Dune Part Two, Spaceman movie reviews | See it or Skip it

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — On this week’s see it or skip it, will you head to Arrakis to mine spice with Dune: Part Two or spend some time in space with an arachnid in Spaceman? ABC4 Film Critic Patrick Beatty takes a look at both and tells you what you should see or skip this weekend.

Dune: Part Two

There’s no other way to say it — the cinematic experience has been evolving. From streaming to day-of digital and theatrical releases, many families are in a tight position. Going to the movies becomes a gamble and a financial burden if you go to the theaters and the movie you watch becomes junk. But I can most assuredly say that Dune Part 2 is why theaters still exist and why it is the ultimate way to experience a movie.

This is this decade’s ‘Empire Strikes Back’ in so many ways. I wasn’t completely sold after the first Dune film, feeling like they saved some of the biggest parts of the sequel and thinking that it lessened the impact of Dune Part 1’s ending. While I may still agree in some ways with that original idea — I was floored by Dune Part 2.

Dune Part 2 is why you go to the theaters. It’s transportive, it’s beautiful, and it will undoubtedly be one of the best films of this year, and perhaps even this decade. Let the spice flow!

For my full written review, check out this article.

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Spaceman

Next, we have the new Netflix film ‘Spaceman’ starring Adam Sandler as perhaps the loneliest man in space. He’s on a mission, trying to discover the origins and substance of a particle to see what it’s coming from, while also dealing with the loneliness of space, sleep deprivation, and his spouse — played by Carey Mulligan — who’s no longer contacting him down from Earth.

A spider comes onboard, or an alien that looks exactly like a spider played by Paul Dano, and sits Adam Sandler down in the therapy chair to talk to him about his feelings and how his relationship with his wife is going.

Now, when I saw the trailer, I was interested in this because the premise is fascinating. I do like the idea that we’re taking a deep look into a man’s situation while he’s up in space alone, and looking at his mental health and stability. But in the end, I don’t feel like Spaceman does enough even to make you interested in the film.

Don’t get me wrong, Adam Sandler is a great actor and I love it when he takes these serious roles because you can see him stretch his acting capabilities. If you have not watched Uncut Gems, please do yourself a favor and check that one out. But in this, he’s not given a lot. Carey Mulligan is given next to nothing in this story too and I don’t understand why these actors chose to be a part of this film.

To me, it’s boring, it’s sluggish, not a lot happens in the narrative, and I don’t think the actors’ were utilized very well. That’s not to say a slow burn wouldn’t be for you, but whether you should see this or skip it this weekend, I would skip it.

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Note: See It or Skip It is proudly owned and produced by Patrick Beatty. ABC4 is a broadcast partner, but the show, its content, and opinions are independently created.