Rating: 
Summary: Digital Re-mastering and Documentary make this a great set
Review: I already owned a couple Stanley Kubrick films on DVD (The Shining, 2001, Clockwork Orange) but all of them have been digitally re-mastered in this new collection, so I bought the whole thing. Overall, I'd say that it was worth it, being a Kubrick fan. I would have eventually purchsed them all anyway.Most notable is the digital restoration of "The Shining." It really is leaps and bounds improved over the last DVD, which was grainy and washed out by comparison. The images in the new version are so crisp at times that they almost seemed 3-dimensional. Also, on 2001, the entire film seemed to have more hues than I remember. It was really amazing to see so much more of what Kubrick intended. His photographic sophistication seemed much more apparent with the nuanced photography, lighting and color schemes. It is now even more hard to believe that it was filmed in 1968! Finally, Barry Lyndon looks fantastic. However, I would have liked to see more extras on at least the re-mastered DVDs, though I am happy they were restored. On the documentary: It was certainly good, though not truly great. The highs? I think much of what is in there needed to be said about Kubrick. He was an artist. *Of course* he was unusual in some ways. I can't imagine the chances for producing anything as interesting as he did increasing if he were completely "normal." His "eccentricity" was his strength as an artist, though it didn't win him praise from the cannibalistic media. The media, from this and everything else I've read, has always seemed to unjustifiably create their own myths about him from little scraps, which is what vacuous rumor-mongering people do. But he was also a human being, which is illustrated fairly well through interviews of people who knew him, some of which seemed strikingly honest and effective. Malcolm McDowell's poignant admissions about his feelings of Stanley and Christianne Kubrick's comments were quite interesting. The lows? I would have liked to have heard more of Stanley Kubrick himself talk (didn't anyone ever film him talking?) I wanted to see him in action more. Also, I didn't care much for Tom Cruise's narration -- I'm not sure what his problem was, but he was quite flat and lacking in the proper assertiveness and presence at times. It really grated on me, but luckily most of the time you are hearing other people talk. So, I give it a 4/5 because I really like it, and the new image quality is fantastic, but the studios didn't always take things seriously enough to enhance their offerings beyond what should probably have been done in the first place (again, repairing the image quality of the films.) Other than that, there really is no other way to see these films than with the sparkling new images. Anything less is just cheating yourself if you're a fan.
Rating:
Summary: Not pan and scan but full frame
Review: To counter a comment made by a disgruntled reviewer, these "full frame" DVDs are NOT pan and scan. They are cropped in a ratio per Kubrick's wishes; See the many interviews with Kubrick's colleagues if you doubt it. All in all, a great set and a vast improvement over the first Kubrick DVD box released. However, I do wish more extras had been included; (the pie fight from "Dr. Strangelove", the original ending from "The Shining".)
Rating: 
Summary: stanley kubrick collection
Review: I find it to be an insult to movie watchers for even Kubrick to have some of his movies to be released in pan and scan. Pan and scan looks at only faces, not the actual scene.
Rating: 
Summary: Greatest movies ever made!
Review: These are the greatest films ever made! ....Movies such as THE SHINING, LOLITA, DR. STRANGELOVE, EYES WIDE SHUT, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, BARRY LYNDON, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, & FULL METAL JACKET is not for everyone. These movies are long and very different. But I love these movies. They are masterpieces ... ....THE SHINING is a epic horror film that is fantastic and tests the level of insanity. FULL METAL JACKET is the best war film I have ever seen and is deffinately a masterpiece. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is also only for a select number of people this is not a film about fast paced action, it is a magnificant film about space and a spaceship named HAL. BARRY LYNDON is not a movie for the easily bored. It is a 3 hour film about a young man too worried about his ego but is really good. DR. STRANGELOVE is a great black comedy. It is about a war misunderstood to bomb Russia. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, deffinately the most bizarre of the films, is a very strange outlook into the near future about a group of young a gang of friends that spend their nights terrorizing people and raping women and the transportation of brainwashing. LOLITA, being another black comedy, is not bad, but is saved by the outstanding direction. And EYES WIDE SHUT, a bizarre take on sex in the world and cults. Very bizarre but very good. With such big stars as Tom Cruise, George C. Scott, Jack Nicolson, Peter Sellers, Nicole Kidman, Keir Dullea, Malcolm McDowell, and Vincent D'Onofrio, you'll love these great classics! I strongly reccommend these films. But beware, not for kids!
Rating:
Summary: warning - full metal jacket is not widescreen
Review: full metal jacket is transferred at full television frame. if you, like me, can't watch a film that has been cropped on the sides then don't buy this edition. i really can't imagine any kubrick fan who would buy a cropped dvd. obviously warners did and they now have to get rid of a few extras that will never sell as individual purchases. the other discs are various framings and they all say that it is as the director requested. this one has no such disclaimer.
Rating:
Summary: Still falls just a tad short of Kubricks greatness.
Review: With this, the second release of a Kubrick Anthology, the improvements are obvious. Alas, it also has its' short comings which makes me wonder if a (gasp) third release is slated for the future. The most obvious improvements are the transfers. In the previous version the quality on some of the titles was nearly blasphemous.(Barry Lyndon,The Shining). This new set has brought out the crisp details and removed the haze. The sound has also been cleaned up tremendously.Particularly in The Shining.If you have a good home theatre system the heartbeats in the bathroom scene will rattle your hairs as well as your nerves. Another great addition to this collection is the documentary "Stanley Kubrick:A life in Pictures". This enlightening disc takes us through every film Kubrick directed with some informative bits on the filmmakers passion and patience (and subsequent impatience) for film making.It was fascinating to finally see the man, let alone hear him speaking. I was particularly touched by the ending credits that show Kubrick as a little boy in an old 8mm home movie playing the piano, peering behind his sister, looking at the camera with a half mischeivious smile.Very touching. Unfortunately, it must be said that this set also has its setbacks. The most disturbing in my personal opinion is the omission of a widescreen version of "the Shining". Having never seen this film in anything other than a pan and scan, I was greatly dissapointed to be let down yet again. It is understood that Kubrick preferred this film to be seen as such in video/dvd release to add to the claustrophobic effects of a shortened screen, but in a day where widescreen films are becoming the new standard in release formats it seems a shame to see a Kubrick film in anything other than widescreen. Also missing is what I see as one of Kubricks greatest films, Spartacus. I would have much rather had that film included in place of the slow paced Lolita. My last complaint would have to come from the U.S. theatrical version inclusion of the very under-rated "Eyes Wide Shut". I would think in purchasing a box set that one could count on the best of what is available, and I think the american public can handle a few more scenes of sexual content. Especially if it was part of a masterminds original vision. Despite a few "big" negatives do not let that stop you from getting this set. There are a handful of standard cinema classics in this collection that no true film lover should be without. If you purchased the original set do yourself and Kubrick a favor. Use the discs as collectable beer coasters, buy this set, and let Kubrick smile in eternity. Good Show!
Rating:
Summary: Kubrick Collection
Review: This Collection is incredible, and it surpasses the previous one so much it's amazing! The picture is drastically improved on all, especially '2001,' and 'The Shining.' The sound has been corrected so that they're not all recorded in mono, but in Dolby Digital 5.1. Not that there are a lot of special features, the interview with Arthur C. Clarke that was on the previous '2001' DVD wasn't included, and a different '2001' trailer has been put on the disc. But the picture is incredible, and the blue-green tint that was on the previous '2001' DVD has been corrected. Also, on the previous '2001' DVD, in the scene when Bowman keeps asking HAL if he reads him, HAL eventually responds "Affirmative Dave." The full response is actually "Affirmative Dave. I read you." This error is also corrected on the new '2001' disc. As for 'The Shining' DVD, the transfer is astonishing.The grainy transfer that was so visible on the prevous DVD, as well as the old laserdisc and video too, has been fixed. Colors no longer appear faded, and the new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack gives the film even more value. The other discs have great transfers and soundtracks as well, and the documentary 'A Life in Pictures,' tells the story of Kubrick in a new view, by the people who worked with him. Except for 'Dr. Strangelove,' 'The Shining,' and 'Eyes Wide Shut,' the discs don't have a lot of extra bonus material. My only complaint is that the 'Life in Pictures' documentary contains a lot of Behind-the-Scenes footage from '2001,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'Full Metal Jacket,' and even extra footage from 'The Shining' not included in Vivian Kubrick's 'Making of The Shining.' It would of been nice to see some of this footage on the individual discs. Otherwise, this is a must-have for any Kubrick fan, I thouroughly recommend it. In other words, buy it! Right Now!
Rating:
Summary: Stanley Kubrick's DVD masterpiece - finally.
Review: Stanley Kubrick's career has finally been given the 5-star treatment in this difinitive collection. Hopefully this DVD will entice film-goers into discovering some of his lesser known works like 'Barry Lyndon', whick looks wonderful. The 'Dr. Stranglove' disc also includes two new documentaries on the making of the film, which are both incredibly informative. One includes footage of Kubrick's 'lost film' The Seafarers, which was interesting to see. Jan Harlan's documentary 'A Life in Pictures' is brilliant. A real triumph! He gives Kubrick fans what thev've wanted for years - an informative look at Kubrick and a peak into what he was like at home. What more could you ask for?
Rating:
Summary: holy moley, what a great set of discs!
Review: I bought the original Kubrick set and I'm one of the minority who didn't think the quality was that bad. Yeah, they were grainy and scratchy but the quality was on par with seeing these flicks at your local art house. Right? So, I bought the new set only because I'm a Kubrick fan and a completist and I was only expecting a minimal improvement over the older set. WOW! If you like Kubrick's movies, you HAVE to buy this set. The video is amazing, especially The Shining and Barry Lyndon. Bright, crisp and clear like you were sitting with Kubrick himself editing a pristine print for the first time. Clockwork Orange and Full Metal Jacket, same deal, every disc is an incredible improvement, like taking a rag and wiping an inch of grime off a favorite painting and seeing the vibrant colors underneath. Comparing the discs with the originals, now I'm angry at WB for not doing this right the first time. I've heard the term as 'double-dipping' and that's definitely what WB did, stating high and low that the original set was personally approved by Kubrick himself and saying over and over that they definitely could NOT redo these discs because it would take an act of god from the Kubrick estate for permission to redo these discs and then two years later, hey, guess we CAN redo these discs and blah, blah, blah, and a yada, yada, yada, and what a bunch of big fat liars, making us shell out big bucks twice for these movies. Color me a mixed bag of purple, red and blue-- happy that these discs are out, angry at WB for rushing out the original set under cover of a bunch of lies and hype. Oh, well, let me put on the Barry Lyndon disc again and let Kubrick's fabulous pictures with its incredible video calm me down. La, lala, lalala!
Rating:
Summary: Definitive?
Review: There has never been a truly definitive version of EWS, to my way of thinking. The North American theatrical "masked" release, while not covering much, covered the artistry of the framing, and masked Kubrick's photographer's eye. The European theatrical release had a changed version of the "Migrations" music, obscuring the connection between the Hindi lyrics from the Bhagavad Gita and the Latin from the Requiem that plays later in the film. And worst of all, the North Americal DVD has both alterations. Having said that, this box is a marked improvement from the previous "quick-off" set.
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