What Is The Last Film You Watched? (Older Films)

[Ren 77]

Cruise is amazing. Eyes wide shut did not receive enough kudos

[Quintus 6,494]

Oh it will.

[A24 5,155]

Initially yes, it's probably the reason he was cast in both - he's incredibly smooth and self-satisfied in those movies; before the world he's created for himself closes in and utterly tumbles down around him - exposing him as a vulnerable and frightened man on the edge. In the masterful Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise is outstanding in that regard - Kubrick seems to enjoy placing him situations which make him look weak and out of his depth - and Cruise embraces it. He's a brilliant, brilliant actor, there's no doubt about that in my mind.

I agree

Cruise is amazing. Eyes wide shut did not receive enough kudos

I agree again!

[Quintus 6,494]

Which reminds me that I need to get it on Blu.

[A24 5,155]

Heard bad things about the Blu-ray and that many Kubrick fans prefer the DVD version so I stick to my DVD for the time being.

[Quintus 6,494]

Oh, thank for the heads up actually.

[crocodile 9,724]

Eyes Wide Shut is a brilliant and mesmerizing film and it's a head-scratcher why it didn't receive critical acclaim at the time of its release. And while Cruise does a great job, Kidman steals the show for me.

Karol.

[Quintus 6,494]

Yeah... Hmmm, I just can't agree with that. Kidman was very effective in it for sure, but for me the film is owned by Cruise (and Kubrick's mind boggling direction). I can't even imagine likening the movie without Cruise being the lead.

And the way that sparse score taunts him throughout, well... it's movie heaven for me.

[A24 5,155]

I agree with Quint again. What's wrong with me?!

Eyes Wide Shut is a brilliant and mesmerizing film and it's a head-scratcher why it didn't receive critical acclaim at the time of its release.

It's not the first time people need some time before they can appreciate his films. I didn't love EWS the first couple of times either.

[Brónach 1,330]

I haven't seen Eyes Wide Shut yet.

[A24 5,155]

Currently it's at number 2 in my Kubrick top 10.

[hornist 1,261]

It is the only one I like.

Perhaps The Shining also.

[Wojo 2,458]

The only Kubrick that I like is Full Metal Jacket.

[A24 5,155]

Interesting how people only like one movie when they all have Kubrick's signature (save for Spartacus perhaps).

[Brónach 1,330]

I've only seen 2001, Dr Strangelove and Spartacus. I love the first two, and I greatly enjoyed Spartacus while I was a kid.

I wish Kubrick had written Spartacus.

I really need to see the others...

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,384]

Dr. strangelove - Love it

2001 - One of the best films ever

A Clockwork Organge - Fantastic

The Shining - Uneven, but chilling at times

Full Metal Jacket - That first half is simply awesome

Eyes Wide Shut - Very sexy, without resorting to Verhoeven-like vulgarity. Good film.

Did not see his others.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

It's been said many times here by myself and others, and I will say it again, the opening credits to Superman are unmatched.

Watching it in the original theatrical sound. All the others are altered and sound wrong. Sometimes a restoration goes wrong and the replacement of the original sound was a crime against film.

[Wojo 2,458]

Dr. Strangelove - Never saw it, but it's on my unwritten list of movies that I want to see but haven't. It might help if I wrote the list down somewhere.

2001 - I watched it once and once was probably enough. It's like watching paint dry.

A Clockwork Orange - Never saw it, and not sure if it's on my list.

The Shining - I've seen enough bits and pieces to know there's no reason to watch the whole thing.

Full Metal Jacket - I know people who think the first half IS the entire movie, and the second half in Vietnam is just tacked on. It feels that way sometimes, but this film is eminently quotable, very funny, but in the end, soul-stirring and gut wrenching. It'll rip your eyes out and make love to your skull.

Eyes Wide Shut - I'd rather watch a porno than see Tom Cruise in an orgy and fret over his marriage to Nicole Kidman, again. I've seen this once to see what the hype was about, that was too much.

Spartacus - The DVD is on the shelf back home but I haven't moved it into the player and hit play yet.

Did not see his others.

[Brónach 1,330]

The ones I want to see the most are The Shining and Paths of Glory.

[hornist 1,261]

2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Put there also Godfathers and The Apocalypse.Now.

Here is a perfect list of the most over-rated films ever.

I couldn't even sit 2001 through because I don't do drugs.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

I couldn't even sit 2001 through because I don't do drugs.

Judging by the picture in your signature, I'm not so sure of that.

[Brónach 1,330]

2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Put there also Godfathers and The Apocalypse.Now.

Here is a perfect list of the most over-rated films ever.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

2001 and Apoc. Now certainly belong on that list.

I love how at the end of Superman they still show the title card.

Next Year

Superman II

there is no need for it to be there, but it is, the film just how it was shown back in 1978.

There is so much love and care put into this film it's wonderful that after 34 years this film is still is an absolute joy.

[Brónach 1,330]

2001 and Apoc. Now certainly belong on that list.

Certainly? Your opinion is certainly overrated!

[KK 3,313]

King Kong

I watched Peter Jackson's King Kong last night. And I was reminded why I love this movie so damn much. Is the opening a bit slow? Yes. And there is an overdose of slow-motion in parts. But other than that, this film is just executed so fricken well. The sets are great. The character development is marvelously handled. And the visual effects are fantastic (some really gorgeous scenes in the film). Not to mention the great cast in the film as well. But really it's always Kong that blows me away each time I watch this film. God, he is easily one of my most favourite CGI characters of all time (if not my favourite) and he's still way better than most of the trash CGI that comes out today. I mean Andy Serkis and the guys at Weta did a bloody brilliant job. Kong really keeps you glued to the screen and his pivotal scenes really yank at your emotions. Seeing the relationship between Kong and Anne develop and flourish is one of the most beautiful and impressive features of the film. Its hard enough to convince the audience that mutual 'love' between a giant 20 foot ape and a blonde woman is possible, let alone making the audience sympathize for them. But this film does that quite well. And it's hard not to be carried away by Kong's performance, it's heartbreaking.

The movie made me want to listen to JNH's score again, which is easily one of my favourites of his.

Overall, this is a magnificent epic of the highest order. I'm not making any comparisons to the original, but as it is, this is a fantastic film. I really do love this movie and it's a shame high adventure epics like these aren't made as much anymore.

[hornist 1,261]

2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Put there also Godfathers and The Apocalypse.Now.

Here is a perfect list of the most over-rated films ever.

Oh I just realised 2001, Apoc.Now and Clockwork's most famous parts are scored

with the most famous classical music. That is totally wrong.

[KK 3,313]

2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Put there also Godfathers and The Apocalypse.Now.

Here is a perfect list of the most over-rated films ever.

Oh I just realised 2001, Apoc.Now and Clockwork's most famous parts are scored

with the most famous classical music. That is totally wrong.

I will never understand 2001 and its fame....never...really that film just doesn't make any sense to me. It looks nice, but thats where it ends.

On a musical note, the classical music is quite effective in 2001. And 2001 is largely responsible for making Also sprach Zarathustra so famous in the mainstream.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

2001 and Apoc. Now certainly belong on that list.

Certainly? Your opinion is certainly overrated!

my opinion is 100% correct for me. 2001 is great for snoozing, although you need a heavy blanket because it's so damned cold.

Apocalypse now is never as intersting as people make out, and Marlon Brando is so bizarre in this movie, the most interesting thing about it is that Martin Sheen had a heart attack during the filming. This is Coppola's 1941 where he's finally handed tons of money and over does it and the film is a mess.

[Quintus 6,494]

Your taste in movies is staggeringly atrocious, according to my opinion.

[Brónach 1,330]

I will never understand 2001 and its fame....never...really that film just doesn't make any sense to me. It looks nice, but thats where it ends.

But it does make sense.

However not everybody entertain themselves wondering how would it be to meet a Kardashev III type civilization so I understand the lack of appeal to many.

[KK 3,313]

Considering I don't know what you really said, that's probably the case. Glad you got something out of the film Chaac. But I don't think I'll ever get that ending.

[Brónach 1,330]

When I was I kid I was a bit frightened by this film because I didn't understand what was going on. (Five minutes later I was around playing to be an astronaut so I guess it had an impact on me anyway).

The thing with the appeal of this film... I think it's simple. I think for some (or at least for me) this contains the same kind of appeal than, say, Jurassic Park. There's some stuff an ideas from the real world that you happen to be fascinated with, or imagine things about it. Then you encounter a work of fiction containing these and you just grin and nod... On top of that it looks awesome (I love special effects) and there's great music in it. I can't ask for more!

I wonder how different the ending was before they cut out all the narration and the other scenes. You just have to think that it's more or less the same than the first act of the film. It's just the execution that's kind of puzzling... I'm still not sure why it was done that way. Apparently it was much more straightforward and they came with stuff on set to "make it more interesting" and troll the audiences. So it kinda turns into cosmic horror... "you're small" ... "the universe is beyond your puny human comprehension"... however, with a bit of trope knowledge, it's all sorted out!

[KK 3,313]

Hehe. The film is mostly watchable until the confusing ending. Especially the act with HAL which was an interesting and iconic character in itself. For most of the film, I'm going through it thinking I understand what Kubrick is trying until the ending which totally throws me off. Then I have to spend hours trying to crack the whole point of the film, which I have yet to successfully do.

The film is really not that hard to follow, but the ending is just far too bizarre. And from what I actually understood from 2001, I can't help but feel its overrated. Sometimes I wonder if it gets most of its praise just for being different.

But I must admit, the visual effects are pretty cool.

[Quintus 6,494]

K.K., you have to keep in mind that it's actually an old film. Can't you appreciate its vision and style was ridiculously way ahead of its time back then? And you acknowledge that it still looks good...

I'm not saying you should enjoy it, but to say it's overrated is something else entirely.

[Romão 2,473]

I don't agree with all points this guy makes, but articles like this opened 2001 to me:

http://www.collativelearning.com/2001%20analysis%20new.html

I can understand how someone can say the movie is slow and boring. But there is so much brilliance in display, on a intelectual, subconscious, visceral, esthetic level, that I find impossible to downright dismiss the movie as overrated

[Matt C 605]

Cool. Have you seen Grave of the Fireflies?

I haven't seen it yet, but from what I've heard, it's a sad film. I'm not sure if I want to see it, to be honest.

[Jill Sandwich 11,165]

I've never been able to enjoy 2001, but I actually skip to the ending because it's at least interesting compared to the slow and drawn out narrative of the rest of the film.

[KK 3,313]

K.K., you have to keep in mind that it's actually an old film. Can't you appreciate its vision and style was ridiculously way ahead of its time back then? And you acknowledge that it still looks good...

I'm not saying you should enjoy it, but to say it's overrated is something else entirely.

Visually, I admit the film is a huge winner. It's just sometimes I feel the film's over lauded with praise for its narrative which I don't feel had much. I can understand how this film was way ahead of its time. But people continue to ramble on about this supposed "intellectual dimension" that oozes out of every second of the film. I just don't see that and I'm curious about what people see in it. Maybe Kubrick actually had an idea in mind, but it takes more skill to express an idea through film so that it is accessible while making audiences think. In contrast the film expresses an idea that only Kubrick knows for certain while a select few in the world have cracked down a theory based on decades of analysis. I call that lazy.

The film certainly has its merits, but it has it's flaws.

Hopefully some of that makes sense. I would like to read that link posted above.

[Brónach 1,330]

The way I see it the film is about the relationship between humanity and technology, and transhumanism.

Apes create tool (suggested by an alien probe), tool creates humanity from the apes, humanity creates human-like tools, human-like tools revolve against the mere apes that need to breathe in space and that endanger our mission. Humanity encounters the aliens, and is again changed by technology into something else that doesn't need the tools anymore. The monolith and its sinister geometry are an alien tool, a cosmic Swiss knife...

But I disagree with you, I think this film is a wonderful narrative! My favourite part is the whole segment with the apes. Which kind of exemplifies why I like this film, it's got several things that I like all jumbled together in a coherent whole... apes, the spaceships, solar system exploration, alien intelligences, the deep past, a wormhole, cosmic madness...

http://www.collative...alysis new.html

Someone tell that guy the first manned Moon landing did happen.

[chuck 155]

Cool. Have you seen Grave of the Fireflies?

I haven't seen it yet, but from what I've heard, it's a sad film. I'm not sure if I want to see it, to be honest.

Dude, if you can sit and watch Holocaust films like Schindler's List, you can definitely watch Grave of the Fireflies.

[KK 3,313]

The way I see it the film is about the relationship between humanity and technology, and transhumanism.

Apes create tool (suggested by an alien probe), tool creates humanity from the apes, humanity creates human-like tools, human-like tools revolve against the mere apes. Humanity encounters the aliens, and is again changed by technology into something else that doesn't need the tools anymore.

You mean an oversized human fetus?

Alright, I see where you're going. Basically tools is what distinguishes our humanity. And the tools rebel against our "ape-like"qualities? But the film continues to remain vague and incomprehensible. What technology makes humanity undergo its final transformation and how does it do it? What do the aliens have to do with it?

See I can get some of this from the earlier portions of the film but the ending just throws me off completely...

[Romão 2,473]

The way I see it, everytime you hear the monolith accompanied by Also Sprach Zaratustra, a major evolutionary leap has been made

[chuck 155]

2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Put there also Godfathers and The Apocalypse.Now.

Here is a perfect list of the most over-rated films ever.

Oh I just realised 2001, Apoc.Now and Clockwork's most famous parts are scored

with the most famous classical music. That is totally wrong.

I will never understand 2001 and its fame....never...really that film just doesn't make any sense to me. It looks nice, but thats where it ends.

On a musical note, the classical music is quite effective in 2001. And 2001 is largely responsible for making Also sprach Zarathustra so famous in the mainstream.

Two things that are responsible for making Also sprach Zarathustra so famous in pop culture: 2001, and Ric Flair.

[KK 3,313]

I like to call the monoliths flying chocoate bars. And that's how I see it. Monolith = evolutionary leap

But a good film shouldn't have to rely on only such vague concepts.

[Romão 2,473]

They are not vague concepts. They simply aren't literal nor spelled out

[Brónach 1,330]

You mean an oversized human fetus?

It seems to be the only point of the film where it desists on despicting it as it is and just goes with that...

Alright, I see where you're going. Basically tools is what distinguishes our humanity. And the tools rebel against our "ape-like"qualities? But the film continues to remain vague and incomprehensible. What technology makes humanity undergo its final transformation and how does it do it? What do the aliens have to do with it?

See I can get some of this from the earlier portions of the film but the ending just throws me off completely...

Well I think the Hal part is more complicated. He's hiding secrets and he should be perfect. He fails, he doesn't want to be disconnected to he manages to keep the ape out, but is defeated.

As for the final transformation, the film doesn't obviously go into detail. I assume the aliens are responsible. The film looks cryptic because it can't go into detail so we get space fetuses instead

I love how, even when about to die, Dave still tries to reach the monolith with his hand like the others, he still wants to find out... I'm remembering now a lot of moments that give me goosebumps.

Damn, it's 5:05 a.m. of a Monday and here I am. Fuck you, Kubrick.

[Matt C 605]

Dude, if you can sit and watch Holocaust films like Schindler's List, you can definitely watch Grave of the Fireflies.

Yeah. Sad animated films just aren't my cup of tea, but I'll check it out. Eventually.

The Prestige

The movie still weaves an intoxicating spell, even after the first viewing and the plot twist is known. The real fun of this movie is the journey, not the destination. Wally Pfister's visuals are just beautifully clean, crisp and fits the mood and visuals well. (If I had my way, Pfister would've won the Oscar for this movie and not Inception.) Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale have this wonderful prickly chemistry/animosity after their friendship goes sour... one wonders how Jackman's Wolverine and Bale's Batman would get along with one another. David Julyan's score is moody, themeless and droning... but it fits the visuals well.

And I just find it funny that the four main actors (Jackman, Bale, ScarJo, Michael Caine) are in their own comic-book franchises.

[publicist 4,650]

They are not vague concepts. They simply aren't literal nor spelled out

Exactly. The thing about films like 2001, STALKER etc. is you have to think, discuss and read about them plenty to fully grasp the scope & subtext. Nobody is required to do so (or to watch those movies in the first place) but to watch and whine afterwards reeks of a typical spoonfeeding consumer mentality which just does not gel with this type of filmmaking.

I happily admit that i read more about 2001 than i've seen it...the reading was interesting, the film bored me...

The Prestige

It's like Billy Wilder has risen from the grave and wrote one of his tightly woven screenplays for it. It's a bit gimmicky, but i loved it.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Then I have to spend hours trying to crack the whole point of the film...

The mark of a great film. Not necessarily in trying to see the point, but in just absorbing it all. Perfect films make me think about them long after I've watched them. All this Kubrick talk is making me want to go through his filmography. I have all of his films that are available on Blu but have yet to go through them all. A Clockwork Orange is my favorite.

[A24 5,155]

And from what I actually understood from 2001, I can't help but feel its overrated. Sometimes I wonder if it gets most of its praise just for being different.

People say 2001 is overrated because it does not give them what they want from film. When I was 16, I wanted Star Wars. 2001 was not really what I needed so I thought it was overrated. After watching so many movies in my life, my way of watching movies has gradually changed and 'different' has actually become more and more like oxygen to me. The older I get, the less interested I am in 'once again more of the same'. That does not mean that 'different' is 2001's only merit, far from it. From the angle I'm sitting at today, 2001 is a very emotional and not the cold film that people think it is. It's not the story that is difficult to grasp, it's finding the right viewing position. Wanting other things from cinema has changed my point of view. Today I'm no longer passionate about Star Wars and I find 2001 a much more rewarding film-watching experience. I can no longer call it "overrated".

Alex