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‘Dune: Prophecy’ has a high caliber ensemble with fresh promising actors. – Review

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The new HBO Original Series Dune: Prophecy is a prequel from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune. However, the series is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. which centers around the Sisterhood – the origins of the Bene Gesserit that is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.

Episode 1: The Hidden Hand is a sci-fi fantasy drama with amazing special effects and fascinating scenery. The episode introduces Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), and how she becomes the leader of the Sisterhood. Valya trains young women as truthsayers by putting them through rigorous physical and mental conditioning to develop supernatural abilities. They believe the tools to survive is strength – the power of humanity and lies – human’s greatest weapon. Valya also has a sister, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), who is the Reverend Mother. A power struggle emerges between the sisters. Tula uses power to guide, but Valya uses it to rule.

Meanwhile, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) is entrusted to govern peacefulness in the Imperium, but is faced with his own struggles to maintain power and control by reluctantly deciding to allow the young son (literally a kid) of Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) to marry his daughter Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) to secure an alliance for when she becomes successor to the Golden Lion Throne. Matters intensify with Princess Ynez being influenced by her egocentric brother Constantine Corrino (Josh Heuston) and her lust for control over the Swordmaster Kieran Atreides. Throughout the turmoil, a mysterious solider Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) eases his way into the Imperium with the intention to gain Emperor Javicco Corrino’s trust.

It was truly exciting to watch the preview of the first episode Dune: Prophecy on the big screen. Showrunner Alison Schapker is known to emphasize the cinematic visual effects of the imaginative sci-fi world to the screen as evidenced in TV series Lost, The Flash, to critically acclaimed HBO’s series Westworld, and now Dune: Prophecy. Going with a high caliber ensemble accompanied by fresh promising actors will appeal to broader audiences due to the variety of characters and trajectory storyline. Viewers will definitely relate to the premise of the Sisterhood against “thinking machines” (AI technology) to preserve the power of humanity. Dune: Prophecy is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on November 17, 2024.

Sabrina - Kiddo is the newest member of Countdown City Geeks and is a contributor of movie and television show reviews. Her passion for film derived from her college days where her rhetoric-writing professor focused on the aspects of screenwriting and music lyrics. She also has a knack for saying movie quotes.

Movie Reviews

Mix Tape (TV miniseries) – Brings a warm nostalgia when recording songs onto a cassette tape was used to express your feelings.

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From award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter Lucy Gaffy and 13 bestselling crime novels and screenwriter Jo Spain comes a romance drama television miniseries Mix Tape – adapted from a novel of the same name by Jane Sanderson.

The premise of the story takes place in Sheffield (the northern part of England) during 1989 where two teenagers, Alison and Daniel, fall in love. In a time before internet, social media, and cell phones, Daniel records music onto a cassette tape that reflect his feelings, thoughts, which he gives to Alison.

In present time, Daniel and Alison have moved on, both with successful careers and created their separate lives. Daniel appears to be caught in a moment and feels disillusioned with his current marriage. Daniel is tempted to reach out to Alison. Instead of calling or sending her a text, he decides to send her a song from their past that represents the feelings they shared as teenagers.

The Gen-Xers will reminisce those youthful years about early relationships when they hear those 80s songs played in Mix Tape. The first couple of episodes is truly nostalgic for those that grew up in that era and it will provide an opportunity for the newer generation to learn and bestow value to the pioneers of alternative/indie rock – maybe even give them a glimpse of understanding their parents or relatives. The series will also have you thinking the possibilities of “what if” you were to reconnect with your high school sweetheart.

The series stars Teresa Palmer (notable for her work in Warm Bodies) who does a wonderful job bringing out the sweet tender imaginative aspects of Alison. Palmer is paired with Jim Sturgess (known for his work in 21), which he makes a great sentimentalist for his character Daniel who longs for that “loving feeling” of the past. These two actors have fantastic on-screen chemistry, expressing the characters feelings and the ability to connect with the viewers. I am looking forward to the reset of the episodes and curious on the series finale and the songs they select from their teenage years.

Lucy Gaffy and Jo Spain absolutely complement each other with collaborating on the Mix Tape miniseries. It was exciting to see that it won the 2025 SXSW Film Festival 2025 Audience Award in the TV Spotlight category. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew!

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Top 10 Must Watch Shows of 2025

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Every year audiences are captivated by the quality of shows on tv and this year we will bid a farewell to several iconic series as many are coming to an end. Here are my top 10 must watch shows of 2025!


Which shows would you have included that I left off? Which show are you most sad is ending?

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Aaron Paul, Xolo Maridueña, and more announced for season 3 of Invincible

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Season 3 of the smash hit animated series Invincible is rapidly approaching with the premiere set for February 6, and the official account for the show just dropped a plethora of major casting announcements that are sure to excite fans. See a list of the announcements below:









As excited as I am for these announcements, I am equally excited for the hidden announcements for Jonathan Banks and Doug Bradley. Are you hype for season 3? The 3-episode premiere occurs on February 6th.

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