Ranking all
of the Stanley Kubrick films I own was difficult due to his amazing body of
work. Each film he made shows intense characters in situations that could
either be successful or misery. A lot of his films were also adapted from
books, which shows that he was a well read man. Whatever film he made would
polarize people at first but repeated viewings changes opinions. I would like
to give an honorable mention to his version of Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” and
while not faithful to the novel, it is an enjoyable one.
I would like to thank my friend Ellen Giai Gianetto for providing two of her artworks for my post.
10. Spartacus
This swords
and sandal film follows a slave revolt led by Spartacus as he defies the Roman
Empire. This was Kubrick’s first big budget film when star-producer Kirk
Douglas hired him and got to work with a cast such as Peter Ustinov, Charles
Laughton and Laurence Olivier.
Though a
great picture this was, Kubrick did not have much creative control of this project.
The film could also be seen as a metaphor on blacklisting in Hollywood at the
time. The screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, was blacklisted for awhile and had to
put someone else’s name on scripts he wrote. For fans of films like “Gladiator”
and ancient Rome, this is recommended viewing for those that like spectacular
action and subtle political commentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCmyiljKo0
9. Full Metal Jacket
First half of
this film follows a group of recruits and their hardships by boot camp led by
the tyrannical Sgt. Hartman. The second half follows their experiences in
Vietnam once they are dropped in.
The first
half is done great, with R. Lee Emery not holding back in insults directed at
his recruits. These scenes are done really well and the way the camera points
up at Hartman, as if we got punched ourselves and are on the ground. While
there is a shift towards the war, it is not as bad as others have pointed out.
Even though it is set in Vietnam, Kubrick shot the film entirely in England.
The scene where the squad is being picked off by a sniper is brutal and nail
biting suspenseful until the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3_iPskjxk
8. The Killing
In this film
noir, ex-con Johnny Clay assembles a crew to rob a horse track and plans to settle
down with his girl Fay. Betrayal starts and pretty soon, cops show up. Kubrick
applies a non-linear story in what would be his theatrical debut.
Clocking in
at 84 minutes, it is a fast paced story with dialogue by notable pulp writer
Jim Thompson. Sterling Hayden leads a crew of men desperate to get money. His
performance as an ex-con up to no good is cool and his relationship with
Colleen Gray’s character is sweet. The masks during the robbery clearly
inspired Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” opening robbery sequence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4veow_qEDk
7. Paths of Glory
During WWI, a
platoon of French soldiers is tasked with an impossible mission. As the mission
doesn’t go according to plan, higher ups forces Col. Dax (Kirk Douglas) to
choose three men for cowardice and to have a firing squad execute them.
Kirk Douglas
gives a great performance in this early Kubrick war film. It examines the
military aristocrat risking ordinary men’s lives and them sitting back, far
away from the battle. The scenes in the trench are classic Kubrick and it shows
what we will see from him later in life. The last scene of the film is really
moving and the way the woman sings, it shows her courage to go up there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU4PQ3OJn58
6. Eyes Wide Shut
The film
follows a couple (Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman) who seem to have it all,
money, kids and a perfect life. One night after smoking pot, the wife tells the
husband about a fantasy she had about sleeping with another man. Jealous, the
husband goes on a surreal journey where he encounters musicians, a prostitute,
a shady costume shop owner and a secret society that engages in orgies.
For
Kubrick’s last film, he really went all out in terms of the style, story and
characters. The scene in the mansion lasts 20 minutes, all of which will never
be forgotten. A polarizing film when first released but greatly appreciated on
repeated viewings. Watching this film twice already, I can say that it helps to
go back and pick up on the clues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgVo96JaqeM
5. Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned
to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
At the
height of the Cold War, a crazy U.S. general purposefully sends a plane to drop
a bomb on Russia. Meanwhile, the President of the United States and his staff
are trying anything at all costs to prevent war.
Adapted from
a serious novel, Kubrick decided to make it a comedy and casted Peter Sellers
playing three roles. As a British general, the President and the titular mad
ex-Nazi scientist, Sellers deservingly earned an Oscar nomination. George C.
Scott turns in a great performance as the over the top General Buck Turgidson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuP6KbIsNK4
4. The Shining
A writer
takes his wife and son to a hotel to take care f it during the winter. However,
ghosts of the pasts haunt his mind and drive him insane. Meanwhile, we discover
his son can communicate with his thoughts.
Based on a
Stephen King novel, Kubrick makes a psychological horror that terrified me when
I first saw it as a kid. Jack Nicholson’s performance goes from loveable family
man to murderous lunatic trying to murder his family. The scene at the bar
shows us his state of mind and how it will escalate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJVVGzEbJC0
3. A Clockwork Orange
Teenager
Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) and his “droogs” cause mayhem and commits crime
in London. After landing in prison, Alex volunteers for a procedure that will
cure him of his evil ways.
Controversial
upon release due to its subject matter, it was later banned from England for
about 30 years due to threats Kubrick received. McDowell’s portrayal of Alex is
both terrifying and very charming. Even though he is a despicable character,
Stanley asks us to sympathize with him after the procedure is done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPRzm8ibDQ8
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
An epic
science fiction film about mankind, it starts off in the past and goes directly
into the future. A group of astronauts, along with a robot, explore space and
discovers a monolith that could provide answers to them.
The film is
short on dialogue and features no famous stars but the visuals and music are
key ingredients to enjoy this film. Those patient viewers will be rewarded with
the now famous star gate sequence. This was all done way before computers were
invented and it was made using photo chemicals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyjOjT8d8RI
1.
Barry Lyndon
The film follows the chronicles of a rough Irish gambler who
climbs through social status in 18th century Europe. From fighting
in wars, dueling with anyone he challenges and marrying into money. Think of
this film as an 18th century version of “The Wolf of Wall Street” as
both characters go on a journey of self-indulgence.
While "2001" remains one of my favorite sci-fi films, I am a
sucker for a period piece. What I love about this film is how Kubrick filmed
it. Each scene in this film is photographed beautifully and if put on pause, a
becomes almost like a painting. Ryan O’Neal may seem miscasted as the titular
character but his hotheaded and almost arrogant performance made the character.
Though it is over three hours long, you will be amazed at every single shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_dOMVXRhw
