Science-fiction novels reached an apogee in the 1960s.

Among them: “Galaxies Like Grains of Sand,” Brian Aldiss (1960); “Solaris,” Stanislaw Lem (1961); “The Drowned World,” J.G. Ballard (1962); “Dune,” Frank Herbert (1965); “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress,” Robert Heinlein (1966); “Babel-17,” Samuel Delany (1966); “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” Philip K. Dick (1968); “2001,” Arthur C. Clarke (1968), “Picnic on Paradise,” Joanna Russ (1968); “Slaughterhouse-Five,” Kurt Vonnegut (1969); “The Left Hand of Darkness,” Ursula K. Le Guin (1969), and “The Ship Who Sang,” Anne McCaffrey (1969).

The space race, beginning with the launch of the U.S.S.R. Sputnik in 1957 and culminating with the U.S. Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, fueled writers’ imaginations for fiction that was out of this world.

With William Shatner, 90, Captain Kirk on TV’s “Star Trek” (1966 - 1969) blasting off Oct. 13 for a Blue Origin sub-orbital space flight, and the corporate and national space race by the United States, China, Russia, India and other nations’ missions to the moon and Mars, science fiction is getting a new boost in the public consciousness.

“Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” was the basis for the movie, “Blade Runner” (1982) and “Blade Runner 2049” (2017).

“2001” became director Stanley Kubrick’s landmark film, “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968).

“Dune,” directed by Denis Villeneuve, who directed “Blade Runner 2049,” is not to be confused with director David Lynch’s “Dune” (1984), starring Kyle MacLachlan (“Blue Velvet”,1986; TV’s “Twin Peaks,” 1990-1991) in his film debut, as Paul Atreides.

The novel, “Dune,” because of its complexity, was said to be impossible to film. Lynch’s film seemed to confirm that. Prior to Lynch’s effort, there were several attempts during the 1970s to launch “Dune” onto the big screen.

Lynch’s “Dune” was such a commercial and critical flop that Lynch took his name off the film, as “Movie Maven” Michael Gontkosky points out. In some versions, Lynch’s name was replaced in the credits with that of Alan Smithee, a pseudonym of directors who want to disassociate themselves with a film they directed.

Villeneurve’s “Dune” has a star-studded cast, including Timothy Challamet (Paul Atreides), Rebecca Ferguson (Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother), Oscar Isaac (Duke Leto Atreides, Paul’s father), Zendaya (Chani, Paul’s love interest), Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck, Paul’s mentor), Jason Momoa (Duncan Idaho, Paul’s mentor), Stellan Skarsgård (Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, of the House of Harkonnen, enemy to the House of Atreides), Javier Bardem (Stilgar, leader of the Fremen tribe), Dave Bautista (Glossu Rabban, nephew of Baron Harkonnen), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dr. Liet-Kynes) and Charlotte Rampling (Gaius Helen Mohiam).

Challamet (Oscar nominee, actor, “Call Me By Your Name,” 2017) commands the screen with a subtle self-assurance.

Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible,” 2018, 2015) is quietly powerful.

Isaac (“The Card Counter,” 2021; “Star Wars,” 2019, 2017, 2015; “Ex Machina,” 2014; “Inside Llewyn Davis,” 2013) in full beard projects a regal bearing.

Villeneuve (Oscar nominee, director, “Arrival,” 2016; director: “Sicario,” 2015; “Prisoners,” 2013) directs from a screenplay he wrote with Jon Spaihts (screenwriter: “Dr. Strange,” 2016; “Passengers,” 2016; “Prometheus,” 2012) and Eric Roth (Oscar recipient, screenplay, “Forrest Gump,” 1994; screenwriter: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” 2008; “The Good Shepherd,” 2006; “Munich,” 2005; “Ali,” 2001; “The Insider,” 1999; “The Horse Whisperer,” 1998).

“Dune” has more palace intrigue that a Shakespeare history play or Queen Elizabeth II and the British Royal Family.

Despite the story being set in the future, characters in “Dune” are from the House of this or that, and they address each formally as Emperor, Lord, Lady, Duke, Baron and the like. They fight with swords despite the advanced technology weaponry and vehicles, including dragonfly-like helicopters, in the year 10,191 when “Dune” takes place. It’s downright medieval. I thought I was back seeing “The Last Duel.” It’s a bit off-putting to me.

As in a Shakespeare stage play, in terms of directing, there’s a lot of trotting on and off, walking in and out and marching to and fro of leaders, often in a group. You see similar scenes in the “Star Wars” movies. It creates a very formal effect, again, off-putting to me. I guess I’ve become accustomed to the ad-lib, raucous, one-liner scenes of science fiction films like “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014).

There’s no mix-tape soundtrack in “Dune,” but there is a splendid score of pounding drums, synthesizers and choirs by Hans Zimmer.

I am not going to begin to try to unravel the storyline in “Dune” about the House Atreides versus the House Harkonnen, and the role of the Fremen on the desert planet of Arrakis, where spice, more valuable than oil or gold, is mined.

Add to this the weird languages spoken, subtitles and sign language. Devotees of “Dune” no doubt will understand all of this. I did not. Moreover, because of the mostly cool direction by Villeneuve, “Dune” drove me a little buggy. It made me antsy. Yes, the film is long, and it feels long.

Oh, and by the way, what about those dreaded and horrific sand worms? One appears briefly in “Dune” toward its conclusion in a very poorly-lit scene.

“Dune” is one of those films to be more admired than loved. Many of the closeup shots are held too long. The film’s predominantly brown and gray color palette is dark and foreboding. Maybe “Dune” the novel is unfilmable.

The “Dune” sequel, directed by Villeneuve and with the same stars, has been green-lit with a theatrical release set for October 2023.

I .. can ... wait.

“Dune,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material; Genre: Science Fiction,. Action, Adventure, Drama; Run time: 2 hrs., 25 mins.; Distributed by Warner Bros.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Dune” was filmed in Jordan, Norway, Austria, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates and Origo Film Studios, Hungary.

At The Movies:

“Dune” was seen in IMAX at AMC, Center Valley 16, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. “Dune” was filmed with IMAX cameras. Nonetheless, the result is seeing a lot of sand on a huge screen. Dolby at AMC or the standard digital format would suffice.

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

Oct. 29-31: “Dune” held at No. 1 two weeks in a row, $15.5 million, in 4,125 theaters, $69.4 million, two weeks, as the first three places stayed the same despite newcomers.

2. “Halloween Kills” stayed in place, $8.5 million, 3,616 theaters, $85.6 million, three weeks. 3. “No Time To Die” stayed in place, $7.8 million, 3,507 theaters, $133.3 million, four weeks. 4. “My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission,” opening, $6.4 million, 1,581 theaters. 5. “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” dropped one place, $5.7 million, 3,278 theaters, $190.4 million, five weeks. 6. “Last Night in Soho, opening, $4.1 million, 3,016 theaters. 7. “Antlers,” opening, $4.1 million, 2,800 theaters. 8. “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” $3.8 million, 3,560 theaters, $12.6 million, two weeks. 9. “The Addams Family 2” dropped three places, $3.2 million, 2,757 theaters, $52.8 million, five weeks. 10. “The French Dispatch,” $2.7 million, 788 theaters, $4.6 million, two weeks.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Oct. 31 is subject to change

Unreel,

Nov. 5:

“Eternals,”

PG-13: Chloé Zhao directs Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek in the Science Fiction Action Adventure. The Eternals are fictional immortal beings who lived on Earth and influenced history, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least.

“Spencer,”

R: Pablo Larraín directs Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielen and Freddie Spry in the Biography Romance Drama. It’s Christmas with the Royal Family in Norfolk, England, and Princess Diana has decided to leave Prince Charles.

“The Beta Test,”

No MPAA rating: Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe direct Virginia Newcomb, Kevin Changaris and themselves in the Horror Thriller. A married Hollywood talent agent receives a letter about an encounter.

“Ida Red,”

R: John Swab directs Frank Grillo, Josh Hartnett, Deborah Ann Woll and Beau Knapp in the Action Thriller. Prisoner Ida “Red” Walker has a terminal illness.

“Violet,”

R: Justine Bateman directs Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, Justin Theroux and Dennis Boutsikaris in the Drama. A woman tries to find her true self.

“The Grand Duke of Corsica,”

No MPAA rating: Daniel Graham directs Timothy Spall, Peter Stormare, Matt Hookings and Alicia Agneson in the Comedy Drama. Interlocking stories, from 1221 to 2021 are linked by pandemics.

“Dangerous,”

R: David Hackl directs Scott Eastwood, Kevin Durand, Famke Janssen and Mel Gibson in the Action Thriller. A brothers travels to an island to investigate his brother’s death.

“Riverdance: The Animated Adventure,”

No MPAA rating: Eamonn Butler and Dave Rosenbaum direct the voice talents of Pierce Brosnan, Brendan Gleeson, Lilly Singh and Jermaine Fowler the animation in the Fantasy. An Irish boy and Spanish girl learn about “Riverdance.”

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Oct. 31 are subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes