One of the greatest movies ever made. Beautiful Cinematography

Rating: 10/10 (7 September 2007)

Barry Lyndon is at once the most under-appreciated Kubrick movie, and possibly Kubrick's greatest crowning achievement. The reason it is under-appreciated actually stem from its pacing probably more than the fact that it's derided as a period piece (because if you see the movie, full of sex, gambling, war, awesome duels (and some of the best duel scenes/suspense scenes Kubrick's ever shot)......The pace of this movie is it's only flaw, but the pace actually is something that helps bring the viewer into the movie upon further viewings.....it is probably the only movie that really feels more like a book, as Kubrick spares no time expense in developing these characters, and after each viewing the viewer will sense the effect of Kubrick at his peak.
This is not a movie to watch when you want to see a "Shining" or "Full Metal Jacket" type of action.....Barry Lyndon is a very detailed period story featuring all the peaks and setting pace of a book. This is a perfect movie to have an intermission with, to help you regroup and be engrossed in the story. THe dramatic highs (Jonathan Quinn duel, War, Gambling, Fight, and later duels) feature some of the finest work (Acting, camera work, directing) ever put on film. This movie took me 2 viewings or so to get, and I've seen it maybe 5-6 times now, and I can tell you, Barry Lyndon quickly moved up to the top of my movie list. It's a must see (at least twice). The acting is phenomenal, the movie is a labor of love, the cinematography is beautiful, the sets/lighting is amazing. It's hard to believe this movie is 30+ yrs old and is virtually unknown except to the Kubrick faithful. This is a MUST SEE!
Overall, I'd rank Kubrick Movies as follows (I've yet to see Spartacus and a couple early ones and I'm not counting A.I.).
1) Barry Lyndon: 10/10 2) Paths of Glory: 10/10 (pretty much a tie with #1) 3) Shining 10/10: I love this one, even if it's a bit more derided 4) Full Metal Jacket 10/10. NOT a feel good movie, but a great one nonetheless 5) Eyes Wide Shut: 9/10. Creepy and underrated. Acting was GREAT! 6) Lolita: 9/10....I like this more and more each time, it's moved up. 7) A Clockwork Orange: 8/10. Disturbing, well acted, a bit too over the top and the rape scenes are a bit too much (and it's a bit long). 8) 2001: A Space Odyssey. 8/10. I saw this in a theater 2 years ago and loved it, but it's pace makes it tough to watch at home, so I marked it down a bit. 9) The Killing: 8/10. Very Good and pretty much forgotten but worth seeing. 10) Dr. Strangelove. The only Kubrick movie to date I've watched multiple times and not really understood the hype. It's reasonably funny, but has nothing on Lolita or Clockwork for humour. 6/10.