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Nicholas Kotar

Fantasy inspired by Russian fairy tales

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Fantasy For Our Time: A Dune Deep Dive with Richard Rohlin

Paul Atreides, Duncan Idaho, and Hollywood’s Religious Problem

At the time of this recording, it was my birthday, and – in true Hobbit fashion – I’m giving YOU the gift of diving into the vast deserts of Dune with the always insightful Richard Rohlin. In this impromptu episode, we’re unpacking Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films—praising the awe-inspiring visuals, iconic performances, and meticulous attention to detail in part one while grappling with the pacing, missing lore, and religious undertones in part two.

From the pulse-pounding shield fighting to the enigma of spice and its place in Frank Herbert’s epic world-building, we tackle it all. We discuss Paul Atreides’ journey, the complexities of messianic archetypes, and whether Dune truly captures Herbert’s layered philosophical and ecological themes—or if Hollywood just can’t do religion justice. Plus, there’s plenty of nerdery, from Warhammer 40K parallels to pondering the real Kwisatz Haderach (hint: Duncan Idaho fans, this one’s for you).

📚 Whether you’re a hardcore fan of the Dune books, a movie buff, or just here for the spicy debates, this episode is a mix of thoughtful critique, playful banter, and celebratory vibes. So, grab your stillsuit and some spice coffee, and join us for this cinematic deep dive into Arrakis, its worms, and its warriors.

If you’d like to receive an exclusive audio miniseries on “7 Lessons in Resilience from the Life of Aragorn,”sign up below and you’ll get all six episodes sent directly to your inbox!

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    Written by:
    Nicholas
    Published on:
    February 20, 2025

    Categories: PodcastsTags: Duncan Idaho, Dune, epic fantasy, epic fantasy series, fantasy fiction, Hollywood, Paul Ateides, Richard Rohlin, sci fi

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