Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a satire about the cold war, nuclear holocaust, and a war room full of people trying to stop it.

Stanley Kubrick is a master at getting out the best of his actors and camera movements. Sure the movie has dated effects but Kubrick keeps the focus on the actors. Where he positions his actors in each shot and how he chooses to move the camera with the actors is clear that influenced great directors of today like David Fincher. There's this scene with Ripper and Mandrake where the first half of the scene has the conversation only at Ripper's back. Then once we see his face we get to see how much anger and passion he has towards dropping this bomb. Saving his acting and expression until he starts he speech is another example of why Kubrick is one of the best. He gives importance to Buck when he hasn't even been introduced yet by having his voice shout from a different room. Having someone else answer his phone call also suggests how important his character is. It's just great storytelling through subliminal writing and direction. The typical flow of a normal action movie would have the general answer the phone himself and use big strong words instead.

Speaking of Buck, George C. Scott is an ineffably talented actor. You'll recognize him from Patton. How he speaks to the president shows what sort of power he has and charisma with backing up everything he has both with how he delivers the line and the mannerisms he adds to the performance. Hand movements, blinking, nodding, chewing of his gum, all of it is adding to a more interesting conversation that draws in the audience for an otherwise boring conversation.

Peter Sellers is all over the place in this film, in a good way. He plays three different characters and it's a daring move on both his acting ability and Kubrick's direction for one actor in three different parts. He plays the mild-mannered Captain Mandrake, the calm and frown-faced President Muffley, and also Dr. Strangelove of course. His conversation with Dimitri on the phone is hilarious and an instant classic. Each of his characters are so different that it's a surprise that he lost to Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady) in the Oscars that year.

Slim Pickens is the funniest actor in the film and adds an awful lot of comedy to an already filled movie. You'll recognize him as Taggart from Blazing Saddles. "Tell him I said...Ow!" He plays the pilot, Major Kong, of the B52 who will drop the bomb on Russia.

Result: A (One of Kubrick's best films though I don't know if I would want to watch this over and over)

Comments

Supergirl (2026)

Supergirl is directed by Craig Gillespie , known for I, Tonya and Cruella , and written by Ana Nogueira . The film attempts to launch a new corner of the DC universe while simultaneously giving Supergirl her own coming of age journey. While the movie does succeed in giving its protagonist a genuine character arc and lays some groundwork for future stories, the script often struggles with dialogue and plot points. Several lines land awkwardly, pulling scenes out of their emotional moments rather than enhancing them. In many cases, the performances feel less at fault than the direction, as stronger takes or rewrites could have improved several key exchanges. Milly Alcock , known for House of the Dragon , carries the film and easily emerges as its greatest strength. She brings vulnerability, confidence, and determination to Supergirl, making the character feel relatable even when the material around her falters. Alcock does everything she can with the dialogue she is given, and her per...

The Drama (2026)

The Drama is directed by Kristoffer Borgli known for Dream Scenario and Sick of Myself. T he film feels determined to present itself as something profound and artistic. Borgli leans heavily into style and ambiguity, but the result is a movie that often feels more interested in appearing meaningful than actually being meaningful. The pacing is hurt by constant quick cuts between scenes, rarely allowing a moment to breathe or an emotion to settle. Just as a scene starts to build momentum, the film jumps somewhere else, making it difficult for any dramatic moment to land with the weight it deserves. Zendaya , known for Dune and Challengers , plays her role with an extremely restrained approach. Unfortunately, the performance often feels one-note, with much of her emotional range limited to variations of frustration and disappointment. Whether this was a directorial choice or an acting one, it creates a distance between the character and the audience that the film never overcomes....

Citizen Vigilante (2026)

Citizen Vigilante is written and directed by Uwe Boll , a filmmaker whose work has always been divisive, and this film continues that trend. The movie tackles issues surrounding immigration, social tensions, and public frustration, themes that have been prominent throughout the decade. Surprisingly, the film often approaches these subjects from a perspective that many viewers may not expect from a major studio release. While the political themes are front and center, the larger issue is that the writing struggles to make the world and its characters feel believable. Conversations often lack the natural reactions people would have in real life, particularly younger characters who accept lectures and speeches with very little resistance or personality. Armie Hammer , known for The Social Network and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , plays the vigilante and spends much of the film using a gravelly, Batman-inspired voice. He commits fully to the role, and his physical presence works well for th...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog