Average Rating: 
Rating: - The premier film classic of the Cold War
DR. STRANGELOVE is many things to many people. It is one of the most brilliant dark comedies every made. It is one of the most powerful protests against military insanity ever created. It is Peter Sellers greatest film, and Stanley Kubrick's greatest film. And, to one disgruntled soul who left the theater screaming in disgust at how "it makes a mockery of our country's military!" it is a denunciation of the American "strength through power" mindset. It is also the most deadpan film ever made. I know of few films that contain so many utterly perfect moments as this one. Kubrick's brilliance is the way he takes these potentially disparate moments and blends them into a magnificent, coherent whole. Anyone who has seen STRANGELOVE will have his or her own set of best moments. Mine includes: George C. Scott's obsessive gum chewing; Peter Sellers as the president shouting, "You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"; General Jack Ripper's disquisition on bodily fluids; Kennan Wynn's Col. "Bat" Guano warning Capt. Mandrake that he will have to answer to the Coca Cola company; everything that Slim Pickens says throughout the film; "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"; President Muffley's long phone conversation with Dmitri, the Soviet premier; and, last, but not least, Dr. Strangelove himself (who resembles nothing so much as FDR if he had been an insane ex-Nazi). In 1964, when this film was made, the idea of nuclear war was horrific to everyone. Bomb shelters were being sold everywhere, and one of the hot exhibitions at any State Fair would be the one displaying the shelter models out that year. Numerous movies were made trying to drive home the seriousness of the threat. But Kubrick, instead, made a comedy about it, partly, unquestionably, to point up the absurdity of the entire situation. But perhaps also to give us some perspectives on ourselves, on our tendency to demonize "the other," on our silly assumptions, and perhaps as a way of deflating some of the tension of the situation by helping us all to laugh at ourselves. There have been many "topical" films made over the decades, but perhaps none has managed to so completely transcend its particular period of time as to become a masterpiece for any and all times.
Rating: - My third review for this wonderful movie
Dr. Strangelove gets humor out of everything possible. The opening credits (An in-flight refueling of a B-52 and KC-135), is the parody of a porno flick, right down to the use of the theme "Try a little tenderness". The names of the targets assigned to the B-52 crew include Laputa (The fictional kingdom in Gulliver's Travels, though I haven't read the book) and Coatloss (Self-explanatory). The battle for Burpelson Air Force Base is waged in front of a sign with the SAC motto "Peace is our Profession" on it. Also, funny are General "Buck" Turgidson's lines ("I think we should hold off judgment until the facts are in", "It's not fair to condemn a whole program because of a single slip-up!", "General Ripper has already invalidated that policy!", "It appears that General Ripper has exceeded his authority" "Gee I wish we had one of them Doomsday machines!"). Then of course, there are some memorable scenes that must not be forgotten. The phone call between wimpy President Merkin Muffely and Soviet Premier Kissoff ("A man of the people, but also a man..."), General Ripper's obsession with purity of essence and our natural fluids, Colonel Bat Guano's obsession with deviated preverts, the survival-kit contents check (Which includes chewing gum, lipsticks, nylon-stockings and a miniature Russian phrase book/bible), Major Kong's riding of the Hydrogen Bomb to oblivion and Dr. Strangelove describing the 10 females for every male ratio in the underground mineshafts, the Doctor exclaiming "There'd be much time and little to do". Then the Doomsday machine goes off to the happy themes of Vera Lynn's "We'll meet again". Okay, so I just gave away half the plot. But I have watched this film 100 million times and I still like it. You will too.
Rating: - Pushing Buttons... Or How To Prepare For Doomsday
Director Stanley Kubrick's dark satire about nuclear war between the United States and Russia. Made in 1964, at a time when the cold war was at its peak, DR. STRANGELOVE remains one of my favorite films, made by the visionary filmmaker. Convinced that the Russians launched an attack on our country's resources, General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) orders a nuclear strike. His aide, Captain Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers in the first of three roles in the film), is sure this is a mistake and tries to recall the proper code to abort the mission. At the same time, President Merkin Muffley (Sellers) tries to contact his russian counterpart, so that he offer apologies for the error. Enter Dr. Strangelove (Sellers), an advisor to the President, warns that the enemy has a doomsday machine that means the end of all mankind. Sellers is very funny in all three of his roles. Kubrick and his unique way of movie making only enhance the story and performances The film may not be everyone's cup of tea, as far as comedies are concerned...but I think it's a winner on all counts.The special edition is a vastly improved DVD over the movie only version. The documentary on Kubrick and his lesser known works highlight the extras. There's another featurette focusing on the making of Strangelove. The "split screen" interviews with Sellers and actor George C. Scott are rather funny in the way they that they were conducted. The rest of the extras include an advertising gallery, talent profiles, production notes, and theatrical trailers If you like dark comedies (even if they are about the end of the world) then this is worth it. If you like films by Kubrick, you probably already own this disc, and know just how good it is...
|
