10. Paths of Glory (1957)
As controversial as anything Kubrick made (it was banned in France for its corrupt depiction of French authority) this piercing commentary on military hypocrisy is one of the most engrossing war movies ever made. Enhanced by an inspired central performance from Kirk Douglas, objective but probing camerawork and architecture that triumphantly emphasis psychological character containment, Paths remains an undisputed masterpiece.
11. Was a True Auteur
Kubrick is probably more worthy of the term 'auteur' than any other filmmaker. He placed his indelible stamp on not just every film he made, but every shot he filmed, every scene he lit, every performance he nurtured and every musical accompaniment he chose.
12. 90% of His Films Were Masterpieces
With the exceptions of Killer's Kiss, the remainder of Kubrick's output - The Killing, Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Dr Strangelove, 2001, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut were undisputed masterpieces. He stepped up to bat for the home run and hit it, every single time.
13. Knew How to Instantly Connect with an Audience
Kubrick's flawless ability to connect with his audience is evident in the opening helicopter shot of The Shining, it's there in the final deeply felt song sung to the soldiers in Paths of Glory and it's there in the emergence of the star child in 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgCejsyS0t8
14. Was a Brilliant Futurist
Although obviously missing the aesthetic mark by a few decades the uplifting future technological depiction of 2001 contrasted with the spacious art-deco decadence of an institutionalised oppressive society in A Clockwork Orange are evidence of Kubrick's creative impulse for brilliant future visions.\a