I live in film heaven. Tonight I went to a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey in its original Super Panavision 70mm size with 6 channel magnetic sound. This was its optimal CINERAMA form when released in 1968 but I found the sound a bit static-y in the first hour (could just be something wrong with the 8 year old print or that we are spoiled by DTS/THX). I’d only seen this film in large chunks between the ages of 10 and 19 because, even at 10, adults program you to love films like this because they know that you will appreciate them when you are of an age to understand the craft and talent behind such a succesful undertaking. I fully realize that part of my adulthood has been achieved by the complete viewing in this format, its propagation I now bequeath unto you.

Besides it’s Oscar®-Winning Visual Effects, (see below) the true payoff for me is the amazing production design of this film! The sets are like seeing what must have been going on in Le Corbusier’s mind… but in the space! Sitting in pretty much the “sweet spot” of The Dome, those effects on the 160° CINERAMA screen would have melted my brain should I have been on acid or a generous amount of cough syrup.

And who should be in attendance tonight for such a moment of cinematic appreciation but none other than thespian Keanu Reeves. I’m not giving him shit, I think he has moments of incredible brilliance (see Devil’s Advocate). And it’s weird, but a few days ago I watched one of my favorite movies ever that I hadn’t seen in a good 5 years, Point Break. Besides that I lent my copy of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure to my boss just today (research). But I didn’t walk the 5 feet over to him in the concessions line to mention anything ridiculous like that. In my further development I must have also reached that level of L.A. maturity where you pretend to treat stars as if they are regular people and DON’T BOTHER THEM unless you absolutely have something interesting to tell them! Like the asshole that mockingly yelled out “Wyld Stallyns” just before the feature had begun. Why do you have to do that shit? Does it make you feel better to alienate a guy who just wants to appreciate the film in it’s proper setting? So what if he just happens to be one of the biggest actors of our time. The world is full of coincidences, Hollywood on the other hand is a birdcage of celebrity.

Here’s another coincidence. You can sync up Pink Floyd’s 23 minute epic, “Echoes” with the JUPITER sequence of 2001 with amazing results. Possibly more intentional than Dark Side of the Rainbow (OZ) whether they are meant to be together or not i couldn’t help but sing this song to myself on the way home. But I don’t want to spoil anything for you, so don’t watch the above video if you haven’t already seen the movie.

I’ve rambled enough that I might as well rate the movie, so I give Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey an 8.75/10 because it is pure Sci-Fi Art that established the strong visual standard by which many have followed (Star Wars) and because it has stood the test of 40 years of film science advancement with minimal notice of its practical effects. The only downside is that it is fucking LONG. Beginning at 11:40 pm and ending at 2:30 am this could be the latest Midnight Movie, I’ve ever seen.

Tags: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arclight, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, celebustalking, Cinerama, Keanu Reeves, Monolith, Point Break, Sci-fi, Stanley Kubrick

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