6) 2001: A Space Odyssey
I have come to love the work of Stanley Kubrick precisely because every single one of his movies has led me in multiple instances to throw up my hands and scream “WHAT” audibly enough to disturb anyone who might be around me. Although much like a common response to Shane Carruth, who shares the reputation of being something of a genius, it’s easy to resent Kubrick for being too goddamn smart for his own good. Like, we get that you’re smart. You don’t have to be such a dick about it. Showoff.
Like Tree of Life, this is a movie that sort of wants to tell the story of humanity’s entire history. It’s chock full of captivating and memorable images, and a musical soundtrack that underscores its colossal scope. The mysteries of the movie and its possible meanings are akin to the mystery of life, and the universe, and of space, and humanity—deep questions that appear to show paths that lead to answers, but ultimately it’s impossible to determine.
Even people who have sorted out meaning behind the monolith and the big star baby and everything become pretty difficult to understand when trying to relate a theory of everything regarding 2001. So 2001 is probably like life: if you claim to have it figured out, you’re probably full of BS.
