In today’s newsletter, senior Elliott Bove reviews the new sci-fi blockbuster Dune 2. Then, senior Andre Large considers the NBA teams that passed on star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Plus, a comic from junior Red de la Pena.
Movie Review: Dune 2
Unpacking the visual splendor and narrative depth of the epic sci-fi sequel.
By Elliott Bove
The Dune franchise really solidified itself as a prominent figure in the science fiction space, let alone the entire world of movies, with the first film in this reboot series back in 2021, which took the world by storm and caught viewers and critics by surprise due to its breathtaking visuals and deep, meaningful lore that really attached viewers to what they were setting their eyes on. Dune 2, which was released on March 1st, did all this and much more. The first movie’s purpose was to really give audiences a feel for what type of movies would be in store and served as an explainer and tone setter for what was to come. Because of this, the second movie was really able to express what these actors and director are capable of.
The star of the franchise is Timothee Chalamet, who is really solidifying himself as one of the most prominent young talents in Hollywood, adding to his long list of impressive performances with this film. His portrayal of Paul Atreides, the Duke of Arrakis, is really impactful. In the previous film, we saw the early parts of him getting integrated into the Fremen, the native inhabitants of Arrakis, and director Denis Villeneuve really brought us further on this path and gave us closure as to what his role is with this group.
In this film, we get a better understanding as to why the emperor, who is played by Christopher Walken, wanted to end the Atreides bloodline with the attack on House Atreides from the Harkonnens in the first film. We also get an understanding of the fear that comes from this family because of the power they were developing. When it comes to the emperor, we get a brief look into his life, including his daughter, Princess Irulan, played by Florence Pugh. While her screen time is brief, she plays a massive role toward the end of this movie and will without a doubt get more time in future installments.
Speaking of the Harkonnens, we get a deeper dive into this obscure yet fascinating race by visiting their planet, Giedi Prime. The way their lifestyle was shot is spectacular in every way. The planet is dull because of a beautiful adaptation, as the star to this planet is a black sun that reflects a black and white tone when outdoors. Here we get introduced to Feyd-Rautha, played by Austin Butler, who just portrayed Elvis in the recent biopic. He plays a psychotic warrior hungry for power and is willing to do whatever it takes to obtain what he or his uncle Baron, played by Stellan Skarsgard, wants. There is a lot of depth to this new character, and I could easily see Butler being a nominee for best supporting actor for his amazing work.
In the previous film, Zendaya’s appearance seemed brief despite being very important, but this time that is not the case. We got a lot more from her character Chani, and she is incredibly fascinating to say the least. We get to see her and Paul’s connection go much deeper and also see it take a different route later in the film. Their path in this film is really interesting, and I’m ecstatic we get more from the two of them in this film.
Lastly, Paul's mother, played by Rebecca Ferguson, takes on a completely different role in this film that really caught me by surprise in the best way. In the last film, you got the sense that she was on the path of simply being a side character, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Another name worth mentioning is my personal favorite character – Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem. His character is crucial to the development of Paul Atreides. There are two sides to this role and I loved how they portrayed this.
Overall, the film is shot beautifully from start to finish and leaves you nothing short of amazed, making an almost three-hour movie feel quick. The fight scenes are executed perfectly and leave you at the edge of your seat, especially the more personal ones consisting of some of the main characters. I don’t think you could find a more perfect cast for a film like this; each actor really seemed to give it their all, and you feel that as a viewer. I’ve seen dozens of people call this one of the greatest films, let alone one of the greatest science fiction films of all time, and I couldn’t agree more.
Missed Shot
Revisiting the 2020 NBA Draft and the teams that passed on Tyrese Haliburton.
By Andre Large
Selecting players for the draft is a high-stakes game in the hectic NBA. The 2020 draft was no different, with a plethora of talents exhibiting differing levels of promise. Tyrese Haliburton, an Iowa State University-bred guard, was one of them. Despite having a strong skill set and an outstanding collegiate career, Haliburton fell to the Sacramento Kings with the 12th overall pick. This piece looks back at the teams who passed on him and analyzes the reasons they might not have realized how good of a franchise player he might be.
Haliburton's path to the NBA was paved by his great feel for the game, high basketball IQ, and flexibility. With a wingspan of 6'8'' and a height of 6'5," he has the size and agility required to succeed in the current NBA. His exceptional passing and shooting skills, along with his versatility as a guard, made him a compelling prospect. But a number of teams decided against selecting him in favor of other players who they thought would fit better their roster requirements.
One of the primary concerns surrounding Haliburton was his lack of elite athleticism compared to other top prospects in the draft. Additionally, some scouts questioned his ability to create his own shot off the dribble against elite defenders, which is often a prerequisite for franchise players in the NBA.
Furthermore, there were doubts about whether Haliburton's game would translate seamlessly to the NBA level. His unorthodox shooting form raised eyebrows among scouts, leading to concerns about his consistency as a shooter in the professional ranks. Additionally, his slender frame raised questions about his ability to withstand the physicality of the NBA game, particularly on the defensive end.
As a result, teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Detroit Pistons, among others, opted to select other prospects instead of taking a chance on Haliburton. They may have viewed him as a solid contributor but not necessarily a player capable of carrying a team to greater heights.
Fast forward to the present day, and Tyrese Haliburton has blossomed into one of the NBA's brightest young stars. In just his fourth season in the league, he has earned his second All-Star selection and established himself as a cornerstone player for the Indiana Pacers. His unique blend of playmaking and scoring have made him invaluable to his team's success.
The teams that did not choose Halliburton now realize how much they need his skills. Teams like the Hornets, Bulls, and Pistons would surely benefit from his versatility, ability to run the offense, and ability to make three-pointers. His excellent basketball IQ and selfless play style would also fit very nicely with any team trying to establish a winning culture.
In retrospect, some teams may look back and regret passing on Haliburton. It does, however, serve as a reminder of the draft's unpredictability and the need for careful scouting and assessment. Haliburton's story is a tribute to perseverance, hard work, and the unwavering belief in one's ability to overcome obstacles and surpass expectations, as he continues to shine on the NBA stage.
Baller
By Red de la Pena
Home Games of the Week
Monday, March 11:
Baseball vs Segerstrom
Varsity at 3:15
Softball vs Los Amigos
Varsity at 3:15
Tuesday, March 12:
Swimming & Diving vs Fountain Valley
Varsity at 3:00
Boys Tennis vs Los Alamitos
JV at 3:00
Wednesday, March 13:
Baseball vs Huntington Beach
JV at 3:15 pm
Thursday, March 14:
Boys Tennis vs Marina
JV at 3:00
Friday, March 15:
Baseball vs Edison
Varsity at 3:15
Saturday, March 16:
Girls Lacrosse vs Valencia/Placentia
Varsity at 10:00 AM
JV at 11:30 AM
Sailor Scores: Week of March 4-10
Softball
3/ 5 L 11-0 vs Los Alamitos
3/7 L 11-4 vs Huntington Beach
Basball
2/28 L 4-2 @ Cerritos
3/1 L 2-1 @ San Juan Hills
Boys Volleyball
3/1 W 3-0 vs Los Alamitos
3/6 W 3-2 @ Mira Costa
Boys Lacrosse
3/1 L 13-3 @ Yorba Linda
3/7 W 16-1 vs Capistrano Valley
Upcoming Events
Monday, March 11 - Thursday, March 14: English & Math SBAC Testing for Juniors (Special Testing Schedule)
Thursday, March 14: ELAC Meeting (6:00-7:00 pm; Media Room)
Thursday, March 21: NHHS College Fair (Extended Lunch)
Monday, March 25 - Tuesday, March 26: Science CAST Testing for Juniors (Special Testing Schedule)
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of the Beacon newsletter! Check back next week for more news and commentary from Newport Harbor’s student journalists.