DCT Season 2 Episode 1: Dune (2021), or Why This Should Definitely Be Seen In IMAX

 

Da Couch Tomato Podcast Season 2 Episode 1, discussing Denis Villeneuve's film adaptation of Dune, why the earlier film adaptations don't matter, and how Dune has influenced the science fiction genre.

Sting Lacson's rating: 9.1/10

Rachel's rating: 8.9/10

Final ating: 9/10

The Game of Thrones Season 2 Awards

And now, Game of Thrones season 2 has come to a close. This is more or less the same feeling I had last year when this show left the air. I had to seek solace with other shows, just to satisfy my urge for good quality telivision programs. And now I'm feeling it again. And this season's cliffhanger is the best yet.

Anyway, in lieu of a full season 2 review, I've decided to give out (fictional) awards for this season, similar to what I did for the film Sucker Punch. And I hope the actors, writers, and filmmakers involved get to know just how much I appreciate all their efforts into making this possibly the best thing on television right now. As a token of my appreciation, I present them with an Iron Throne trophy, which is actually a paperweight.

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Of course, I'd like one for myself.

And now, here are the awards for...

Best Newcomer

Jaqen H'ghar

Tom Wlaschiha

HBO

"You like a man's highlights?"

This character is so enigmatic, it's actually a great move by the producers to introduce him for one season only. Another season, and Jaqen H'ghar would've lost all his mystery. It's great to keep the audience asking, "How the hell does he kill people? And how did he change his face?"

Game of Thrones, Season 1

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."

── Cersei Lannister

Game of Thrones (GoT) is a 10-episode mini-series based on the first book of the fantasy novel series, A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin. Set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, GoT revolves around the politics and intrigue surrounding the Iron Throne.

Truly, the best way to adapt a book and give it justice is to turn it into a mini-series, rather than a movie. And with so much gore and sex, this is right up HBO's alley.

One of the biggest changes here are the characters' ages, which are all significantly older than their literary counterparts. I am all for it as Danaerys, for example, is 14 years old in the book. That would make all her nude and sex scenes (particularly the dubious consent ones, haha) more than a little awkward for me.

The costumes were just absolutely beautifully done. It distracts me sometimes, but that's just the cosplayer in me talking. My favourites were the armor worn by Tywin Lannister and the gowns worn by the ladies at The Eyrie court (despite my disgust for the Arryns).

A lot of fans complained about the casting when it was announced, particularly Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon as he had mostly been in comedies prior to this. But I was pleasantly surprised by Addy. Who knew he could pull off such a dramatic role, and do it so well?

And then there's Jason Momoa.

Mmm, boy. Where do I even begin? To be fair, I was a big Dany ♥ Drogo fan from the book before I discovered the gloriousness that is Jason Momoa.

My only qualms─and they are pretty minor─are:

One, the lack of emphasis on the more supernatural aspects of the GoT universe. With all the knights and lords and ladies, it's easy to to think it's just medieval England and not on a land where there once were dragons. They introduce the supernatural elements in the first episode, then pretty much forget about it and suddenly pop up again around Episode 8.

Two, I just felt there was too much sex. Granted, the book has a lot of sex, too, but this felt more like the directors and producers trying to spice up a really long, rather unexciting bit of dialogue by having it done during a sex scene so people don't get bored.

Now that the season has ended and they don't start shooting season two 'til July, I have nothing to look forward to on Mondays to make them seem a little less blue. To fill the void, I'm going to finish reading the second half of A Feast of Crows, which I hope to finish before A Dance with Dragons comes out next week.

Game of Thrones. Episode 7: "You Win or You Die"

First thing's first: This episode has the best girl-on-girl action so far.

As if showing some fruit would give it a PG-13.

And finally. The Game of Thrones has begun. Coincidentally, this is also the episode where the words "Game of Thrones" are spoken by a character.

And this is what you need to play the Game of Thrones:

Four Kings

Technically, three and a half.

Three Knights

Old. Young. And in-between.

Two Queens

Left: Beauty. Right: Bitch.

and One Knave

This guy really reminds me of Edward Norton.

We lose one more major character here. Also, because of Jason Momoa's excellent delivery of his declaration of war, Dothraki is now the new Elven.



*pics from VLC