I have always thought 2001: A Space Odyssey was the best science fiction movie I had ever seen, possibly the greated sci-fi movie of all time. Had to watch it a couple of times to start to get it, but I really got a better understanding of it after I read Arthur C. Clarke’s novel on which the movie was based. It is really outstanding, and the special effects still hold up, for a movie made in 1968 that is remarkable. Just my .02
Someone on the net figured out that there are 360 camera cuts (edits) as in 360 degrees as in a circle in ‘2001.’
Another quirk, joke, or statement from Kubrick who was fond of such things.
I was 14 and living in Japan when 2001 came out, watched it perhaps ten times that year, beginning when it was released in Tokyo and then in Yokohama. Lost my chance at a girl friend (CPO's daughter) when I took her to see the movie in Yokosuka, and then spent the next hour bubbling over about how wonderful it was, and all the way the movie was made well, when she didn't understand any of it. Lucky for me, Mrs. C didn't get to see the movie until after we were married; she thinks it's dull and boring, and I am still fascinated by it, in spite of it's not-so-Christian eschatology.
I agree. It’s a masterpiece. And I love the ‘60s vibe.
Clarke’s novel actually came after, and was based on, the screenplay for the film. early in the project, Kubrick told Clarke “A movie is about 2 hours long, composed of scenes that average about 2 minutes. Each scene can be described in a single sentence. What I want from you is 60 sentences.”
It was stunning and spectacular. The last time I had seen it before that was at a Sci-Fi convention in the 1980s.