Heck, did I write this in my sleep? 100% my impressions as well. The 'pretty but soul-less' feel, the Lady Jessica constantly looking about to burst into tears, the glossing over things... A personal peeve was the conversation Leto had with Paul back on Caladan; don't even remember what it was about, but remember grumbling out loud in the cinema because it was just so... one-dimensional. Something like 'I know how you feel because I felt exactly the same way back in the day!' Oooohhh buggerrrr ooffffffff! Where are the deep complicated powerful characters, the complex politics, the strong relationships and love? Nah, we'll just blah blah..
I only watched DnD recently, mostly just accidentally at a friend's place. Also thought it was really good, well made, funny, a really pleasant surprise all around. For me, it reminded me of what I felt about some 90s movies - a movie made to be fun, not to make you feel deep feels, think deep thoughts, or shock in the shockingest way of all. Just fun. That is not a bad thing...
I have not tried this before, guess I'll add it to my list, sounds (and looks) great!
Depends on whether you'd prefer outdoorsy or indoorsy, and also what things you already are into to balance things out a little, maybe? But have not seen gardening mentioned yet, whether you attack an allotment, or plant some discarded salads/spring onions on a window sill. Always rewarding to munch on something home-grown!
Hmmm I'll start.
I think I would go for The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic. Not sure if I would call them underrated, but I don't think they have the same following as the later books. Maybe it's deserved - as we know, they were written 'by a younger, stupider author' or something along those lines. The world-building only began there, PTerry was not quite yet in his full-on god-like-genius-with-language-stride (just let me have that one..!) and it's more of an easy read, ligher kind of fun. Not quite so touching, or deep, or touching on so many important themes through the perfect mix of humour, sadness and kindness. Which I do agree with.
However, I have read them both as soon as they came out in my country, I think the Czech translation for both. And I remember reading and laughing out loud so much I cried, soooo many times. So did my father, who also read them around the same time. And my sister. The laughing out loud part throughout the entire book was not there in the later books, at least not for me. Of course I laughed at parts, and felt things at other parts, sometimes hopefully even when The Author planned. But not throughout the entire books anymore. And for that, these two stand out for me.
Now come on, someone, tell me why I'm wrong so we can get a nice conversation going!
Oh my, how have I never seen or heard of this in my 38 years on Earth...?!
Uhh, eh, I meant Roundworld!