I learn via Publishers Weekly that there’s yet another Dune book coming out in August. PW doesn’t recommend the book, writing “[t]he lengthy climax relies on at least four consecutive deus ex machina bailouts, eventually devolving into sheer fairy tale optimism.” But my question is, when does it stop? When will Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson think they’ve exhausted Frank Herbert’s original creation? Via Wikipedia, I learn they’ve already proposed another trilogy to follow this new book, after which they’ll have written twice as many Dune novels as Frank Herbert ever did. I’ll admit, I haven’t read any of those books — I’ve only read the first novel, Dune — and my impression of their being terrible (taken largely from Sharon, who has read them, or some of them) could be wrong. But seriously, will it stop? Or will Brian Herbert’s kids take over when he dies?
Month: July 2007
Alex O’Loughlin, who stars in CBS’ vampire-detective series Moonlight, told SCI FI Wire that he’s a fan of the work of author Anne Rice and that he kept her books and characters in mind while filming the pilot.
This does not bode well. The show already seems sort of derivative to me — if not of Angel, as has been mentioned here and there, then certainly of Forever Knight. Or even the other immortal detective show coming next fall. Oh well, at least it’s got the lovely Sophia Myles and David Greenwalt as executive producer. It might also be interesting to see Jason Dohring in a post-Veronica Mars role.
Update, 7/31: And David Greenwalt’s off the project. That doesn’t bode well at all.
From Nathan Rabin’s review of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (the movie, not the album):
The Beatles explored a sonic and emotional template unprecedented in the history of pop music. There’s infinite variety and unparalleled sophistication just in the band’s humor alone. There was McCartney’s cornball dance-hall baggy pants broadness, but also his love for Monty Python and goofball absurdism, as well as John Lennon’s vitriolic black humor, Peter Sellers worship, and stinging social satire.
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Just because something works spectacularly in one context doesn’t mean it will succeed equally well in a wildly different form. James Brown may have been a spectacular entertainer, but that doesn’t mean he should have hit cleanup for the Yankees or been the Secretary of Agriculture.
Yes. Clearly, Brown would have been head of the Department of Health & Human Services.