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back and am still undecided about it. - AH
Follow Ups:
EWS, as one reviewer stated, seems to be divided twixt those
who are fascinated by it and those who are bored by it. I fall into
former camp, but was dissapointed in general. Could have been
much better.
Technically, EWS is well-executed: performances are competent,
if understated; direction is good, pacing is OK, if draggy at times;
photography, music score, set and costume design (especially masks)
are excellent.
However, as a penetrating psychological thriller or moving
drama, EWS falls flat on its face. More plotholes than a Stephen
King cemetery; a geriatric climax and a dishrag denouement that
leaves one scratching one's head in frustrating bewilderment.
Thematically, Kubrick continues his probing into dehumanization-
depersonalization (2001; A Clockwork Orange; FMJ, etc.), especially
via the wealthy sex-club-cult scenes with their secret, mechanical
rituals of decadent eroticism.
Perhaps it is fitting that Kubrick's swansong film should
generate so much controversy, whether planned or fortuitous. IMO,
EWS, does show flashes of the master's brilliance, but not nearly
enough to be included amongst his best efforts.
Final verdict: one thumb up, one thumb down. ~ AH.
And in relation to dehumanization expressed in the other movies. What is the cause of this? Technology? Culture? Mass Society? Wealth effects of the capitalist class system?Does Kubrick give us some indication of what a truly human response could or should be in this or any of his movies? Would one be HAL trying to get Dave to stop? Or HAL trying to take over the mission because he knows better? What about EWS, what are the expressions of the truly human? It's been awhile since I've seen this one, so please bear with me.
Look, I think you may be onto something. I haven't been able to get a handle on it yet, myself.
Will have to ponder them for a while. For now I recommend that
you check out Tarkovsky's Solaris vis-a-vis Kubrick's-Clarke's 2001 at:
www.underview.com/2001/solaris.html. Perhaps this penetrating
review detailing two radically omnifferent cinematic views of omniverse can help you. Also, go to www.quantonics.com., on this site you will
discover how reality's included-middlings eliminate any mechanical
thing-king tendencies toward dehumanization-depersonalization. -AH.
name me two better films playing in the theaters today, else your list of "two thumbs up" movies must be a very short one.
"HEY" - BIG A
ah
I've had the DVD for years and even had the censored film at my theatre when it opened, however, Clark had posted something about the Illuminati the other day on OUTSIDE and I started perusing various links until I came to a site about the Free Masons and Masons.In one of those links, the author goes through all of the various symbols of the FM/M organizations, stuff on the back of the dollar bill, etc.. He states that in the movie EWS, you can see a particular symbol on the throne/chair that the guy in red (leader of Masonic chapter?) sits in during the end of the orgy scene.
I got the DVD out one night and actually watched most of the film a couple of times. I get the fantasy sequence with NK, but for the most part, it seems to be a movie, a brief snapshot if you will, of trust and the seven year itch on one level, but if Kubrick mirrored the original short story author, then that guy must have been into the Illuminati and/or Masons because that's what that 'orgy' was--a Masonic initiation ritual, not some dream sequence.
Chris
n
z
x
Gotcha, clark!
x
.
I have seen this twice theatrically and a number of times on the DVD in my collection. Aside from the problematic DVD aspect ratio (I watch it in 16 x 9 anyway) and the orgy censoring it has grown on me and I consider it a masterpiece, along with Kubrick's other triumphs. The acting is first rate (albeit Kidman outshines Cruise), the story moves along at a good pace, the humor is typical Kubrick , and the colors are simply eye popping. If you approach this with an open mind and look upon it as a dream it works. Kubrick himself considered it his best film and although I don't agree it certainly ranks as a solid effort by one of cinema's geniuses.
""If you approach this with an open mind and look upon it as a dream it works.""Yes, thatīs the key: letīs not forget that it is based on Scnitzlerīs "Traumnovelle" (Novel of a Dream), the spirit of which he translated to filmic language in a most faithful way...
Regards
BF
the same manor house in "The Ninth Gate" (Polanski). Knowing that Kubric does not shoot outside of UK/Europe, I wonder if it was the same manor? Seen Gate?
Yes, I own "The Ninth Gate" and the same thing occurred to me. I do know that some second unit filming on EWS was done in New York City so maybe the same manor house was used as well.
In the horrible and weak film of EWS, the "orgy" scene was the most idiotically boring and just plain dumb scenes - quite an accomplishment.It was several levels below dated - it was as if Kubrick suddenly was himself as the 1960's radical society shocker.
Actually... I think it would already look dated in the sixties.
Ohhhh-- but an "updated" orgy scene is so beside the point of this movie. The artistry behind Kubrick's scene enhances the sense of fear and insecurity felt by Cruise's character.
There was no tension, suspense, fear, danger or any of these attributes in the "orgy" scene - it was simply boring and laughable.It was incredibly hard to sit through that scene... heck, the whole film for that matter.
I recall how I felt riveted to his other films...
a
nt
s
Since Big C. is gone the censorship mostly too.
d
In his presidency all was under heavy censorship...
EWS was a masterpiece by one of the masters, Kubrick. It's easy to slam Hollywood and the Cruise/Kidman team. Let's give credit where it is due, Kubrick's timing is impeccable and both Cruise and Kidman turned out stella performances.Watch this film with an open mind, check your snobbery at the door. Forget the Hollywood hype that marketed this movie and the box office stars.
Then, pretend you are at an Indie screening and the actors are unknown. Perhaps you will be able to absorb the subleties; Kubrick's direction, camera angles and music mesmorize.
One hoped he would go out with a bang, not a whimper.His legacy survives thanks to "Lolita", "Paths of Glory", "Spartacus", "A Clockwork Orange", "The Shining" and his 2
masterpieces, "Dr. Strangelove" and "2001." He made only a dozen films. The fact that more than half are considered "classics" is a remarkable achievement. I can forgive him for the "Barry Lyndon" and "Eyes Wide Shut" debacles.
fallen faster than an erection at a barmitzvah because of Pollack's "performance."
Only Tarantino is a worst director-actor.
Unless you know something I don't.I don't think Pollack's performance damaged the movie one bit. Although I must say only a moron or a great actor would read those idiotic lines with straight face... what an actor!
you're a tremendous admirer of "Barry Lyndon," but the morals then WERE where Kubrick seemed stuck.
He seemed to think that EWS would be shocking/sensational---well, maybe in the sixties. A bunch of old guys paying a bunch of whores to screw them in an old mansion? Hell, aging rock stars do it every night!
Kubrick for some strange reason got stuck in the lame revelations of the sixties... yes, that novel (according to many who read it.... I haven't) makes one boring reading today - one of those mandane works apparently that did not age well.As I said, Pollacks narration in the end was laughable, the text was so incredibly void of any emotional impact it was like listening to traffic noise.
One password... second password... that is all stuff from children's books. There is no philosophy there.
So perhaps you are right - he very well did *people* but just couldn't handle women.
In fact it is one of my favorite.
Not often Victor and I agree on something.
Ryan O'Neal as Barry Lyndon sucked BIG TIME!...The guy can not do drama....he can hold his own in comedy but drama is not his forte...
where he "does drama" rather convincingly; a film with Bruce Dern and Isabelle Adjani
Very sparse dialog and the best car chases on film bar none
I thought he was an appalling miscast for Barry Lyndon tho'; just don't know how Kubrick could have done that
Richard Chamberlain (Ken Russels;The Music Lovers) would have been my choice for that roleGrins
I don't agree he was miscast - I think that was a masterstroke by Kubrick. Ryan had right texture to make the role believable, and apparently Kubrick kept him under tight control, not asking to deliver more than Ryan could, so the overall result is very awarding and his dumbness shows just the right amount... I think.
Kunrick chose him for his Irish looks and his ability to affect the "lilt" of the language, something I think he does effectively.
.
nt
We had a lively movie discussion last night, several friends are hard core buffs. Going to see "Since Otar Left" in an hour - they say it is wonderful... have you seen it?
Next week...So we will speak about it....in four or five days from now...
Full of humanity, made for humans by humans, not robots. Incredible episode with Georgian music.I think you will love it.
.
Shall we say simply - a true kaka?
n
to see a photo/movie of these siliconeless women without those masks on!
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