why is stanley kubrick so hated?

Answer 1

Kubrick is one of those artists that make films people either love or hate; it's difficult to watch one of his movies and not fall into either the camp that thinks it's brilliant or the camp that thinks it's awful/boring/pretentious.

Kubrick made films that challenged audiences rather than provide cosy entertainment. The most recurring word that comes up about his films is "cold"; they are generally regarded as masterworks of cinema but he keeps his characters at a emotional distance from the audience.

Consider his track record of films: 2001, A Space Odyssey, one of the most influential science-fiction films ever made, but it's not a western in space like most Sci-Fi; it's a philosophical film about Man's contact with the Infinite. Dr. Strangelove, a dark and brilliant satire on Nuclear War made at the height of the Cold War. A Clockwork Orange; the future is bleak indeed. The Shining: can still scare the **** out of me even though I've watched it several times. Full Metal Jacket is one of the best anti-war and anti-military films you'll ever see. Ditto for Paths of Glory. Even Spartacus, for which Kubrick was a hired hand, is great.

And he made an early film called "The Killing" which was very influential (it helped inspire Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs)

All these films are exceptionally well-made and well-acted but they can be difficult to watch....their pace is slow moving. In 2001, for instance, it seems to take forever to get to the really interesting part of the story, but the journey there is still enjoyable, in my opinion.

To sum up, Kubrick is hated by critics and movie-goers who prefer cinema that's comforting. Kubrick doesn't do comforting. He also hated the press and refused to do any interviews. He was NOT a recluse but he had a reputation for being reclusive.

Answer 2

james b said it better than I ever could...I like Kubrick, but he certainly did have his critics. I read in an interview once with a minor co-star on Eyes Wide Shut that he personally hand-picked palm trees to be flown onto the set. That's a real perfectionist. He obviously took his craft very seriously. I think this is further reinforced by the fact that he withdrew A Clockwork Orange from the public. He actually did give a d**n.

He was filming in Co. Wicklow once, in Ireland, where I am. He went to a dentist in Dublin that my mother worked for, and she's always maintained that despite his appearance, as james b said, he was not reclusive. On the contrary - she said he was a lovely, friendly man, more than happy to answer questions about his work.

Answer 3

stanley kubrick became hollywood icon
people love his movies they dont hate.

Answer 4

Is he hated ? I didn't think that he was hated !

Answer 5

i dont think he is!