What a film. Absolute cinema. 🙌

Decided to watch Dune Part 2 today for a few reasons.

1. Its Dune Part 2, don't need to say much more really.
2. I own it on Blu-ray.
3. I always watch my favourite film of awards season before the Oscars once I'm done the Oscar Death Race. Usually I do it the day of the ceremony but...
4. A year ago today I watched Dune Part 2 on opening day and was absolutely blown away.

I usually do #3 in the hope that it'll go on to win big. At the very least it happened for Parasite, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and Oppenheimer, but unfortunately it's not going to happen with Dune. I wish Lisan al Gaib saw the narrow path through to best picture, but the Academy is sometimes worse than the Harkonnens it seems.

How does Dune Part 1 get nominated for 10 and win 5, but Dune Part 2 only gets nominated for 5 when it's the crazier half of the movie??? Giving noms to Emilia Perez instead??? A crime!!!

For one, kicking out Hans Zimmer because he uses some of the score of the first film is an absolute joke, especially when Emilia Perez gets Zoe Saldana as a ing actress. Chani's theme when they kiss, or the switch up of the theme with Kiss the Ring, or the score when man goes full Lisan al Gaib all not getting recognized is a scam.

Second, how did it lose it's costume design nomination: did they not see Florence Pugh in every new scene?? The same goes with makeup and hairstyling.

But the worst offenders are losing editing and adapted screenplay. Part 2 is the more action packed, more well-edited, and more well-adapted half considering all the minor changes that are huge improvements to make the narrative work the same but click a little differently. Also Timmy should've got nominated for this and not A Complete Unknown. Ok I'm joking he put like 5 years into beocming Bob. Or am I joking? BUT I AIN'T JOKING ABOUT THIS: WHERE IS DENIS VILLENEUVE?!?!?! My man directed two brilliant films to create a whole masterpiece.

I've seen the narrative that Part 3 is when the Oscars will rain the awards on Dune like Return of the King, but Messiah is not like Return of the King. I'd love for Denis to wow the world again, and he probably will, but Messiah isn't exactly a conclusion like Return of the King. It's a a whole different book. I'm sure I'll love it, and I hope he proves me wrong, but I think Part 2 will remain the behemoth of the trilogy, more so like The Dark Knight rather than Return of the King.

Overall I'd be less peeved if the nominations went to good films, but it went to Emilia Perez. But worst of all, I'm not even sure Dune pulls off that many wins regardless. In my opinion it should be 4/5 (well 5/5 if you're really asking me). The production design and sound that make the world of Arrakis is better than anything else this year, Fraser's cinematography is otherworldly and his dedication for those shots in the desert deserve love, and visual effects should really be a no brainer. But I'm scared that Brutalist and The Complete Unknown are probably making cases, or even worse Wicked or Emilia Perez.

I know it's not going to be a Parasite, EE or Oppy night, but I hope Dune goes 4/5 and Emilia Perez goes 0/13. Anything else is open game, surprise me. But what we thinking for best picture: Anora for the OnlyFans or Conclave with the pope on his death bed?