Focus

I have decided that the focus of my project will be on whether Stanley Kubrick represents women as positive or negative in his films, how he does this, and whether or not it is in fact either positive or negative.   (though also making reference to how sexuality is portrayed and sex/sexual boundaries)

NEW POINT: Make special reference to Kubricks portrayal of Violence and Sex as synonymous and of equal cause and effect to each other.

Post Exam Refresher

Now that exams are finished the research project is my primary concern again. Ive decided to definitely focus on Kubricks presentation of Women and Sexuality within his films as this is often a point of interest.

Eyes Wide Shut
Lolita
Dr Strangelove
With reference to A Clockwork Orange at various points. 

These are likely to be my focus films due to their close links with representation of women and film and the interesting way in which women are represented within these films (for example Dr Strangelove containing only one female at all, and that viewpoint being incredibly one sided. I want to find out and explore why Kubrick did this).

I have discovered by use of a FAQ website on Kubrick (http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/faq/fullkey.html) some interesting documentaries as well as some other useful links.
Documentaries:             
 Making the Shining (Vivian Kubrick)  
This provides an interesting (subjective) account of Kubrick in his work. It also has interviews with those around Kubrick (unfortunately not Stanley himself) that could provide some useful information on him and his style.
The Invisible Man (Paul Joyce)     
Whilst cited as being too subjective and too much of a personal critique of Kubrick, it may contain some useful information and opinion on Kubrick from those who have worked with him (Namely Malcolm Mcdowell).
The Last Film - Stanley Kubrick and Eyes Wide Shut      
Making explicit references to my focus film, and also containing hands on interviews with Kubrick's wife and two of his daughters, this documentary is cited in the micro review as being possibly the best documentary on Kubrick the man, and also making detailed analysis of Eyes Wide Shut. It also contains interviews with the Female Co-star of the film, Nicole Kidman, which could prove incredibly relevant to my project topic specifically.    
 
              

Small Update

These are the films I have watched so far by Kubrick and analyzed to some extent:
A Clockwork Orange,
Lolita,
Full Metal Jacket,
Eyes Wide Shut,

I have to watch;
Barry Lyndon,
Dr Strange-love
The Shining

I will likely focus my project on women/sexuality in Kubrick cinema

New Research

I attended a talk regarding Kubrick and his aborted epic Napoleon on Monday the 20th September, this was very enlightening and I have collected many notes on Kubrick's film style, his management techniques and his personality itself. None of these notes are particularly specified towards a central theme but I feel they will be useful. I'm planning to read several books on Kubrick as well as buy The Shining and Full Metal Jacket for reference and Dr Strange-love, Barry Lyndon, (and possible Lolita, Spartacus and The Killing) to watch and refer to. Possible themes that have come up to research or focus on during my internet searches have been Ironic Pessimism, Novel Adaption, Sexuality, Violence, (or general controversy) or Fatal flaws in the Human condition. Books I have on my list to read are: The Stanley Kubrick archives by Alison castle (which was referenced much during the talk) Stanley Kubrick (Masters of Cinema) by Bill Krohn and Stanley Kubrick Interviews by Gene D. Philips.

Inital Blog for Auteur study ideas

I'm planning to do an auteur study on Stanley Kubrick. I shall likely theme this study around his representation of sex and violence in his films as he is famous for his controversial subject matter and content within his films. Some examples being A Clockwork Orange, FullMetal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, Dr Strangelove etc. However he has also made films with deliberately toned down violence, even when the potential exists for extremely gruesome violence (arguably an example would be The Shining, which instead chooses a Psychologically horrifying approach). I will use sources for my bibliography such as books (of which many exist on Kubrick) films, documentaries (of which there are also many), newpaper and magazine articles etc. I will supplement my research with a visit to the BFI in london and various other film libraries around the immediate area. I plan to attend a documentary about Kubricks aborted epic "Napoleon" at the Cambridge Film Festival.