Dune I and II

To be fair, I watched the first part of Dune quite a while ago and was not keen to rewatch it. There was so much hype about the second part that I was afraid I would have to watch the first part again to make sense of the second part. The film is essentially about 6 things. 

A vast desert territory, a spice trade, an oppressive ruling class, a resistance and a set of mysterious underground creatures. 

If you want to appreciate the architecture in the movie I suggest that you follow (damileearch) on Instagram for her masterful reviews of the structures that have made their way into our films. 

You could describe it as a coming of age tale about a young prince who must make his way into the desert as he learns about himself and those around him with the hope of finally making his way back home. Did we mention the lack of water which makes this landscape so inhabitable? 

The spices we mentioned earlier seem to relate back to an age in the past where the spice trade dominated a certain stage in world history while the lack of water seems somewhat prophetic as many have predicted a time when nations will go to war for this precious resource. 

I suppose I was a little less interested in the two parts until I realized that Zendaya of Spider-Man fame was part of the cast. Her role in the Euphoria Series though, is what captured my attention as have some portrayals of her with lead character and their unmatched chemistry. 

The second part is therefore in my view a little more attention getting at least if you are interested in the complexities of romance interwoven with interesting takes on religion with mention of The Mahdi. In this regard the film seems to point to certain parts of Islam and the struggle to find redemption in one person on one hand and that to find unity or belief in the whole. It is here that the protagonist splits with his love interest and this is what makes the second part so captivating. Ah I fear I have revealed a little too much. There are several moments in the two parts of this film that tackle the topic of acceptance and the struggle to fit in. I think on the whole there was a lot to learn. 

Silo

This one is from Apple. They do such an incredible job

seeming to devote as much energy to detail as they do to their

attractive products. Their projects have become must have  in my

library or at least viewing experience. 

It is set in the future in an underground community. The inhabitants

are controlled by fear and split into categories based on roles that

have been created over the years. 

In my view it really is about fear of the unknown and how one group

with a little knowledge can exert influence over another.

It is a story about different groups trying to navigate spaces within

which they have lived in for extended periods of time.

I see people who live in villages and that are told that there is

nothing out there in the world. I see people who have cult like beliefs

that are devoted to one teacher and his teachings. People who are stuck

and know nothing else outside their beliefs.   

I see myself afraid to venture out because of fears some true some

untrue. 

All this takes place and is recorded with others watching and learning

and extending their perception of your fears and taking on what you

fear for themselves. There is a vicious cycle of activity as one person

helps extend the ideas and beliefs of the extended group. 

In the society that exists there are those at the absolute top who are

the mayor, judge and head of security. Then you have workers at

different levels most crucial of which is are those who run the

generator. You could argue that this is at the heart of the Silo-power

in the Electrical Sense and Power in form of Control. 

There is also a classification of information as we are seeing in our

days with the idea of censorship. Electronics and certain images are

perceived as contraband. The city is also a mystery with plenty to

offer for those who are curious. Conspiracy theorists will enjoy

watching another production about Agartha i think it is called which

posits a very different view of the Earth as we know it. 

Common does an incredible job as a villain. I must say when certain

actors are type cast as villains and you suddenly see them as heroes, 

it makes for quite an adjustment. A great example of this is Danny

Glover who interestingly features with common in another project. He is

another one who needs to be mentioned amongst the greats.