Basic Instructions by Scott Meyer for December 16, 2013

If it can’t entertain you – it ain’t for you.Some people are sheep. And some are lyin’. . ..

I’m a major fan of Kubrick.Huge.But this is a reasonable commentary.

Scott is spot on: “Eyes wide shut” is one of the worst films ever made – how do you make sex that dull? As for Cruise and Kidman – no charisma, no onscreen chemistry, terrible acting. Show the film this Xmas – we all need more turkey.

Dr. Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket were fast paced and involving. The Shining was slow but gripping, and too chilling for me to call it boring. Barry Lyndon on the other hand…

Watch out for the ax.

I saw a trailer for Eyes Wide Shut and knew immediately that Kidman and Cruise were going to get a divorce. To have your spouse direct that much vitriol toward you— it doesn’t matter that they were “acting”— it has to cut deep.

I agree that the original Star Trek movie was heavily influenced by 2001, stylistically and pacing-wise at least.

nothing slow about “dr. strangelove.”

I hated “2001,” but maybe I was just too young for that patience. “Barry Lyndon” was not as slow as I was led to believe, and I found the slowness good for tension. My personal favorite of Kubrick: a tie between “Spartacus” and “The Shining.”

Kubrick took a Steven King (hack) novel and make into a great movie. Did not bother to watch Eyes Wide Shut.