Bill-247

Kubrick's masterpiece "Dr. Strangelove" couldn't have come out at a better time than during the Cold War era. There are many superb performances in this movie, especially Peter Sellers in three roles (President Muffley, Col. Mandrake, and Dr. Strangelove)...I thought he should have received an Oscar. George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden lend superb support roles as well...even when Hayden is serious - he's funny!!! The screenplay deserved its rich Oscar!!! There are many funny scenes in the film...especially when Sellers is on the phone with the Soviet Premier - a true Hollywood classic scene. The special effects are convincing at times, however, one can tell that Kubrick used a model plane for the flying sequences. The ending scene where Strangelove has a fight with his mechanical arm is rather unnecessary. Superb Laurie Johnson score. score: 9 (out of 10).

Stanley Kubrick creates an atmosphere that even Freud would have cherished. I have been a big lover of Kubrick movies for a long time. Almost like Hitchcock, he paints films in such a way that makes the audience want to "think" rather than "react" (for example: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dr. Strangelove, etc.) In this film, he does the same thing. This is a movie that clearly asks the question: what is the purpose of marriage? This is a film that is the flip side of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Kubrick makes excellent use of Cruise and Kidman in husband and wife role. score: 9 (out of 10).

Robert Altman's "Nashville" (1975) is on my top ten list of films from the 1970's. Not since Frank Capra directed "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) has there been a better character study of American culture. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the film focuses on 24 characters and all from different walks of life (typical for most of Altman's films). The film combines country music, politics, and satire into one huge climatic finale at Nashville..."Hey, this isn't Dallas...this is Nashville!" score: 10 (out of 10).