Stanley Kubrick
 

Does anyone else here appreciate Stanley Kubrick's films?

Personally, I enjoy "A Clockwork Orange" and "Eyes Wide Shut," mostly for their music. (I think the latter might be of more interest to SF because I've heard the film has spiritual or occult aspects.)

After all, I suppose Kubrick himself said "A film is-or should be-more like music than fiction."

When Jack Nicholson's performance in the Shining was criticized by Stephen Spielberg as being, "over the top" and "unrealistic", Stanley Kubrick said that the character was actually based on the style of Jimmy Cagney.
This could imply that Jack Torrance (Nicholson), no matter how much he huffed an puffed and blown, never did manage to vent his anger. Even in death, frozen to his axe, still he continued smouldering.

His films are multi-layered so that they can be watched time and time again
with always something new to see.

Yep, Kubrick was amazing, and because The Shining was surreal and symbolic, Nicholson played it just right.

That is interesting.
Watching The Shining the other day I noticed that when the character Wendy (Shelley Duvall) begins to hear the eerie choir it is then that the soundtrack music and fiction blend into one, and she begins seeing the ghosts. How spooky is that!

As an artist, I hugely appreciate symbolism and heavy expression. I loved how he wasn't afraid to hold back in a time where many of the themes in his movies were judged as "evil" or "unsavory". He was unrestricted with what he did. It's truly timeless works of art. Also, I absorb the energy in these films, it's a true inspiration. I really must read more into this creative. He's a fascinating individual indeed.

Kubrick started his career as a photo-journalist. His films reflect this particular viewpoint.

I like the scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey, when Heywood Floyd is talking (skyping) to his daughter from the orbital space station. He asks her what she would like for a birthday present. She asks for a bush baby.
No coincidence, I'm sure, that Kubrick's daughter Vivian plays is the little girl and that Kubrick himself has bulging eyes like a bush baby's.

Even the backdrop of planet Earth seen in constant rotation gives the space-station a contradiction of terms.

For the fans of 'The Shining,' give 'Room 237' a watch if you haven't. Completely changes the context of the film...in a good way :) I've always loved that movie, even though the first time I saw it was in elementary school and it scared the living **** out of me. It was the mood and feeling that Kubrick was able to build that just gave me the creeps. I suppose it still remains my favorite, though I love the visuals of 2001.

I love Stanley Kubrick's movies. He is such a great director. I have most of his movies in my DVD collection. Btw I just watched Eyes Wide Shut last night. I've been putting it off for too long because I knew it is one of the hard to watch films. I have developed an interest in conspiracies theories lately, so I thought it would be a great time to watch it. But jezz I was right. It's still bothering me :redface: :rolleyes:

I LOVE much of Kubrick's work.

I am not joking when I tell you that I managed to see, "A Clockwork Orange" when I was just five years-old (by today's standards, the violence in that film is tame and its message is one of anti-violence, ultimately). I think it came on, "Cinemax" one night while my mother was out and my teenaged sister was watching me. The subject of rape was totally over my head at that age so it failed to effect me much. It was my top favorite film for many years and it remains in my top ten list to this day. I'll never forget the look on my 3rd grade teacher's face when I told her what my favorite film was (all the other kids were picking things like, "Splash," "The Dark Crystal," and, "The Last Unicorn - which are all fab films in their own right!). Malcolm McDowell is just brilliant in, 'Clockwork'!

I love the scene in, 'Clockwork' when, "Alex" is 'slooshying' wickedly in his room to Beethoven's 9th Symphony - how the visions form a kind of dance upon the screen to the music. This, of course, happens again when he and his 'droogies' are walking along the Thames River in London and also when he's having to view the Nazi war films. The use of music during these interludes is really something.

I am not much into war flicks but I adore, "Full Metal Jacket" (isn't "Joker's peace button a hoot?! But it symbolizes the films anti-war message.)

"Lolita" is simply fantastic. The performances are all so great.

"The Shining" really showcases Kubrick's great talent as a director - even if I find Nicholson's and Duvall's performances a bit campy.

I saw, "Eyes Wide Shut" many years ago. I don't remember connecting with the film much, but I think I'll revisit it soon and see how I feel about it now. After all, tastes can change over time.

I Love 2001 A Space Odyssey...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrDUmuUBTo