Dune (2021)

After a difficult year for many, it was a pleasure to begin seeing movies in theatre, once again.  "Dune" had originally been slated for release in November, 2020 but was pushed back to October, 2021.  For me, it was the beginning of the end of the pandemic.

Movie poster for "Dune" (2021)

I remember learning as a kid that Frank Herbert's novel had been rejected multiple times before finally being published, which was amazing, since my friends and I considered "Dune" to be the science fiction analogue to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings".

The 1984 movie adaption featuring "The Police" frontman, Sting was a mixed success.  Critics largely panned it, although Herbert was apparently happy with it.  I rented the film on VHS, and appreciated many of the visuals, but hadn't read the novel.

My cousin Louie is a big fan of the series, and kept after me to read it.  I finally did so, one hot summer, back in the late 1990s, when I was living in Montreal (the fact that I didn't have air conditioning really helped set the mood).

I never got around to reading any of the sequels, but imagery from the book stays with you.  I was therefore excited to learn that a new movie was being planned, and looked forward to its release.  I saw it at Ancaster Cinemas with my son.

The movie won his approval.  My cousin Louie, a "Dune" purist, also loved it, as did mainstream audiences.  I'm happy for director Denis Villeneuve that "Dune" was well-received, and that a sequel is in the works.

Dolittle (2020)

My "rule" for deciding my favorite movie experience of the year is to have seen that movie in theatre, the year of its release.  Only thing is, I never imagined there would be a year in which movie theatres would remain closed for months.

Movie poster for "Dolittle" (2020)

"Dolittle" wasn't my favorite movie of 2020.  As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the only movie released in 2020 that I saw in theatre.  (I also saw "1917" with my son in January, which was technically released in December, 2019).

I read several of the Doctor Dolittle books as a pre-teen, and enjoyed them.  Dolittle is a physician and naturalist who can speak with animals.  (Hugh Lofting first conceived of the character in letters to his children while stationed in the trenches during WWI.)

My daughter, Sophia, wanted to see a movie one evening, and since I had seen the trailer a couple of times and had fond memories of the books, we just went and saw it.  Unfortunately, "Dolittle" is possibly one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

How can you go wrong with Robert Downey Jr.?  He was a great choice to play Doctor Dolittle, (I also enjoyed Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes).  I blame the horrible script (the film apparently underwent re-shoots after poor test screenings).

I tried to catch "The Invisible Man" before the shut-down, but just missed it.  I wouldn't see another movie in theatre until the summer of 2021.  Fortunately, there were some pretty great films, released that year (to be continued...)