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

Crime 101 (2026)

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...

Send Help (2026)

Send Help (2026) is a survival thriller that quietly builds tension until the jump scares start landing, at which point it becomes very clear who is behind the camera. I actually forgot it was a Sam Raimi film until one particular scare snapped that memory back into place. The film balances suspense and character moments well, and the visual presentation helps sell the emotional shift across the story. Sam Raimi , known for The Evil Dead and Spider-Man , brings his trademark timing to the scare beats and camera movement. His direction gives even simple moments a sense of unease. The film is more restrained than his wildest work, but the horror mechanics are sharp and effective when they show up. Rachel McAdams , recognized from The Notebook and Mean Girls , delivers a strong performance that is helped a lot by smart costume and makeup design. The first half intentionally downplays her appearance to make her seem worn down and ordinary, while the second half lets her natural presen...

Cold Storage (2026)

Cold Storage (2026) is a sci fi horror thriller that surprised me in a good way. The writing is solid enough that it actually calmed some of my worries about Disclosure Day coming later this year since the same writer is involved. The story holds together and stays engaging, even when the visuals do not. The CG is laughably bad at times, but the acting/chemistry keeps the movie watchable. Jonny Campbell directs, with the screenplay by David Koepp , known for Jurassic Park and Spider-Man . His writing here is tighter than expected, which is why it gives me more confidence about Disclosure Day. The direction is straightforward and lets the script do most of the work, even if the effects budget clearly limits what can be shown on screen. He needs a redemption after Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Joe Keery , known for Stranger Things and Free Guy , is the main reason I showed up. He proves he can handle a leading role after Stranger Things and carries the film with a relax...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog