A Kubrick Classic

Stanley Kubrick did the movie The Shining in the early 80's, and at the time, I did not like the movie. The reason I didn't like the movie was because I had read the book, and many things were different, examples of this being the ending and the maze instead of the animal shaped shrubbery. With the release of Stephen King's The Shining, I actually liked that version compared to Stanley Kubrick's version. As time as passed though, I have rewatched the Stanley Kubrick version and have taken more of an appreciation to what he did with that film, especially with what he did with the camera work. I don't like it better than the Stephen King version (actually I like it about the same), I just think it's different. Same thing happened for me with A Clockwork Orange. When I initially saw the film, I hated it. I thought it was weird and I just wanted the movie to get over with. I've also rewatched this movie several times since then, and I have a different take on the movie than when I was younger.

Set in the future sometime from the 70's (when the film was made), A Clockwork Orange is about a guy named Alex (played by Malcolm McDowell) who, along with his gang of "droogs", goes around committing acts of violence with no care for anyone else and no remorse for his actions. Among these acts of "ultra-violence" (a term I've never heard before or since) are beating up on old drunks and raping women. Alex eventually gets caught when he attacks a woman who has called the police while he is breaking into her home. Upon realizing that the police are coming, Alex hurries outside only to have his cronies turn on him, by smashing a milk bottle over his head and leaving him helpless. This movie then takes a turn, as Alex is charged with murder (even though he didn't realize that the woman had died). He then claims he doesn't know right from wrong and agrees to take controversial experimental treatment to change his ways. Unable to do evil things anymore, Alex is let back into the world a free man. Things then get really tough for him, as bad things begin to happen to him.

A Clockwork Orange is a strange movie, but I really like the way that Stanley Kubrick has used a lot of irony. The viewer doesn't know who to cheer for really because even though Alex is so evil, Kubrick actually makes him look like a victim later in the film. So you don't know if Alex is actually a hero, victim, or villain. The ending kind of leaves you going "What the...?", but it's also kind of a fitting ending for the type of film that it is. It's truly an imaginative and original story that can make for interesting conversation (I've talked with other who like the irony of the violence and reform, and others who just simply hate the movie).

I think this movie is a classic and should be viewed by pretty much everyone at least once (young viewers not included, it was initially rated X when it first came out for the rape scenes). But since many people I know actually hate this movie (not nearly as many who love it though), I recommend renting it first before you decide to own it.

Special Edition: Becoming Acts We Don't Wish to See

I guarantee one thing about this horror film by Stanley Kubrick: once you see & hear it, Beethoven's 5th symphony will never again sound the same. Saying that's my way of not spoiling the film.


Malcolm McDowell becoming evil incarnate as Stanley Kubrick directs the camera right into his eyes. He's living sometime in the future that's uncertain. Kubrick becomes a master of the macabre by depictions brutal rapes & murders nearly in a comical way by making use of a very upbeat pop & classical musical score in the background while these horrific events are ongoing. Clearly this is one of Kubrick's major masterpieces.

The film's based upon a nerve-rattling novel about a Jeffrey Dahmer type of child, Alex, who grows up to hate authority figures. As an adult, Alex (McDowell) & his "droogs" indulge in "a little bit of the old ultraviolence," acts that cast them as psychopaths. Kubrick jumps to Alex being caught & forced to undergo treatment that will render him incapable of violence.

The purpose of "A Clockwork Orange" is to BE psychopathic, not just depict it through mentally twisted characters. Like a psychopath's mind right and wrong become as confused as villainy & heroism. Crime is indistinguishable from punishment. Cause & effect are conflated so that there is no difference. The concepts twist because psychopathology twists them. Psychopathic life becomes psychopathic art.

This it the Kubrick film that teeters on the very edge of going too close to the reality of the mental lack of being in touch with it. This film's ability of horrify & simultaneously entertain is what's most shocking. Audiences become disturbed because of being entertained by morbidity. This film has such a dramatic impact upon society when it was released in the 1970's that viewers in the UK were acting out what Alex & his droogs had done. This social reaction to the film caused Kubrick to withdraw the film. It wasn't re-leased until after Kubrick died.

"A Clockwork Orange" has consistently remained among the 150 greatest films of all time. Why, is the single best question for every viewer to ask ourselves~

Classic!

"A Clockwork Orange" (directed by Stanley Kubrick, original novel by Anthony Burgess) is the story of Alexander DeLarge, an English boy who loves ultra-violence, rape, and classical music, particularly "the old Ludwig Van," as he calls him, and "his glorious 9th." He was eventually caught for his crime of passion and the government tried to reform him using a highly experimental cure, known as the Ludovico technique, which, while detrimental to his well being, Alex enthusiastically went along with just to get out of prison. They were successful but, even though his desire to commit acts of ultra-violence and rape were long gone, something goes terribly wrong with his psyche (which I will not reveal here because where's the fun in that?) and becomes considered a victim of the government.

I think the moral of this story is that humans should not play God. This moral also explains the film's obscure, yet poetic and metaphorical title, taking something natural, the orange in this case, and making it do something unnatural or outside it's purpose, hence "clockwork." Alex plays this poor little orange.

I absolutely love everything about this movie. The plot, the plot's progression, the visuals. Mr. Kubrick obviously has a natural talent for holding someone's attention for two hours. I was on the edge of my seat the entire movie. This movie only furthers Kubrick's reputation as a master filmmaker. First Dr. Strangelove, then 2001: A Space Odyssey, then this?!?! Damn, Mr. Kubrick, you're on a roll! What's next? Barry Lyndon? The Shining? Oh wait, I already saw those! Great movies!

The icing on the cake is the soundtrack, conceived by Wendy Carlos (then known as Walter Carlos), whom some of you may already know as the genius behind the classic album "Switched-On Bach." The soundtrack includes classical music, electronic synthesizer music, and the popular show tune "Singin' in the Rain." Pretty obscure mix, eh? My advice: If you're gonna buy the movie, buy the soundtrack while you're at it. You won't regret it!

This is, in my opinion, Stanley Kubrick's magnum opus, and possibly my favorite movie of all time now. I only saw it for the first time a few weeks ago from the iTunes store and even a week later, I still felt the bittersweet aftertaste of the movie. I decided immediately I had to have it on DVD because I knew this was something I wanted to experience over and over again. Great buy!

Kubrik's Masterpiece!

I am sure a lot of people would argue with the title of my review but this is an opinion and different strokes for different folks! I love, absolutely adore other Kubrik films - Dr Strangelove, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Lolita to name a few - my favorite has to be Clockwork Orange. It is actually my favorite movie period.

Based on Anthony Burgess's brilliant novel, Clockwork is set in the not-so-distant future (actually looks like Britain in the 60's) where ultraviolence is the rage. Gangs roam the streets, breaking into people's homes, vandalising, raping women. You name it they do it. One night the Alex, leader of one gang, gets left behind after a night of fun. The police arrest him and he is chosen to undergo a new type of therapy that will reprogram Alex to become physically sick at the thought of inflicting violence on anyone - even in self-defence. Poor little Alex get sent out into his ultraviolent world without his own ultraviolent armor.

Malcolm McDowell is brilliant as Alex - he is psychotically charming. The dialogue is just like the book and should have its own dictionary. And you will never - ever listen to Beethoven the same way again.

This is the type of movie that will make you sick to your stomach. That is what is supposed to do! The violence is not supposed to be entertaining, the "therapy" is not a cure or even a good thing - although it may be good revenge. Not for everyone, I should say - not for most. This is a very violent and graphic movie, it was first released with an X rating or what now would be considered an NC-17 rating.

A classic!

It's one of those rare cinematic gems that you'll absolutely need to see at least once in your life.

The movie is based on a book by Anthony Burgess. It follows the life of Alex - a young man who indulges in sex, violence and drugs. He's got his own posse - his 'droogs' as he calls it, and the film recounts their spree of 'ultraviolence' in the neighborhood.

This movie is not for the faint of heart as the first part of the film can be very disturbing. Though some might find the urge to stand up, leave, and stop watching - I urge you to finish the whole movie as it certainly gets better at the end. Not that the beginning wasn't at all good, but it's the kind of movie that you'll only be able to appreciate as a whole - and not just parts of it.

After watching this movie, never again will you be able to perceive Ludwig Van Beethoven and Singing in the Rain the same way. Towards the end, you'll also expect to find a smirk on your face - or you may even laugh out loud (like me!), not at all something that you'd expect from a film with such a dark beginning.

It's sheer brilliance and definitely one of a kind - a classic film that you couldn't afford to miss!