How to Become a Stanley Kubrick Film Buff

Academy Award winning director Stanley Kubrick is heralded as one of the greatest American film makers of all time. Often controversial, many of Kubrick's films appear on the American Film Institutes "Top 100 Films" list.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A love of good films.

1. Dr. Strangelove "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb". Initially intended to showcase the terrors of nuclear war, Kubrick' cult classic quickly evolved into a dark comedy about the comical events that could trigger all out nuclear winter. This critically acclaimed film includes memorable performances by Peter Sellers as the unforgettable Dr. Strangelove. Subtle, dark and masterfully satirical!
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey "2001: A Space Odyssey". A masterwork of the science-fiction genre, 2001 is a deliberate, groundbreaking look into humanities past and future. Events surrounding the mysterious monolith include the discovery of weapons by man and a futuristic space experiment involving a manned expedition to Jupiter. Full of culturally iconic imagery and sounds from a soundtrack that includes the rhythms of composer Ligeti, 2001 is visually stunning and open to infinite interpretation.
3. A Clockwork Orange "A Clockwork Orange". One of Kubrick's most controversial films is a dystopic view of a violent future in which gangs of teenagers burglarize, rape and murder. Scenes of violence, torture and rape initially sparked controversy, debate and an X rating. The film has received critical acclaim due to it's innovative and creative cinematography and direction. Once again a Kubrick film that has been embraced as a cult classic.
4. The Shining "The Shining". Once again showing his mastery over any film genre he explores, Kubrick's horror masterpiece has not surprisingly reached cult-horror movie immortality. Use of cinematography that creates the feeling of isolation and claustrophobia, Kubrick's film tells a story of family that are placed in an empty mountain lodge as winter caretakers. The increasingly psychotic father played by Jack Nicholson becomes determined to kill his wife and telepathic son Danny (famous for "Red rum"). Psychological thrills and brilliant cinematography combine to raise the film to a status of pop-cultural celebrity.
5. Other Kubrick films well-worth watching are: Full Metal Jacket, Lolita, and Spartacus.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an open mind and realize that Kubrick's films can be an acquired taste and often careful thought must be given to the stories he tells.
• If you wish to explore the late directors work' s further, try his earlier films such as "Flyer's Padre" and "Killer' s Kiss".