynch’s] ‘Dune’ a couple of times, I don’t feel the need to see that narrative again. I don’t desire to witness spice worms, nor do I want to watch a movie that emphasizes the word ‘spice’ so dramatically.

Quentin Tarantino’s disdain for remakes includes the FX series “Shogun,” which was highly praised as one of the top shows of the year. However, since Tarantino watched the original 1980 TV miniseries, he doesn’t feel the need to watch it again. As the director stated, “It’s one remake after another. I saw ‘Shogun’ in the ’80s. I sat through all 13 hours. I’m content. I don’t require seeing that tale unfold again, regardless of how they adapt it. I don’t care if they transport me to ancient Japan using a time machine. I don’t care; I already know the story.

I think this makes sense; if he already saw those things and doesn’t want to see them again, fair enough. That said, I don’t think all remakes are created equal. I’d seen David Lynch’s Dune before watching the Villeneuve movies too, and they are extremely different beasts. Even David Lynch himself hated his Dune movie. There were a lot of studio shenanigans that held him back at the time, whereas Villeneuve’s films have a lot more room to spread out and tell the story as Frank Herbert imagined it. I think Villenueve’s movies are worth seeing even if you’ve watched Lynch’s version.

Regarding Shogun, the 1980 series is still widely respected, yet the recent adaptation brings significant changes, particularly delving deeper into the lives of Japanese characters. I appreciate the remake since I was unfamiliar with Shogun until FX decided to adapt it. With time passing, it’s great that more people have been introduced to a story they might not have encountered otherwise.

If new versions of movies from my youth, like Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films, were made, I might be tempted to watch them if they were well-done. However, I could find myself agreeing with Tarantino that remakes can often feel unnecessary. Of course, I recognize his annoyance at the abundance of remakes in today’s cinema. While I understand that a remake can enhance the original or revive something long forgotten, many times they simply seem pointless.

Recently, I had a chance to view “Apartment 7A”, a precursor to the well-known horror film “Rosemary’s Baby”. While it isn’t strictly a remake, it might as well be due to its similar plot points with different main characters. The movie wasn’t terrible per se, but it fell short in comparison to the 1968 original. It lacked tension, fear factor, and had a more cheesy feel. If a production doesn’t surpass the original like “Dune” did or revisits something less familiar like “Shogun”, one might wonder why make it at all?

Why Quentin Tarantino has no interest in the new Dune movies

Quentin Tarantino loved Joker: Folie à Deux, thinks up is down, night is day

On this podcast, Tarantino shared some controversial views, such as expressing his appreciation for Todd Phillips’ latest film, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” a movie that was heavily criticized by both critics and audiences and flopped at the box office. To him, it was amusing, he admired the musical sequences, he praised Joaquin Phoenix’s acting, and he found charm in its contrast to what fans were expecting.

According to Tarantino, the Joker was the one who directed the movie. It’s as if the Joker himself was using the studio’s money, just like how the Joker would spend it. His unexpected present – a laugh! – the jack-in-the-box that gives you a shock when he offers a handshake, is a jab at comic book fans. He’s basically flipping off everyone who loves comics, the movie audience, Hollywood, and even DC and Warner Brothers. In essence, Todd Phillips is playing the role of the Joker in this film. So, it’s a Joker-themed movie, alright, and Phillips is indeed the Joker.

Is this a thoughtful analysis or merely an argumentative stance without substance? It’s up to you to determine. Meanwhile, Tarantino is pondering over a movie titled “The Film Critic“, which he plans as his last production, setting it up to be a film about a film critic.

2024-11-01 20:41