Stanley Kubrick

In a terrible piece of news, acclaimed film director Stanley Kubrick has died at the age of 70 years.

This is a huge loss to film lovers everywhere, as Kubrick was easily one of the greatest filmmakers to ever walk the planet. While I haven't seen all of his films, I can say that I have always admired his work. Some of the films that he made have sat on my favorites list for a long time.

I first became familiar with Stanley Kubrick around the time 2010 came out. I was a big fan of the book 2001: A Space Odyssey, and in order to prepare for the release of the movie, I decided to rent 2001. I hadn't been born when the movie first hit theaters, so I've never actually seen it on the big screen. I did however, find the movie fascinating to watch on video (and can only imagine and envy what it felt like to see this magnificent epic on a huge scale). Needless to say, I now own the DVD.

After seeing something I had never seen before, I decided to seek out some other work by Kubrick, and came across A Clockwork Orange. This movie has stuck with me ever since I saw it. It was completely unlike anything I'd ever seen before, and had me completely dumbstruck the whole time I was sitting there. I didn't need any of those little eyelid gizmos to keep my attention, that's for sure.

Still, I craved more, and I suppose that's what Kubrick's magic was. He always kept you wanting more because you never knew what was going to happen next. I saw anything I could find, Dr. Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, The Shining.

Still, I love no Kubrick movie more than his grand epic masterpiece, Spartacus. This is a huge (and I mean HUGE) movie, which moves you in huge ways. It doesn't attempt to move you with epic shocking battles, or huge set pieces, though. Those are merely backdrops for great characters, and beautiful acting. Only a master like Kubrick could have put together a film this amazing. For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, I urge you to run out and buy the DVD right now. This is one of the greatest films ever made. Period.

This July, Stanley Kubrick's final film will be released. Warner Brothers executives had their first taste of it last week. Eyes Wide Shut starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise is one of the most widely anticipated films of the year, trailing only slightly behind Star Wars: Episode I with fans. I can't wait to see this movie, but at the same time I dread reaching the end of it. I can't believe that once I've seen this movie, I will never see a new Stanley Kubrick work, and somehow, no matter how good the movie is, I suspect it'll be bittersweet. Like finding a last letter from a dead relative, or a great last book from a brilliant author. It's nice to find it, and to read it, but it's incredibly sad to know that you'll never hear from them again.

I apologize if this little ramble seems disjointed. I had to take a few breaks while writing it, because it choked me up so much. I doubt that there are many filmmakers who have influenced me as much as Kubrick.

So, until next time, go watch a Kubrick movie. You won't be sorry.