Atomic Cinema: featured director Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick

Deservedly considered among the ten greatest directors, though, like Welles, he dominated thinking about contemporary film for decades while producing little work. The influence of Kubrick and Hitchcock combined is about 90% responsible for everything good in subsequent big budget film-making. First and foremost a photographer, Kubrick's films have a unique look: strikingly colored sets with high walls (and ceilings) shot with wide-angle lenses from low perspectives, creating a look that was both expansive and claustrophobic. Like Vermeer his dazzling genius was singular, so he can be imitated but not incorporated. In that sense his influence will be shallow. Aside from the general defense of individuality that most artists manifest, it's hard to generalize about his films' content. About the only director who could rely on zooms without appearing ridiculous.

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