The second trailer for Dune (2021) dropped on Thursday morning, and things are looking good.
The haunting, muted tone and touches of spiritual mystery. The surreal visuals, and the flashes of intense violence. And let's not forget that incredible sandworm!
So far things in the land of Spice are looking convincingly Dune-like, and it might just turn out that director Denis Villeneuve — who proved his ability to revive a sci-fi classic with 2017's critically acclaimed Blade Runner 2049 — has done it again. Considering the complexity and strangeness of the universe Frank Herbert created in the Dune series, that would be a truly impressive feat at the best of times, let alone with a production hampered by pandemic restrictions.
Of course we'll have to wait until October 22 — or September 3rd if you can find your way to the Venice Film Festival — to know whether these promising elements hang together in a cohesive and compelling whole. But it seems that Villeneuve and production company Legendary Pictures have an insurance plan in place, in case the final product turns out to be less than perfect: put every hot person ever in the movie.
Do they think we're that shallow?! Do they think that if the story isn't gripping enough we'll just zone out and stare happily at Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya as the star-crossed Paul Atreides and Chani?! Because they're right.
To be honest, with the number of hot people in this production, it might not even be easy to assess whether the movie is any good. If fear is the mind killer, horniness is definitely the enemy of the critical lens. And there are hotties here to satisfy every taste.
If you're not into those Zoomer jawline icons, there's Jason Momoa serving the superhero-bod and the rakish grin as Duncan Idaho (lol); and Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, whose muscle-mountain sex-appeal can't be contained by any amount of weird makeup.
And then there's the unstoppable trifecta of dad-hotness. Oscar Isaac is the young, brooding daddy Leto Atreides I, Josh Brolin is the aggro, military daddy Gurney Halleck, and Javier Bardem is the rebel freedom-fighter daddy Stilgar.
Even the lesser-known performers are all gorgeous. From Babs Olusanmokun (Sneaky Pete) with his sculpted cheekbones as Jamis to Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible - Fallout) with her storm-blue eyes as lady Jessica, these people are all entirely too good-looking.
Admittedly, Hollywood has never been known for its proportional representation of normal-looking people (you and me and all the other uggos), but is it possible that Dune (2021) has taken it too far? Is this the sexiest cast ever?
Well...no. Sorry for the clickbait, but it's not even close. The new cast is sexy enough for sure, but the lack of Idris Elba has to be some form of hotness erasure, and — to be perfectly honest — without Sting in a metal Speedo, no amount of A-list hotties could ever hold a candle to David Lynch's 1984 masterpiece.
Long live the one true Dune. Long live Sting in a metal Speedo.
On this day in 1989, FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper drove into the town of Twin Peaks, Washington, to investigate the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer.
Although there have certainly been some imitators, no television show is quite like Twin Peaks. David Lynch and Mark Frost's quirky, campy crime drama — which first premiered in the spring of 1990 — is perhaps one of the most beloved shows of all time. There are many aspects of Twin Peaks that contribute to its rightful cult status: its suspense, its impeccable soundtrack, its subtle goofy humor. But, really, the best part of Twin Peaks is its array of diverse, complex characters.
Whether you love them or hate them, the characters of Twin Peaks are really what keeps the show afloat. Below, we've ranked 23 of the show's recurring characters from worst to best.
23. James Hurley
Boring. Whiney. A bit of a womanizer. Not a good singer. The motorcycle is one of his few redeeming qualities. I understand why we need James for plot reasons, but I wish we didn't.
22. Leo Johnson
If you've seen even just the pilot of Twin Peaks, I don't need to explain to you why Leo is garbage. Leo only ranks higher than James because Leo was barely alive for the majority of the show.
21. Leland Palmer
I know, I know — it was Bob who technically killed Laura, not Leland. But since Bob is not a mortal human being, I have to extend my rage unto Leland.
20. Benjamin Horne
When it's time to "eat the rich," Ben Horne is first on my list. He slept with his daughter's teenage classmate and had a weird fascination with the Confederate Army. Garbage!
19. Catherine Martell
Ladies, is it #girlboss to con an entire town for your own financial gain?
18. Dr. Will Hayward
Dr. Hayward was in 30 episodes of Twin Peaks, and I can hardly remember anything about him aside from Donna's whole paternity crisis. Boring.
17. Bobby Briggs
Especially after watching Twin Peaks: The Return, I firmly believe that Bobby is a well-meaning young man. Was it necessary for him to have sold cocaine as someone with generational wealth? Of course not. But I do think he deeply cared for both Laura and Shelly; he just needed someone to whip him into shape.
16. Maddy Ferguson
Maddy is nice, but boring, and not very helpful in figuring out who killed her own cousin. Not even Sheryl Lee's acting — a highlight of Twin Peaks' prequel film, Fire Walk With Me — could save Maddy's flat character arc.
15. Nadine Hurley
My heart goes out to Nadine. All she wants in life is love and silent drape runners.
14. Donna Hayward
Although I do admire her dedication to helping solve Laura's murder, we all agree that Donna is a little bit annoying, right? The James-Donna love story arc is one of my least favorite aspects of the show. I didn't miss her in The Return.
13. Josie Packard
I certainly don't agree with a lot — OK, most — of what Josie did. But trouble just seemed to find her, and for that, I can't fully hate her. She's also the best-dressed character in the entire show, which is a plus.
12. Major Garland Briggs
The scene at the Double R Diner when Major Briggs tells Bobby he had an optimistic vision about his son's future is, hands-down, one of the most heartwarming moments in the show (especially considering Bobby grew up to be a deputy sheriff). Sure, Major Briggs can be a little cold and standoffish, but he has a good heart and he's an important asset to the show.
11. Audrey Horne
During the show's earlier moments, it's easy to dislike Audrey. She's conniving and ruthless, and her attempts to woo Agent Cooper are pretty creepy. But, can you blame her when she's been neglected by her father her entire life? As the series progresses, you definitely begin to feel for Audrey, and you realize her antics are all conducted as part of her search for true love.
10. Ed “Big Ed” Hurley
Ed, our favorite sad boy. He's just a poor man who's too afraid to leave his unhappy marriage. I feel a lot of sympathy for Ed.
9. Pete Martell
Pete minds his business. Pete loves Josie, but Pete also respects his marriage to Catherine. Pete does his job and doesn't bother anybody. Be like Pete.
8. Shelly Johnson
Shelly's only flaw is her poor taste in men. But, even though she's stuck in an abusive marriage, I like that Shelly isn't portrayed as a helpless damsel in distress; she demands respect from Bobby, and her friendship with Norma is one of my favorite relationships in the show.
7. Deputy Andy Brennan
It's no secret that Andy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. But he's incredibly sympathetic and always tries his best; that alone makes him better than 80 percent of Twin Peaks' other characters.
6. Norma Jennings
I, like Ed, would also probably have a decades-long crush on Norma Jennings.
5. Sheriff Harry S. Truman
I would trust Truman with my life. Besides his brief breakdown after Josie's death — again, understandable — he's a mellow, likable guy who's very good at his job.
4. Deputy Tommy “Hawk” Hill
Ah, Hawk: the sheriff department's token white-passing POC. He's by far the most chill character on Twin Peaks, and for that reason alone, I love him. (His wit and good intentions put him high on the list, too). I was happy to see him get a little more screen time in Twin Peaks: The Return, but if I'd written it, I would've had Hawk retire and become a voice of a meditation app.
3. Lucy Moran
Lucy is an immensely underrated character. Does she have much to offer in terms of the show's plot? Not at all. But she's easy to love and always guaranteed to conjure a chuckle. Also, her bangs and collection of sweaters are enviable.
2. Special Agent Dale Cooper
I don't claim to know everything about television, but I do feel confident in my belief that Agent Cooper is the best male protagonist in television history. In the first couple of episodes of Twin Peaks, I often found myself thinking: "Why am I supposed to care about this popular, pretty white girl who dies?" Well, you're not. What you're supposed to care about is Cooper — this strange, aloof-yet-approachable man — succeeding at his goal.
From his love of coffee and pie to his deep respect for his colleagues and the residents of Twin Peaks, Cooper is incredibly admirable. He has a genuine love for life, despite constantly being surrounded by darkness. Although he's experienced severe heartbreak and grief, he still manages to bring out the best in other characters, notably Annie Blackburn in the series' final episodes. He's the reason we still care about the happenings of Twin Peaks long after Laura's murder is solved.
1. The Log Lady
I would die for the Log Lady. Yeah, Cooper is smart and has some supernatural abilities, but where would he and the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department be without the incantations of Margaret's precious log? Nowhere. Without the Log Lady, Twin Peaks would not exist.
Today, January 20, 2021, is David Lynch's 75th birthday.
The director, screenwriter, musician, and occasional actor has been dubbed one of the most important filmmakers of all time. With a heavy focus in surrealism, his work is instantly recognizable, with the word "Lynchian" having been coined to describe his imitators — or just anything that would otherwise fit in his twisted, fascinating creative universe.
From his feature-length debut in the 1970s to the 2017 revival of his cult television series Twin Peaks, Lynch's work is generally foreboding and cryptic, often using non-linear narratives, vague symbolism, and open conclusions. While his films have typically garnered mixed reviews, there's no doubt that Lynch has made a tangible impact on the world of filmmaking and music. He's made fans out of Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick, while his frequent collaborations with composer Angelo Badalamenti continue to inspire generations of left-field musicians.
Below, we've ranked Lynch's five best films to celebrate his birthday. From stomach-churning horror to nail-biting mysteries, these are the movies that leave us equal parts perplexed and enamored.
5. The Elephant Man (1980)
The Elephant Man (1980)
In retrospect, the idea of David Lynch directing a movie based on a true story feels unlikely, but only a director as daring as him could pull off a story as heartbreaking as The Elephant Man. The historical drama revolves around Joseph Merrick (referred to as John Merrick in the film), whose bewildering deformities landed him in freak shows in England during the late 1890s.
Named after Merrick's freak show moniker, The Elephant Man portrays his life from his tormented upbringing in Leicester to his permanent residency at London Hospital, where he would die at the age of 27. The film marked Lynch's first critical and commercial success, nabbing eight Academy Awards. Special effects makeup artist Christopher Tucker's work on The Elephant Man prompted the Academy to create the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling the year after.
4. Eraserhead (1977)
Eraserhead (1977)
Lynch's first feature-length film is also his creepiest. Eraserhead stars futureTwin Peaks supporting actor Jack Nance as Henry Spencer, a man who discovers his girlfriend has given birth to a deformed, snakelike specimen with an ear-piercing scream. When the girlfriend leaves out of frustration, the child is left in the hands of Henry, who must evaluate the ethics of raising an inhuman child who constantly suffers in pain.
In addition to taking on sudden fatherhood, Henry must also come to terms with his own distorted views of human sexuality and disgust with the human body. While the expertly crafted dystopian nature of Eraserhead is by no means realistic, Henry's everyman appeal makes his personal tumult hit especially close to home. And even though Lynch was still a relative unknown at the time of Eraserhead's release, its uneasiness would influence another iconic director: Stanley Kubrick, who borrowed elements of Lynch's filmography and sound design for The Shining.
3. Blue Velvet (1986)
Blue Velvet (1986)
One might think that the box office and critical failure of 1984's Dune would steer Lynch away from filmmaking altogether. Instead, he returned with Blue Velvet, his first official foray into the surrealist crime stories that have since become his specialty. The neo-noir mystery thriller stars Lynch's most frequent onscreen collaborator, Kyle MacLachlan, as Jeffrey Beaumont, a college student who accidentally unearths a monumental criminal conspiracy and gets caught up in a dangerous romantic relationship in the process.
Often named one of the greatest films of the '80s, Blue Velvet is an exemplary introduction to Lynch's work, as well as a master class in symbolism and the power of a good soundtrack. It also serves as a fitting precursor to Twin Peaks; both Lynch and MacLachlan have said they view the show's protagonist, FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, as a grown-up version of Jeffrey.
2. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
When Twin Peaks was abruptly canceled after a sharp decline in ratings, Lynch was determined to create an accompanying feature-length film. But rather than divulge the harrowing fate of Agent Cooper, Lynch instead wrote Fire Walk with Me as a prequel, focusing on the life of Laura Palmer in the last week before her death that sent her small town of Twin Peaks, Washington into a frenzy. (Don't be fooled by its label as a "prequel," though: You should definitely watch the show first.)
Devoid of the quirky sense of humor that made Twin Peaks so charming, Fire Walk with Me is a true psychological horror, with Sheryl Lee's spectacular performance breathing life into Laura that we never got to see prior. And while the series tended to depict Laura as a troublemaker who wrote her own doomed fate, the film details the more disturbing reality underneath her homecoming queen allure: a traumatized girl who turns to sex and drugs not for her own amusement, but to cope with years of violent abuse.
1. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Arguably the most complex and thought-provoking film of Lynch's career, Mulholland Drive was never intended to be a film at all. Originally pitched as a television series to ABC, the surrealist mystery thriller was supposedly conceived as a spin-off story of Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks. While Twin Peaks fans might delight in the possibility of Audrey stumbling into trouble in Los Angeles, Mulholland Drive stands on its own as a powerful exposé on the dark side of show business.
The film stars Naomi Watts as Betty, an aspiring actress who arrives in L.A. and encounters a woman who calls herself Rita (Laura Harring). Rita is the lone survivor of a car accident on Mulholland Drive that has left her with severe amnesia. As the two attempt to find Rita's true identity, Mulholland Drive unfolds into a distressing commentary on fame, envy, and love in the city of angels.
Prior to his tragic death from liver cancer in 2016, he cemented his legacy as one of the 20th century's most iconic musical voices with classic albums like Hunky Dory, "Heroes", and Let's Dance. But his musical talent was only part of what made him a living legend. His best work was intertwined with his talent for mythmaking.
Stardust - Official Trailer (David Bowie Movie)
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Adopting the personas of Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, Bowie performed stories of fame and madness. The rcent biopic Stardust, from director Gabriel Range, purported to tell the story of how a young, insecure Bowie developed the Ziggy persona as a means to project confidence and overcome his anxiety.
The film premiered over the winter at the San Diego International Film Festival, to a mixed response, largely because the film was produced without the approval of Bowie's family. As such, it features none of Bowie's original music, and exists more in the category of an unauthorized film tribute, like 1998's Velvet Goldmine.
It may be that David Bowie never wanted the "truth" of his life story shared with the public, preferring to operate through persona and performance. With that in mind, if fans of the late glam rock icon want to experience the official, authorized film version of David Bowie, the man himself lent his talent to the silver screen in an acting career that was almost as impressive as his contribution to music.
These eight roles represent the best of his acting work. And while they may not show us the "real" Bowie, they reveal his range as a performer, and offer insight into how he chose to present himself to the world.
"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" (1992) - Agent Phillip Jeffries
In the early '90s eccentric director David Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost introduced America to the fictional small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, where a cast of strange characters and cheerful Americana concealed dark mysteries.
Despite it's cult fandom, the Twin Peaks TV show was canceled after just two seasons on ABC, and Lynch and Frost resorted to making a film to (sort of) resolve the series' mysteries and loose ends. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me functioned as both a prequel and a sequel to the series, and David Bowie played the role of long-lost FBI agent Phillip Jeffries, who appears to some of his fellow agents in an erratic and cryptic vision before being transported back in time.
While Lynch was pleased with Bowie's performance, Bowie himself was seemingly unhappy with his attempt at a Louisiana accent, and insisted, before his death, that Lynch dub the scene over with a true Louisianan actor for 2017's Twin Peaks: The Return.
"The Prestige" (2006) - Nikola Tesla
Another Bowie role with an interesting accent choice, Bowie played the role of Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan's 2006 film, The Prestige. Depicted as a wise and enigmatic figure with an almost godlike mastery of science, Bowie walks through lightning, invents an electrical cloning device, and attempts to advise magician Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) against his dangerous obsession, all while battling Thomas Edison.
"The Hunger" (1983) - John Blaylock
The Hunger is a 1983 horror movie about youth, mortality, and love. David Bowie plays "young" vampire John Blaylock, whose ancient lover Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) turned him in the 1800s with the promise of eternal life, as long as he feeds regularly on human blood. But now he has started aging rapidly, and seeks a scientific cure for his curse.
While largely overlooked in its time, the film later gained a following for its cinematography and tense atmospheric horror, and—of course—for featuring David Bowie as the seductive vampire we always knew he was. In 1997 the film inspired an anthology horror series of the same name which aired on Showtime. The second season featured Bowie, as both self-destructive artist Julian Priest and as the show's host, delivering eerie musings on the horror of each episode.
"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" (1983) - Major Jack Celliers
Also released in 1983, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is a film by Japanese director Nagisa Ōshima, based on the writings of Laurens van der Post, based on his experience as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. Bowie played the lead in the film as Major Jack Celliers, a defiant POW from New Zealand who is met with hostility and violence by captors who eventually come to respect his rebellious will.
Nearly 40 years later, Bowie's portrayal of indomitable spirit under dire circumstances remains moving and inspirational to this day.
"The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) - Pontius Pilate
Martin Scorsese's 1988 depiction of Jesus of Nazareth's final days, starring Willem Dafoe, is remembered largely for controversy over the portrayal of an alternate reality in which Jesus chose a mortal life and married Mary Magdalene. But it should also be remembered for David Bowie's role as Pontius Pilate, the coldly pragmatic governor of Judea, who comes to Jesus in prison, where he is awaiting his crucifixion.
Though Bowie's role in the movie is limited, his embodiment of an anti-revolutionary bureaucrat trying to reason Jesus out of changing the world is chilling.
"Labyrinth" (1986) - Jareth the Goblin King
His role as Jareth the Goblin King in Jim Henson's 1986 classic, Labyrinth, is no doubt Bowie's most recognizable film role. In addition to lending his music to the movie in a series of sequences that amount to high-budget music videos,
Bowie's iconic makeup, explosive hair, and flamboyant outfits—all ruffles and leather and prominent bulges—make him an alluring and disturbing villain as he attempts to seduce a teenage girl into abandoning her baby brother. Truly unforgettable.
"The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976) - The Visitor
The Man Who Fell to Earth is the film that proved David Bowie's bona fides as a movie star. Bowie plays "the visitor," also known as Thomas Jerome Newton. A possible alien driven mad by life on earth, and also a cold, wealthy aristocrat in business-like attire, Newton operated as a blend of Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, allowing Bowie to tap into his the fragile power of his personas.
It's a disjointed sci-fi narrative that only works because it centers David Bowie's strange charisma.
But Bowie remained a great admirer of Warhol, whose play Pork was a major source of inspiration for much of Bowie's work as he entered his glam rock phase. And that admiration was never more evident than in 1996 when Bowie was brought in to play the artist in director Julian Schnabel's biopic of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
In the role of Basquiat's mentor, Bowie donned the artist's iconic wig, and disappeared Warhol's subdued, idiosyncratic mannerisms. As unmistakable as Bowie is, it becomes easy to forget you're not watching the real Warhol.
Nearly five years after David Bowie's death, a movie like Stardust may not be able to bring him back to life, but fans looking to resurrect the icon can find him in all his shocking variety, not just in his music, but in these memorable film roles.
Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy has received multiple screen adaptations over the years.
But with Denis Villeneuve—the visionary director of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049—teaming up with indie-movie heartthrob Timothée Chalamet for a new take on the sci-fi classic, a whole new generation is about to be introduced to sandworms and the spice. The first sneak peak of Chalamet in costume—dressed all in black, with spaceship in the sky behind him—has just been released, and is already hinting at the menace and ambiguity of the film. With that in mind (and with spoilers ahead) let's look at the universe of Dune and the character of Paul Atreides, whom Chalamet will be portraying in the new film, scheduled for release in December.
When the series begins, the known universe is ruled over by Emperor Shaddam IV, and Paul Atreides is a privileged teenage member of an aristocratic family that is about to be exiled from their home planet to rule over the desert world of Arrakis, commonly known as Dune. Little does Paul know, this upheaval of his spoiled life is actually part of a secret plot against his family. Before long Paul is left to fend for himself in the wastelands of Dune, and he must develop skills in strategy and combat in order to survive, while exposing himself to the dangerous, addictive drug melange (the spice) to unlock his psychic powers.
While Paul's story invites us to side with him as he avenges his family and frees Dune and its spice mines from the hold of the cruel empire, Paul's ascension to political power as an unquestioned, godlike figure opens questions about the role of charismatic leaders in global (or interstellar) events. Is Paul actually the hero that he seems to be—a super-powered savior? Or is he a drug-addicted, genocidal fascist? As Herbert said of his epic saga, "The bottom line of the Dune trilogy is: beware of heroes."
Sting in David Lynch's "Dune" (1984)
While Dune is a big budget sci-fi adventure and marks a distinct break from Call Me By Your Name and the kind of movie Chalamet has become known for, the nuance of the original novels and the directorial subtlety that Villeneuve brings to the table should make for a film that is much more than just a simple blockbuster. That said, it will never live up to Sting in a metallic speedo.
Still, Vanity Fairhas released preview pictures that hint it's trying.
On February 24th, 1989, FBI agent Dale Cooper rolled into the town of Twin Peaks and took millions of viewers on a journey they'd never forget.
31 years after that fateful day, nostalgic fans celebrated Twin Peaks Day in February. But even if you're just enjoying a good Twin Peaks watch party, here are six ways to celebrate the glorious little town.
1. Pour a cup of strong coffee for Agent Cooper
Agent Cooper's love for coffee was one of the sweetest parts of Twin Peaks, and any celebration wouldn't be complete without a cup of joe (or several). Cooper prefers his coffee "black as midnight on a moonless night," but no matter how you take it, don't wait to caffeinate.
2. Listen to the Twin Peaks soundtrack
Twin Peaks is well-known for its incredible music. From Angelo Badalamenti's hypnotic theme song to Julee Cruise's haunting, ethereal "Falling," every song from the Twin Peaks canon is worth a listen, or several thousand.
As viewers know, Twin Peaks often played with the boundary between dreams, hallucinations, and waking life. To honor the show—and all the clues that the subconscious offers—you might want to start keeping a dream journal. If you have trouble remembering your dreams, try to specifically think about dreaming right before bed, or journal about the thing you'd like to see in your dreams.
4. Cuddle a log for the Log Lady
One of Twin Peaks' best characters is the Log Lady. The least you can do for her is spend some time gently cradling a log while spreading apocalyptic truths across town. Here's one of her monologues, perfect to try on your new coworker:
Twin Peaks was iconic for the way it deconstructed small-town American life, revealing the cracks in the facade and the lies that populated a seemingly ordinary place. And what could be more classically American—bright, joyful, and eerie in a way you sense but can't entirely put your finger on—than a diner? Just find the smallest, most decrepit one you can, order some pie, tip your waitress, and wait for the monsters to start showing their faces.
The best way to honor Twin Peaks is to conduct some rituals that cannot be listed here, but those who know, know, and those who do not know, shall not know, unless the knowledge is bestowed. As you time travel, avoid Bob.
Sting in David Lynch's "Dune" (1984)
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
