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Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Dr. Stangelove

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring:

Peter Sellers: Dr. Strangelove, The President, and Mandrake
George C. Scott: Gen. 'Buck' Turgidson
Sterling Hayden: Gen. Jack D. Ripper
Slim Pickens: Maj. T.J. 'King' Kong

I was looking for a movie to watch tonight, but could not choose one. Then I came across Dr. Strangelove. I have been meaning to give this movie a second look and found nobody to watch it with me. For some reason when black and white films are involved they just can't get interested. The problem with that kind of thinking is the fact that they miss many great movies.

I am not a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick. For the most part I just never got into his movies. I found Full Metal Jacket really good for the first half, but the second half is a bust. I found 2001 a little boring. His later work like Eyes Wide Shut did not make much sense to me. Then there is Dr. Strangelove: Or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
A movie that I think is Kubrick's best work. The humor throughout the movie is just great with such a serious subject. The movie came out in 1964 so I can only imagine the tension during Cold War. This movie also came out about the same time as Fail Safe. Fail Safe was the drama and Strangelove the comedy of the two, but both deal with a nuclear bomber that can't return.

What makes this movie so great is the preformances of Peter Sellers and George C. Scott. Sellers plays different parts. Captain Mandrack, the President, and Dr. Strangelove. Scott plays a general in the joint Chiefs who sees an different plan once this madness starts. There are some great lines throughout the movie.

Mr. President: "You can't fight in here! This is a war room!"

General Jack D. Ripper: "I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids."

General "Buck" Turgidson: Hello.. (whispering)look, I told you never to call me here, don't you know where I am?!?... Well look, baby, I c-, I *can't* talk to you now.. my president needs me!.. Of *course* Bucky'd rather be there with you!.. Of *course* it isn't only physical!.. I deeply respect you as a human being.. Some day I'm gonna make you *Mrs* Buck Turgidson!.. Ah, listen uh, you just go back to sleep hon, and Bucky'll be back there just as soon as he can.. Alright,.. listen, don't forget to say your prayers!! "


These are just a few. Overall this movie is just a comic masterpiece and every viewing allows you to get something new out of it. If you have yet to see this film then go out and rent or buy it today. After seeing 1941, I know now that Spielberg got many of his ideas from this movie. How Peter Sellers did not win the oscar is beyond me. Rex Harrison won the award for My Fair Lady, but really come on Sellers played three great parts.

Dr. Strangelove Score: 93

Don't forget if you have a review that you would liked published I will post it.

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