My intrepid first post, baby.
Being new to the film world, and having just read a Kubrick biography, I have endeavored on my own personal conquest to sit through his films. In the past I was put off by the artsy type, and I still uphold that Kubrick is horrible with plot progression, but his ingenious cinematics seem to make up for it (the biography stated that Kubrick began as a photographer, which, of course, accounts for this).
Tonight I saw Dr. Strangelove.
Following that, Eyes Wide Shut. My observations:
Have you all noticed the Christmas lights? They are constant, as equally prevalent as the confetti in American Psycho. Everything relating to sexual extremes is adorned with gaudy lights, playing into the dream theme.
Black and red are also prevalent, and later, the light blue of early morn. Normally I hate overindulging in symbolism and themes, and choose to ignore them if a director is lacing his work with these dual arrogancies, but in Kubrick's case, you just can't help it. He lays his would-be subtleties out on the table, thereby only creating more subtleties. Genius, man.
Alice's last dream, when Bill comes home to find her giggling...
Eerily reminscent of Adam and Eve. Although, ever since East of Eden, I've always considered Eve as eve-il. Har har.
Lastly, I noticed how, after the cult ordeal, Bill tries to reconnect with almost every character he came in contact with prior to going to the house. Consequently, something drastic has occured within all of them and left them different.
He tries to find Nick (flown back to Seattle), he returns the costume (the father has his daughter turning tricks) he calls the daughter of his dead patient (she's already confessed her love), he goes to Domino the hooker's house (HIV infection), he seeks out Amanda's dead body (uh...dead), he speaks with his spectacle-toting friend from the party (who watched him at the orgy house). There may be more.
I loved the slow pace. A relief from these TV Generation ADD-addled money-shot abortions they call films.
I can't believe you read all that. Kudos and whatnot.