What I Loved About "A Life in Pictures"
Genevieve Oullette
written but:
What I Loved Was:
That first and foremost it really was about Kubrick's work...
We were treated to a FEAST of exceptionally beautiful photographs,
film excerpts, and interviews.
The beautiful photographs of SK and his mother, very touching.
Stanley Kubrick was a beautiful baby and child who at times resembled a
boy-genius. One always had a sense in this documentary that Kubrick was not
only extrememly gifted and determined but destined to be a great director
(although there were times he could not imagine how he would acquire the
authority to direct his films with such complete control).
As my mother always says, and I agree, people are not only resentful and envious
of genius [and hard work], but frightened by it most of all. That was my
mother's comment and opinion after watching "The Last Movie." It doesn't explain
or negate all critics' discussions about Kubrick and his work, but I think it is
a fair assessment of why so many critics and audiences refuse to engage with
his films or were threatened by his work. It's too much trouble,
too ambigious, etc. I thought Harlan brought this point out well and subtly.
That Jan Harlan and The Kubrick Family were generous enough to share such
wonderful photographs of Kubrick with his family.
*Katherina* was such a beautiful little girl, wasn't she?!!
So was Vivian, well, so was Anya who showed admirable spunk.
The photographs of SK with Christiane and her babies, very moving...
All of the photographs of Stanley Kubrick. He was a very handsome young man,
indeed.
[However,I was alarmed as to how he seemed to "suddenly" age during the
early 1990s].
I was pleased to hear his voice, which was truly unique, as mesmerizing
and disarming as his eyes. I only heard his voice from the D.W. Griffith speech,
which sounded somewhat deeper?
I never knew Kubrick had such a "gentle" voice. Yet it was both calm and
disquieting...
Martin Scorcese was the most articulate commentator, I think. His admiration
and enthusiasm was truly genuine and inspiring.
I was glad that Malcolm McDowell finally admitted that some of his previous
negativity regarding Kubrick had to do with his wanting a long-term friendship
with him.
Hell, who wouldn't?!!
The documentary really showed his unbelievable, uncompromising and fierce
dedication to his art. I have no words for it, but I thought Harlan did an
expert job visually in allowing actors, directors and Kubrick collaborators
dispel the various myths about Kubrick's personality and working methods.
I thought Tom Cruise's narration was quite good and understated.
My only quibbles were:
{And some of you knew this was coming]:
The fact that Kubrick's first two wives were not mentioned although they were
shown without comment.
This would NOT have been a problem had the documentary not mentioned
that Kubrick lived in Greenwich Village for so many years, living off
unemployment checks. These were lean years for him, but he also benefited from
his wives' emotional, artistic, and financial contributions to his art.
It's not like he lived alone in a room, ate canned tuna, and earned his
living as a chess player.
My comments here in no way disputes the fact that Christiane Kubrick
was the "love of his life," and that she and his family creatively and
emotionally sustained him throughout his career and personal life.
Another quibble is that I did not enjoy Woody Allen's remarks. What kind of fool
could not like "2001" the first time? Perhaps it is my personal bias, but I
"thought" I perceived a kind of professional jealousy in Allen although he did
compliment Kubrick. I don't know. Maybe it was me.
I wanted to see more excerpts of Kubrick's earlier films like Day of the Fight
and Fear and Desire, the latter seemed like a great little art film.
Of course, I wanted to see more of ALL of the films.
This documentary is the best film that I have ever seen about a director.
It should be required viewing in all film schools, really.
It was over two hours, but I could have watched two more. I think it's the
nature of the subject, really, and that's why I agree with Scorcese that Kubrick
really did give us enough films. Because one of his films is like 10 of someone
else's films and still not as interesting.
I'm more saddened by the fact that Kubrick did not direct Wartime Lies than
Napoleon.
Last thought: I still cannot believe he is gone. Isn't THAT a bit weird?
OK. Enough rambling from me.
Regards to all,
Genevieve
Mike Jackson
Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 12:39 PM went on about :
> My impressions and opinions ONLY...I guess I'm repeating what others have
> written but:
>
> What I Loved Was:
>
> That first and foremost it really was about Kubrick's work...
>
> We were treated to a FEAST of exceptionally beautiful photographs,
> film excerpts, and interviews.
>
> The beautiful photographs of SK and his mother, very touching.
I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
> Stanley Kubrick was a beautiful baby and child who at times resembled a
> boy-genius. One always had a sense in this documentary that Kubrick was not
> only extrememly gifted and determined but destined to be a great director
> (although there were times he could not imagine how he would acquire the
> authority to direct his films with such complete control).
>
> As my mother always says, and I agree, people are not only resentful and
> envious of genius [and hard work], but frightened by it most of all. That was
> my mother's comment and opinion after watching "The Last Movie." It doesn't
> explain or negate all critics' discussions about Kubrick and his work, but I
> think it is a fair assessment of why so many critics and audiences refuse to
> engage with his films or were threatened by his work. It's too much trouble,
> too ambigious, etc. I thought Harlan brought this point out well and subtly.
I agree.
> That Jan Harlan and The Kubrick Family were generous enough to share such
> wonderful photographs of Kubrick with his family.
> *Katherina* was such a beautiful little girl, wasn't she?!!
They all were!
> So was Vivian, well, so was Anya who showed admirable spunk.
> The photographs of SK with Christiane and her babies, very moving...
Hey, those girls, well women now (sorry!), are the very best evidence that
Stanley was who they say he was and not the critics...
> All of the photographs of Stanley Kubrick. He was a very handsome young man,
> indeed. [However,I was alarmed as to how he seemed to "suddenly" age during
> the early 1990s].
>
> I was pleased to hear his voice, which was truly unique, as mesmerizing and
> disarming as his eyes. I only heard his voice from the D.W. Griffith speech,
> which sounded somewhat deeper? I never knew Kubrick had such a "gentle" voice.
> Yet it was both calm and disquieting...
>
> Martin Scorcese was the most articulate commentator, I think. His admiration
> and enthusiasm was truly genuine and inspiring.
I liked his bit about EWS especially with that shot of Kidman "She looks
like your wife, but what is she really thinking? (laughs) Perhaps I don't
want to ask!" or something to that effect...
> I was glad that Malcolm McDowell finally admitted that some of his previous
> negativity regarding Kubrick had to do with his wanting a long-term friendship
> with him. Hell, who wouldn't?!!
I thought Shelly Duvalls comments were interesting too. Nobody seems to have
gone through as much hell making a movie, but as she says 'the means
justified the end' and the final end; the performance really benefited from
what she went through. It was risky thing really to stay at her so long like
he seems to have done, but it really kept her in that character...
> The documentary really showed his unbelievable, uncompromising and fierce
> dedication to his art. I have no words for it, but I thought Harlan did an
> expert job visually in allowing actors, directors and Kubrick collaborators
> dispel the various myths about Kubrick's personality and working methods.
>
> I thought Tom Cruise's narration was quite good and understated.
He did a great job didn't he? I wish there was more of that sequence with
him and Pollock laughing about how long they did the pool room scene in
EWS...
> My only quibbles were:
>
> {And some of you knew this was coming]:
> The fact that Kubrick's first two wives were not mentioned although they were
> shown without comment.
> This would NOT have been a problem had the documentary not mentioned
> that Kubrick lived in Greenwich Village for so many years, living off
> unemployment checks. These were lean years for him, but he also benefited from
> his wives' emotional, artistic, and financial contributions to his art.
> It's not like he lived alone in a room, ate canned tuna, and earned his
> living as a chess player.
> My comments here in no way disputes the fact that Christiane Kubrick
> was the "love of his life," and that she and his family creatively and
> emotionally sustained him throughout his career and personal life.
Yikes! I'd pale with terror if some of my ex's were interviewed about me as
a 20 year old!
> Another quibble is that I did not enjoy Woody Allen's remarks. What kind of
> fool could not like "2001" the first time? Perhaps it is my personal bias, but
> I "thought" I perceived a kind of professional jealousy in Allen although he
> did compliment Kubrick. I don't know. Maybe it was me.
I think it was you! Seriously I liked "2001" as a teenager, but didn't begin
to understand it till years later... My mother saw it with me and was very
angry afterward for having sat through it. I talked to her about the film a
few years ago and it was very funny. I still don't think she gets the film,
but she was very sweet to try to put up with it because I wanted to see it
at the time. When I think back to the late 60's or 70's it's really a way,
way out there film. Hell it's still a way out film and really demands much
from it's audience.
I HATED "The Shining" at first because like Richard Schickel said I was more
interested in the book and it's plot, form, etc... It really took me a while
to come back to TS and really watch it and forget about King's novel.
I have the greatest affection for King's books from reading them as a
teenager, but the film is a vast improvement over the book in my mind now...
BTW, did you read King's book a from a year or three ago "The Girl Who Loved
Tom Gordon"? If I could pick another book that would make a good movie, it
would be that one...
> I wanted to see more excerpts of Kubrick's earlier films like Day of the Fight
> and Fear and Desire, the latter seemed like a great little art film.
> Of course, I wanted to see more of ALL of the films.
I had one teeny tiny complaint with the survival kit contents clip from
Strangelove where Jan cut it off before it got to the nylons, prophylactics
and the punchline!
> This documentary is the best film that I have ever seen about a director.
> It should be required viewing in all film schools, really.
>
> It was over two hours, but I could have watched two more. I think it's the
> nature of the subject, really, and that's why I agree with Scorcese that
> Kubrick really did give us enough films. Because one of his films is like 10
> of someone else's films and still not as interesting.
>
> I'm more saddened by the fact that Kubrick did not direct Wartime Lies than
> Napoleon.
>
> Last thought: I still cannot believe he is gone. Isn't THAT a bit weird?
I know... I kind of like that "Fear and Desire" remains something I might
not see because there's always one more Kubrick film out there that's new to
me...
> OK. Enough rambling from me.
>
> Regards to all,
>
> Genevieve
Hey, ramble more often!
-----------------
Mike Jackson
Mental Pictures Photography & Graphic Design
http://guide.net/~mental/
(228) 696-2702 Phone/ Fax
(228) 918-4596 Cellular
Genevieve Oullette
> in article faaf442c.01061...@posting.google.com, Genevieve
> Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 12:39 PM went on about :
>
> > My impressions and opinions ONLY...I guess I'm repeating what others have
> > written but:
> >
> > What I Loved Was:
> >
> > That first and foremost it really was about Kubrick's work...
> >
> > We were treated to a FEAST of exceptionally beautiful photographs,
> > film excerpts, and interviews.
> >
> > The beautiful photographs of SK and his mother, very touching.
>
> I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
But then there would not be an Anya or Vivian!!
Anyway, remember, she wanted to be a painter and I'm happy about that.
But
I know what you mean.
> > Stanley Kubrick was a beautiful baby and child who at times resembled a
> > boy-genius. One always had a sense in this documentary that Kubrick was not
> > only extrememly gifted and determined but destined to be a great director
> > (although there were times he could not imagine how he would acquire the
> > authority to direct his films with such complete control).
> >
> > As my mother always says, and I agree, people are not only resentful and
> > envious of genius [and hard work], but frightened by it most of all. That was
> > my mother's comment and opinion after watching "The Last Movie." It doesn't
> > explain or negate all critics' discussions about Kubrick and his work, but I
> > think it is a fair assessment of why so many critics and audiences refuse to
> > engage with his films or were threatened by his work. It's too much trouble,
> > too ambigious, etc. I thought Harlan brought this point out well and subtly.
>
> I agree.
>
> > That Jan Harlan and The Kubrick Family were generous enough to share such
> > wonderful photographs of Kubrick with his family.
> > *Katherina* was such a beautiful little girl, wasn't she?!!
>
> They all were!
I said that, didn't I? Below.
> > So was Vivian, well, so was Anya who showed admirable spunk.
> > The photographs of SK with Christiane and her babies, very moving...
>
> Hey, those girls, well women now (sorry!), are the very best evidence that
> Stanley was who they say he was and not the critics...
Good point here.
> > All of the photographs of Stanley Kubrick. He was a very handsome young man,
> > indeed. [However,I was alarmed as to how he seemed to "suddenly" age during
> > the early 1990s].
> >
> > I was pleased to hear his voice, which was truly unique, as mesmerizing and
> > disarming as his eyes. I only heard his voice from the D.W. Griffith speech,
> > which sounded somewhat deeper? I never knew Kubrick had such a "gentle" voice.
> > Yet it was both calm and disquieting...
> >
> > Martin Scorcese was the most articulate commentator, I think. His admiration
> > and enthusiasm was truly genuine and inspiring.
>
> I liked his bit about EWS especially with that shot of Kidman "She looks
> like your wife, but what is she really thinking? (laughs) Perhaps I don't
> want to ask!" or something to that effect...
I liked it when Jack Nicholson who started to get on my nerves when he
said for the second time: "He's THE MAN!" - said that Kubrick was a
very "conscious" film
maker. That's a really "Zen" compliment. Guess Jack has been hanging
around Phil Jackson a lot lately.
It was an important compliment considering the fact that many
directors now direct films as if they were asleep or dead already.
> > I was glad that Malcolm McDowell finally admitted that some of his previous
> > negativity regarding Kubrick had to do with his wanting a long-term friendship
> > with him. Hell, who wouldn't?!!
>
> I thought Shelly Duvalls comments were interesting too. Nobody seems to have
> gone through as much hell making a movie, but as she says 'the means
> justified the end' and the final end; the performance really benefited from
> what she went through. It was risky thing really to stay at her so long like
> he seems to have done, but it really kept her in that character...
I barely recognized her! I hate to say it, but I could see where she
would get on Kubrick's nerves.
> > The documentary really showed his unbelievable, uncompromising and fierce
> > dedication to his art. I have no words for it, but I thought Harlan did an
> > expert job visually in allowing actors, directors and Kubrick collaborators
> > dispel the various myths about Kubrick's personality and working methods.
> >
> > I thought Tom Cruise's narration was quite good and understated.
>
> He did a great job didn't he?
Yes, I was skeptical when I read that he would be the narrator.
>I wish there was more of that sequence with
>him and Pollock laughing about how long they did the pool room scene
in
> EWS...
That was interesting.
> > My only quibbles were:
> >
> > {And some of you knew this was coming]:
> > The fact that Kubrick's first two wives were not mentioned although they were
> > shown without comment.
> > This would NOT have been a problem had the documentary not mentioned
> > that Kubrick lived in Greenwich Village for so many years, living off
> > unemployment checks. These were lean years for him, but he also benefited from
> > his wives' emotional, artistic, and financial contributions to his art.
> > It's not like he lived alone in a room, ate canned tuna, and earned his
> > living as a chess player.
> > My comments here in no way disputes the fact that Christiane Kubrick
> > was the "love of his life," and that she and his family creatively and
> > emotionally sustained him throughout his career and personal life.
>
> Yikes! I'd pale with terror if some of my ex's were interviewed about me as
> a 20 year old!
Or even former "best friends" in many cases. How many ex's do you
have, Mike?
Seriously, all the documentary needed to state was that "...Kubrick
married his third wife, Christiane in 1958." Just one word, you know.
It's just a fact.
> > Another quibble is that I did not enjoy Woody Allen's remarks. What kind of
> > fool could not like "2001" the first time? Perhaps it is my personal bias, but
> > I "thought" I perceived a kind of professional jealousy in Allen although he
> > did compliment Kubrick. I don't know. Maybe it was me.
>
> I think it was you!
OK, it was me.
> Seriously I liked "2001" as a teenager, but didn't begin
> to understand it till years later... My mother saw it with me and was very
> angry afterward for having sat through it. I talked to her about the film a
> few years ago and it was very funny. I still don't think she gets the film,
> but she was very sweet to try to put up with it because I wanted to see it
> at the time. When I think back to the late 60's or 70's it's really a way,
> way out there film. Hell it's still a way out film and really demands much
> from it's audience.
It immediately resonated with me when my mother took me to see it when
we lived in New York City briefly when I was a child. My mother and I
were mute and entranced... Absolutely spellbound we were - I don't
remember if we spoke about it, I was so young but we loved the ending.
Like the ending of POG, the end of 2001 never gets old. It always
gives me chills.
> I HATED "The Shining" at first because like Richard Schickel said I was more
> interested in the book and it's plot, form, etc... It really took me a while
> to come back to TS and really watch it and forget about King's novel.
I didn't like The Shining either although it had its moments. [I must
see it again]. I remember that my parents liked and appreciated it and
saw things that I did not. I think I was disappointed by Kubrick's
choice of material. Also, Jack Nicholson was way too over-the-top for
me. What will future generations think when they see him yelling:
"Hereees Johhnnny?!"
I loved the music and cinematography, of course.
> I have the greatest affection for King's books from reading them as a
> teenager, but the film is a vast improvement over the book in my mind now...
Oh, I don't like King at all. Overrated!!
> BTW, did you read King's book a from a year or three ago "The Girl Who Loved
> Tom Gordon"? If I could pick another book that would make a good movie, it
> would be that one...
No, I haven't. I don't read him. He's a hack.
> > I wanted to see more excerpts of Kubrick's earlier films like Day of the Fight
> > and Fear and Desire, the latter seemed like a great little art film.
> > Of course, I wanted to see more of ALL of the films.
>
> I had one teeny tiny complaint with the survival kit contents clip from
> Strangelove where Jan cut it off before it got to the nylons, prophylactics
> and the punchline!
I forgot about that.
> > This documentary is the best film that I have ever seen about a director.
> > It should be required viewing in all film schools, really.
> >
> > It was over two hours, but I could have watched two more. I think it's the
> > nature of the subject, really, and that's why I agree with Scorcese that
> > Kubrick really did give us enough films. Because one of his films is like 10
> > of someone else's films and still not as interesting.
> >
> > I'm more saddened by the fact that Kubrick did not direct Wartime Lies than
> > Napoleon.
> >
> > Last thought: I still cannot believe he is gone. Isn't THAT a bit weird?
>
> I know... I kind of like that "Fear and Desire" remains something I might
> not see because there's always one more Kubrick film out there that's new to
> me...
Actually, now I do want to see Full Metal Jacket...!
> > OK. Enough rambling from me.
> >
> > Regards to all,
> >
> > Genevieve
>
> Hey, ramble more often!
Mike
Thanks. See ya.
Genevieve
Mike Jackson
Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 8:22 PM went on about :
> Mike Jackson <men...@digiscape.com> wrote in message
> news:<B74E6FF7.DC7A%men...@digiscape.com>...
>> in article faaf442c.01061...@posting.google.com, Genevieve
>> Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 12:39 PM went on about :
>>
>>> My impressions and opinions ONLY...I guess I'm repeating what others have
>>> written but:
>>>
>>> What I Loved Was:
>>>
>>> That first and foremost it really was about Kubrick's work...
>>>
>>> We were treated to a FEAST of exceptionally beautiful photographs,
>>> film excerpts, and interviews.
>>>
>>> The beautiful photographs of SK and his mother, very touching.
>>
>> I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
>
> But then there would not be an Anya or Vivian!!
> Anyway, remember, she wanted to be a painter and I'm happy about that.
> But
> I know what you mean.
Er, I don't think acting would necessarily preclude kids would it?
But, I know what ya mean too...
>>> Stanley Kubrick was a beautiful baby and child who at times resembled a
>>> boy-genius. One always had a sense in this documentary that Kubrick was not
>>> only extrememly gifted and determined but destined to be a great director
>>> (although there were times he could not imagine how he would acquire the
>>> authority to direct his films with such complete control).
>>>
>>> As my mother always says, and I agree, people are not only resentful and
>>> envious of genius [and hard work], but frightened by it most of all. That
>>> was
>>> my mother's comment and opinion after watching "The Last Movie." It doesn't
>>> explain or negate all critics' discussions about Kubrick and his work, but I
>>> think it is a fair assessment of why so many critics and audiences refuse to
>>> engage with his films or were threatened by his work. It's too much trouble,
>>> too ambigious, etc. I thought Harlan brought this point out well and subtly.
>>
>> I agree.
>>
>>> That Jan Harlan and The Kubrick Family were generous enough to share such
>>> wonderful photographs of Kubrick with his family.
>>> *Katherina* was such a beautiful little girl, wasn't she?!!
>>
>> They all were!
>
> I said that, didn't I? Below.
Aye, I got ahead of meself... I shoulda quit while I was a head...
>>> So was Vivian, well, so was Anya who showed admirable spunk.
>>> The photographs of SK with Christiane and her babies, very moving...
>>
>> Hey, those girls, well women now (sorry!), are the very best evidence that
>> Stanley was who they say he was and not the critics...
>
> Good point here.
>
>>> All of the photographs of Stanley Kubrick. He was a very handsome young man,
>>> indeed. [However,I was alarmed as to how he seemed to "suddenly" age during
>>> the early 1990s].
>>>
>>> I was pleased to hear his voice, which was truly unique, as mesmerizing and
>>> disarming as his eyes. I only heard his voice from the D.W. Griffith speech,
>>> which sounded somewhat deeper? I never knew Kubrick had such a "gentle"
>>> voice.
>>> Yet it was both calm and disquieting...
>>>
>>> Martin Scorcese was the most articulate commentator, I think. His admiration
>>> and enthusiasm was truly genuine and inspiring.
>>
>> I liked his bit about EWS especially with that shot of Kidman "She looks
>> like your wife, but what is she really thinking? (laughs) Perhaps I don't
>> want to ask!" or something to that effect...
>
> I liked it when Jack Nicholson who started to get on my nerves when he said
> for the second time: "He's THE MAN!" - said that Kubrick was a very
> "conscious" film maker. That's a really "Zen" compliment. Guess Jack has been
> hanging around Phil Jackson a lot lately.
Funny, Uncle Phil never mentions knowing Jack... I'll hafta ask!
> It was an important compliment considering the fact that many
> directors now direct films as if they were asleep or dead already.
He reiterated the point about this "making it real" really wasn't the point
of film making that he made in The Shining" doc 20 years ago that I think is
a point that a lot of the critics miss not just with Kubrick bur on film in
general...
>>> I was glad that Malcolm McDowell finally admitted that some of his previous
>>> negativity regarding Kubrick had to do with his wanting a long-term
>>> friendship
>>> with him. Hell, who wouldn't?!!
>>
>> I thought Shelly Duvalls comments were interesting too. Nobody seems to have
>> gone through as much hell making a movie, but as she says 'the means
>> justified the end' and the final end; the performance really benefited from
>> what she went through. It was risky thing really to stay at her so long like
>> he seems to have done, but it really kept her in that character...
>
> I barely recognized her! I hate to say it, but I could see where she
> would get on Kubrick's nerves.
Well, it was a tough role and one that most women would probably not want to
do, much less repeat like she said. I think that keeping her sort of
artificially frustrated and pissed off was a great idea for her performance.
I used to really dislike her and even her character, which I think back on
was a real disservice. That type of person her character is I think doesn't
have a clue how to get out of that kind of abusive situation. Shelly's
little skirmish during the doc scene on 'Wendy' is going to check out the
snowcat. Shelly really dished it back.
>>> The documentary really showed his unbelievable, uncompromising and fierce
>>> dedication to his art. I have no words for it, but I thought Harlan did an
>>> expert job visually in allowing actors, directors and Kubrick collaborators
>>> dispel the various myths about Kubrick's personality and working methods.
>>>
>>> I thought Tom Cruise's narration was quite good and understated.
>>
>> He did a great job didn't he?
>
> Yes, I was skeptical when I read that he would be the narrator.
I think he's often a lot better than his material. I liked him for 20 years
since I saw him the first time in "All The Right Moves", though this
Scientology stuff gives me pause...
>> I wish there was more of that sequence with him and Pollock laughing about
>> how long they did the pool room scene in EWS...
>
> That was interesting.
If you've ever done something on a set that involved acting you know how
silly it can get...
>>> My only quibbles were:
>>>
>>> {And some of you knew this was coming]:
>>> The fact that Kubrick's first two wives were not mentioned although they
>>> were
>>> shown without comment.
>>> This would NOT have been a problem had the documentary not mentioned
>>> that Kubrick lived in Greenwich Village for so many years, living off
>>> unemployment checks. These were lean years for him, but he also benefited
>>> from
>>> his wives' emotional, artistic, and financial contributions to his art.
>>> It's not like he lived alone in a room, ate canned tuna, and earned his
>>> living as a chess player.
>>> My comments here in no way disputes the fact that Christiane Kubrick
>>> was the "love of his life," and that she and his family creatively and
>>> emotionally sustained him throughout his career and personal life.
>>
>> Yikes! I'd pale with terror if some of my ex's were interviewed about me as
>> a 20 year old!
>
> Or even former "best friends" in many cases. How many ex's do you
> have, Mike?
No ex-wives, but a lot of ex-girlfriends that could constitute a hostile
movement. I was an Angry Young Man...
> Seriously, all the documentary needed to state was that "...Kubrick
> married his third wife, Christiane in 1958." Just one word, you know.
> It's just a fact.
I think with so much ground to cover it would have taken three hours just to
get him from childhood to Christiane you know? That such a beautiful woman
would fall in love with a short, chubby guy with funny facial hair
encourages the rest of us with the same body type! Now if I can just get my
monolithic international film career off the ground...
>>> Another quibble is that I did not enjoy Woody Allen's remarks. What kind of
>>> fool could not like "2001" the first time? Perhaps it is my personal bias,
>>> but I "thought" I perceived a kind of professional jealousy in Allen
>>> although he did compliment Kubrick. I don't know. Maybe it was me.
>>
>> I think it was you!
>
> OK, it was me.
;^)
>> Seriously I liked "2001" as a teenager, but didn't begin
>> to understand it till years later... My mother saw it with me and was very
>> angry afterward for having sat through it. I talked to her about the film a
>> few years ago and it was very funny. I still don't think she gets the film,
>> but she was very sweet to try to put up with it because I wanted to see it
>> at the time. When I think back to the late 60's or 70's it's really a way,
>> way out there film. Hell it's still a way out film and really demands much
>> from it's audience.
>
> It immediately resonated with me when my mother took me to see it when
> we lived in New York City briefly when I was a child. My mother and I
> were mute and entranced...
My mom's sweet as can be, but a bit of an Edith Bunker and doesn't care much
for the mysticism of the universe I think, but she put up with shuttling me
to sci-fi movies when I was a kid...
> Absolutely spellbound we were - I don't
> remember if we spoke about it, I was so young but we loved the ending.
> Like the ending of POG, the end of 2001 never gets old. It always
> gives me chills.
>
>> I HATED "The Shining" at first because like Richard Schickel said I was more
>> interested in the book and it's plot, form, etc... It really took me a while
>> to come back to TS and really watch it and forget about King's novel.
>
> I didn't like The Shining either although it had its moments. [I must
> see it again].
I got it! Bring some popcorn!
> I remember that my parents liked and appreciated it and
> saw things that I did not. I think I was disappointed by Kubrick's
> choice of material. Also, Jack Nicholson was way too over-the-top for
> me. What will future generations think when they see him yelling:
> "Hereees Johhnnny?!"
> I loved the music and cinematography, of course.
You know, Jack was my original chief complaint and the ejection from the
plot of all the exposition from the book where Jack looses his teaching job
for hitting a high school punk kid (who had it coming if you ask me)
I originally though Jack was way over the top, but I think that's because
his rep precedes him. In the film, he really isn't that over the top in the
beginning, but I think we tend t read more into the raised Jack eyebrow than
is really there. When I saw the remake of tv in 97, the guy went just as
nuts as Jack played it, but that extra umph of nuts just wasn't there.
>> I have the greatest affection for King's books from reading them as a
>> teenager, but the film is a vast improvement over the book in my mind now...
>
> Oh, I don't like King at all. Overrated!!
I know, but- Read "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon". I liked it a lot.
>> BTW, did you read King's book a from a year or three ago "The Girl Who Loved
>> Tom Gordon"? If I could pick another book that would make a good movie, it
>> would be that one...
>
> No, I haven't. I don't read him. He's a hack.
>
>>> I wanted to see more excerpts of Kubrick's earlier films like Day of the
>>> Fight and Fear and Desire, the latter seemed like a great little art film.
>>> Of course, I wanted to see more of ALL of the films.
>>
>> I had one teeny tiny complaint with the survival kit contents clip from
>> Strangelove where Jan cut it off before it got to the nylons, prophylactics
>> and the punchline!
>
> I forgot about that.
The change of the line about a fella could have a great weekend in Dallas
with all that stuff was an interesting story in itself...
>>> This documentary is the best film that I have ever seen about a director.
>>> It should be required viewing in all film schools, really.
>>>
>>> It was over two hours, but I could have watched two more. I think it's the
>>> nature of the subject, really, and that's why I agree with Scorcese that
>>> Kubrick really did give us enough films. Because one of his films is like 10
>>> of someone else's films and still not as interesting.
>>>
>>> I'm more saddened by the fact that Kubrick did not direct Wartime Lies than
>>> Napoleon.
>>>
>>> Last thought: I still cannot believe he is gone. Isn't THAT a bit weird?
>>
>> I know... I kind of like that "Fear and Desire" remains something I might
>> not see because there's always one more Kubrick film out there that's new to
>> me...
>
> Actually, now I do want to see Full Metal Jacket...!
Again, bring popcorn!
>>> OK. Enough rambling from me.
>>>
>>> Regards to all,
>>>
>>> Genevieve
>>
>> Hey, ramble more often!
>
> Mike
>
> Thanks. See ya.
>
> Genevieve
Later!
Patrick Bateman
the third viewing is, if anything, a major praise about how deep and ahead
of it's time his films are. Pollack even mentions that 10 years later and
it's a classic. I thought it was common knowledge on this newsgroup that
Kubrick films get even better and fully appreciated OVER TIME. This isn't
new information, Allen was just confirming this fact with his personal
experience. However if you should mention any Allen comment, it would be
the one that says that there were flaws in some of the acting and writing of
Strangelove but the direction was so good that it didn't matter. Now while
I obviously agree that the direction could have made even a scene of paint
drying exciting, the writing of Southern/Kubrick was flawless, and
performances classic.
Winston Castro
<aaaaa...@prodigy.net> wrote:
>I disagree with your comments about Allen. Him fully appreciating 2001 on
>the third viewing is, if anything, a major praise about how deep and ahead
>of it's time his films are.
That was a very interesting segment. Allen was honest enough to
state that the first time seeing 2001 he did not like it. The second
time he saw it began to pique his interested. By the third time seeing
it, he had the cajones to admit something to the effect of-
"I realized the artist 'had one over' on me".
In other words, it took time and several viewings for the artist's
vision and the film itself, to blossom into full glory.
Many people share this same type of experience, myself included. It
was not until repeated viewings that I came to appreciate the full
masterpiece of Kubrick's work.
Genevieve Oullette
> in article faaf442c.01061...@posting.google.com, Genevieve
> Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 8:22 PM went on about :
>
> > Mike Jackson <men...@digiscape.com> wrote in message
> > news:<B74E6FF7.DC7A%men...@digiscape.com>...
> >> in article faaf442c.01061...@posting.google.com, Genevieve
> >> Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/14/2001 12:39 PM went on about :
> >>
> >>> My impressions and opinions ONLY...I guess I'm repeating what others have
> >>> written but:
> >>> The beautiful photographs of SK and his mother, very touching.
> >>
> >> I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
> >
> > But then there would not be an Anya or Vivian!!
> > Anyway, remember, she wanted to be a painter and I'm happy about that.
> > But
> > I know what you mean.
>
> Er, I don't think acting would necessarily preclude kids would it?
> But, I know what ya mean too...
No, but it was more difficult to have a career and children during the late
1950s and 1960s.
<snip>
> > I liked it when Jack Nicholson who started to get on my nerves when he said
> > for the second time: "He's THE MAN!" - said that Kubrick was a very
> > "conscious" film maker. That's a really "Zen" compliment. Guess Jack has been
> > hanging around Phil Jackson a lot lately.
>
> Funny, Uncle Phil never mentions knowing Jack... I'll hafta ask!
Assistant coach Jack practically sits next to Phil at all of the LA Lakers
games. Oh, but you do not watch the NBA...
> > It was an important compliment considering the fact that many
> > directors now direct films as if they were asleep or dead already.
>
> He reiterated the point about this "making it real" really wasn't the point
> of film making that he made in The Shining" doc 20 years ago that I think is
> a point that a lot of the critics miss not just with Kubrick bur on film in
> general...
Another good point.
<snip>
> >> I thought Shelly Duvalls comments were interesting too. Nobody seems to have
> >> gone through as much hell making a movie, but as she says 'the means
> >> justified the end' and the final end; the performance really benefited from
> >> what she went through. It was risky thing really to stay at her so long like
> >> he seems to have done, but it really kept her in that character...
> >
> > I barely recognized her! I hate to say it, but I could see where she
> > would get on Kubrick's nerves.
>
> Well, it was a tough role and one that most women would probably not want to
> do, much less repeat like she said. I think that keeping her sort of
> artificially frustrated and pissed off was a great idea for her performance.
> I used to really dislike her and even her character, which I think back on
> was a real disservice. That type of person her character is I think doesn't
> have a clue how to get out of that kind of abusive situation. Shelly's
> little skirmish during the doc scene on 'Wendy' is going to check out the
> snowcat. Shelly really dished it back.
I haven't seen that documentary... I didn't mean to insult her personally or her
acting abilities.
> >>> The documentary really showed his unbelievable, uncompromising and fierce
> >>> dedication to his art. I have no words for it, but I thought Harlan did an
> >>> expert job visually in allowing actors, directors and Kubrick collaborators
> >>> dispel the various myths about Kubrick's personality and working methods.
> >>>
> >>> I thought Tom Cruise's narration was quite good and understated.
> >>
> >> He did a great job didn't he?
> >
> > Yes, I was skeptical when I read that he would be the narrator.
>
> I think he's often a lot better than his material. I liked him for 20 years
> since I saw him the first time in "All The Right Moves", though this
> Scientology stuff gives me pause...
I am not a great fan of Cruise's although I thought EWS was one of his better
roles.
The Scientology stuff is his own business, I guess.
Hmmmmm.
> > Seriously, all the documentary needed to state was that "...Kubrick
> > married his third wife, Christiane in 1958." Just one word, you know.
> > It's just a fact.
>
> I think with so much ground to cover it would have taken three hours just to
> get him from childhood to Christiane you know? That such a beautiful woman
> would fall in love with a short, chubby guy with funny facial hair
> encourages the rest of us with the same body type! Now if I can just get my
> monolithic international film career off the ground...
I think Kubrick was a pretty good-looking man during most of his life. I think
all of his wives (who were attractive) saw something more than the "externals."
<snip>
>
> >> Seriously I liked "2001" as a teenager, but didn't begin
> >> to understand it till years later... My mother saw it with me and was very
> >> angry afterward for having sat through it. I talked to her about the film a
> >> few years ago and it was very funny. I still don't think she gets the film,
> >> but she was very sweet to try to put up with it because I wanted to see it
> >> at the time. When I think back to the late 60's or 70's it's really a way,
> >> way out there film. Hell it's still a way out film and really demands much
> >> from it's audience.
> >
> > It immediately resonated with me when my mother took me to see it when
> > we lived in New York City briefly when I was a child. My mother and I
> > were mute and entranced...
>
> My mom's sweet as can be, but a bit of an Edith Bunker and doesn't care much
> for the mysticism of the universe I think, but she put up with shuttling me
> to sci-fi movies when I was a kid...
I liked Edith Bunker...
> > Absolutely spellbound we were - I don't
> > remember if we spoke about it, I was so young but we loved the ending.
> > Like the ending of POG, the end of 2001 never gets old. It always
> > gives me chills.
> >
> >> I HATED "The Shining" at first because like Richard Schickel said I was more
> >> interested in the book and it's plot, form, etc... It really took me a while
> >> to come back to TS and really watch it and forget about King's novel.
> >
> > I didn't like The Shining either although it had its moments. [I must
> > see it again].
>
> I got it! Bring some popcorn!
Perhaps not with all those hostile ex's.
> > I remember that my parents liked and appreciated it and
> > saw things that I did not. I think I was disappointed by Kubrick's
> > choice of material. Also, Jack Nicholson was way too over-the-top for
> > me. What will future generations think when they see him yelling:
> > "Hereees Johhnnny?!"
> > I loved the music and cinematography, of course.
>
> You know, Jack was my original chief complaint and the ejection from the
> plot of all the exposition from the book where Jack looses his teaching job
> for hitting a high school punk kid (who had it coming if you ask me)
>
> I originally though Jack was way over the top, but I think that's because
> his rep precedes him. In the film, he really isn't that over the top in the
> beginning, but I think we tend t read more into the raised Jack eyebrow than
> is really there. When I saw the remake of tv in 97, the guy went just as
> nuts as Jack played it, but that extra umph of nuts just wasn't there.
>
> >> I have the greatest affection for King's books from reading them as a
> >> teenager, but the film is a vast improvement over the book in my mind now...
> >
> > Oh, I don't like King at all. Overrated!!
>
> I know, but- Read "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon". I liked it a lot.
I'll consider it.
> >> BTW, did you read King's book a from a year or three ago "The Girl Who Loved
> >> Tom Gordon"? If I could pick another book that would make a good movie, it
> >> would be that one...
> >
> > No, I haven't. I don't read him. He's a hack.
> >
> >>> I wanted to see more excerpts of Kubrick's earlier films like Day of the
> >>> Fight and Fear and Desire, the latter seemed like a great little art film.
> >>> Of course, I wanted to see more of ALL of the films.
<snip>
> >> I know... I kind of like that "Fear and Desire" remains something I might
> >> not see because there's always one more Kubrick film out there that's new to
> >> me...
> >
> > Actually, now I do want to see Full Metal Jacket...!
>
> Again, bring popcorn!
Long way to go for a screening or two, eh?
Best,
Genevieve
Mike Jackson
Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/15/2001 9:39 AM went on about :
>>>> I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
>>>
>>> But then there would not be an Anya or Vivian!! Anyway, remember, she wanted
>>> to be a painter and I'm happy about that. But I know what you mean.
>>
>> Er, I don't think acting would necessarily preclude kids would it?
>> But, I know what ya mean too...
>
> No, but it was more difficult to have a career and children during the late
> 1950s and 1960s.
I guess one thinks of everyone after making a film in Hollywood as being
pretty well off financially. I wonder if, (though it's none of my business
again) how long it took SK and CK to feel like they had made it financially.
I never really thought of her not acting my be related to the difficulties
of being a mom or financial reasons or anything like that...
> <snip>
>
>>> I liked it when Jack Nicholson who started to get on my nerves when he said
>>> for the second time: "He's THE MAN!" - said that Kubrick was a very
>>> "conscious" film maker. That's a really "Zen" compliment. Guess Jack has
>>> been hanging around Phil Jackson a lot lately.
>>
>> Funny, Uncle Phil never mentions knowing Jack... I'll hafta ask!
>
> Assistant coach Jack practically sits next to Phil at all of the LA Lakers
> games. Oh, but you do not watch the NBA...
Really? Uncle Phil has never gotten me tickets! Bastard!
<snip>
>>> I barely recognized her! I hate to say it, but I could see where she
>>> would get on Kubrick's nerves.
>>
>> Well, it was a tough role and one that most women would probably not want to
>> do, much less repeat like she said. I think that keeping her sort of
>> artificially frustrated and pissed off was a great idea for her performance.
>> I used to really dislike her and even her character, which I think back on
>> was a real disservice. That type of person her character is I think doesn't
>> have a clue how to get out of that kind of abusive situation. Shelly's
>> little skirmish during the doc scene on 'Wendy' is going to check out the
>> snowcat. Shelly really dished it back.
>
> I haven't seen that documentary... I didn't mean to insult her personally or
> her acting abilities.
You haven't seen "The Making of The Shining"?!? Okay, you definitely have to
come over to Mikey's intensive summer camp for the Kubrickly
Underprivileged! There's screenings of everything Kubrickian as well as
intensive aroma & popcorn therapies...
>>> Yes, I was skeptical when I read that he would be the narrator.
>>
>> I think he's often a lot better than his material. I liked him for 20 years
>> since I saw him the first time in "All The Right Moves", though this
>> Scientology stuff gives me pause...
>
> I am not a great fan of Cruise's although I thought EWS was one of his better
> roles.
> The Scientology stuff is his own business, I guess.
I have a theory which is that if the celeb Scientologist's ever came in
contact with the Scientologist's out on Hollywood Blvd trying to get
passersby on the street a personality test they'd realize how silly it
really is, but I guess at their level of financial contribution it's a
different ballgame...
The one's on the Blvd are as nutty as Hare Krishna's...
<snip>
>>>> Yikes! I'd pale with terror if some of my ex's were interviewed about me as
>>>> a 20 year old!
>>>
>>> Or even former "best friends" in many cases. How many ex's do you
>>> have, Mike?
>>
>> No ex-wives, but a lot of ex-girlfriends that could constitute a hostile
>> movement. I was an Angry Young Man...
>
> Hmmmmm.
'Tis a sad tale lassie....
>>> Seriously, all the documentary needed to state was that "...Kubrick
>>> married his third wife, Christiane in 1958." Just one word, you know.
>>> It's just a fact.
>>
>> I think with so much ground to cover it would have taken three hours just to
>> get him from childhood to Christiane you know? That such a beautiful woman
>> would fall in love with a short, chubby guy with funny facial hair
>> encourages the rest of us with the same body type! Now if I can just get my
>> monolithic international film career off the ground...
>
> I think Kubrick was a pretty good-looking man during most of his life. I think
> all of his wives (who were attractive) saw something more than the
> "externals."
Oh.
Oh well, no hope for me after all...
> <snip>
>>
>>>> Seriously I liked "2001" as a teenager, but didn't begin
>>>> to understand it till years later... My mother saw it with me and was very
>>>> angry afterward for having sat through it. I talked to her about the film a
>>>> few years ago and it was very funny. I still don't think she gets the film,
>>>> but she was very sweet to try to put up with it because I wanted to see it
>>>> at the time. When I think back to the late 60's or 70's it's really a way,
>>>> way out there film. Hell it's still a way out film and really demands much
>>>> from it's audience.
>>>
>>> It immediately resonated with me when my mother took me to see it when
>>> we lived in New York City briefly when I was a child. My mother and I
>>> were mute and entranced...
>>
>> My mom's sweet as can be, but a bit of an Edith Bunker and doesn't care much
>> for the mysticism of the universe I think, but she put up with shuttling me
>> to sci-fi movies when I was a kid...
>
> I liked Edith Bunker...
I love my mom too! Give you an example. Came home one Christmas and dad had
bought her a new car after many years. She said "What do you think of my new
car?" fairly beaming. I looked at this land whale of an auto and said, "It's
a monument to excess." "Oh, no!" she said, "It's a Mercury LS!"
My other running gag with her that seems to just be a gag to me is that when
I'm over and she's watching her soap operas I ask with mock astonishment if
a character at random on the screen (because I don't follow soap operas) is
having so-and-so's child or something and she excitedly 'corrects' me on the
current plot... But she is very sweet and doesn't hassle me about going into
the grandchildren business for her so she is very dear to me anyway, even if
Kubrick films will forever remain a mystery to her.
I got my dad, an ex-Marine himself to watch FMJ with me sometime back. My
dad's flair in films is to think John Wayne hung the moon. He seemed to
actually enjoy FMJ, but pointed out to me all the things from the boot camp
sequence that would 'never' happen in real life... I think Dr. Strangelove
was a bit too much for him, but he said he liked Paths of Glory best. I've
never tried to spring "2001" on him though...
>>> I didn't like The Shining either although it had its moments. [I must
>>> see it again].
>>
>> I got it! Bring some popcorn!
>
> Perhaps not with all those hostile ex's.
Pish, I keep 'em in the basement; you'll never notice 'em...
>>> Oh, I don't like King at all. Overrated!!
>>
>> I know, but- Read "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon". I liked it a lot.
>
> I'll consider it.
It shares a similarity to TS where you don't know if what happens to the
little girl is real or her imagination...
<snip>
>>> Actually, now I do want to see Full Metal Jacket...!
>>
>> Again, bring popcorn!
>
> Long way to go for a screening or two, eh?
Ya dinna have a transporter lassie? Aye, we'll beam ya over!
> Best,
>
> Genevieve
Later
Genevieve Oullette
> in article faaf442c.01061...@posting.google.com, Genevieve
> Oullette at genevieve...@yahoo.com 06/15/2001 9:39 AM went on about :
>
> >>>> I quibble a little bit for CK abandoning acting! She was terrific!
> >>>
> >>> But then there would not be an Anya or Vivian!! Anyway, remember, she wanted
> >>> to be a painter and I'm happy about that. But I know what you mean.
> >>
> >> Er, I don't think acting would necessarily preclude kids would it?
> >> But, I know what ya mean too...
> >
> > No, but it was more difficult to have a career and children during the late
> > 1950s and 1960s.
>
> I guess one thinks of everyone after making a film in Hollywood as being
> pretty well off financially. I wonder if, (though it's none of my business
> again) how long it took SK and CK to feel like they had made it financially.
> I never really thought of her not acting my be related to the difficulties
> of being a mom or financial reasons or anything like that...
No, I was not talking about financial reasons. I meant the actual
physical process of caring for and raising children whilst being on a
film set in Spain or something...
I think Kubrick was paid very well for his participation on One-Eyed
Jacks and Spartacus. The lean years were pre-Hollywood. I think he and
James Harris barely broke even after the release of The Killing. Paths
of Glory was the breakthrough film, I think.
I've snipped the rest of your message, sorry.
Just remembered one more shot of A Life in Pictures that I loved:
All those kittens!!!
I can see why Kubrick wouldn't want to leave his home, really. (Not
that he didn't).
Best,
Genevieve