Stanley Kubrick: A Biography
Kubrick is one of the greatest film creators of all time. His 2001 a Space Odyssey paved the way for space sci-fi as we know it today. He had an obsessive compulsive approach to his work. In most cases, being a perfectionist can create a barrier for creating art, but Kubrick is a different breed. He had a calculated and deeply focused approach that stemmed from his obsession of chess. He would pore through scores of books before lifting a pen. Most would suffer from analysis paralysis, but he was unrelenting. This biography was written before his final film, Eyes Wide Shut. The Shining is one of my all-time favorite movies. I would also recommend on the subject the documentary Room 237.
From Amazon:
Stanley Kubrick, director of the acclaimed filmsPath of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: Space Odyssey. A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket, is arguably one of the greatest American filmmakers. Yet, despite being hailed as “a giant” by Orson Welles, little is known about the reclusive director. Stanley Kubrick—the first full-length study of his life—is based on assiduous archival research as well as new interviews with friends, family, and colleagues.Film scholar Vincent LoBRutto provides a comprehensive portrait of the director, from his high school days, in the Bronx and his stint as a photographer for Look magazine, through the creation of his wide-ranging movies, including the long-awaited Eyes Wide Shut. The author provides behind-the-scenes details about writing, filming, financing, and reception of the director’s entire output, paying close attention to the technical innovations and to his often contentious relationships with actors. This fascinating biography exposes the enigma that is Stanley Kubrick while placing him in context of film history.
