Movie #298 Dr Strangelove *1964*

This is my favorite comedy of all time.  You would think a review for one of your favorite films would be easy, but I hold this film in such high regards that I feel like anything I write about it would be a disgrace.  But here it goes anyway.

This year I watched Paths of Glory for the first time. It is a war movie by the same director of Strangelove, Kubrick.  The first time I watched Paths I noticed how wonderfully it was acted and shot. Stanley is widely thought of as a perfectionist and for good reason.  I also thought of how brutal and horrible the plot was.  It is a bout a group of soldiers that are sent out on a suicide mission.  They retreat after what they consider to be giving it their best, but they are court marshaled for being cowards.  Pretty serious subject matter.  Then the second time I watched Paths I realized another staple of Kubrick's work, his dark and twisted sense of humor.  Paths is a farce on the hypocrisy of military structure.

I mention Paths to help illustrate how dark Kubrick can be.  In Strangelove a rouge general has found a loophole in the US attack plans in cold war times.  Without the proper authority he sends dozens of bomber planes to attack the USSR.  An action that will surely result in a full on nuclear war.  Once the US president finds out, his choices become clear, either: comitt 100% to a full on attack of Russia or speak to the Soviets and order them to shoot down all the US planes.  The later is chosen, but one plane evades the Russians and makes an effort to bomb a new target.

While all this doesn't sound very funny, it only gets worse.  Apparently the Soviets had completed a doomsday device in which any attack on Russian soil will launch an planet wide launch of nuclear weapons.  Wiping out all of humanity. 

This is Kubrick's playground and he takes full advantage of it.  The humor in this film ranges from clever word play to down right absurdity.  This movie stops at nothing short of a pie fight to evoke laughter.  The characters (and character names) in the movie are by today's standards not as ridiculous as they should be.  And that is really the most frightening thing about this movie. 

The reason I admire this movie so much goes far beyond the great script and wonderful acting.  It is Kubrick's camera and his attention to detail.  As I said earlier, he is a perfectionist and it shows in this film.  It is shot in a vast and starkly opposing black and white.  The cinematography is perfect.  Not good, perfect.  Kubrick's use of props and sets blows my mind.  The light around the war room round table is often times shown over the head of someone in the room, making him look like an angel.  The way he frames shots, is that of a master.

I won't get into anymore details right now.  I will say this is my favorite comedy and a masterpiece if ever there was one.  I give Dr Strangelove *****.

Movie #160 and #161 Paths of Glory *1957*

Kirk Douglas - Col Dax
Ralph Meeker - Cpl. Philippe Paris
Timothy Carey - Pvt. Maurice Ferol

I found an apparent flaw in my movie tracking system.  Sometimes I forget to note that I have watched a movie.  I watched Stanley Kubrick's movie Paths of Glory a few months ago.  I purchased the Criterion Collection Blu Ray re-release last weekend and I figured on doing a "3 Reasons" due to the recent review of the movie.  However when I began searching I realized that I had never written a review of the film.  Sorry about the error.

Every cinephile is required by the code to salivate over Kubrick.  And with good reason.   He is the most influancial American director of his time.  There are dozens of fantastic directors from the 50's - 80's but Kubrick's star out shines them all.  He was that the helm of the films that represent the penicle of cinema for 40 years.  2001, Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, The Shining, The Killing, and this film. Kubrick's second tier (Killers Kiss, Lolita, Barry Lyndon, Full Metal Jacket) are more compelling, thought provoking and ambitious than most directors best.

Paths of Glory is the story of a French army unit that was ordered to take an enemy strong hold even though it was known to be impossible and a suicide mission.  Then when the few lucky were able to retreat, they were tried as cowards by a power hungry officer.  This sounds like weighty subject matter and it is.  But Kubrick's intent seems to be to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of war.  This is the most horrifically funny movie I have ever seen.  He uses the lunacy of patriotism to unearth the dark comedy within the military system.

In addition to the underlying humor there is magnificent cinematography.  Kubrick was a master at knowing where to put and how to move his camera.  A few shots that come to mind are 1. In the trench.  The camera tracks through the trench as it passes countless injured soldiers.  2. On the battle field.  Kubrick moves the camera parallel to an attempted attack.  We see the horrors of war.  This shot has been copied in countless battle scenes ever since. 3. On a scouting mission.  We follow 3 soldiers on a reconnaissance mission.  We look out on the war torn battle field.  Then a flare is fired and we see that in the light the landscape is littered and shaped by dozen of fallen soldiers.  Then the flare and our view fades into the night.

I again feel that I don't possess the intellect or vocabulary to review this film appropriately.  Kirk Douglas is fantastic as the commanding officer.  He is 100% man.  Sharp and tough.  Loyal beyond measure and witty enough to go toe-to-toe with with any competitors.  Ralph Meeker as the truly cowardice officer is smarmy and  despicable.  Then I wanted to mention Timothy Carey.  What a wonderful character actor.  If he were still alive today I would LOVE to see him in a Tim Burton film.  He feels so out of place in this film, yet he fits the character perfectly.

The Criterion Collection Podcast reviewed this movie a few weeks ago and did a much better job of it than I am.  I highly recommend you check it out if you have any interest in seeing this film.  I easily give Paths of Glory ★★★★★.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.

Movie #104 Killers Kiss *1955*

Killers Kiss is a Stanley Kubrick film. 

That is almost a review in its self.  If you know me or you have read some of my blogs you probably know that I consider Kubrick to be one of if not the greatest director of the 20th century.  His films set the golden standard in almost every kind of genre there is.  2001, Dr. Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, A clockwork Orange, The Shining, Barry Lyndon, ect.

Killers Kiss is a film noir that centers around a down and out boxer that meets a beautiful blond and falls in love with her.  They plan on skipping town and getting away from their miserable lives.  They only have to collect their final paychecks from his manager and the owner of the dance club where she works.  Of course at this point there is some mistaken identify, missing money, a murder, a kidnapping, a anti-heroic rescue and all the other tropes of the noir genre.

The difference is the distance that Kubrick keeps from his characters .  You aren't really meant to feel a real drive to see these two succeed.  The story is told in flashbacks from the perspective of the boxer while he waits for a train to take him out of town alone.

This is Kubricks first feature.  Is all his mastery present?  No.  But glimpses can be seen.  He improves a great deal with his next film.  Another noir called The Killing staring Sterling Hayden.  Killers Kiss is only 70 minutes long.  You can probably watch it while your special lady is getting ready to go out.

It reminded me a lot of a movie I like a little better called Requiem for a Heavyweight staring Anthony Quinn and a great performance from Jackie Gleason.  It is the story of a boxer that is down on his luck and with the help of a woman he tries to improves his life.  This movie is a downer, but I love it.

Killers kiss is a totally adequate movie.  That is pretty sorry by Kubrick's standards.  I will give Killers Kiss a 3/5 stars.  It is worth seeing to get just a glimpse of the master gaining his footing.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.