Movies

Villeneuve Reveals His Favorite Movie (It’s a Classic!)

BBG News

Renowned Canadian director Denis Villeneuve has steered numerous critically acclaimed movies to success. Ranging from the Academy Award-winning “Dune” series to blockbusters like “Arrival” and “Prisoners”, it’s clear that Villeneuve boasts a unique vision within the film industry. With his exceptional directing abilities, many are intrigued about the sources of his inspiration. Which directors and films does Villeneuve find inspiring? Given his focus on sci-fi cinema, the source of inspiration is not unexpected.

In an interview on Letterboxd, Villeneuve mentioned that his top pick among four favorite films is Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” He expressed his belief that the movie is flawless, which seems accurate given its enduring popularity and a high Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 90%. The film’s excellence remains remarkable even after more than half a century since its release in 1968. Today, with advancements in technology, “2001: A Space Odyssey” continues to captivate both new and longtime admirers alike.

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ Is a True Sensory Experience

In a movie like “2001: A Space Odyssey” where dialogues and narration aren’t dominant, it compensates immensely through its awe-inspiring visuals and sound. From the get-go, the film grabs the audience’s attention with the renowned “Dawn of Man” sequence, which even those unfamiliar with the full movie will likely recognize due to the depiction of apes and iconic musical score. The film’s ingenious transformation of a bone into a satellite is noteworthy too; it encapsulates one of numerous breathtaking visuals that illustrate the vast expanse of human development over millions of years in an instant.

The movie offers scenes of pleasing balance, vividly bright hues, and audio that seems to come from another planet. As we journey through the trippy Star Gate or watch a stewardess seemingly defy gravity by walking on walls, both characters in the plot and viewers find themselves confronted with mind-blowing experiences. The film’s visual effects, remarkable even today, were achieved more than half a century ago.

Technology Used To Create ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’

The article from The Guardian indicates that the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Kubrick, employed clever techniques and realistic effects to portray his vision of space and the future. For example, revolving sets were utilized to mimic the centrifugal force on the Discovery spacecraft. In a specific scene, astronaut Dave Bowman encounters an upside-down colleague while eating, giving the impression that neither is affected by gravity. This illusion was created by spinning the set and affixing food onto the astronaut’s fork.

During the production of the movie, there were no digital special effects available. Instead, all events had to be carried out physically and captured directly by the camera. Given that the film is heavily focused on space and spaceships, it was essential to use painted backdrops and miniature models for certain sequences. These creative tasks were led and supervised by Douglas Trumbull, the visual effects mastermind behind the production. He was also instrumental in the development and widespread adoption of the Slit Scan camera, which utilized color gels, backlit artwork, and controlled blurring to create the iconic Star Gate scene.

Villeneuve’s Sci-Fi Hits Explore Similar Ideas to ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’

In both “2001: A Space Odyssey” and numerous works by Villeneuve, there is a recurring exploration of transcendence – a concept related to personal capabilities and one’s position in the cosmos we inhabit. At the conclusion of the movie, Bowman journeys through Star Gate, only to surpass ordinary human life and temporal boundaries at inconceivable speeds before being reborn as the Star Child – an energy entity with the potential to rescue humanity from self-inflicted destruction.

A Space Odyssey” is now streaming on Max.

Read More

2025-04-27 21:34

Previous post Another ’90s horror classic is getting a “modern era” reboot
Next post John Wayne’s Blazing Saddles Rejection Saved the Movie