Never saw any of Tarkovskys films, not in a rush to change that either. His fans come across as those smug pretentious wallies. I reckon I won't enjoy his stuff judging by the sorts it attracts.
Kubrick has always been really hit or miss with me. I don't get the insane fandom that surrounds him. I agree with others that his films are sterile...bland and cold. They're so rigid looking and set in their way, very meticulous. Many of his films feel like they need a good seeing to, from a competent editor. He's a great cinematographer, though, I'll give him that. From the films of his I've seen...
Dr. Strangelove did nothing for me at all. It wasn't funny or interesting. I haven't seen it in years, but I doubt a rewatch will change my opinion. Not my type of comedy. A nothing film.
Full Metal Jacket was quite mediocre, didn't care for it that much. Had some nice scenes, R. Lee Ermy did a fine job. But overall a bland forgettable experience.
2001 is the height of pretentiousness. Mind numbing drivel. Some nice shots, yeah for sure. But that doesn't make a great film.
A Clockwork Orange is fantastic, a great, nasty, nihilistic film. I'd say this was his best work.
The Shining is awesome, in my opinion, but I understand those who don't like it. I find the whole fandom around it absolutely hilarious though. You know what I'm talking about, the people who think Kubrick directed the moon landing and used The Shining to try expose it. Or that the film is about the Holocaust, The Native Americans or whatever other mumbo jumbo the Kubrickians come up with next. I mean, this is the Kubrick effect at work here to my eyes, the whole 'genius' fandom. They look so hard for something extra special. Kubrick could direct an apple falling from a tree and people would dissect it looking or some hidden symbolism, they'd be debating it for years. It's all a matter of the Emperors New Clothes in my opinion. There are even videos on youtube about 'something being hidden in the blood' (from the elevator). Lmao. Sorry boys, but no.
I can see why The Shining isn't liked by some. It's a poor adaption of the book. The fact Jack Nicholson plays Jack Nicholson and is clearly a nut from the get go. Some find Shelley Duvalls performance irritating...I actually thought she did well. The editing is either brilliant...or shocking, depending on your taste. MONDAY on a blank black screen. hhmmm...I'm still undecided. The fact the film was met with a meh-lukewarm reception back in it's day says it all. It's only now, years later that it is suddenly unanimously considered something special. I get all the critiques and the film has some flaws (like every film), but I still really enjoy it. So it gets a thumbs up from me. One of my favorite Horror films, no doubt.
