August Film Club

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out for Forbidden Planet.  We have one more science fiction to watch for the month of August and that film is Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece- 2001: A Space Odyssey.


2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick.  The screenplay was co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, and was partially inspired by Clarke's short story "The Sentinel".  The story deals with a series of encounters between humans and mysterious black monoliths that are apparently affecting human evolution, and a space voyage to Jupiter tracing a signal emitted by one such monolith found on the moon.  Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood star as the two astronauts on this voyage, with Douglas Rain as the voice of the sentient computer HAL 9000 who has full control over their spaceship.  The film is frequently described as an "epic film", both for it's length and scope, and for its affinity with classical epics.

Thematically, the film deals with elements of human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life.  It is notable for its scientific accuracy, pioneering special effects, ambiguous imagery that is open-ended to a point approaching surrealism, sound in place of traditional narrative techniques, and minimal use of dialogue.

Despite initially receiving mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike, 2001: A Space Odyssey garnered a cult following and slowly became a box office hit.  Some years after its release, it eventually became the highest grossing picture from 1968 in North America.  Today it is recognized by many critics, filmmakers and audiences as on the greatest and most influential films ever made.

This film is one of my all time personal favorite films.  Come on out for an experience unlike any other.

Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ywMnbef6Y

We will be meeting Thursday, August 16th
(Since this film is a little longer than most films we watch, I would recommend everyone getting here as close to 6:15 as possible.)

Hope to see you there!