Adam Golanski's piece explores a hypothetical "Revenge of the Jedi" directed by David Lynch, imagining how Lynch's surrealist style and thematic obsessions might have transformed the Star Wars saga's conclusion. Golanski analyzes how Lynchian elements like dream logic, grotesque imagery, and explorations of duality could have manifested within the existing narrative framework of Return of the Jedi. He suggests a darker, more psychologically driven film, filled with unsettling visuals and ambiguous morality, contrasting sharply with the relatively straightforward heroism of the original. This imagined Lynchian version delves into the subconscious of characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, potentially offering a more complex and disturbing resolution to their conflict.
Orson Welles's "Chimes at Midnight" (1966), finally receiving a 4K restoration in 2024 from Janus Films, is a masterful adaptation of Shakespeare's Falstaff plays, focusing on the complex relationship between the aging knight and Prince Hal. The film portrays Falstaff not just as a comedic figure but also a tragic one, grappling with his own mortality and the prince's inevitable rejection. This restoration, supervised by Orson Welles expert and longtime champion Peter Bogdanovich, represents the fulfillment of Welles’s own wishes for the film's presentation and will allow audiences to experience this often-overlooked masterpiece in its intended form.
Hacker News users discussed the seeming paradox of Chimes at Midnight, a small, independent magazine achieving significant cultural impact despite its limited readership. Commenters praised the magazine's high production quality, unique content, and focus on in-depth exploration of niche topics. Some highlighted the power of physical objects and the tactile experience they offer in a digital world. Others drew parallels to the early days of the internet and the close-knit communities that formed around shared interests, suggesting Chimes at Midnight taps into a similar dynamic. The potential for small, focused publications to thrive in the current media landscape was a recurring theme, with several commenters noting the importance of catering to a specific, passionate audience rather than chasing mass appeal. A few expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of the magazine's business model, but the overall sentiment was one of admiration and cautious optimism.
Summary of Comments ( 116 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43084145
Hacker News users discuss Adam Golaski's piece on David Lynch almost directing Return of the Jedi. Several commenters express fascination with this alternate history, pondering how different the film might have been under Lynch's vision. Some highlight the stark contrast between Lynch's surreal style and Star Wars, leading to speculation about a darker, more psychologically driven narrative. Others point out Lynch's aversion to studio interference, questioning whether he could have navigated the pressures of such a large franchise. A few comments mention the existing pre-production work by Ralph McQuarrie and how Lynch's vision might have incorporated or diverged from it. The overall sentiment leans towards intrigued curiosity about a "what if" scenario, acknowledging the improbability but enjoying the thought experiment.
The Hacker News post titled "On David Lynch's Revenge of the Jedi (2018)" links to an article exploring the hypothetical scenario of David Lynch directing Return of the Jedi. The discussion in the comments section is relatively brief, with only a handful of contributions. Therefore, a detailed summary of "compelling" comments is difficult, as the overall engagement is low.
One commenter expresses skepticism about the premise, suggesting that Lynch's style wouldn't mesh well with the established tone of Star Wars, envisioning a result that would be "weird and unpleasant" rather than successful. They imagine Lynch's version would be "slow, dark, and filled with uncomfortable silences," contrasting sharply with the generally fast-paced and adventurous nature of the original trilogy.
Another commenter simply states their preference for the existing Return of the Jedi, implying contentment with the film as it is and a lack of interest in a Lynch-directed version.
A third comment briefly touches on the potential influence of George Lucas, suggesting that even if Lynch had directed, Lucas's overarching creative control would have likely prevented a truly "Lynchian" film. They mention the example of Dune, where Lynch's directorial vision was significantly constrained by studio interference.
The remaining comments are very short, expressing mild interest or simple agreement with previous points. There's no extended discussion or in-depth analysis of the hypothetical scenario. In summary, the comments are limited and primarily express skepticism or disinterest in the idea of a Lynch-directed Return of the Jedi.