First theater trip this year was experienced at the IMAX Dome. Nearly a 360 view of the screen and 12,000 watts of sound welcoming and engulfing everyone into Arrakis. The issues I had with Dune: Part One are much improved as Villeneuve’s world crystallizes into powerful and majestic cinematic shape. At times it still lacks the narrative punch that compliments its thumping visuals; believable relationships and prophecy fulfillment feels a bit too forward and breezed over rather than earned and the pacing continues to leave you longing for an IV and pillow—but I’m happy for cinema, Denis Villeneuve, Greig Fraser and all of the talent involved for shoving the ring of true art and the complexity of mesmerizing, grandiose filmmaking that we champion in the face of A.I.; booming the voice in all directions and demanding submission; bend the knee.

Love Javier Bardem in all things but he rules so hard in Dune 2; the absolute MVP for me. Without him anchoring the story and providing the necessary emotions I don’t think the Messiah scenes would’ve worked as well as they did. He really ups the game.