Stanley Kubrick is my favourite director, and a very long time in the past, I ranked all of his motion pictures. And, spoiler alert, I put 2001: A House Odyssey on the high of the record.
Truthfully, how may I not? Not solely is it usually thought-about the best sci-fi film of all time, however it’s usually thought-about one of many best motion pictures of all time, interval. That stated, one factor that I usually hear individuals say on-line is that “Stanley Kubrick is boring.” After I ask them why they are saying that, they’ll often deliver up 2001, since that’s the primary film they watch of his, as a result of once more, it’s thought-about his masterpiece.
Nevertheless, I’d by no means suggest that any burgeoning movie fan begin with 2001 in the event that they wish to get into Kubrick. Truthfully, it is boring, however that gradual tempo is intentional. It represents how the idea of time doesn’t actually apply to the endlessness of house (My interpretation). Anyway, interpretations apart, right here’s how I’d direct individuals to start out in the event that they wish to get into Kubrick. First, you must…
Begin With The Shining
Undoubtedly Kubrick’s most accessible movie, plenty of cinephiles may need already seen The Shining and never even understand that it was a Kubrick film. Usually thought-about probably the greatest horror motion pictures of all time, The Shining is quintessential viewing for those who’re into the horror medium.
Primarily based on the Stephen King novel of the identical title (though there are a number of large variations between the e book and the movie), the story issues an creator, Jack, performed by Jack Nicholson, who turns into a caretaker of an empty lodge throughout the winter, and he brings his spouse and youngster with him.
Issues go south when Jack begins seeing ghosts, and so they inform him to kill his household. Fortunately, his son has the flexibility to speak telepathically with different individuals who even have what’s known as the “shining.”
Traditional stuff, and The Shining has all of it in terms of Kubrick’s model.
You will have his distinct manner of framing pictures, the coldness current in most of his movies, the good performances, and naturally, the Kubrick stare. The Shining has all of it, however it’s truly pleasing to observe. So, begin with that.
Then, Watch The Documentary Room 237
Okay, so I do know it’s bizarre to direct any individual to observe a film that wasn’t directed by Kubrick subsequent, however the documentary, Room 237, actually will get into the general mythos that surrounds the director.
You see, one of many issues that makes Kubrick so compelling is that he was form of mysterious.
He wasn’t like Hitchcock, who would usually present up in his personal motion pictures, or like Scorsese, who overtly talks about filmmaking.
Nope. It’s cliche to say this, however Kubrick was a little bit of an enigma, which solely signifies that followers have give you their very own theories about him and his work. Essentially the most excessive fan theories seem within the documentary Room 237, the place followers argue that The Shining hides a number of clues a couple of myriad of issues concerning the director.
Essentially the most insane (but in addition compelling) argument is that Kubrick truly staged the moon touchdown and offered hints of this in The Shining. Once more, it’s loopy, however if you wish to absolutely perceive why some individuals obsess over Kubrick, then it is a nice movie to observe subsequent.
Thought-about probably the greatest conflict motion pictures of all time, Full Metallic Jacket is yet one more film that movie followers may need already seen with out figuring out it was Kubrick.
Like The Shining, Full Metallic Jacket is extremely accessible. Some would possibly say that the primary half in boot camp is healthier than the second half within the precise conflict, however I think about them two sides of the identical coin.
Non-public Leonard (“Gomer Pyle”), performed by Daredevil’s Vincent D’Onofrio, is without doubt one of the greatest characters in any Kubrick movie, and his story completely portrays Kubrick’s coldness as a filmmaker. We really feel dangerous for Non-public Pyle, however we’re additionally captivated by his abuse. We all know issues will finish badly, and we’re simply ready for it to occur, and it does. Shockingly so.
The conflict part can be fascinating. We actually get within the heads of those troopers, and by the top, we’re left questioning who actually had been the those who America despatched over to international lands.
It’s an anti-war movie, and one that’s each arduous to observe, but in addition humorous. It’s undoubtedly certainly one of his greatest.
Then, Leap Backward To Paths Of Glory
The opposite main Kubrick conflict movie, Paths of Glory, jumps all the best way again to the First World Warfare and stars Kirk Douglas. The plot is a couple of commanding officer who forces a suicide mission, and when it goes awry, he tries to court-martial three troopers, however Kirk Douglas isn’t having it.
I feel this is a superb movie to observe subsequent as a result of it exhibits that Kubrick by no means actually modified his stance on conflict being pointless for 30 years, as Paths got here out in 1957, and Full Metallic Jacket got here out in 1987.
Now, right here’s the factor. It’s black and white. Actually, plenty of Kubrick’s greatest movies are. That stated, I do know some younger film followers aren’t into traditional black and white movies. And look, I get it. Black and white=outdated, proper? Properly, you’re not fallacious, however any true movie fan might be cool with older movies as a result of among the greatest ones come from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s.
Paths of Glory is a type of movies. It’s a conflict film, however it’s extra concerning the penalties of conflict and the individuals main males to their deaths. It’s a masterpiece and an incredible place to start out in Kubrick’s older catalogue.
Dr. Strangelove Ought to Come Subsequent
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Discovered to Cease Worrying and Love the Bomb (Sure, that’s the complete title) is undoubtedly Kubrick’s funniest film.
It’s a satire a couple of nuclear apocalypse. If that doesn’t sound like Kubrick in a nutshell, then I don’t know what does. A bunch of males collect in a conflict room, and argue over all the things. It’s a narrative about what if the fallacious individuals are in control of beginning a conflict, and, yeah…I’m simply going to depart it there.
That is one other black and white film, however I feel individuals ought to go from Paths of Glory to this to see that Kubrick actually wasn’t simply “the intense director.
It’s additionally technically a “conflict” film, however one that’s extra involved with the politics of conflict, form of like Paths.
Now we’re cooking in terms of Kubrick. What’s subsequent?
Observe It Up With A Clockwork Orange
My older sister warned me by no means to observe A Clockwork Orange, however I’m glad I did because it made me right into a lifelong fan.
Primarily based on the Anthony Burgess novel of the identical title, A Clockwork Orange is a couple of group of delinquents known as droogs who do all method of horrible issues and find yourself having to pay for it…or at the very least, certainly one of them does.
You see, A Clockwork Orange is sort of completely different from the e book. Within the novel, the characters are a lot youthful, so the heinous acts are extra of a mirrored image on dumb youth. Kubrick aged up the characters, so it actually grew to become a criticism of society itself for permitting these individuals to stroll free.
It’s a troublesome watch, however it’s an enormous tonal shift from Dr. Strangelove, whereas nonetheless sustaining a type of wit that usually will get ignored because it’s such a tough movie to take a seat by.
However, for those who’ve made it this far…
THEN Transfer Onto 2001: A House Odyssey
I feel now is an efficient time to lastly try 2001. Now that you simply’ve seen that Kubrick may do a number of types, the slower-paced 2001 looks as if a pleasant place to go subsequent.
2001 is attention-grabbing as a result of it is perhaps Kubrick’s coldest movie. It has such a bombastic opening with the apes, however then it slows down significantly, after which it goes to unusual, darkish locations.
At present, it might sound fairly dated, and it’s (I imply, this noticed 2001 as the long run, and we’re already 24 years previous that). That stated, it nonetheless feels daring and audacious.
The story goes from the cusp of humankind to us exploring the vastness of house, and it nonetheless feels related, what with how we’re nonetheless contemplating the prospect of going to distant planets.
It’s not my private favourite movie of Kubrick’s, however it’s important viewing for any film fan. Even when it is kinda boring.
Now, you may watch any Kubrick movie you need. Take pleasure in!