| Page 1 2 3 GETTING TO KNOW: STANLEY KUBRICK by Brighid Mooney Who He Is:One of America's most acclaimed and controversial directors, Stanley Kubrick made only thirteen feature-length films in a career that spanned over five decades. Known for his technical precision and his intense perfectionism, many of Kubrick's films have gone on to become cult favorites, celebrated for their epic quality and cerebral nature. Though his films traverse a wide array of styles and subjects including science fiction, black comedy, horror and war, they share a common exploration of the darker side of human nature and the continuing theme of dehumanization. All but the first two of Kubrick's thirteen features were adapted from novels, the authors of which were not always happy with Kubrick's vision of their work. The fiercely intelligent and private Bronx-born director, nominated for Best Director for four consecutive films, died on March 7, 1999, just after completing his final film, Eyes Wide Shut. How To Spot Him: Considering that he died more than five years ago, we can safely assume that you're not actually likely to spot him anytime soon. However, Stanley Kubrick will forever live on in the world of film and photographs, where his bearded face and steely, penetrating gaze can still affect a somewhat formidable presence. Vital Fact: Because of his private nature and the guardedness of many of his interviews, several rumors persisted that painted him as a highly eccentric and hermitic genius. One such rumor went that Kubrick once shot a fan who had trespassed onto his property and then shot the man a second time ostensibly for bleeding on the grass. Not only did this never happen, but the rumor's perpetuation, along with that of several others, upset him deeply. And despite having a reputation as a recluse, Kubrick was in fact married with three children and living a quiet life in England. Not So Vital Fact: It is often said that all of Kubrick's films include a pivotal scene which takes place in a bathroom, lending credence to my long-held, but unverifiable, theory that all of life's most important moments transpire in the bathroom. If not all, it is true at least of Lolita, Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining, Barry Lyndon and A Clockwork Orange. Page 1 2 3 |  |
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