It’s perhaps once in a generation when a director comes along that creates the kind of evocative work that has people constantly wondering what they’ll do next. From the ’60s onward, Stanley Kubrick became known as that kind of artist, crafting films that would stand the test of time and continue to enthrall audiences for decades after.
2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey is so boundary-pushing that it’s spawned a conspiracy theory that lives on to this day. Even with the technical limits of 1960s cinema, 2001 contains imagery so convincingly space-like that many suspect that Kubrick himself filmed a fake moon landing to help the U.S. government fool the world. Regardless of the veracity of these claims, they speak to the legacy left by this film, which has a lot to say about people’s relationship with A.I. – yes, in 1968. This film was ahead of its time in so many ways, and it’s still a stunning watch, that for many, stands as the magnum opus from the master.
2001: A Space Oddysey is streaming now on Prime Video and Max.
The Shining
But how do you nominate one film as magnum opus with a man like Kubrick, who has films standing at the top of each genre they span? The Shining is perhaps the greatest horror movie of all time, due in no small part to the stellar performance of Jack Nicholson. It’s also based on a horror novella from Stephen King. In other words, this film is the perfect storm of creative powerhouses firing on all cylinders to create an instant classic. And let’s be honest, we could write a 20-page essay analyzing what the film is truly about – who doesn’t love a film that makes you think? Whether you’ve seen it before or your next watch will be your first one, with spooky season steadily approaching, now is the time to drink some redrum.
The Shining is streaming now on Paramount+.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is in contention for the title of greatest war film of all time. Sure, it has some stiff competition, but few film enthusiasts will deny that this one is high on the list. With a realistic portrayal of the dehumanizing effects of war, and a surprising dose of comedy that spawned oft-repeated quotes like “Me love you long time,” Full Metal Jacket is Kubrick at the top of his game.
Full Metal Jacket is streaming now on Paramount+.
Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut has always been controversial. People who went in expecting a sexy thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise and nothing else were disappointed. This film is that, no doubt. But it’s also a scathing exposé of secret societies and the elite. Eyes Wide Shut is weird, long, confusing, and often feels a bit self-indulgent. No, that’s not a great sell, but this is a film worth watching if only to decode all of its secrets like a Dan Brown novel.
Eyes Wide Shut is streaming now on Paramount+.