Stanley Kubrick - The Greatest of all time. PERIOD.

"If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed".

How many directors will accept this or boldly quote this? I bet, you can use your fingers to count. Crediting himself 16 titles with two documentaries and a short from the period 50 to 99 leaves you with only one word to his films, QUALITY. Though he had some trademark shots and characters in his movies, each and every film will leave us unwind multi-million nuances and benchmarks for the budding directors to learn from the Greatest.

The Killing, based on the novel Clean Break, film noir and may be first of a kind for a film noir to keep the plot simple and sweet with no fat on it. Even though it had non linear sequences, of course unique for its time, it's a very straightforward movie. The Heist plan is a Kubrick killer and trademark factor. It is indeed inspired many including the Tarantino who worshiped this movie.

Point to be noted is that this is the third movie of Kubrick and the first one which showed there is a man in the making. The Killing is certainly an exquisitely timed masterpiece and the first certified classic from Kubrick. Though, other Kubrick thriller over shadowed this movie, I want to highlight this movie as this is the first movie which I saw of Kubrick's direction that motivated me to start the journey and I completed and enjoyed Kubrick's journey.

As I mentioned earlier, though you will see some common trademark I must say in all his movies, the man almost touched and mastered all the genres. Can we call that as a classic entry in each genre? What about Dr Strangelove, the classic satire comedy? Or the real definition of horror in 'The Shining'? or Anti-war controversy in Full Metal Jacket, or a period drama touch in 'Barry Lyndon' or the famous, innovative, Sci-Fi in 2001 Space Odyssey or the classic film noir in 'The Killing' or or or I am bored with typing this OR. You name the rest and I will map the genre. This unique calibre has made him never to repeat. A dozen movies over the span of 50 odd years, the director distinguished him unique and never made any sequels.

The controversial 'Paths of Glory'. I would say the best of Kirk Douglas which was banned in France for its corrupt depiction on French authority. Probably one of the best controversial anti-war movies ever made. The usage of the artists is another feather in the cap for the master. And Paths of Glory is an evident example but let's also not forget our Jack for his attempt on the psychological horror The Shining.

Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned to stop worrying and Love the Bomb! needs a certain mention when we speak about Kubrick. Simply one of the funniest and cleverest political satires ever made. Who else can take a serious subject like cold war and tell the story like a comedy? The clever and witty dialogues need some special mention here. I could recollect the Major King Kong statement 'Well boys, we got three engines out, we got more holes in us than a horse trader's mule, the radio is gone and we are leaking fuel and if we was flying any lower why we would need sleigh bell on this thing??? LOLS

The man who turned a dumb shit into a classic. Yes, I am speaking about Spartacus. It was Anthony Mann who should have taken Spartacus who fell out with Kirk approached the master to fix the product. In fact, Kubrick did not like the screenplay but eventually churned the cream into butter. It was this movie and the success of this movie gave Kubrick an artistic control for his future movies which he didn't get at this one though.

The famous Arthur Clarke said 'If you understand '2001', we failed'. Now mera favorite Space Odyssey. Many critics would have used the word roller coaster ride, breathtaking visuals, cinematic imaginary, etc., the same critics had they seen 2001 Space Odyssey wouldn't mind admitting that these words came from this movie. This sci-fi adventure is a brilliant meditation on existence of mankind in the never ending universe. There is no dialogue in the first 25 minutes nor in the last 23 minutes where the director let the audience to understand and read the movie. Another brilliant thing that Kubrick carefully moulds is that if you observer the space scenes, all you can hear is the film's music and no other sound or noise is heard in the space parallel with the fact.

What's it going to be then, eh? A Clockwork Orange, a movie that joins the list of movies that was banned in several countries for the controversy and horrific scenes. But certain movies will take some time to get appreciation which may not come timely. This one will fall under that cater. But the movie was primarily banned for the graphic violence becomes the least surprising aspect of the entire picture. Indefinitely a timeless classic.

One of a few directors who innovated the music used in movies. The favourite Blue Danube in Space Odyssey and draft shift to Beethoven in Clockwork Orange. Certainly left many followers, inspiring the way music is used in movies.

The Shining. Someone ask a good film buff what according to him/her is a horror movie or put in different words, which movie will they quote as an example of an horror movie. If I had to hear a different movie other than The Shining, well, I am bowled there. The ominous opening shot that follows Jack's car on his journey to the mysterious hotel is simple a magnificent with the background score adding such a cliff to the start of a horror movie.

Kubrick joins the league of Hitchcock, Griffith and the almighty Kurosawa. Hope you got what I am referring to! Yes, Kubrick never won an Oscar and so as the other great talented directors whom were acknowledged by the Academy. Yet, I stand on the point saying that Oscar isn't lucky enough to get clenched by the magic hands.