Jun 27
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D’Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey
Full Metal Jacket is Kubrick’s second war film. Unlike Paths of Glory however, Full Metal Jacket can’t be considered to be a truly anti-war film. Rather it’s a relatively objective portrayal of the Vietnam war and the soliders who fought in it.
The first half of the movie concentrates on basic training, and features a stand out performance from R. Lee Ermey as Gny. Sgt. Hartman. This first half of the story focuses mainly on the characters of Pvt. Joker (who wants to become a combat reporter) and Pvt. Gomer Pile, a slow and fat recruit who repeatedly incurs the wrath of Hartman as well as the other soliders in training.
The film then moves to Vietnam and loses some steam in the process. This makes Full Metal Jacket Kubrick’s most uneven film. While still thought provoking and entertaining, the second half of the film cannot match the greatness of the first.
Jun 26
Great speech. No one motivates like Rocky!
Jun 25
Well, I didn’t get everything done I wanted to during Kubrick Week, so I’m giving myself another seven days. I’ll finish with capsule reviews of the rest of Kubrick’s filmography as well as some other stuff I’ve been working on.
Jun 23
This pic has made it’s rounds all over the internets already, but I thought I’d weigh in anyway.
So, Harrison looks pretty good here! I’ve been pretty much against this production of this film from the beginning, but I can’t help but be a little excited to see the Man with the Hat again. The cast is shaping up really well too. Damn you Lucas and Spielberg!
Jun 22
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall
Kubrick’s only horror film is a creepy and effective adapatation of the novel by Stephen King. King was apparently very unhappy with the deviations that Kubrick chose to make from the original novel, but it is difficult to argue that any changes actually detract from the film.
Famous for it’s innovative steady cam and tracking shots, The Shining demonstrates Kubrick’s ability to ramp up an intense sense of dread. Music and sound effects are also used to great effect to create an atmosphere of suspense and horror.
The performances in the film range from understated to over the top. Jack Nicholson is excellent as Jack Torrance, a simmering, volatile man who is hired to stay - with his wife and daugther - at the isolated Overlook hotel over the winter as the hotel caretaker. Shelley Duvall’s character unfortunately comes off as annoying, which detracts from the film somewhat, but overall The Shining is a classic and epic horror film that should not be missed.
Jun 21
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Malcom McDowell, Patrick Magee, Andrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin
Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel is probably his most infamous film. A Clockwork Orange stars Malcolm McDowell, as Alex, a psychopathic criminal hooligan that stalks the streets of a futuristic London. Theft, assault, rape and murder are all everyday offenses of Alex and his gang of “droogs.”
When Alex is arrested and brainwashed into a proper citizen, Kubrick tackles issues of the duality of good and evil, the corruption of power, and the nature of human violence.
Kubrick had A Clockwork Orange pulled from UK theatres after a string of violent crimes that were thought to be inspired by the film. Today the film stands up as one of Kubrick’s most ambitious and controversial films.
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