Customer Reviews

Stanley Kubrick Companion

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This slim, yet concise book provides an excellent behind the scenes look at one of filmdom's most famous directors. James Howard has done an excellent job of demolishing the myths which surround Kubrick and presenting a fascinating portrait of a virtuoso whose eye for detail is arguably unsurpassed in film history. Howard reveals that Kubrick's slavish attention to details was such that he considered placing toothbrushes on the set of BARRY LYNDON which were authentic in details to those actually used in the nineteenth century.

My primary criticism of the book is that it was billed as "complete survey of Kubrick's career -- including EYES WIDE SHUT." Well, yes and no. Though the book did include a chapter on Kubrick's last film, I was disappointed to find that Howard had written the book before the film's release. Commentary on Kubrick's swansong are thus limited to rumors of the sort which Howard diligently sought to dispel in the earlier chapters of the book. Apparently, the book was rushed into publication to coincide with the release of EYES WIDE SHUT and to cash in on Kubrick's untimely death. If a second, revised edition were to be released (which included Howard's knowledgeable critique of Kubrick's last film) this book would merit four stars. Recommended with reservations.

This is the third book about Kubrick's work I have and all three are immense in information. This one is particularly good in that it has lots of good photos, is easily readable, and offers extensive information on all of Kubrick's films, right down to the insignificant details that other books overlook. Example: it recounts all of the projects that Kubrick planned on working on such as A.I and his long-awaited Napoleon film. It goes into tons of details about the making of each film, the critical reaction, Kubrick's little touches, follow-ups and other spin-offs each movie produced, in short everything about each of Kubrick's films. Also, complete and accurate summaries of each plot, cast and credits lists, lots of photos of the rarely-seen director and even much kind insight as to the director's personality and private life on his English estate. I was a little disappointed that Howard didn't wait another four or five months so he could include all of the details about Eyes Wide Shut as well, because now all that exists are rumors and info about the making of the film, but its distracting to read about the movie being top-secret when now it has long been out in the open. Anyway the book is packed with facts for any fan.

While shopping for Kubrick's Paths Of Glory (1957), at Borders, I decided I would look through the books on Mr. Kubrick. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there was a new book! After skimming through it, I realized that it was the new ultimate source on Kubrick, and the only book that I've seen so far that actually analyzes all 16 of his movies, documentaries and industrial films. I immediately went to the counter and bought it, took it home and read it from cover to cover. If you have ever seen a Kubrick film and wanted to know the background, it's in here. If you want detailed cast lists, they're in here. I've read LoBrutto's book, and I consider it to be a great BIOGRAPHY of Kubrick himself, but this is about his movies, and only his movies. This is for the fan of A Clockwork Orange (1971) who wanted to know about that missing chapter and for the 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) fan who wanted to know what HAL stands for. It even goes where few other books on Mr. Kubrick go: into his early films like Day Of The Fight (1951), Flying Padre (1951) and The Seafarers (1953) not to mention his "lost" film Fear And Desire (1953). Have you heard of any of these films? If you are a Kubrick fan and have not, I would suggest going through this before tackling something big like the LoBrutto book. So, for anyone who has seen a Kubrick film and liked it, buy this book! It's even got information on Eyes Wide Shut (1999)!

Not really a review, this, but a comment on the review by Lee Hill.

Thanks, Lee for your review, and glad you enjoyed the book.

However, I might just correct one small point - I have not read either of the Kubrick biographies by John Baxter or Vincent LoBrutto (I deliberately avoided them, as they were published while I was working on my own book and I didn't want to be influenced by them one way or another), and I certainly don't mention either of these authors anywhere in my book.

If I do 'carp' about other biographers (and I hope I don't) then it is only at the laziness and inaccuracy which leads them to repeat unsubstantiated rumours and myths - something I deliberately aimed to dispel.

Anyway, please don't take this as a major complaint, and I do appreciate you taking the time to review the book.

(Incidentally, if it seems conceited that I gave the book a five star rating, I only did so because it is not possible to submit text without a rating attached, and you wouldn't expect me to give it a lousy review would you ?)

I would really love to give this book three and a half stars, but unfortunately that's not an option here. This book gives a detailed account of Kubrick's films, including history of the shooting, cast and crew comments, and excellent photos. The only problem I have with the book is the author's completely biased view of Kubrick. I understand that having a fan write the book makes perfect sense, but any quote that is of a vaguely negative nature toward Kubrick is treated with total horror and disdain. Kubrick was a genius -- there's no doubt about that -- but he was not perfect, and Howard refuses to acknowledge this.

That particular issue aside, this book is essential for anyone who's a fan of the late, great Stanley Kubrick.

James Howard's Stanley Kubrick Companion surveys all the films of Kubrick's career, including Eyes Wide Shut, his 1999 latest. Chapters examine plots, approaches, and styles unique to Kubrick's film projects. This is a highly recommended pick for students of film in general and science fiction film in particular.

Mr. Howard's Companion is an above average guide to Kubrick's films, but hardcore fans and film scholars will find little new here. The absence of footnotes and continual carping about recent bios by John Baxter and Vincent Lobrutto distract from the book's generalist approach. The book does provide an usually good synopis of the filming of Eyes Wide Shut, but since Howard's book was in the editing pipeline prior to the film's release, readers are advised to wait for a second edition.