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Kubrick's Rubrics
October 31, 2007

Warner's latest Stanley Kubrick DVD collection (the third one from the studio in under a decade), Stanley Kubrick: Warner Home Video Directors Series, was released last week and I've been working my way

through the set's fine complement of supplements. Each of the five films--2001, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut--are accessorized with a nice bunch of extras, the majority of them created by veteran DVD producer Gary Leva. The slew of commentaries and featurettes are highlighted by a cavalcade of Kubrick performers, including Clockwork Orange's Malcom McDowell, 2001's Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, R. Lee Ermey from Full Metal Jacket and Sidney Pollack from Eyes Wide Shut. They're all enthusiastic and thoughtful as they discuss their experiences with the Kubrick, as are the filmmaker’s frequent producer Jan Harlan and his widow Christiane Kubrick.

 

For my money (alright, I got a free press copy!), the best supplemental moment comes from Vincent D'Onofrio, who portrayed Full Metal Jacket's unforgettable Marine-made killing machine Leonard "Gomer Pyle"

Lawrence. D'Onofrio talks about Kubrick's directing style and his obsession to detail, yes, but he's also proud to declare that Kubrick and Full Metal Jacket served as his sole professional launching pad.

 

"Stanley made my career--there's no question about that. I've done over 50 films because of him--because of that part, because Stanley cast me,” says D’Onofrio. There is no other reason why I'm working."

 

Call me sentimental, but I gravitate to earnest proclamations like that one. It sorta reminds me of what Treat Williams said a few months back on a featurette regarding his experiences on Sidney Lumet’s Prince of the City.

 

“Sitting here 25 years later talking about the DVD is one of the most exciting things I could imagine this year,” he said. “It makes my day—it makes my year.”

 

Some filmmaker with low self-esteem (are there any of those out there?) oughta snap these two guys up, crank out an indie, and sit back and suck up some praise when the DVD supplemental package is produced!

Posted by Laurence Lerman on October 31, 2007 | Comments (1)