Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick July 26 1928 March 7 1999 was an American film director writer producer and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects his slow method of working the variety of genres he worked in his technical perfectionism and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life He maintained almost complete artistic control making movies according to his own whims and time constraints but with the rare advantage of bigstudio financial support for all his endeavors Kubricks films are characterized by a formal visual style and meticulous attention to detailhis later films often have elements of surrealism and expressionism that eschews structured linear narrative His films are repeatedly described as slow and methodical and are often perceived as a reflection of his obsessive and perfectionist nature A recurring theme in his films is mans inhumanity to man While often viewed as expressing an ironic pessimism a few critics feel his films contain a cautious optimism when viewed more carefully The film that first brought him attention to many critics was Paths of Glory 1957 the first of three films of his about the dehumanizing effects of war Many of his films at first got a lukewarm reception only to be years later acclaimed as masterpieces that had a seminal influence on many later generations of filmmakers Considered especially groundbreaking was 2001 A Space Odyssey 1968 noted for being both one of the most scientifically realistic and visually innovative sciencefiction films ever made while maintaining an enigmatic nonlinear storyline He voluntarily withdrew his film A Clockwork Orange 1971 from England after it was accused of inspiring copycat crimes which in turn resulted in threats against Kubricks family His films were largely successful at the boxoffice although Barry Lyndon 1975 performed poorly in the United States Living authors Anthony Burgess and Stephen King were both unhappy with Kubricks adaptations of their novels A Clockwork Orange and The Shining 1980 respectively and both authors were engaged with subsequent adaptations All of Kubricks films from the mid1950s to his death except for The Shining were nominated for Oscars Golden Globes or BAFTAs Although he was nominated for an Academy Award as a screenwriter and director on several occasions his only personal win was for the special effects in 2001 A Space Odyssey Even though all of his films apart from the first two were adapted from novels or short stories his works have been described by Jason Ankeny and others as original and visionary Although some critics notably Andrew Sarris and Pauline Kael frequently disparaged Kubricks work Ankeny describes Kubrick as one of the most universally acclaimed and influential directors of the postwar era with a standing unique among the filmmakers of his day