My Cultural Diet

My 16-year-old has a list of “classic” movies that they’ve been steadily working through. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join them for the first two Terminator movies — which, as we all know, are the only Terminator movies that have ever been made — but when they asked if I’d sit in on 2001: A Space Odyssey, there’s no way I could refuse. Working with Arthur C. Clarke, Stanley Kubrick created one of the most iconic and influential movies of all time. Although it’s obviously sci-fi, what with its moon bases, spaceships, alien monoliths, space babies, and whatnot, 2001: A Space Odyssey transcends the genre. Much like Blade Runner, it’s one of those rare sci-fi movies that will still seem futuristic even 500 years from now, thanks to its heady script, immaculate production design, and Kubrick’s eye for detail. Sure, there are moments when the movie drags and Kubrick belabors his point, but honestly, what could be cut? Certainly not the climactic Star Gate sequence, one of cinema’s most transcendent — and mind-altering — moments. (That said, I am glad Kubrick trimmed down the scene of the astronaut jogging around Discovery One, which originally ran eleven minutes in order to convey just how boring space travel would be.)

I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to support the site and my blogging.