Stanley Kubrick: Review of Lolita

In Kubrick’s 1962 film version of Nabakov’s book, Humbert Humbert (is that name not just the essence of droll and stiff?) comes under the attracting power of the 14-year old daughter of the woman Humbert is boarding with. Kubrick was always the student of the intricacies of sex and love and here, he explores just how submission to this power can evolve into jealousy, obsession and an absolute trainwreck of life when the love is indeed consummated.... Read more

Kubrick and Spartacus: Human Dignity Is Elevated Consciousness

In this film based loosely on the Third Servile War, Kubrick examines man’s inhumanity toward man, the particularly abhorrent form of violence, the “human disease of slavery.” Violence, Humanity and Dignity Here we see the debasement in its many forms of horror: whips and chains and beatings, the slave’s utter humiliation and destruction of dignity by being inspected and purchased. This is a world where each slave woman is traded among... Read more

Kubrick: Review of Paths of Glory

Kubrick’s story about the court-martial of three French soldiers is not an anti-war film. It does not debunk war itself but some of the forces that keep us enmeshed in war. Violence and war are major themes for Kubrick, and here he makes the connection between war and reputation and honor, that the military hostilities – as opposed to the personal type found in “A Clockwork Orange” - often have less to do with any honest, serious grievance... Read more

The Christian Droog: Review of A Clockwork Orange

Up until his imprisonment, Alex has led a life of violence, rape and plunder. But when the Minister of the Interior presents Alex to the crowd following his treatment to cure him, he proclaims that the reformed Droog will be “the true Christian”, who will get “sick to the very heart at the thought of even killing a fly.” This statement concerning the central scoundrel in Kubrick’s dystopia is highly reminiscent of John Loftus’ words in... Read more