Kubrick Films

2. Full Metal Jacket (1987)  A small group of Marines are followed from boot camp to the battle of Hue in 1968. Probably the most intense and best film about Marine Corps Boot camp ever (thanks to real life DI Lee Emery). Unfortunately that's only half the movie. The other half is a generic Vietnam war film with a few good battle scenes. Further, the characters are so underdeveloped their deaths had little impact. They're just Marines with nicknames. And filming the Vietnam scenes in England doesn't help.

Summary: Half a great movie. The first half= 4 stars, second half = 2 stars, combined = Rating ***

3. Paths of Glory (1957)  Produced and starring Kirk Douglas. Based on Irwin Cobb's novel and Sydney Howard's 1936 Broadway play, its a dark anti-war film set in WWI France. When an attack fails, a French General arbitrarily orders 3 men shot for cowardice. Well-directed with some excellent battle scenes, (the attack on the "ant-hill" and the trench tracking have become famous). Although talky, the film is a fast 89 minutes. The acting is mostly good. Douglas, Menjou, Macready and Meeker all perform well despite the American accents. Flaws: Script and characters. Subtle it ain't. The anti-war message is hammered hard with the Generals portrayed as melodramatic Victorian villains, so cynical and heartless one expects them to twirl their mustaches. Plus the execution scene goes on far too long and condemned soldiers are far too dramatic. One is a blubbering coward, another an overly bitter priest-baiting cynic - rather odd behavior for battle-hardened Poilus.

Summary: An above-average war movie with some excellent action scenes. But like many Kubrick films absurdly overpraised. "Paths of Glory" is melodramatic and superficial when compared to more adult war films such as "Wooden Crosses" or "Fire on the Plains." Rating **1/2

249. Dr. Strangelove (1964) Kubrick's Cold War Satire. A crazed US General (Hayden) launches an unauthorized nuclear strike against the Soviets. Sellers plays three roles (British officer, President, and Dr. Strangelove) perfectly while George C. Scott, Slim Pickens, and Keenan Wynn are enjoyably over-the-top. A great film, primarily due to Sellers, the great supporting cast, and a very funny Terry Southern script. Probably Kubrick's masterpiece. Rating ***1/2