Some thoughts have a certain sound...so we put more than a few in this episode.

Welcome to our new (and *very* occasional) sub-series, A LITTLE BIT LYNCHY, where we explore the oeuvre of the director who brought us closer together: Mr. David Lynch. These episodes run longer than usual and we go far deeper into the weeds as we unpack both the wonderful and the strange of one of America's best cinematic artists.

To celebrate this month's release of a tiny little movie you may have heard of called Dune: Part Two, this week we're discussing Lynch's own take on Frank Herbert's magnum opus. While the spice does flow here it's not always in the right direction; Dave highlights the folly in condensing an 800-page book into two hours of Star Wars-lite, while Chris discusses how Lynch lost final cut - and his love for the film itself - thanks to Universal Studios being a bit of a dick (#ReleaseTheLynchCut). In addition to the inevitable comparisons to Denis Villeneuve's fantastic new films, we also talk about the highly quotable Lynch-original dialogue, the weirdness of Sting's casting, the problematic undertones of Baron Harkonnen, how it is that Patrick Stewart pulls off that mullet, and the generally wonderful human being that is Kyle MacLachlan (and the two *very* big Hollywood actors who almost got his role as Paul).

As I said, we go deep on this one!

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com! Long live the listeners!

EXTRA LINKS:
Amazon link for Max Evry's *amazing* book "A Masterpiece in Disarray: An Oral History of David Lynch's Dune", which was a big help for this episode and you should definitely read: https://www.amazon.com.au/Masterpiece-Disarray-David-Lynchs-History/dp/1948221292

David Lynch discusses not having final cut on Dune and why he distances himself from the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlE7DZrzik0

The unofficial Spicediver Edit of Dune '84, with 4K upscaling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faHQA_0d9Mo

Radio Times article about Sid Sheinberg's terrible alternate name for Back to the Future, and the memo he wrote about it: https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/back-to-the-future-almost-had-a-really-bad-title/

Patrick Stewart speaking at a convention about the weird story of his Dune casting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_ficZ_ciE

Trailer for Jodorowsky's Dune, the documentary about Alejandro Jodorowsky's amazing aborted attempt at adapting Dune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0cJNR8HEw0

Dune 1984 (A Little Bit Lynchy Special Episode #1)

SKAL!

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

The Northman (Slice of Cherry Guys #53)

We'll try not to put the paperclip on correctly, and not use too many big words.

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
ScreenGab newsletter discussing creator Dan Erickson reading Severance subreddit fan theories, via The Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/newsletter/2025-03-21/severance-season-2-fan-theories-reddit-dan-erickson-screen-gab-screen-gab

Alan Sepinwall's review of the Season 2 finale, via Rolling Stone: https://web.archive.org/web/20250321123728/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-recaps/severance-season-2-finale-recap-1235295171/

Megan Hemenway article making the comparison between Severance and Westworld's respective pitfalls, via ScreenRant: https://screenrant.com/severance-season-2-westworld-mistake-ruined-avoid/

Severance, Season 2 (Slice of Cherry Guys #54)

HARRISON FORD. That is all.

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Reddit thread on r/marvelstudios detailing some of the reshoots and new details of the film before its release (take with a grain of salt): https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelstudios/comments/1isefu2/all_the_changes_made_to_captain_america_brave_new/

Adam B. Vary's interview with director Julius Onah about the making of the film and the purpose of the reshoots, via Variety: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/captain-america-brave-new-world-director-defends-harrison-ford-cameos-reshoots-1236315040/

Frank Scheck's review of the film, including Trump-esque comparisons, via The Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/captain-america-brave-new-world-review-anthony-mackie-harrison-ford-marvel-1236133439/

Captain America: Brave New World (Slice of Cherry Guys #55)

How *do* they mute those footsteps?

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Official trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfSNmYhV8Xc

Amy Kuperinsky's interview with production of Presence, via NJ.com - https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2025/01/do-you-feel-a-presence-inside-steven-soderberghs-reverse-ghost-story-filmed-in-nj.html

RedLetterMedia's review of Presence and the state of movie theatres - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rHk5IAUypU

Stephen Rodrick's piece on viewers leaving Presence mid-screening at Sundance Film Festival, via Variety - https://variety.com/2024/film/news/steven-soderbergh-presence-sundance-walked-out-1235880286/

Presence (Slice of Cherry Guys #56)

This is where the fun begins.

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Auralnauts - Dance Fight 66: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXFM-IigZg

Jade Fabello interview with Hayden Christensen on 20 Years of Revenge of the Sith, via StarWars.com: http://starwars.com/news/hayden-christensen-revenge-of-the-sith-20

Financial breakdown of Revenge of the Sith's 20th Anniversary box office haul, via Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/04/box-office-sinners-accountant-2-revenge-of-the-sith-1236376936/?utm_source=syndication&pubDate=20250426

Roger Ebert's 2005 3.5/4 star review of Revenge of the Sith: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith-2005

Revenge of the Sith (Slice of Cherry Guys #57)

Open your eyes.

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Scenes from a Memory Wikipedia page (make sure to check the footnotes!): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_Pt._2:_Scenes_from_a_Memory

Dream Theater Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Theater

Live Scenes from New York concert video, circa 2000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLrF1LpfqQ

Metal Storm review of Scenes from a Memory from 2003: https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=179

Dream Theater: Scenes from a Memory (Slice of Cherry Guys #58)

Will you halt this eclipse in me?

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Initial album announcement via The AU Review: https://www.theaureview.com/music/sleep-token-even-in-arcadia-emergence/

Alex Rigotti's recap of the Sleep Token/Weather Man ARG elements, via NME: https://www.nme.com/news/music/metalhead-weatherman-named-chris-michaels-involved-in-sleep-tokens-new-album-launch-3850898

ARG site "Show me how to dancer forever": https://www.showmehowtodanceforever.com/

Sleep Token: Even In Arcadia (Slice of Cherry Guys #59)

The year is 1979. We've had 2001: A Space Odyssey. Star Wars. Battlestar Galactica. Then, The Black Hole happens, and it all goes off the rails.

With a plot that that fans of Interstellar may find a bit familiar, The Black Hole is Disney's attempt at sort-of all-ages (maybe) sci-fi storytelling. Combining schlocky laser fights and mustache-twirling villainy with deep existential dread and one of the most horrific "robot" reveals put to film (albeit one that's simultaneously ruined by exposition), it's a bit of a tonal mess. It doesn't get everything right, but its got bigger ideas and pretty great practical effects than any 1970s-era Disney drama has any right to have.

Also, it has an ending that really must be seen to be believed.

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
John Barry's truly excellent main theme for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Ch3QnY650

David Weiner's 2019 retrospective on the film with director Gary Nelson and actors Joseph Bottoms and Robert Forster, via The Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/we-never-had-an-ending-why-disneys-black-hole-lost-star-wars-1262526/

The Black Hole (Slice of Cherry Guys #60)

THUNDVENGERS THUNDSSEMBLE!

We hesitate to say "The MCU is back, baby!" but it might be back a little? Maybe?

Truth be told, the Slice of Cherry Guys really liked the misadventures of a bunch of superhero washouts who come together to fight depression (really). After the disappointment of Captain America: Brave New World, it feels like some steam might be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's engine. Still not sure about Avengers: Doomsday, though.

Also, this film was so good it made us talk about other films, like Black Widow (boo) and Deadpool & Wolverine (yay!).

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Paul Tassi's piece of the Thunderbolts* marketing twist following its release, via Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/05/06/thunderbolts-is-spoiling-itself-with-a-new-terrible-marketing-campaign/

Sydney Bucksbaum's interview with director Jake Schreier about the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene, via Entertainment Weekly: https://ew.com/thunderbolts-post-credits-scene-avengers-doomsday-explained-11725457

Matt Grobar's report on the delays for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, via Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/05/next-avengers-movies-push-release-dates-dog-stars-devil-wears-prada-1236409088/

Thunderbolts* (Slice of Cherry Guys #61)

Just when you thought we were done with survival-crafters.

In what will likely be the first of several excursions towards Khazad-Dum, the Slice of Cherry Guys explore the depth and breadth of this Lord of the Rings sort-of MMO thing. It may not be the most polished, technically excellent crafter out there - and certainly games like Conan: Exiles loom large overhead - but there's a lot to love when it comes to digging for minerals, fighting *hordes* of goblins and making mushroom stew for your fellow players each morning. Wholesome, monster-slaying, running dwarf fun!

Tell us what you thought at sliceofcherryguys@gmail.com!

EXTRA LINKS:
Travis Northup's review of the game, via IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/the-lord-of-the-rings-return-to-moria-review

Brian Crecente's 2022 interview with the game's creative staff, via Epic Games: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/digging-into-the-lord-of-the-rings-return-to-moria-development

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (Slice of Cherry Guys #62)

We're Chris and Dave - best friends, gamers, and opinionated pop culture people!

Each week we talk about something that catches our fancy: movies, TV, video games, music, nothing's off limits. We often disagree with each other but we *always* have good chats with strong opinions and perspectives.

Settle in, order a slice and get a damn good coffee to go with it!

Dune 1984 (A Little Bit Lynchy Special Episode #1)

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