Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

over rated

I did not like this movie, neither did my friend or girlfriend. I seem to remember some hype about it as an old classic comedy, but it was not funny like it was supposed to be. Maybe if they did a remake of this movie that actually had punch lines to the jokes it may not be half bad. Some people may like this movie or understand it on a different level than me, but I dont understand. June 19, 2008

Black Comedy At its Finest! Still Funny Even Today!

There's no denying Peter Sellers' genius as he exhibits this very well in three main character parts that he plays here: the President, Mandrake, and Dr. Strangelove himself. These are three very different and unique roles and the fact that he pulls all three off very well speaks volumes of his comedic genius. I've seen "Some Like It Hot" placed higher than this film on lists of best comedies of all time but I disagree because as much as "Tootsie" and that film must have been hilarious at the time of release, many of the jokes do not age well up to this day with the exception of this film which is still very funny today. George C. Scott is also very good in this comedic role and this role is possibly one of the reasons someone thought of giving the role of Patton to him for what would later become his best ever screen performance in the movie "Patton".

The dvd could have been better restored picture quality-wise and more sound options such as Dolby 5.1 surround would have been appreciated rather than just the Mono here but otherwise, this version with a good documentary among the bonus features is still value for money.

A good comedy that ages well although it would be interesting to see what they do to improve upon this version for the Blu-ray one. Hopefully, better picture and sound quality options and more bonus features are among them. June 7, 2008

Dr Strangelove

If you love movie classics, this is one of the best black humor movies ever made. Of course you already know this because the movie has been around since the early 60's. For the new generation of movie goers, you might like this movie, on the other hand, If you think Jackass (the movie) was the best show ever, skip Dr. Strangelove because it will be way over your head. May 27, 2008

Strangelove

This movie could quite possibly be my absolute favorite movie of all time. By no means am I implying that this is the greatest movie ever made, it is quite simply, for what its worth, my personal favorite. And by no means is it a "guilty pleasure" - it has every right to be listed among the top films of all time. After all, the very qualities that make it my personal favorite are qualities that make this movie truly stand out above the majority, critically.

This is a movie that should be shown in every film school in order to teach the ingredients necessary to make a truly great motion picture, for you could analyze any one facet of the film, be it the directing, the acting, the cinematography, and write a thesis paper on it. From a directing standpoint, you have Kubrick's incredible attention to detail and perfectionist eye; and you have his masterful ability to bring out the best in his actors. From an acting standpoint, you have Peter Sellers and George C Scott at their absolute best - which is a bold statement. You also get a perfect example of how to take a small budget and not only tear down the illusion of its limitations, but actually achieve complete freedom from a modest financial backing. This movie takes place in about four different spaces and not once is it limited by this, but in fact, greatly benefits from it. The craziness, the claustrophobic paranoia, is only heightened by the surroundings. You have a script of sheer wit, a powerfully funny, almost dangerous, satire that manages to use abstract absurdity to clearly drive home a very clear, real danger - Or in other words, it is a satire that achieves its purpose absolutely. You have a story set in a specific moment in world history, but a story beyond setting and to the heart of the human spirit - in all its fallacy, craziness, and absurdity - Which leads me to the very thing that has sold me on this film in the first place: the sheer entertainment factor of it all. You can analyze this film to death, but you cannot avoid how downright entertaining the whole production of Dr Strangelove is - the sheer genius of Kubrick's part was making this adaptation into a satire in the first place - for recognizing the insanity of political power and understanding that laughter is sometimes the best means to express horror. He has never been more on the money, regardless of how incredibly effective his other films have been, as well.

Regardless of whether watching for the first time, or the hundredth time: analyze, dissect or marvel, but above all else, grab your popcorn, lean back, and simply enjoy this entertaining film.
May 9, 2008

Daring at the time

I remember watching this movie near the end of the Cold War and wondering just how daring the film was when it came out back in the mid-sixties. Probably made a lot of people nervous because the prospect of something like this occuring was probably very much in the minds of filmgoers.

I think the greatest parts of the film are poking at the president for knowing nothing of a bill he himself signed into legislation, or how the politicians speak to each other like nervous lovers. Of course, all that pales to Ripper's running fear of flouride finding its way into his "precious bodily fluids." What about the fear of a Mine-Shaft Gap?

Great film, but it may be lacking a bit in the a younger viewer's eye, as the very real fears prevelant at the time probably seem comical by contemporary times. April 12, 2008

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