Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: New Essays [Paperback]

Robert Kolker (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2006

Almost all students have seen 2001, but virtually none understand its inheritance, its complexities, and certainly not its ironies. The essays in this collection, commissioned from a wide variety of scholars, examine in detail various possible readings of the film and its historical context. They also examine the film as a genre piece--as the summa of science fiction that simultaneously looks back on the science fiction conventions of the past (Kubrick began thinking of making a science fiction film during the genre's heyday in the fifties), rethinks the convention in light of the time of the film's creation, and in turn changes the look and meaning of the genre that it revived--which now remains as prominent as it was almost four decades ago. Constructed out of its director's particular intellectual curiosity, his visual style, and his particular notions of the place of human agency in the world and, in this case, the universe, 2001 is, like all of his films, more than it appears, and it keeps revealing more the more it is seen. Though their backgrounds and disciplines differ, the authors of this essay collection are united by a talent for vigorous yet incisive writing that cleaves closely to the text--to the film itself, with its contextual and intrinsic complexities--granting readers privileged access to Kubrick's formidable, intricate classic work of science fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Robert Kolker, one of the best writers on Kubrick, has assembled nine impressive new essays from talented contributors on the director's most spectacular and enigmatic film. The collection is valuable not only for its post-millenial commentary on 2001, but also for its fresh insights into Kubrick's work as a whole."--James Naremore, author of More Than Night: Film Noir in Its Contexts

"Stanley Kubrick's films have a reputation for stimulating the mind. This brilliant collection of essays confirms it gloriously and proves that 2001: A Space Odyssey is an inexhaustible source for analysis."--Michel Ciment, author of Kubrick

"Kubrick's 2001 redefined the science fiction genre, transforming its limits, broadening the scope of what it can do. It is one of the rare examples of a film which aims to make us think not ABOUT images, but IN images and sounds. The volume on the film edited by Robert Kolker does the same for film studies. While it analyzes in detail different aspects of the film, it respects, strengthens even, its unfathomable beauty. Much more than a volume of excellent theory, the book is an invitation to think with sensuous pleasure."--Slavoj Zizek

About the Author

Robert Kolker is Emeritus Professor of Film Studies and Digital Media at the University of Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195174534
• ISBN-13: 978-0195174533
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2001 in 2001, October 22, 2009

By 

Marie-Claude (États-Unis) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: New Essays (Paperback)

This book of newer essays on Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' is a must-have for film students - whether grad or under-grad - as well as for Kubrick fans or really anyone who rates this film in their Top 20.

The question in 1968 was: how can this film be more than just a fad, Kubrick pandering to the hippie generation? These essays really underscore the staying power of this film and confirm its reputation as a masterpiece. Yet the essays chosen do not fawn. Some are ambivalent in some regards; one is decidedly negative. All are thought-provoking.

A lovely book. In paperback, for the price I most heartily recommend it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of Time, November 10, 2010

By 

Bob Kon - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: New Essays (Paperback)

I like most people who would consider purchasing or reading a book of this nature have been engrossed by this movie since it's release. I was 11 at the time and perhaps because of that the movie made perfect sense to me. Sometimes young people just experience things without trying to squeeze them into preconceived norms. This brings me back to the task at hand, the review of this book.
Each of the nine essays are written by a professor of film studies and they should be applauded for their historical knowledge. BUT...sometimes you just have to say "Whoa, back the train up!". Each essay reads like there was a contest between the profs to see who could come up with the most bizarre and far fetched examples of hidden meanings. The style of writing in each of the essays seems to be as if the essay was authored specifically for peer review and definitely not mainstream reading or enjoyment. This reads like a technical manual and I defy you to stay awake if reading this after the sun sets! They read ridiculous motive into absolutely everything. I guess it's a good thing for these profs that they teach/preach to 20 year old kids and not 50 year olds who might challenge some of these ideas. While there have been some great "2001" books published, this is not one of them.
In short, Kubrick believed his story should be told by the medium he chose to work in, film; and as such, he let the visual convey the experience. Not verbiage as in the print medium. Not an overly produced soundtrack as in a musical(hence he deep-sixed Alex North's score). To paraphrase Freud (I think it was him) "Sometimes a movie is just a movie" and 2001 is a great one. Respectfully submitted, Bob Kon

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imprescindible, sobre todo para entender mejor la pelicula, March 19, 2010

By 

Diego Ballesteros Marin (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: New Essays (Kindle Edition)

Es el 2* libro que leo en mi kindle, y tengo que decir que es imprescindible de leer, sobre todo a los que nos encanto la pelicula, que tambien es imprescindible de ver.

books in spanish, please!