Kubrick

[james]

You know, I just couldn't think of anything else to add to the subject heading.

This summer, the IFC Theater in Manhattan is screening a Kubrick retrospective for its Midnight Movie program (Friday and Saturday nights, 12 am). I didn't mispell "killing."

Here's the lineup:

WAVERLY MIDNIGHTS

Fridays and Saturdays at midnight.
May 15-16: FULL METAL JACKET (1987)
May 22-24: EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)
June 5-6: THE SHINING (1980)
June 12-13: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
June 19-20: KILLER'S KISS (1955)
June 26-27: THE KILING (1956)
July 2-4: A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)

[Derrick]

The only two Kubrick films I haven't seen are EYES WIDE SHUT and KILLER'S KISS.

[james]

I haven't seen those, either (I also haven't seen Barry Lyndon yet, but that film isn't on the program).

I do want to see Eyes Wide Shut very much. I've read so many strong opinions on this film from film critics I trust, that I want to watch it for myself and have my own opinion.

One of my favorite film websites, Dave Kehr's, sometimes features intense debates on Eyes Wide Shut in the comments section. The topic comes up very often, and most of the regulars over there are professional critics. There doesn't seem to be many lukewarm opinions.

Also, as a science fiction fan, I am very happy that I can see both 2001 and Alien in a theater this summer. It's unfortunate that the IFC series isn't screening AI, which I also love, but that isn't really a Kubrick film.

[Derrick]

I've seen BARRY LYNDON and I recommend it if you're a Kubrick fan. It's absolutely gorgeous to look at but it's as slow as an office building elevator.

I want to see EYES WIDE SHUT myself if for no other reason than the controversy surrounding it.

Wasn't A.I. slated to be Kubrick's next picture? The way I heard it, he actually met with Steven Spielberg a couple of times as Spielberg was originally set to produce. Then when Kubrick unexpectedly passed away, Spielberg decided to direct it himself.

[james]

May 6, 2009 9:00:37 GMT -5 Derrick said:

Wasn't A.I. slated to be Kubrick's next picture? The way I heard it, he actually met with Steven Spielberg a couple of times as Spielberg was originally set to produce. Then when Kubrick unexpectedly passed away, Spielberg decided to direct it himself.

Yes. I'm not sure exactly how much Kubrick contributed to the final film, but he did oversee the script development (adapted - and very much expanded -from a Brian Aldiss short story) and possibly some of the set designs. The final film reads as a fascinating complementing of the styles of Kubrick and Spielberg (especially the controversial ending, which I really liked but even some admirers of the film don't).

[Derrick]

I remember reading somewhere that the film was originally supposed to end at the part where the little robot boy and his teddy bear companion are underwater and find the statue of what the robot boy believes is The Blue Fairy and wishes to be a real boy over and over again.

[Dino]

Kubrick had planned to do A.I., but he agonized over it for some time before he asked Speilberg to take over because he felt it was better suited to Speilberg's style than his own.

Eyes Wide Shut is a great film if you're a fan of Kubrick. You just have to let yourself become totally engrossed in it.

Barry Lyndon is something I'd only recommend if you're a big Kubrick fan. It's probably my least favorite of his films. From a technical standpoint, it's absolutely amazing, especially the lighting. But the story just couldn't grab me.

[Derrick]

May 11, 2009 4:12:13 GMT -5 Dino said:

Kubrick had planned to do A.I., but he agonized over it for some time before he asked Speilberg to take over because he felt it was better suited to Speilberg's style than his own.

Eyes Wide Shut is a great film if you're a fan of Kubrick. You just have to let yourself become totally engrossed in it.

Barry Lyndon is something I'd only recommend if you're a big Kubrick fan. It's probably my least favorite of his films. From a technical standpoint, it's absolutely amazing, especially the lighting. But the story just couldn't grab me.

Agreed about BARRY LYNDON. I've seen it maybe two times...well, three and a half and that's enough for me. And you're right, technically it's a blast and as I said earlier it's gorgeous to look at. But the thing is just so slow moving and it doesn't really end so much as it just runs out of what little story there is to tell.

Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about the movie is that Stanley Kubrick invented a new type of lens so that he was able to shoot scenes using only the natural light available. It's remarkable that the scenes he shot indoors using candle light are so clear. And he didn't use any other lighting at all for those scenes. Just the candle light. Simply amazing.