In some ways, we’ve only gotten a small taste of what filmmaker Mark Romanek is capable of. In nearly 20 years, thanks to the fickle nature of the film industry, projects that have fallen apart and an unwillingness on his part to compromise the work, Romanek has only made two feature films, the psychological thriller, “One Hour Photo” (2002), the first film to cast the beloved comedian Robin Williams as a sociopath, and the melancholy sci-fi romance “Never Let Me Go,” from writer Alex Garland.

Continue reading The Movies That Changed My Life: ‘Tales From The Loop’ Filmmaker Mark Romanek at The Playlist.

Without a doubt, one of our most anticipated films of 2019 is James Gray’s upcoming sci-fi epic, “Ad Astra.” With stars like Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and Ruth Negga, how could it not be? And in a new interview, Gray gives us more information about the film, including his influences for making it, all of which makes us want this film that much more.

Continue reading James Gray Calls Upcoming Sci-Fi Epic ‘Ad Astra’ A “Giant Mash-Up” Of ‘Apocalypse Now’ & ‘2001’ at The Playlist.

Ever had that argument where you’ve discussed the greatest shot movie of all time or wondered who was the greatest cinematographer of all time? Well, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the elite professional organization comprised of cinematographers at the top of their field, have helped to weigh in on that everlasting conversation.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary today, to mark the occasion, the Society released their members’ list of 100 Milestone Films in the art and craft of cinematography of the 20th century.

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Almost fifty years ago to the day, a film was screened for invitation-only audiences in specially-equipped Cinerama theaters in select major cities throughout the States. It was a preview of Stanley Kubrick‘s latest endeavor: an adaptation of science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

The sheer head-scratching and dumbfounding impact the film has since had on audiences and critics alike was mostly due to its ending, the forward-motioning enigma of an astronaut’s encounter with another dimension, filled with visual effects of immense power.

Continue reading Stanley Kubrick Explains Enigmatic ‘2001’ Ending For The First Time In Never-Before-Seen Interview at The Playlist.

Christopher Nolan is known for his daring storytelling, stunning visuals, and fantastic use of sound. It’s no surprise that he’s a fan of Stanley Kubrick‘s seminal masterpiece “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Recently, Nolan performed what he refers to as an “un-restoration” process on the classic film, which he presented at Cannes to members of the Kubrick family and the main actor, Keir Dullea.

Continue reading Listen: Christopher Nolan Talks “Unrestoring” ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ In New Podcast at The Playlist.

When “Deadpool” opened in February 2016, the film shattered expectations and became a phenomenon unlike any “X-Men” film before it. The hard-R superhero film set records and made the Merc with a Mouth a household name. So, when the sequel hit theaters this weekend, many were wondering if the film could capture the same magic of the first one, or if the joke was already a bit played out.

Continue reading ‘Deadpool 2’ Gives Maximum Effort But Fails To Break Records With $125 Million Opening at The Playlist.

James Cameron is always good for a hot take. Whether it’s about the future of the film industry or an ill-conceived reaction to “Wonder Woman,” the “Avatar” filmmaker is never shy about giving his opinion on something. And in a new interview with the Toronto Star, Cameron drops some takes on Netflix and one of the most classic sci-fi films, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

READ MORE: Alfonso Cuarón Discusses The Influence Of Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ On His Film ‘Gravity’

First off, before you get all bent out of shape about reports that James Cameron doesn’t like ‘2001,’ that’s not 100% true.

Continue reading James Cameron Doesn’t Like “The Feel” of ‘2001’ And Doesn’t Really Care About Netflix at The Playlist.

Director Stanley Kubrick proved himself as a master at tapping into human nature. He showcased some of our worst fears with the horror classic “The Shining,” while depicting the monster within all of us with the futuristic satire “A Clockwork Orange.” But with the sci-fi epic “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Kubrick managed to focus on the past and future of mankind and despite ‘2001’ being way ahead of its time when it was first released, the film still has become a cultural touchstone and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Continue reading ‘2001: A Spacey Odyssey’ 50th Anniversary Trailer: This Stanley Kubrick Kid Seems Like A Winner at The Playlist.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” we are coming across interviews with filmmakers that hold that film in such high-regard. Obviously, when you’re talking about a film that is so beloved, from a director so legendary, the number of people in Hollywood that come out of the woodwork to revere it is immense. One such ‘2001’ fan is none other than “Gravity’s” Alfonso Cuarón.

Continue reading Alfonso Cuarón Discusses The Influence Of Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ On His Film ‘Gravity’ at The Playlist.

Stanley Kubrick’s classic film, “2001: A Space Odyssey” is turning 50 this year, and to celebrate, Cannes Classics is hosting a special screening of the film during the Festival, introduced by none other than Christopher Nolan.

If you just so happen to be in Cannes on May 12, you can watch the screening of the film, brought to you in unrestored 70mm glory.

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Film experiences are no more than a collection of sounds and colors that hit audiences with an emotional wall. It’s sentiments like these that bring simplicity to the otherwise enigmatic masterpiece in the Science Fiction canon, Stanley Kurbrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” A seductive visual landscape with razor thin story, Kubrick’s film has left an indelible impression on filmmakers and critics alike. “2001” remains the most prominent and celebrated science fiction film, reminding audiences the importance remains the idea behind the spectacle.

Continue reading David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese Praise Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ [Watch] at The Playlist.

An opening shot of a film is not always the most memorable. Audiences usually take away with them an astounding line of dialogue, an action sequence unmatched by any film before, or a few notes of the score. However, opening shots are sometimes the forgotten masterpieces of the film itself. Not only does the opening shot lay the foundation and set the tone for a film, it may, in fact, reveal key plot points, themes, and character arches audiences only come to find in the latter portion of the cinematic experience.

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While film can encompass elements of many other art forms – music, performance, visual composition, etc. – some techniques like the match cut are solely the province of the medium. The match cut, a juxtaposition achieved by cutting from one object to another different, yet visually similar object, has been with us since the advent of the art form and remains a powerful tool for directors. In fact, a particularly audacious example featuring a certain part of the anatomy was one of the most talked about things at this year’s Cannes festival.

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If there was ever a time where sci-fi was seen as something only for geeks, that time has long gone. You could debate the exact point at which it changed — when Stanley Kubrick’s “2001” had audiences dropping acid for a better trip, when the blockbuster success of “Star Wars” changed film forever, when comic book movies dominated screens, when CGI made it possible to do almost anything, when even nerdy old “Star Trek” got a sleek, hip makeover — but there’s no doubt that the genre is firmly within the mainstream.

Continue reading The 100 Best Sci-Fi Films Of All Time at The Playlist.

With each new revelation this election cycle is bringing, you probably couldn’t blame President Barack Obama for wanting to ride out his remaining days in the White House watching movies, and letting everyone else sort out the current political nightmare. And while his schedule is no doubt busy until the New Year, when he’ll finally have to get his boxes packed and move, he’s taken some time to sit down to create an essential list of sci-fi viewing.

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After countless rumors of release dates, delays, and social media teases, this past weekend, Frank Ocean floored the music world by dropping two albums — Endless and Blonde — along with a massive magazine titled, “Boys Don’t Cry.” He ended the four year drought since 2012’s Channel Orange is a huge way, and in the process, gave his fans no shortage of material to wade through.

Continue reading Frank Ocean’s 100 Favorite Films Includes Movies By Stanley Kubrick, Werner Herzog, Paul Thomas Anderson, More at The Playlist.

For over three decades at the inception of cinema, silent film reigned supreme. The expressions of the actors, whether they be painted on for effect or dramatized by gesture, were the gateway into the soul of the picture; these expressions provided all the insight you’d ever need to create a soundtrack in your head. Nearly a century later, diegetic and non-diegetic sound in film is a key aspect of movie making and attending, from the screeching sounds in the “Psycho” shower scene to Peter Strickland‘s terrific thriller “Berberian Sound Studio.”

Now that sound is such an essential atmospheric element, it’s interesting to see filmmakers deliberately leave it out – not in a modernized silent picture like “The Artist,” but a calculated scene bereft of dialogue to prove a point.

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Richard Strauss may never have dreamed that his 1896 tone poem, inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche, “Thus spoke Zarathustra,” would be infamous thanks to the use of the fanfare in Stanley Kubrick‘s stunning 1968 “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Then again, if Strauss were alive at the time, perhaps he’d of picked Kubrick to direct a version of “Salome” on the stage (what I would give to see that).

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As so often, it was Martin Scorsese who said it best: “Watching a Kubrick film is like gazing up at a mountaintop. You look up and wonder, how could anyone have climbed that high?” For cinema lovers, there may be no director as likely to inspire a figurative crick in the neck as Stanley Kubrick, whose seminal satire “Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb” comes to The Criterion Collection this week.

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We’re now just a few days from the Oscars, where the makers and stars of “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Spotlight,” “Room,” “The Martian,” “Brooklyn,” “The Big Short,” “The Revenant” and “Bridge Of Spies” will find out whether their movie wins the prestigious Best Picture statuette.

Continue reading Oscar Mistakes: 20 Classic Films Not Nominated For Best Picture at The Playlist.

Watch: 9-Minute Video Essay Counts Down The Top 10 Closing Shots Of All Time

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Watch: Check Out The Extras From The Criterion Collection Laserdisc Of Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey'

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Watch: 75-Minute Video Essay Breaks Down The Making Of Stanley Kubrick's ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’

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Watch: 21-Minute Documentary 'Vision Of A Future Passed: The Prophesy Of 2001' With Roger Ebert, William Friedkin, And More

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Watch: 21-Minute Documentary Short 'Standing On The Shoulders Of Kubrick: The Legacy Of 2001'

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