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In Reply to: Of course. Tin is simply trolling. (nt) posted by Victor Khomenko on February 03, 2004 at 12:47:17:
has met the criterion, i.e. giving a director's name ain't tellin' me quality and quantity.
You don't appreciate "Lolita," fine. James Mason and Peter Sellers give two of the best performances of their careers, Shelley Winters is over the top fantastic, Ms. Lyons is the hottest film nymph since Martha Vickers...Any man that has ever lusted after a much younger woman will see himself here....frighteningly so.
The list of great epics is a VERY short one because it's difficult to tell a larger than life story in an already oversized format and not have it appear pompous and grandiose.
Kirk Douglas, and who else of his generation had both the acting chops, physique, and intensity to pull that roll off, and Jean Simmons sizzle together on the screen.
A fascinating glimpse of a "sport" which consumed the attentions of Romans for over 500 years.
An epic which is also a scathing indictment of the culture and mores of Rome, as portrayed through the cynical actions of two perfectly cast actors, Peter Ustinov and Lawrence Olivier.
The gladiatorial contests, as well as the larger scale battles, are as exciting as any scenes ever filmed.
The subtext, of course, is that Kirk D showed in Paths of Glory how a courageous, independent man would fight the war machine of his day; in Spartacus, he shows what drives a man to risk all to become a rebel in opposition to an Empire.
The greatest of films, no. But each is GREAT w/in its category, i.e. satirical indictment of "modern" society; historical epic.
Follow Ups:
Let us not forget that Kubrick was not the first choice for director, and that he came aboard with a weekend's notice after two weeks of shooting* when producer Douglas fired Anthony Mann. Kubrick always maintained that this was the only film he directed where he did not have complete control. Even so, he performed a magnificent job, directing actors with much more hands on experience and celebrity than he himself had at that point.
*Kubrick was working on "One Eyed Jacks" with Brando when he got the call, which is why Brando ended up directing OEJ.
I have always felt that this is one of his best performances. With just a twitch of an eyebrow, he is able to suggest the enormous power of the patrician class.
Olivier had always somthing ambivalent in his presence. I always found this to be repulsive but fascinating.
A great actor.
Lolita are like all the others Kubrick films they have a certain " coldness ". Curiously this one has an actor that I do like, a Lolita that is really one, but the whole film never pleased me, It is too long ago now that I have seent it, and I would hard pressed to say why I did not like it then.
One of this day I will give it another try.
be sensitive to the genius of Peter Sellers...and the extraordinarily brave performance of Shelley Winters.
Seldom has an actress had the courage to make herself so despicable, and yet so vulnerable. It is this last trait that makes us hate ourselves for hating her.
With a Lolita, what man of a certain age would NOT be Humbert?
***With a Lolita, what man of a certain age would NOT be Humbert?Well, that is a rather silly statement. If you mean appreciation of female beauty, then we all should have it, but as far as losing ourselves... well, broom way too broad.
Sellers is a difficult case for me, as in his life, according too many witnesses, he was a real asshole, as for his genuis...Did I ever saw him in a role that I did like?
Not even Dr. Strangelove.
As for the " Lolita " in real live she behave like one, remembering the story of her filming with Richard Burton...
Well I had it once on LD, but I always wanted to look again but never did, I never found out why!
The principal idea in this film was quite good..But somehow torturous long in the details.
But that is all from memory....
At least his British officer was perfect!
I take it you do not enjoy his Inspector Clouseau?
He also played in some earlier British comedies, one of which I remember with Terry Thomas which was hilarious.
When he died of a heart attack, he was over-training to star in Dr. No (really).
I like quite the director of the " Pink " Black Edwards. But curiously never did ANY of this series. Victor/Victoria this I did really like, even if now I do find a little trim here and there would not do harm.
He was egomaniac, chase EVERY jupon ( skirt ) was a bad guy at other actors...Was mean to women.....
But he was NOT a brillant actor....
I saw him recently in a small episode with Shirley MacLaine it was playing the " friend of the family " at the burial of his friend, she was the widow...
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