"Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye."

Before 1968, science fiction films were largely genre films that didn’t take themselves too seriously. The general consensus is that the change that allowed filmmakers to take science fiction seriously was Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Upon its initial release, critics and audiences were very split on the film but it eventually found its audience (thanks to a lot of hippies smoking weed during screenings). The film has since been touted as one of the greatest films ever made. It’s influenced generations of filmmakers and storytellers. It’s allowed for hours upon hours of discussion and theorizing about things happening within the story. But it still has its detractors. It’s not a film for everyone – it can feel long and boring. There’s hardly any dialogue. And the film doesn’t engage the way the book did. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off a 50th anniversary celebration of films and series from 1968. And what a better way to start than with the films made from Clarke’s Odyssey series, beginning with Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

We realize right away that we’re on opposite sides of the fence as to our opinions of this film and try to rationalize that. We look at what works in the film and what Kubrick and Clarke were trying to say. We talk about the effects and what Kubrick, paired with Douglas Trumbull and their team, were able to create. We look at the performances of the actors, starting with Daniel Richter – the Andy Serkis of Kubrick’s time. We ponder several of the various theories about the film and deliberate the nature of theories like these. And we duke it out in one of our most serious Flickchart battles as we try valiantly to get the film closer on our ranking to where we each personally rank the film. It’s a battle of the ages!

It’s a very divisive movie between us but that allows for a wonderful conversation about the movie. Check it out if you haven’t. Don’t be embarrassed if you’re one of the people who don’t click with it – you’re not alone. And if you do click with it, don’t make fun of those other people. Much. But what you should do is tune in to the show and enjoy the spirited chat! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, the conversation begins.

Film Sundries

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• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Rob Ager’s Meaning of the Monolith Part 1 (Start Here)
• Original poster artwork
• Art of the Title
• 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
• Flickchart
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• Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements
• The Film Board
• Movies We Like
• Sitting in the Dark

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