Rating: 
Summary: My Favorite Kubrick Movie! Enshrine It!
Review: Now both George C. Scott and Peter Sellers are dead and if viewers haven't seen the full range of their acting powers, this film will make them fans forever. Sellers plays several roles in this brilliant, ultimate satire of the Cold War and "the bomb." He is the mad German scientist, Dr. Strangelove, who used to work for Hitler; the American President; and the soldier on the base trying to reason with its nutso commander who has set off the bomb's journey to detonation. Sellers, as the President, has marvelous phone conversations with "Dimitri," the Soviet premier, assuring him that he really likes him despite the fact that his atom bomb is about to explode in Russia. As the mad scientist, Sellers is so moved in the American War Room that he is able to finally get out of his wheelchair and salute the fuhrer! In comic justaposition is George C. Scott, who plays General Buck Turgidsin, the walking epitome of the American military establishment circa 1960s. He positively is reveling in the fact that the Americans are "accidentally" going to be bombing the hell out of the "Commies." He even graphically shows how a really great American pilot should be able to sneak right in there, batting his arms like wings to a plane to show the people in the War Room how it can be done. Scott is even dutifully outraged at points over the Commies being allowed in the American War Room and there possibly being a "Tunnel Gap" if both countries put all of their best people underground in the Post Nuclear Holocaust of earth. Sterling Hayen plays the American base commander who has gone totally nuts and sets the planes in motion to bomb Russia and his obsession over "precious bodily fluids" brings back the whole paranoid flavor of those times. Slim Pickens steals the show though by actually, physically riding atop an atom bomb with his cowboy hat on as if going to the last roundup in the sky. The late Stanley Kubrick even outdid himself when he made this fabulous film.
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Strangelove
Review: The US Air Force, National Command Authority and Pentagon take a big hit in this satirical feature about the Cold War when a deranged Air Force General orders his B-52 bomber wing to attack the Soviet Union without authorization of the President. A madcap series of events unfold as the President and his military forces attempt to find the communication codes to recall the B-52 crews. The humor is very dark as it follows events in the Pentagon War Room, the air force base of the renegade General, and the cockpit of a lone B-52 crew. Peter Sellers dominates the movie, starring in three roles as the President trying to prevent nuclear war, Colonel Mandrake the airbase executive officer attempting to get the recall codes from his psychotic commander, and Dr. Strangelove, the ex-Nazi scientist on the President's staff. George C. Scott steals some scenes as General Turgison, the senior Air Force General who tries to make the situation less than it is, and then later recommending full-scale attack as a course of action. Sterling Hayden is very funny as General Jack Ripper, the one responsible for issuing the orders to the B-52 crews, and Slim Pickens is excellent as the cowboy pilot flying his B-52 bomber into Soviet territory. The movie pulls no punches in its portrayal of the leaders attempting to find a solution to the monumental crisis they face. The humor makes light of the impending disaster and delivers a message about the irony of nuclear warfare and the danger of having so much destructive power on tap. In one sequence, an Army airborne division is ordered to attack General Ripper's airbase and locate him for the recall codes, what follows is a large battle between Air Force security personnel and Army paratroopers. Out of this chaos at the Pentagon and the airbase, the only person who appears to know what he's doing is the B-52 pilot. The movie sets are impressive and an interesting portion of the movie is the B-52 crew scenes. The set looks very realistic with the crew enclosed inside a claustrophobic flight deck, going through their drills to find the target and avoid Soviet air defenses. It's a landmark movie that is remarkable for its controversial treatment of the Cold War, witty screenplay and final message. This could arguably be Stanley Kubrick's best work. For viewers interested in a more serious approach, the movie "Fail Safe" is worth seeing. It was released some months later in 1964 and offers a remarkably similar story, but in a more dramatic and shocking atmosphere.
Rating:
Summary: It is Sacriledge to not see this Movie.
Review: Murken Muffley. That word brings back so many happy memories, doesn't it? Or is it Merken Muff Lee? Either way, this is the best movie... Of course, a couple of martini's heightens the experience, so you parents go right on ahead. Notice Perfection in the Sixties....You never thought it existed did you? Well, this movie is Perfect. "They can't come in here; they might see the Big Board." If I could compare myself to anyone in this movie, I would say I am Jack D. Ripper. If there is a person who hasn't tasted in all this glory, they better examine their socialist tendencies.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning commentary on the idiocy of politics and power.
Review: This is one of Kubrick's ultimate classics, and thank you thank you thank you COLUMBIA for re-releasing this verison with all of the goodies. Kubrick in this film basically demonstrates what we've known all along about politics and power. Politicians are power hungry freaks who will do and say anything to futher economic, political, and territorial gains to their advantage. And of course the movie shows us that war is stupid and wasteful (as FULL METAL JACKET disturbingly shows in Kubrick's later work, and as he also showed in Paths Of Glory a predecessor to Dr. Strangelove). Peter Sellars is astonishing as he plays three roles that are completely unrecognizable from each other (the great Jack Nicholson tried it in MARS ATTACKS! and failed miserably). George C. Scott is incredible as well as General "Buck" Turgidson. Even the names of the supporting characters makes this movie hilarious; Major King Kong, Colonel Bat Guano, General Jack Ripper, and a young James Earl Jones (darth vader) as Lieutenant Lothar Zogg. All I can say is get this movie if you haven't seen it yet. It is classic and a great commentary on the Cold War the Military and the Government. If you want a tame version of this then see FAIL SAFE.
Rating:
Summary: How to make armageddon funny? Use a vicious sense of humor!
Review: I would have loved to been a fly on the wall when the producers of "Dr. Strangelove" tried to sell it to the studio."Well, you see, guys, this film is about worldwide Armageddon. This Air Force general goes nuts because he thinks the Russians are sapping his semen with flouride, and he sends his B-52s to attack them. Problem is, if his forces succeed, the Russians will set off a doomsday machine that will kill all life on Earth. The president tries to consult with the Russian premier on the hotline, but the premier is too drunk to understand what's going on. So, the wrap up is that one American plane succeeds in getting through, and the pilot has to ride the H-bomb down to its target, like a bucking bronco. The world ends. Oh, and it's a comedy." Thank God for Hollywood of yore...could you imagine today's studios saying, "Sure, we'll pony up about $50 million for this one"? Not a chance. That's what makes "Dr. Strangelove" such a treasure: no movie like this will ever be made again. It is horrific and viciously comedic at the same time. It is also masterfully crafted, as you'd expect from a Stanley Kubrick film, and aside from some cheesy visual effects of a B-52, it doesn't feel the least bit dated. If anything, the film's sarcastic, irreverent tone fits the cynical 21st century far better than the 1960's, a time when the president was a national hero. Am I the only one who can see Bill Clinton's face lighting with happiness at the prospect of being locked in a mineshaft for a hundred years with ten "highly stimulating" women? But in the idealistic world of 1964, such thoughts were absolutely radical, which makes "Dr. Strangelove" more than a great moviegoing experience; it was a cultural watershed, ushering in the cynical late 1960's with a distinct "bang." Of course, no review of this film would be complete without some of its absolutely amazing moments: General Ripper's speech about his "precious bodily fluids"; George C. Scott's megalomaniacal, hyperactive General Buck Turgidson, who argues for an all-out attack on Russia because the worst they can do is "muss our hair"; Slim Pickens' Major Kong, who, upon inspection of a survival kit (complete with nylons and a miniature Bible/Russian phrase book), declares that "a guy could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all this stuff"; and, of course, Peter Sellers' brilliant triple role as the befuddled U.S. president (who declares, "no fighting in the War Room!"), the properly British but quite persistent Captain Mandrake, and the self-asphyxiating ex-Nazi Dr. Strangelove. The film is also a feast for the eyes; Ken Adam's "war room" set is absolutely smashing (in fact, Ronald Reagan, upon touring the real War Room in the Pentagon, complained that it didn't look nearly as impressive as it did in this film), and the footage of the "battle" for General Ripper's air base is amazingly realistic. The interior set of Major Kong's B-52 was painstakingly constructed from pictures of a real B-52 (as you'd expect, the Defense Department refused to cooperate in the making of this film), and is absolutely convincing. Kubrick's direction is flawless, and manages to combine his well-known knack for ice-cold intellect with warm and very human performances. In all, "Dr. Strangelove" is a treasure, and belongs in any collector's cabinet.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest movie ever made....
Review: This is hands down the greatest movie ever made. Nothing but black humor and the threat of nuclear holocaust. I loved it! Fabulous direction by Kubric and excellent acting by both Peter Sellers and George C. Scott. A must-see for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Stop worrying and love this movie
Review: Could a sane man initiate global mass-destruction? Can any political system that would destroy all life on earth as it valediction claim the moral high ground, now that we've entered a murder-suicide pact so absolute it even involves all future generations of life on earth? Liberalism, conservatism, capitalism, communism- they all become moot in the face of extinction. So we have "Dr. Strangelove," the movie that dares point out how our drive to destroy ourselves just might be some sort of twisted outgrowth of our libido. Hardly a moment goes by in this film without sexual text or context. Even the two bombs in the B-52 (named by its crew, "Leper Colony") are scribbled with what were then considered come-on lines. Deranged Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) has sent his air wing into the Soviet Union because he felt a "loss of essence" during the "physical act of love," and is certain this is caused by flouridated water. Peter Sellars plays three roles, wimpy President Muffley, RAF Group Captain Lionel Mandrake and the title character, the bizarre, wheelchair-bound not-so-former Nazi advisor to the President. The awesome George C. Scott turns in a marvelous performance as Gen. Buck Turgidson, who has difficulty hiding his enthusiasm for Ripper's plan. But the revelation here is Hayden (veteran of many a manly role), playing a character so concerned with losing his virility, he sets the world on course for an explosive and very final climax. Hayden's performance is a masterpiece of subtle derangement- no drooling or chewing the scenary. Watch for Sellar's reaction when he realizes Hayden's burly, muscular symbol of American power, in his medal-bejeweled Air Force uniform, is completely, irretrievably round the bend. It's a moment of pure, comic horror. Sellars' characterization of Dr. Strangelove is the epitome of the post-nuclear man as monster. He's completely comfortable, almost gleeful, when talking about mass-murder as an abstraction and a political expediency. Beautifully filmed in black and white (which gives it a certain Cold War veracity) and featuring some impressive sets and effective, documentary-style combat footage, "Dr. Strangelove" is one of Stanley Kubrick's finest films, uncompromising as it condemns hubris and macho posturing on all sides. And it does it with a weapon hopefully more effective in the long run than A-bombs and H-bombs. Humor. Watch for Slim Pickens as twangy-voiced Maj. "King" Kong: his final scene has become iconic, and will remain in your mind for days. This movie also features James Earl Jones' movie debut, and yes, even then he had that impressive voice.
Rating:
Summary: Atomic War Made Funny.
Review: This movie is scary and funny, a hard combination. A general goes crazy and decides to launch a nuclear war against the Soviet Union with the bombers under his commmand. The Soviets, however, have a new weapon, a doomsday machine. If any nuclear bombs are exploded over Russia, a machine will release lethal radition into the air killing all life on earth for 99 years. What can be funny about this? Nothing really, if it were true. The writer actually takes carefully steps to show how it could be true, that is, how it could happen. The military says no, it is not possible. I hope not. Since, however, the movie is not true, it is very funny because of some incredible performances of the actors here. Of them all, George C. Scott (of Patton fame) was the best. He is bizarre, offbeat, with great timing. I guess, he was so good, because we believe him in this role. This movie also has Peter Sellers in three roles. This is the only movie with Peter Sellers in it that I liked. He does a great job in all three of his roles. Most of all, this movie will should appeal to those of you who have a sacastic streak or a sense of irony. You need to watch close to see all of the special touches added to this film. Soliders fighing in front of a sign that says "Peace is our profession." Or the president yelling to his general, struggling with a Russian diplomat that "fighting isn't aloud in the war room." This movie moves quick and is fun and enjoyable. Surprising, it can also make you think. Don't let that put you off though, you don't think much to still enjoy this film. :) It is very good. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
Review: I have no idea why people say this is the funniest movie ever made. I don't get it, and I love comedies. I have seen it four times and I still do not get it. Maybe it is because I don't get Kubrick movies. I have seen several of them and don't get any of them. If you want to see a funny movie see Blazing Saddles. My suggestion: Rent the movie first and see if you like it.
Rating:
Summary: :)
Review: Watch Peter Sellers Play three roles beautifully Even impressed Kub'
|
