A Clockwork Orange
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Movie Reviews of A Clockwork Orange
Movie Review: Good Morning Amazon,
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm afraid I have to disagree with your Editorial Review. The author rightfully states that most people don't get the message of the movie - but he obviously doesn't, either. When it comes to judging the intent of the shown violence, his statements seem overly simplicistic. Mr. Reesman should notice that those who like and celebrate the movie's brutality are not completely wrong in doing so - at least by the movie's standards. "Clockwork Orange" depicts violence and nihilism in an ambivalent manner. And while it does not condone or encourage hurting other people, it certainly celebrates the spark of life that can only show in breaking the rules.We have to realize that Kubrick is no flower-power-child who made a shocking movie just to send a message of peace around the world. Rather than that, he uses the screen to show us a slightly altered version of our own dead society. People's feelings have become cold and stereotype - watch Alex' parents closely. They are basically nothing more than robots, fitting into the "productive flow" of society. Basically, such people are already dead - so a cynic is compelled to ask if another beating really makes a difference anymore.
This "zombieism" is what Alex rebels against. He is celebrating life - with sex, energetic music and of course with his brutality. He is breaking the rules, basically because he doesn't want to be as dead and manipulated as the people around him. Society has depraved him of outlets for his natural instincts - which are of course not always constructive. And not very smart or humane either. But even if we may be disgusted by his acts of personal brutality, we can all relate to his loathing of "the herd".
The Ludovico therapy brings on the climactic central question of the film: Do we prefer Individuality, which may sometimes have a very dark side to it, or do we prefer a "working collective" without room for life? Should eventually everyone be treated with "Ludovico" preventively? Why does such a thought make us uncomfortable - it isn't supposed to change us law-abiding citizens's anyway, right? Maybe it's because creativity and true joy - symbolized in Beethovens work - cannot exist without the energy of humanity's violent urges? Maybe it's all about choosing between individual violence and collective oppression? In his movie, Kubrick does not give the answer - he never gives an answer in any of his movies. After all, finding answers is not the job of a good director, its the job of each viewer. Kubrick does not even comment clearly on his point of view. But he does an impressive job in showing us the many different problems that are connected to the concept of free will. And he also shows how many rewards may stem from it.
This topic has also been exploited in some more recent films, too - like Fincher's "Fight Club", for example. And although the latter was an excellent movie - probably the best movie of 1999 - the original is still unbeaten. Its not easy to make me cry, but the ending scene of "A Clockwork Orange", although it implements that people may have to suffer, almost brought tears of joy to my face.
Freude schoener Goetterfunken!
Movie Review: Are you narrow-minded and lacking intelligence?
Summary: 5 Stars
Then don't bother watching this movie. In fact, don't bother watching any of Kubrick's films. Stick to "You've Got Mail" and "The Matrix" for your brainless entertainment. This film is nearly beyond words.A seemingly post-apocalyptic world...a young man (who was but 15 years old in the book) who's greatest source of joy is found in the supposed ills of society...sex, drugs and violence. After being sold out by his droogs, Alex is arrested and incarcerated. He then chooses, despite warnings of the dangers therein, to subject himself to a new "treatment," declaring "I want to be good," in an obviously less than sincere manner. He is then put through nothing less than an array of horrifying treatments to "cure" him of his violent tendencies. The result is a drone, a "Clockwork Orange," who is capable of only what has been programmed. He is subject to revenge and, unable to deal with the repercussions of his acts, attempts suicide. After surviving, the media discovers the horrible results of his "treatment," and expose it for what it is.
A brief synopsis of Burgess's fabulous work of fiction...but words cannot describe what Kubrick has done. It can only be experienced.
Many reviews I've read shows a sort of disgust wit this film, claiming it to be little more than a shock fest. Of course, these people fail to realize the reasoning for displaying such, even disgusted at how the scenes of violence are glorified. THAT is how Alex feels while acting out these crimes. He finds joy, pleasure, excitement! "I'm...ready for love!" To have displayed it for what it truly is would detract from the expressionism of how Alex perceived it. To him, it wasn't a horrible act...it was fun! And to think that the sole message of this film is to feel sorry for criminals...well, I'm sorry that you watched it. You missed it completely. This film isn't about crime and punishment. On the surface, perhaps. But below this lies a bold statement about human nature and relates closely to Carl Jung's statements about evil. Kubrick must be a huge fan of Jung's work, because I see it in most all of his films. Jung believed evil was purely subjective. What is more evil? Beating an old man with sticks or having your thoughts and beliefs programmed into you? Obviously, if you've been brainwashed into Christianity, you'll prefer the former...but consider not being able to choose how to live. Consider being sickened when you see a beautiful member of the opposite sex. Consider not being able to defend yourself from an attacker. Consider a beautiful piece of classical music driving you to suicide. THAT is what the movie is; to me at least. Jung's idea of subjectivity towards evil.
Of course, Kubrick's cinematography is nothing short of brilliant. The scores are appropriate and add to Alex's playful moods.
A word about the nudity. There is, admittedly, a lot. Most of it, however, is represented in artwork. Painting and sculpture. Why does that offend people? Is nudity not perfectly natural? Are we all not nude under our clothing?
And the sex...would any of us be here without it?
Free your minds, people.
Movie Review: The "Clock" rocks!
Summary: 5 Stars
Few films in the history of cinema leave one with as many powerfully ingrained images as Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange." Based on the Anthony Burgess novel of the same name, it's an often violent, sometimes funny, Dali-esque picture of great artistic appeal. The quintessential "love-it-or-hate-it" film, "Clockwork" makes demands of our senses and of our moral values. It is a work made for people that are unafraid to peer into the basest of human tendencies, and dares to force everyone else to look as well.One of the underlying themes of the story lessens the irony that today's audiences find its brand of violence tame. But Kubrick does a fantastic job of using quirky humor to enhance the impact of the brutality on the screen. Juxtaposing camp that is reminiscent of the sixties "Batman" TV series, with images of sheer savagery, was a masterstroke that exposes violence for the absurdity that it is. As the viewers will see for themselves, the protagonist becomes the target of a very insidious form of evil.
The great director's use of cinematography is brilliant in this work, and his lacing of music with the imagery is potent indeed. Burgess's novel is flecked with references to music, and Kubrick exploited this fact to the utmost. We are often treated to sensory paradox, as the director blends fury with whimsy, and the mundane with menace. Among other scenes, who can forget the opening shot, the "signing in the rain" sequence, or the scene by the "flatblock marina"?
Malcolm McDowell's performance is fabulous! As the sociopathic, young hoodlum, "Alex," McDowell manages to make us laugh (sometimes with remorse), make us loathe him, and even, somehow, pity him. Malcolm takes his lines, laden with the catchy, invented language "Nadsat," and makes them memorable. Kubrick himself didn't want to make the movie with another actor, and his genius served him well; one CANNOT imagine any other actor in the role of "Alex."
The video transfer of this movie to DVD is adequate; I found little to complain about, other than the grainy appearance of a couple of scenes. The sound is fine, but consumers should be aware that it's only offered in the original mono. Purists may be disappointed with the film's "matted" widescreen format, as there has been some question regarding the legitimacy of this "preserving the aspect ratio of its original theatrical exhibition." Finally, there are NO special features other than the theatrical trailer. (It's unfortunate that the same elitism that helped make Kubrick a legendary director has shortchanged fans of his works.) Still, this is the best that lovers of "A Clockwork Orange" have at their disposal, and, at Amazon's price, it's hard to pass up.
For fans of this film, I highly recommend the excellent, seminal novel by Anthony Burgess; it's a fast, enjoyable read, containing the 21st chapter omitted in the movie version. Among movies, I suggest that you give "Trainspotting," and, the soon to be released on DVD, "Fightclub" a try. Viddy well, o my brothers!
Movie Review: Viddy well
Summary: 5 Stars
A world unlike we've ever known, a world where gangs of teenagers run around, preforming the old "in and out" with some young "devotchkas" while partaking in the bit of the old "unltaviolence." A world where nothing making sense, and where the "good" guys are as evil as the antagonists. A world where nothing makes sense...this is the world of Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange."You've heard the stories about the movie. You've possibly heard about the rape, the buthering of "Singing in the rain," and the total and utter lack of any value of this movie. You've heard about the "X" rating, and that is was banned for quite a while in England. Yet, this movie is one of the finest ever created and is a social commentary of society that is just as valid now as it ever was.
Malcolm McDowell does an excellent job portraying young Alex, a distraught young boy who's hobbies include rape, unlta-violence, and Beethoven. Alex is so believable, and he can totally justify his actions through every step; nothing seems wrong to him. He believes that nothing is wrong with his actions; he is the good guy. We look at him and see him as human...that is, until we see that he _is_ the only truly sane person.
He finally gets arrested for his frolicking, and now, we see that he is no longer human, after a breathtaking and disturbing process that destroys the man inside. He becomes the clockwork orange, the a organic and mechanical.
Without giving out too much of the story, lets just say that Alex's past comes back to haunt him, and he is helpless. Kubrick once again takes a great novel and creates the screenplay to a fascinating movie that kept me on edge for the entire time. This is not a movie to watch with your parents, or a movie to watch more than twice a year. Any more, and you will begin to think in strange new ways...you will see the world for what it is: the truth.
If you enjoy Stanley Kubrick movies, you've already seen this movie, and you do not need me to tell you that it's great. If you don't enjoy Stanley Kubrick movies, have heard all the hype and want to see it because it's "naughty," or a moral advocate that believes this type of movie is wrong, buy this movie and watch it. Then, and only then, can you decide for yourself. It's not porn, it's not trash, it's a moral truth. Viddy well, o me brothers.
Movie Review: Terrifying, brillant, entertaining...
Summary: 5 Stars
I must admit, and no doubt to some scrunity, that Stanley films are not my cup of tea. Perhaps I don't have the 'intellect', but I always feel as though he is pushing through a obscured message that if you don't get, well than your precious time is wasted. I sometimes think he is not even pushing through a message, just relying on the fact that the audience assume there is one, hidden underneath all that art. Take 'Eyes Wide Shut' for example. We could talk for hours about the symbolism of red and sexuality in the film, but in all honesty, what portion of the population who has not taken psych, drugs or not is attempting to appear intellectual for the sheer sake of it, what portion is going to notice something for that. Cinematic masterpieces, undoubtedly, but certainly not fit for entertainment value. That said and done, 'A Clockwork Orange' is by far his most brillant piece, and cinematically his most stunning. It would also have to be the most uncomfortable film ever made, for even the most exposed of viewers. There is films that match up to the level of violence displayed in this piece, for example Oliver Stone's ultra violent 'Natural Born Killers', or perhaps the recently made 'Fight Club', but one must ask themselves whether there is truly any formally made film as horrifying. I have seen many a violent and disturbing film, but I believe the backward panning opening image of the boys sitting in their disgustingly white bar, their feet on a table shaped like unnecessarily flexible women, that eyelash thing on Alex's eye, could anything be as confronting despite the fact that nothing confronting, no violence, no sex, no intravenous drug use, nothing is occuring? This goes with the image of concentration camps on big screens while Alex has drops fed into his unclosing eyes by a sterile looking doctor. The violence isn't really that bad when we consider that it is not Alex's violence or sex which comprises the most horrifying part of the film, but the treatment he recieves by the world when his defenses are lowered.
This film is no Kevin Smith movie, but is funning in that smirking 'Isn't that ironic' style. It is brillant, and by far Stanley's most fabulous achievement.