Rating: Summary: A Classic Review: An irony here is that if Peter Sellers died from the massive heart attack that he recieved in April 1964, this would have been his penultimate film. 'Being There' (1979) turned out to be his penultimate film and in both instances here, Sellers was nominated for an Oscar which he failed to get. That aside, Sellers is at his best here and the use of black and dry comedy gives us an occasional glimpse as to what Sellers would have been like as a serious actor in the Guinness mould. The scene where Group Captain Mandrake finds that his American counterpart is a madman for example. The film itself is excellent, picking away at the difference between evil paranoia and justified concern, concerning communism. The style of direction is pure Kubrick, the camera shots and acting style for example, particually in the War Room scenes. And if none of this attracts you, it is worth watching just to see Major Kong go through his check list on the plane he his flying to bomb Moscow. It had me in stiches.
Rating: Summary: A masterpiece...but what about the man who wrote it? Review: I've read most of the reviews for this movie on Amazon and have seen only one passing mention of Terry Southern, the brilliant and now sadly almost forgotten novelist/screenwriter who was practically solely responsible for the black humor in this movie wrongly attributed to Kubrick. Southern's screenplay was essentially a satirical revision of the rather conventional end-of-the-world novel "Red Alert" by Peter George (who shares the writing credits along with Kubrick and Southern.) As a matter of fact, when "Dr. Strangelove" first came out in 1962, it had been Southern who received all of the credit, resulting in angry full-page denunciations by Kubrick in, I believe, the New York Times, stating that Southern "had nothing to do with it." Of course, anyone who has read "The Magic Christian" or "Flash and Filigree" would realize this is absurd. Terry Southern also encountered this problem some years later when Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper made the same accusation against him regarding the screenplay of "Easy Rider", of which, once again, Southern was the sole author. While I acknowledge that Stanley Kubrick was a great director, he was also a megalomaniac known for taking all the credit for the greatness of his films, a slightly ridiculous stance, I believe, given the inherently collaborative nature of the medium. And because of this tendency, he helped to bury the reputation of one of the most talented writers of his generation. Writing and directing aside, the acting in this movie is impeccable. I am a huge fan of Peter Sellers, and it is perhaps with this movie that he definitively proved that, as a character actor and vocal impressionist, he has no equal in the history of recorded film.
Rating: Summary: H-Bomb=Hiliarious Review: I must say this is one of the best comedies I have ever seen, Peter Sellers and George C. Scott are superb in this movie. Peter Sellers does an amzing job playing three different characters. You will never be tired of this classic comedy on the Cold War. If you like other Stanley Kubrick movies, then you have a great chance of liking this comedy directed by him. Though I haven't seen many Peter Sellers movies yet, out of what I have seen this is his best. If you like Slim Pickens, Dr. Strangelove has him, he plays a funny Air Force major on a B-52. This movie will have you laughing so hard, your vibration will split the atom.
Rating: Summary: hey... what's with all the death? Review: this movie is in my top five of all time. fans of black comedy, or of political satire will surely agree that this is among the finest.
Rating: Summary: Funny in spots, boring in others Review: People, let's be reasonable. This film certainly has its funny moments, but to site it as "the best film ever made" or "perfect" is just silly. This film is neither. It's not even the funniest comedy ever made. Sure, I laughed at Peter Sellars' conversation with the Russian Premier. And yes, I laughed at General Ripper's ridiculous paranoia. But I found many of the scenes monotonous, especially those in the plane, which were both repetitive and not particularly funny. Dr. Strangelove was mildly amusing at best. I smiled watching him, but never erupted in laughter. Naturally, you're going to have plenty of dopey people that think this is the greatest movie ever just because some critic told them to think that. But if you haven't seen this before, don't believe the hype. Prepare to smile, maybe even chuckle, and that's about it.
Rating: Summary: The Greatest Movie Ever Made Review: I have seen "Dr. Strangelove" over 100 times which proves either I need to get a life or I have very good taste. I hope it's the latter.This is, quite simply, the most complete and the most brilliant film ever made. There is not one boring, poorly acted or superfluous scene in the entire movie. The performances are simply outstanding. Peter Sellers in his three roles is, as always, superlative. But George C. Scott, not generally noted for comedy, proves he is a comedic actor of the highest order. Slim Pickens gives an absolutely hilarious performance as Major Kong. Watch how he takes his cowboy hat out of the safe, and his accent when he delivers the classic line, "A fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!" Keenan Weenan delivers an absolutely dead-on performance as Bat Guano ("if that really is your name...") and Kubrick somehow managed to drag a riveting performance out of Sterling Hayden, not normally known as any great shakes in the acting department. This film is gorgeously directed, paced and is literally perfect. Watch particularly the lengthy scenes in the war room, with Sellers as President Muffley delivering his lines in a flat midwestern American accent to Dimitri, the fun-loving Russian premiere. If you have never seen "Dr. Strangelove," you're in for a cinematic experience you'll never forget. You can watch it dozens of times and still laugh, still appreciate the outstanding performances and marvel at this perfect motion picture.
Rating: Summary: Its not just the military! Review: I have read many of the reviews here, and most capture aspects of the military-industrial-political satire. But do recall, please, the scene when Sellars is at Ripper's base and needs to call the President. He needs change to make a 'trunk call.' "Shoot the bloody lock off!" Sellars yells in a frantic sequence. The army man, deadpanned, states "OK, but you'll have to answer to the Coca-Cola company." Priceless.
Rating: Summary: HERES AN EXTRA 14 STARS! Review: oh my gosh this movie is excellent. I wish I could give it more stars. I had seen it before when I was about six or seven but I didn't quite understand it then so I rented it again yesterday and this is possibly the best film I have ever seen. I think my parents thought I was crazy propped up in front of the TV at 1 in the morning laughing histerically. The general is what made me laugh the most. His facial expressions are genius, now that's great acting! And when he slaps his belly while talking on the phone, I laughed so hard. I love this because the situation is so incredibly rediculous and helarious. He's angry because we need our precious bodily fluids so he bombs russia, that's brilliant work right there. If you haven't seen this movie, don't bother renting it..just buy it right away.
Rating: Summary: worry about the bomb Review: man, this movie truly is the bomb. i saw it for the first time at a friend's the day after stanley kubrick passed away. i found it funny, but a little overwrought. then i watched it again alone, then watched it some more, and this is one of the best flicks around. it's got drama, the autocratic behavior of the government, man's obsession with machines and its consequences, sexual innuendo, and of course, crazy humor. sellers and everyone else rule, and stanley gave the film an eerie, ironic feel that stays with you. a must see.
Rating: Summary: Top Ten Great films of all time and a Great Black comedy Review: A superb visual work of art. Great Dialogue. Brilliant acting. Fantastic Story. A must See for anyone who seeks entertainment that transcends time and Genre.
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