The Directors Project: #12 - Stanley Kubrick

Scene from Cinema Paradiso

With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.

STANLEY KUBRICK

Years Active: 1951-1999

Films as Director: 13

Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Special Effects - 2001: A Space Odyssey)

Who: When it comes to classic cinema, there isn't a name more renowned for consistently amazing as that of Kubrick and his genre-hopping films whose meticulous shots create thought provoking imagery that resonate years and even decades onward. He is at times controversial and creates universes that while cold, have a lot to offer about the human spirit and how it relates to their surroundings. While his work feels singular, he is an inimitable director whose films have distinct style and while possibly overrated, definitely qualifies as one of the greats. He challenged mainstream cinema by adding artistic touches, slower pacing, and a whole lot of fascinating, cutting edge technical aspects that continue to make his work feel out of time and in something otherworldly.

POINTS TALLY

Scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey

-- The Shining (1968) --

Flickchart Ranking: #72 (850 points)

IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)

Perks: None

Total: 920 points

-- Lolita (1962) --

Flickchart Ranking: #139 (800 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 860 points

-- Full Metal Jacket (1987) --

Flickchart Ranking: #228 (700 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 760 points

-- The Killing (1956) --

Flickchart Ranking: #266 (650 points)

IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)

Perks: None

Total: 720

--  A Clockwork Orange (1971) --

Flickchart Ranking: #503 (450 points)

IMDB Rating: 7/10

Perks: None

Total: 520

-- Dr. Strangelove (1964) --

Flickchart Ranking: #757 (250 points)

IMDb Rating: 5/10 (50 points)

Perks: None
Total: 300 points

-- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) --

Flickchart Ranking: #859 (150 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 210 points

OVERALL TOTAL: 4690 points

WHY DO I LOVE?

Scene from Lolita

While I cannot claim to immediately turn to Kubrick as much as my peers, there is plenty to admire about his work. In a way, his work is infallible when in discussion with cinephiles. There is always one great movie for everyone. To me, his work is impressively accessible, even if I don't necessarily like everything that he does and at his worst, he is cold and doesn't understand humans. Even then, his imagery is enviably impressive and timeless in ways that films of the same time aren't. There' s many I like better, but his embodiment as one of the great masters of cinema is well deserved. I like his work and have nothing really exciting to add to the discussion other than the synonymous connection to greatness is obvious and deserved.

UP NEXT: The most iconic silent director of all time.