DUNE (1984)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Hoo-boy, where to begin? Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) journeys to the desert planet Arrakis — the only place in the galaxy that produces a spice called mélange, which facilitates space travel — and falls in with the natives, a band of warriors called the Fremen. Paul then leads the Fremen in a holy war to defend Arrakis.
WHY IT DOESN'T WORK: Strangely, because it's a movie. Frank Herbert's novel contains a multitude of information you just can't get across in two hours, and many of the themes — environmentalism, dermatillomania, the negative role of the superhuman in government affairs — got pushed aside. Plus, it's just a weird-looking movie — thanks, David Lynch.
