2019 Blind Spot Series: Dr. Strangelove of How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb

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What I knew going in: The basic premise


 General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) orders an attack on the Soviets while a room full of politicians attempt to stop him.

 There's one thing I never wanted my blog to feel like and that's a job. I always want to write for fun and I genuinely feel that way 99.9% of the time. However last Monday when I sat down to watch my Blind Spot pick, which I was running late on, I was having a terrible day. This was that .1% of the time where this felt like an assignment I needed to complete. Going into this with that mindset, I was expecting to view this feel very negatively whether it deserved it or not. 

 But it turns out a satire was a nice way to block everything else out for an hour and a half because I legitimately enjoyed this. Even with my son, who was reading in the same room kept pointing out "all they're doing is talking." The war room scenes were the best because of that. Peter Sellers, who plays multiple roles - the titular Dr. Strangelove, the president, Captain Mandrake really stole the show. George C. Scott was another treasure in those scenes. 

Frankly, the film is just stupid and that makes it enjoyable. I don't think it's perfect. The lone female in this film is there for no reason at all other than to look hot and while I was excited to see James Earl Jones, he had nothing to do, but for a film I felt so determined to dislike going in, I'm glad I came out the way I did.

 Recommended: Yes

 Grade: B-

 Memorable Quote: "I know Dmitri, can you imagine how I feel?" - President Muffley (Peter Sellers)

Comments

  1. BirgitAugust 24, 2019 at 10:59 AM

    I just watched this film for the first time last night! I’m glad you got over your .1% and enjoyed this farce. I really enjoyed it and I loved these names from the President which was a take on a woman’s vajaja to Keenan Wynn’s name being Bat Guano which is another word for the shit. Slim Picken wasn’t told it was a comedy because he only read his part as that was what was given to him so he played it straight since his style of language is actually the actor! It’s scary to think about this but it only takes one goofball. Glad we were in sync this week

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2019 at 1:23 PM

      Oh yes I didn't even mention the names! Those were great. That's cool you just saw it for the first time as well.

      Delete
  2. joel65913August 24, 2019 at 6:53 PM

    I saw this after years of hearing it hyped to the skies, never the best way to approach a film. I like it but didn't love it.

    It definitely has a skewed outlook thanks to Kubrick which is what makes it amusing. Keenan Wynn was my favorite but everyone was spot on with Sellers working like crazy in his multiple roles.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2019 at 1:22 PM

      That was like me with Citizen Kane. Years upon years of hearing it called the best movie ever made, then to go in and be completely underwhelmed.

      Delete
  3. thevoid99August 24, 2019 at 7:34 PM

    This is one of my favorite films by Kubrick as it does say a lot about how some can be provoked as well as what happens when things go wrong that can lead to total chaos. At the time it came out, people didn't believe things like this would happen but since the end of the Cold War. Everyone realized how close they were to World War III and it was this film that revealed how spot-on it was. Plus, it's so goddamn funny. Especially for Slim Picken as I will never get over the image of him riding a bomb.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2019 at 1:22 PM

      I agree. And honestly after Trump was elected president, I believe anything stupid and terrible could happen. This could be like watching an amusing documentary lol.

      Delete
    2. thevoid99August 25, 2019 at 2:33 PM

      It's a film that is more relevant now given who is at the White House. Part of me now wishes that I sacrifice myself for the good of the world by riding a bomb falling onto the White House just like Homer Simpson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K10pdj5YOy0

      Delete
  4. Big Screen Small WordsAugust 25, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    I remember liking the film, but I will have to revisit it sometime as I don't remember much from it aside from Peter Sellers playing multiple characters.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2019 at 1:21 PM

      Sellers is great, I hope you get to revisit it sometime.

      Delete
  5. DellAugust 25, 2019 at 10:18 PM

    I tried with this movie. I've seen it 3 times and it doesn't quite work for me. Some of it is quite funny, but those spots are spread out too far for me. The stuff in between left me cold. Maybe the 4th time will be the charm.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 26, 2019 at 9:29 AM

      I'm surprised you'd give it a 4th try. I usually give movies 2. I have an entire list of films I've been making to give that elusive 2nd chance to. We'll see how that goes. It will be my 2020 blog goal.

      Delete
  6. epileptic.moondancerAugust 27, 2019 at 4:03 AM

    This is Peter Sellers' masterpiece. And I agree, it is so stupid and that is why it works, mainly cos it makes the military look like complete buffoons.

    And I can't believe your quote at the end wasn't the president yelling "No fighting in the war room"!! I will forever love that line, its short and perfect.

    I don't quite understand the comment about a lack of females though - while I don't agree with it and am glad it has changed, the film is from 1964 for one so unfortunately this is probably the case for over 90% of films from that era, plus its a war film from a time when women weren't part of the military (or government positions also, not sure on that one). I mean, if this was a modern film with the same cast, I'd agree 100%. I dunno, I guess I don't think its fair to judge such an old film with the values of current-day society.

    But I'm a male so I dunno if my opinion of any value. This is also one of my top five movies haha, I guess I'm defensive of it!

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 27, 2019 at 7:37 AM

      That was a good one too, but I was rolling during the entire Dmitri conversation for some reason.

      I don't mean in the war room because I agree that wouldn't be accurate, but just in general. It seemed weird that the only one in here was just the chick lying on her bed in her underwear. I think they could've at least tried harder.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousAugust 29, 2019 at 4:34 AM

    Oooooh I've been meaning to watch it!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, that it turned out to be a good thing--I've never given it a chance bc it just feels like a chore to watch this. But it might work the same for me?!

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  8. LizzySeptember 17, 2019 at 1:23 AM

    Generally, I do not enjoy these types of films. I prefer war movies that focus on the life of the ‘common people’; how war affected their daily life etc. After reading all these comments, I might give it a go, especially since it is not too long.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 17, 2019 at 7:37 AM

      It flies by pretty quickly. I tend to prefer those movies when talking about war as well, but this one worked.

      Delete
    2. LizzySeptember 20, 2019 at 10:48 AM

      I'll share my thoughts after watching it!

      Delete
    3. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 20, 2019 at 7:22 PM

      Yay! Thank you!

      Delete

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