Why Do Hacks Feel the Need to Destroy Everything
This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl review the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender Series from Netflix and the Warner Bros. feature film Dune: Part 2.
Episode Index
Intro: 0:07
AtLAB: 5:44
Dune Part 2: 37:28
Avatar the Last Airbender (Season 1) (Netflix)
Out of 10 This Really is the Story of the Ember Island Players
Darryl: 4.5/10
Brian: 4/10
Summary
In the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on Netflix, Aang, a young Airbender who has been frozen in an iceberg for 100 years, awakens to find the world ravaged by the Fire Nation. As the Avatar, the only individual capable of mastering all four elements (Water, Earth, Fire, and Air), Aang embarks on a journey to restore balance to the world. He joins forces with siblings Katara, a water bender, and Sokka, a talented Southern Water Tribe warrior, and together they face challenges and adventures as Aang trains to hone his bending abilities and fulfill his destiny. This remix of the beloved animated series bastardizes the core elements of the original story while presenting it through a live-action lens.
Cast:
Main Characters:
– Aang: Gordon Cormier
– Katara: Kiawentiio Tarbell
– Sokka: Ian Ousley
– Prince Zuko: Dallas Liu
– Uncle Iroh: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee
– Azula: Elizabeth Yu
– Fire Lord Ozai: Daniel Dae Kim
Supporting Characters:
– Suki: Maria Zhang
– Yukari (Suki’s mother): Tamlyn Tomita
– Gran Gran (Katara and Sokka’s grandmother): Casey Camp-Horinek
– Jet: Sebastian Amoruso
– The Mechanist: Danny Pudi
– Commander Zhao: Ken Leung
Episodes
Episode 1
Title: Aang
Directed By: Michael Goi
Written by: Albert Kim & Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko
Episode 2
Title: Warriors
Directed By: Michael Goi
Written By: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Episode 3
Title: Omashu
Directed By: Michael Balfry
Written By: Christine Boylan
Episode 4
Title: Into the Dark
Directed By: Albert Kim
Written By: Keely MacDonald
Episode 5
Title: The Southern Air Temple
Directed By: Lauren Lynex
Written By: Lauren Lynex
Episode 6
Title: The Spirit World
Directed By: Arun A. Mylvaganam
Written By: Katie Lovejoy
Episode 7
Title: Siege of the North
Directed By: Bharat Nalluri
Written By: Nicole Yoo
Episode 8
Title: Crossroads of Destiny
Directed By: Albert Kim & Jabbar Raisani
Written By: Albert Kim & Katie Lovejoy
Production
Produced by (activist) Albert Kim
Production Companies Netflix and Rideback
Top Production Notes:
Positives:
Cinematography and Visual Effects: The live-action portrayal of the world is visually stunning, with impressive bending effects and detailed set design.
Casting Choices: Some viewers find certain actors, particularly the young leads, to be well-cast and embody the characters’ personalities effectively.
Negatives:
Pacing and Storytelling Choices: Some critics found the pacing of the first season to be slow and felt the show condensed plot points from the original series, potentially hindering character development and impacting the overall story flow.
Deviation from the Source Material: While some viewers appreciate the show’s attempt to adapt the story for a live-action format, others felt certain changes to the narrative or character arcs were unnecessary and took away from the essence of the original.
Budget
The budget for the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on Netflix is reported to be $15 million per episode. This means the entire first season, consisting of eight episodes, reportedly cost $120 million to produce.
Dune: Part 2 (2024)
Out of 10 Why Did Lady Jessica Go Full Super-Villains
Darryl: 6.25/10
Brian: 4/10
Summary
Picking up after the events of the first film, Paul Atreides seeks refuge with the Fremen, the indigenous people of the harsh desert planet Arrakis. He continues to develop his prophetic visions and abilities, while also forming a bond with Chani, a young Fremen warrior. Meanwhile, the Harkonnens, House Atreides’s bitter rivals, remain in control of Arrakis and continue to exploit its valuable resource, spice. Paul grapples with the weight of his destiny and the potential for a violent future. He must navigate complex alliances and face difficult choices as he ponders the potential consequences of his actions. The film explores themes of revenge, destiny, and the struggle for power. It delves deeper into the intricate world-building of Frank Herbert’s original novel, introducing new characters and factions.
Cast and Crew
Director: Denis Villeneuve, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts based on Frank Herbert’s novel.
Main Cast:
– Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, the young heir who embraces his destiny among the Fremen.
– Zendaya reprises her role as Chani, the Fremen warrior who becomes Paul’s love interest.
– Rebecca Ferguson is back as Lady Jessica, Paul’s Bene Gesserit mother.
– Javier Bardem returns as Stilgar, the leader of the Sietch Tabr Fremen tribe.
– Josh Brolin portrays Gurney Halleck, Paul’s loyal warrior mentor.
New additions to the cast include:
– Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the cunning nephew of Baron Harkonnen.
– Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, the Emperor’s daughter with a complex role to play.
– Christopher Walken joins the cast in an undisclosed role.
– Léa Seydoux as Lady Fenring.
Other notable crew members:
– Hans Zimmer returns to compose the score, building upon the unique soundscape established in the first film.
– Greig Fraser serves as the cinematographer, capturing the vast landscapes and intricate details of Arrakis.
Dune: Part Two – Production and Budget
Production:
– Development for Dune: Part Two began after Legendary Entertainment acquired the film and television rights for Dune in 2016.
– Director Denis Villeneuve signed on in 2017 with the intention of making a two-part adaptation due to the novel’s complexity.
– Originally, production contracts were only secured for the first film. The green light for the sequel depended on the first film’s success.
– Despite Villeneuve’s concerns about the sequel’s green light due to the first film’s hybrid release (theatrical and HBO Max), it received the go-ahead, allowing them to move forward.
– Filming for Dune: Part Two took place primarily in Jordan, Italy, and Hungary, with additional locations utilized as needed.
Budget:
– The estimated budget for Dune: Part Two is $190 million, which is significantly higher than the first film’s $165 million budget.
– This increased cost can be attributed to several factors, including:
– Expanding the scope of the story and world-building compared to the first film.
– Bringing in new and established actors with higher salaries.
– Creating complex visual effects and sets to bring the fictional universe to life.
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The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.
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