Markgway wrote:I find that I tend to admire Coen films more than actually enjoy them; mostly they fail to engage me. Miller's Crossing and Fargo, to name two of, what I think, are their best pictures, are icyly cold and aloof. I prefer to have my emotions invoked, to care about the characters rather than just 'be interested'. Seems to me that the Coens are pathologically afraid of genuine drama and need to wrap it up in a blanket of ironic cynicism and knowing winks.
I think the masterful Red Cliff proved that John Woo hasn't lost his talent. Question is: Has this marked a return to form or is it a parting shot before a return to mediocrity?
Always wanted to see anything by Kubrick.i was always split by his films though-loved Orange,Shining,Paths Of Glory,The Killing,Spartacus, & hated Eyes Wide Shut,2001 & Strangelove. thought FMJ & Lolita were ok and i've not seen Barry Lyndon.
It's amazing how few Kubrick films I've seen. For some reason I can't see the appeal and have tended to not seek them out. Full Metal Jacket is a good film, though The Shining did nothing for me. I think that's about it.
Kubrick for me is a painful filmmaker most of the time.
He made 2 great films Full Metal Jacket and Spartacus.
The rest frankly get on my nerves and some are just awful, almost unwatchable. His most rated ones blow me away at how bad they are, yet so many adore them beyond words. 2001 for example, a film so cruddy it kills me thinking about that borefest.
I love: 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Eyes Wide Shut. I don't think I've seen any of his others, I haven't bothered to watch Full Metal Jacket simply because I'm not into war films.
Full Metal Jacket I would say is his masterpiece, few War films are even memorable, never mind make you feel so much like this one does. If anything for me FMJ just is not like any of his other films, maybe that why I like it so much.
Kubrick's style for me is probably one of the most compelling of all the directors I've ever follower -he locks you into every shot. His films are IMO masterpeice level stuff. The majority of his films are iconic (even the ones people can't decide if they like).
His only weak(er) film is Eyes Wide Shut, but that's an ageing film makers return after a 12 year absence (and dealing with 2 of the most unlikeable leading stars around! ). And it still stands out amongst the most memorable films of the 90's.
I couldn't say I enjoyed Kubrick's films, but it definitely is an experience to watch them. I've only seen A Clockwork Orange (which kept me engrossed from beginning to end, and a powerful film), The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. I thought the latter was very good, and only loses the plot a bit when we get to the orgies and other surreal stuff. But the journey getting there was fantastic, and a good performance from Tom Cruise. I am one of those who thought the first half of Full Metal Jacket was gripping stuff, but the actual combat in Vietnam was less so. The Shining is a superlative exercise in mood and atmosphere. Torrance's decline into madness feels subtle even with an actor in the role who is prone to over-acting.
"We do not train to be merciful. Mercy is for the weak. A man confronts you, he is the enemy. The enemy deserves no mercy."
brooce-leroy wrote:I couldn't say I enjoyed Kubrick's films, but it definitely is an experience to watch them. I've only seen A Clockwork Orange (which kept me engrossed from beginning to end, and a powerful film), The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. I thought the latter was very good, and only loses the plot a bit when we get to the orgies and other surreal stuff. But the journey getting there was fantastic, and a good performance from Tom Cruise. I am one of those who thought the first half of Full Metal Jacket was gripping stuff, but the actual combat in Vietnam was less so. The Shining is a superlative exercise in mood and atmosphere. Torrance's decline into madness feels subtle even with an actor in the role who is prone to over-acting.
I can say I did enjoy the films for the reasons you listed!
shenglu wrote:I think this topic is worth mentioning, like John Woo and Francis Ford Coppola's decline in recent years has been able to regain some of their old magic star!
Christ, I've got a spambot stalker! I guess you know a spambot has balls when it's copying the posts of a moderator!