Have you got a lot of time on your hands?

Because what I'm about to talk about has the ability to steal away five hours of your life.  And another four hours if you watch the sequel.  :)

What am I talking about?

Why, Dune of course! 

And I don't mean the really really bad 80's movie version where they got everything wrong--not only did they get everything wrong, but they made you watch them getting it wrong three times: once in a prescient vision of the future, once as it was actually happening, and once in a flashback to it happening.  Seriously.  You think I'm joking?  Have fun proving me wrong.  I can guarantee I'll have more fun laughing at your horrified face.  Sorry.  (but if you absolutely insist on watching it, I can also guarantee you two awesome moments: Patrick Stewart as Gurney Halleck, and Sting as Feyd Rautha)

The Dune I'm talking about was made in 2000 as a miniseries and boo-yeah is it awesome!  I speak as both a reader of the book (by Frank Herbert), and as someone who likes a good tv-show.  They hit all the important plot points and include all the necessary characters--and!  It's understandable to someone who's never read the book.  Actually, this is one of the only times where I'd say it's better to watch the 'movie' before reading the book. 

Frank Herbert might have been a semi-genius, but he was a very long winded and confusing genius.  He loved politics.  'Nuff said right there, but I'll explain further.  Most of his book of Dune is talking on and on about the politics of the situation and the ramifications of every single act of every single person.  It's a bit much.  So when I read it, I found myself skimming most of the dense political stuff (I have it on fellow authority that most other people--even dedicated scifi readers--do the same) and when you do that, you end up with one awesome storyline.  It still can be a bit confusing, though, so if you're at all interested, watch the mini-series first.

It had a decent budget for its time, which means the special effects are laughable now, but the acting is pretty solid and catches you up from the get-go.  My personal favorite is Alec Newman as Paul Atreides.  He has to transition from moody privileged kid to war leader and messiah, and he does it all with an intensity that's so much fun to watch.

I'm not saying it doesn't have it's flaws (oh, the flaws).  The strange obsession the Baron Harkonnen has with rhyming phrases.  The really bad special effects.  The sometimes hilarious costume choices (although not as bad as they could have been, I suppose).  And some truly strange acting/director choices.  'The spice must flow!'  (is it possible not to laugh at the spacing guild?)

But the mini-series does what it's supposed to do: it tells a story remarkably well and is entertaining from start to finish.  :)  What else do you want?

Ah, you heard me mention the sequel earlier?  That's Children of Dune, and we'll talk more about that later.  :)