Product: A Clockwork Orange (1972)
Rating: 5.0
An incredible film from the world's greatest filmmaker
What can be said about this film that hasn't already been said? Nearly three decades after its release, "A Clockwork Orange" remains controversial, and consequently, brilliant. The film is brilliant in the respect that it broke new ground in the art of graphic filmmaking as a forum for social commentary. Like "Midnight Cowboy" two years prior and Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" five years later, Kubrick's film depicts life in a raw, gritty light that defies all pre-conceived notions of life. The film was purely science fiction in 1971, but today is has become almost fully realized. What? Young punks who terrorize the weak and abuse the innocent? Theft, rape, murder? And as punishment, a chance for rehabilitation? Ye gods! But such our society has become. Anthony Burgess was able to foresee it, and apparently so was Kubrick. His masterful use of the Steadi-cam, lighting, music, and an incredible performance by Malcolm McDowell make this film an absolute tour-de-force. The film is witty, clever, frightening, sickening, and humorous. This can't be said about many other films. Kubrick was a genius, committed to his art like no other, with the possible exception of De Niro. He was well-known for routinely taking up to a year to make his films; heck, he spent 16 months filming "Eyes Wide Shut." But he was an artist and a visionary, and he had something to say. It's much more than I can say for the Tony Scotts and Michael Bays of today. Believe the hype. See "A Clockwork Orange," and then see it again. In fact, do yourself a favor and see all of this genius' films. By the way, "Eyes Wide Shut" is now playing at a theater near you. Long live Stanley Kubrick.