EYES WIDE SHUT and the illusion of Xmas rituals

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  • Опубліковано 19 кві 2021
  • An exploration of how EYES WIDE SHUT presents social ritual themes in relation to the Xmas holiday season. Taken from Rob Ager's longform film analysis video, Eyes Wide Shut: Kubrick's Rainbow Story.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 594

  • @jokesonyoumyguy5086
    @jokesonyoumyguy5086 Рік тому +221

    What I got from this film is that Stanley was making a statement of that we are all living with our eyes wide shut. There are many layers to this film; way too many to ever break down in a comment, but I think the main focus is to show us the party in the beginning and the mask party are practically the same party. The first party represents the matrix we all live in. Everyone’s smiling and well dressed and everything is so beautiful.. The second party is just representing all the stuff that’s actually going on that we most are too blind to see because we are either too stuck in the matrix too see it, or we choose to turn ignore the truth and just play along in a fantasy. People only see the facade and they don’t see the reality we live in, hence the title being “Eyes Wide Shut”. I hope that makes sense.

    • @michelepost693
      @michelepost693 Рік тому +4

      So True 👍💯

    • @StephanieJackson-zu7lw
      @StephanieJackson-zu7lw Рік тому +1

      I agree.

    • @Matt-zp1jn
      @Matt-zp1jn Рік тому

      Yep, I feel this way too.
      The illusion or dream state on the surface for the movie shows the superficial “mask” the upper social class elites an society portray outwardly as a cover up disguise of their true hidden motivations, desires, feelings, agendas etc.
      On the darker side of the holiday party, the secret society occultic sacrifice/orgy reveals their actual “true natures”, the depraved, the perverse, the evils of the human/child sacrifice/orgy of the elites playing out their desires for real.
      The illusion or dream state under the surface, delves deeper into the real intentions of the elite aristocrats. Their dark natures shows the physical party mask worn on their face by the upper class elites acting as a protection of sorts for their psychological identity/self-perception which then inwardly acts as a cover up disguise of their true ego of the actions,behaviours,rituals,sacrifices that they outwardly physically carry out.
      At the ceremony everyone is wearing physical masks now, maybe so they are not recognized and can’t see themselves in a mirror doing their depraved acts which would shatter their personal ego ,narcissistic an high up self-perception of their identity.
      The mask distances their psyche, conscience somewhat from accepting responsibility or accountability themselves (cognitive dissonance) for their immoral, criminal, occultic actions/behaviours.
      The sex orgies,drugs,secret rituals,money,fame,status all dim the mind, morals, ethics and relax the dark base temptations as well.

    • @betterd9160
      @betterd9160 Рік тому +9

      I agree. I think the theme is the multiple sides of self. The whole thing was a representation of internal conflict between fantasy and reality and drives being subjugated or released. The masked ball was a next level, intense release of secret self but it still remained hidden. Shame and punishment is prominent. One thing I noticed was how many characters resembled the husband and wife.
      Kubrick seems to be very influenced by Freud and Jung. I don’t think Kubrick was attempting to expose a secret society in the world but rather we are all members of our own personal secret society. Sorry for the disjointed ideas.

    • @stampedetrail2003
      @stampedetrail2003 10 місяців тому

      The Jungian thing, for sure. The Mask party is the physical expression of the subconscious wishes of the surface party.
      Also, it's impossible to see without a high res copy, but the news article and Ziggler's description are the same verbatim. He controls the press.

  • @lizclegg7556
    @lizclegg7556 Рік тому +59

    All the women who are used for sex have red hair, or maybe a reddish glow about them. Nicole Kidman, Domino, Domino's friend, Mandy, Ziegler's wife (maybe even Bill's naked patient) have similar colouring. The two girls who hit on Bill and the costume shop owner's underage daughter have a slightly reddish glow to their hair. Women who have no sexual purpose - the waitress and Bill's secretary - have dark hair. Worryingly, Helena has similar red hair.

    • @fromgreattobrilliant922
      @fromgreattobrilliant922 Рік тому +9

      I always figured that it was symbolizing Cruise's characters struggle to cheat in the film. He tries to stray away from his wife, but he keeps going after women with similar features that his wife has.

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 11 місяців тому +5

      The two models at the party have dark hair. Same as Bill.

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 11 місяців тому +3

      @@fromgreattobrilliant922 I thought it meant his wife is better looking than all the other women, he should be home with her.

  • @mk-ultramags1107
    @mk-ultramags1107 3 роки тому +135

    The lighting in 'EWS' is without a doubt at the top of my list. While its mostly all very surreal and dream-like, it still does have a naturalistic feel to it. Kubrick was so good at that type of a balancing act.

    • @esyphillis101
      @esyphillis101 3 роки тому +7

      Perhaps that has to do with his mostly matter-of-fact cinematography that feels very observational.

    • @mk-ultramags1107
      @mk-ultramags1107 3 роки тому +4

      @@esyphillis101 Absolutely. A friend of mine always brings up Dario Argento and his technique in films like 'Susperia', which I love in it's own right. But to me, I prefer films like 'The Shining', where the lighting and color scheme are still prominent in telling the story, just in a more subtle and realistic way. An example I like is when Jack is in the hallway after backing out of Room 237... Its dark and ominous but realistic and not overdone. I can remember being at my Grandmother's house as a kid and she had dark, almost blood red carpets(Which were popular at the time) and at night when I slept over, naturally I'd use the bathroom. The light lit up only a portion of the hallway and it always reminds me of that scene. To me, that is more powerful and terrifying than anything else because it feels real. The light coming in thru the windows of The Overlook with Jack staring into the white, snowy abyss... His work continues to be the gold standard IMO. Like you said, Kubrick was amongst many things, very naturalistic in his approach to lighting a set. 'ACO', 'EWS', 'FMJ' and especially 'Barry Lyndon' ... Each has moments of Kubrick being big and bold, yet they never lose that grip of realism that makes his work so unique. 'EWS' is more surreal of course, but not to the point where it's too much. My Aunt married a rich man and they had a multi-million dollar Brownstone on Comm Ave in Boston... During Xmas, their apartment looked just like Bill's in 'EWS.' Kubrick lived in a similar apartment(Which I believe was the basis for the film) and you can see he was careful to make sure it looked real, even though the story is most likely nothing but a dream and/or fantasy. With 99% of films being shot digitally, it's becoming a lost art.

    • @joejohn.
      @joejohn. 2 роки тому

      it's cozy

    • @onewhitepony
      @onewhitepony Рік тому

      Reminded me alot of The Shining

  • @joegideon8461
    @joegideon8461 3 роки тому +119

    Rob Ager and Kubrick - this made my day!

    • @jakobdueck7491
      @jakobdueck7491 3 роки тому +2

      agree!

    • @mroctober3657
      @mroctober3657 3 роки тому

      Like Riggs & Murtaugh, Laverne & Shirley, Bogie & Bacall, Fred & Ginger, Fishburne & Baldwin (Fled)

    • @interqward1
      @interqward1 3 роки тому

      I didn't even want to press a 'like' on your comment, because that would take it away from '69...'

    • @ronmackinnon9374
      @ronmackinnon9374 2 роки тому +1

      @@interqward1 It's at 89 now, so 'like' away.

    • @interqward1
      @interqward1 2 роки тому +1

      @@ronmackinnon9374 Don't worry, I like I like! LOL

  • @horizon92lee
    @horizon92lee 3 роки тому +153

    The details Kubrick put in his films is done so well

    • @DefWorlds
      @DefWorlds 2 роки тому +7

      The balls on the pool table are kind of like anti-christmas lights

    • @carsondouglas8600
      @carsondouglas8600 2 роки тому +6

      The devil is in the details.

    • @JazDickinson1
      @JazDickinson1 7 місяців тому +2

      The 2 candles in a sort of horns on the restaurant when he read the News and the one in the house of Ziegler

    • @sunnydlite-t8b
      @sunnydlite-t8b 5 місяців тому +1

      Almost good as his work on the apollo missions.

  • @maestroadam
    @maestroadam 2 роки тому +76

    The amount of detail in this movie is staggering. I've had to watch it several times over several years, and I still feel like I haven't gotten it all! It is like a great symphony or opera. Fantastic.

  • @ChubbyChecker182
    @ChubbyChecker182 3 роки тому +304

    If you go with the theory of their daughter going off with the two guys at the end, she could be seen as a Xmas present to them.

    • @couchpotato3197
      @couchpotato3197 3 роки тому +85

      Jesus Christ that's horrifying

    • @carmensmithaguirre3049
      @carmensmithaguirre3049 3 роки тому +8

      Good point

    • @misterbobby8913
      @misterbobby8913 3 роки тому +120

      I was about to mention that aspect in a comment, hopefully Rob sees this. The girl definitely was taken by the 2 men. Nicole Kidman's character even subtly pushed her to that location. Nicole Kidman's character definitely *knew*. I believe Bill Actually didn't.
      Notice in the poster of Eyes Wide shit, Tom's eyes are closed while Nicole's eyes are wide open, and looking to the side.... conveying she's holding a secret.
      Remember how her character had "horrible nightmares". Yeah... she's been inside that mansion herself.

    • @davidlean1060
      @davidlean1060 3 роки тому +22

      @@misterbobby8913 She is not 'definitely' taken by anyone. We don't see her leave with the men, we just don't see her in the final moments. It's a far from conclusive theory, so it's not 'definite'.
      Not to call you out on anything, but of course Alice was dreaming...so is Bill. The Orgy is Blll rehashing the Zeigler party in a dream. The original title of the novella is, after all, 'Dream Story'.

    • @craigsimpson3901
      @craigsimpson3901 3 роки тому +16

      Yea good one,i was thinking red cloak is santa for adults

  • @wanace
    @wanace 3 роки тому +99

    The contrast between Domino’s tree when Bill first goes and then the wilted, broken branches that appear on it before he hears she has HIV is interesting. Always love your videos.

    • @pauliedibbs9028
      @pauliedibbs9028 Рік тому +1

      @Creepy Crust Nah... more so a corrupted (or diseased) tree of life.

  • @vipy4309
    @vipy4309 3 роки тому +33

    I brought most of your eyes wide shut analysis, and you really know what you are talking about when you talk about this film. Lights are the key to this film follow the lights and you will seek the awnsers to the secrets of the film... That's what I learned from your videos. Kubrick really put a lot of love and warmth into his last film.

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala Рік тому +1

      I look for messages in the lights every time I watch this movie. Many pink and blue and white lights. The only message I got was pink is for girls and blue is for boys when Domino is kissing Bill, but Domino has both lights on her side. Bill is just about to say, "I'm queer!" when the phone rings.

  • @izzyk1998
    @izzyk1998 11 місяців тому +9

    The use of Christmas lights in shots with Bill in him to represent his 'desirable aura' is such a cool theory, I think you're absolutely right I can't unseen it now!

  • @elee286
    @elee286 3 роки тому +51

    Wow I just noticed the lack of christmas lights in the toy store until the scene with the 2 older gents and the Hartford's daughter. Chills.

    • @DFSLJC
      @DFSLJC 2 роки тому +12

      And she’s illuminated by lights in the couch in the earlier scene. No mistake.

  • @bryanmckinney1098
    @bryanmckinney1098 2 роки тому +211

    The daughter: (13 letters in her name/this is Kubrick's 13th film) The movie is about the daughter. "We're going where the Rainbow ends." In the costume shop the owner sells his underage daughter for the right price. At the end the daughter goes off with Occultists. Right after handling a teddy bear. Manaquin heads are in the child abuse scene of the costume shop owner. "No dream is ever just a dream." Meaning it has basis in reality. This movie is about child abuse imo. Even the kneeling adults around the ritual circle at first look like kids. Also why would the cultists want to silence Bill? For seeing a consensual adult orgy? That's not even illegal... No this is about child abuse. And does that have basis in reality? Well, just ask Epstein. Whoops you can't. He got Mandy'd.

    • @lrkpotter
      @lrkpotter Рік тому +72

      Did you notice that Ziegler calls Mandy a “kiddo” when they are in the bathroom? That was super sketch

    • @mitchelleroberson
      @mitchelleroberson Рік тому +6

      @@lrkpotter yeah your comment and OP’s comment are really good notice

    • @proybankins709
      @proybankins709 Рік тому +22

      From what I've read in comments a lot of people theorize the 23 minutes that were cut out by the studio after Kubricks death depicted child abuse at the party and possibly sacrificial content.

    • @dyrewinterfrost
      @dyrewinterfrost Рік тому

      I think you're right, Kubrick wanted to bring light to some that was dark. I think he were a witch, that's plenty of few magick symbols.
      And using the most powerful couple in Hollyweird of the 90s. Was to make not such a good impact, but also bring some Xtra lights to some disturbing religion...

    • @stevowilliams8279
      @stevowilliams8279 Рік тому +6

      @@proybankins709 I would love to find any evidence of this being the case, but unfortunately it seems like a myth at this point.

  • @Dehzee
    @Dehzee 3 роки тому +140

    Yeah, you didn't mention that two of the old farts that were at Zeigler's party were also in the toy store at the movie's end.
    A screamingly disturbing part was Helena walking towards the men and then being haloed in Christmas lights, and the mom (Kidman) looks abruptly in the opposite direction of her child, even though her last look at the child saw the two men from party appearing to usher her who knows where. And neither Bill nor his his wife glance for the wherabouts of the child again.
    It is extremely disturbing. There is more going on with this movie than meets the eye.

    • @guillermogaucin4159
      @guillermogaucin4159 2 роки тому +1

      It’s a subliminal message exposing the rituals of what goes down behind doors in Hollywood, which is probably why they killed him after and still showed it just to warn others what happens if you don’t listen. Like the whole pizza gate situation and Epstein he knew what exactly went down he was gone sing like a canary but they took him out before he did just listen to Kat Williams he tells it all too

    • @darrelletownsend9602
      @darrelletownsend9602 Рік тому

      I wonder if, what you describe could be a nod to Nicole Kidman's father being a pedo and a Freemason to boot, the scene with the man in the cape and naked women reminds me of some of the descriptions of Freemason ceremonies. Supposedly, Nicole was privy to one young girl who was at their house and witnessed her father doing something, like tie her up. I can't remember exactly what happened but remember that Nicole was there. I kept thinking surely Nicole wouldn't know about what her father was accused of, whilst reading about what he was like, but then my illusions were shattered.

    • @Dehzee
      @Dehzee Рік тому +24

      @@darrelletownsend9602 Yes, I know about claims she is involved, via family. It would certainly explain her fame and connections. It seems an interesting art imitating life, that she is not truly in love with the husband, but rather, she is the husband's handler. Tom Cruise has about as much freedom as Britney did/does, he is just so handled/brainwashed, he has no clue, his mind is locked down.
      Although the ritual was presented much more scenically than it is in real life, it is mos def what Kubrick was trying to show. The elites are loyal to one another not through any sense of camaraderie or familiarity, but rather, they are tied in loyalty, bound, by their secrets.
      This is why we know Jeff Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell. but no clients have been charged. They have been compromised, video taped being compromised, and will now promote any agenda they are told to promote by the cabalists, because of a fear of being exposed through black mail.

    • @pauliedibbs9028
      @pauliedibbs9028 Рік тому +16

      Yep... Pretty much symbolizes how/why so many children disappear from right under their parents' eyes....

    • @hanakonecci5939
      @hanakonecci5939 Рік тому +19

      If you really pay attention you can see Nicole Kidmans character nudging Helena towards the men. Just once, before she looks back at Bill to talk about there relationship. The film ended strangely and an entire 24 minutes was cut after Kubrick died. I think Nicole kidman’s character was involved with trashing her daughter for either being involved or something of that nature. It’s all about CA, and trafficking. But no one saw it back then and some still don’t see it or want to. They would prefer to keep there eyes wide shut.

  • @JT-hi1cs
    @JT-hi1cs 3 роки тому +13

    Throughout the movie, non of the lights blink. Except in two moments: when they leave their daughter alone in the toy store and when Cruise is walking (in that trippy scene) when he is pissed, there’s a single store that blinks a lot, mixing both colored and gold lights.

  • @martine.l.9415
    @martine.l.9415 3 роки тому +65

    It’s like there’s a parallel when it comes to the illusion / fantasy of Christmas and also the illusion/fantasy of sexual escapades as an adult and what we are left with as a means of escape and indulgence
    Also brings to mind the phrase “ignorance is bliss” with the Christmas lights symbolism in the film
    Sometimes once you learn something a new frame of mind like Santa claus isn’t real or that the adult male contemplates sex every 10 seconds there is no going back lol

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 3 роки тому

      The movie has nothing to do with the illusion or fantasy of Christmas. Many other movies, do, though.

    • @HeatherHolt
      @HeatherHolt 6 місяців тому +1

      I doubt Kubrick would have set the movie at Christmas time if it didn’t have some meaning so I can see your point ❤

  • @augustgreig9420
    @augustgreig9420 3 роки тому +34

    I saw the Christmas thing first as showing the separation between dream world and reality, that the opening Christmas party, everyone shows their face openly, yet are more clandestine with their real intentions for being there, like it's well known that Seigler throws the best parties.
    The second was that their absence represented the pagan occult.

  • @goldiefatale
    @goldiefatale Рік тому +4

    I'm watching all these analysis now as Kidman is in the Balenciaga ads. Wow is my brain exploding.

  • @esyphillis101
    @esyphillis101 3 роки тому +22

    Perhaps the association of the daughter with the Christmas tree foreshadows the 2 men following her in the final scene whom will likely groom her.

  • @claudiaxander
    @claudiaxander 3 роки тому +83

    Not everything in cinema has some deep well thought out meaning!
    Kubrick: Hold my warehouse of research.

    • @frenchmime1972
      @frenchmime1972 2 роки тому +3

      I've made widely seen films, what some people see in them and tell me about, wasn't intentional at all, I believe some of this is the case in kubrick's films as well, but if someone gets that out of it, can't really argue it.

    • @claudiaxander
      @claudiaxander 2 роки тому +1

      @@frenchmime1972 Yes, people are mental!

    • @Lexi_Con
      @Lexi_Con 2 роки тому +1

      Isn't that the point of art? While some if not many elements are intended, such as allegory & visual/audio compositions, the piece as a whole is subject to interpretation. Art evokes emotion & thought, but it is ultimately up to the viewer.

    • @Lexi_Con
      @Lexi_Con 2 роки тому +1

      In addition to my first comment:
      Not sure if you're snarky & complaining or paying Kubrick a compliment for his research & attention to detail, but I can't help but wonder why you're here if you weren't looking for some kind of interpretation/analysis. No, every movie does not have symbolism or elements requiring deep thought (plenty of action flicks & rom-coms for that). Stanley Kubrick's & other films are considered classics bc of how well everything is tied together (direction, acting, set design, lighting, cinematography, score, and most importantly writing). Same with great novels. Ever take literature in college... Or at least high school? That's what you do, except with books.

    • @claudiaxander
      @claudiaxander 2 роки тому

      @@Lexi_Con Yes, I fully understand what you're saying and I wholeheartedly agree...
      My initial comment is a joke.
      Now not being funny, but are you on the spectrum? I don't mean to offend, just curious!,

  • @j.bradley
    @j.bradley Рік тому +5

    I told my “Christian” wife that I was not going to participate in the Satanic Christmas rituals anymore, and she was VERY upset because she LOVES Christmas! I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ EVERY DAY!!!

  • @Shrubbs
    @Shrubbs Рік тому +8

    Did you all notice the shooting pentagrams and the two large stars with a different colored Christmas light at each pointed tip? This is a nod to the Order of the Eastern Star

    • @SuperSlimshady1
      @SuperSlimshady1 Рік тому +1

      Time stamp?

    • @SuperSlimshady1
      @SuperSlimshady1 Рік тому

      In what scene were the shooting pentagrams?

    • @proybankins709
      @proybankins709 Рік тому +2

      Turns out there's a Masonic branch called order of the Girls.. I wonder if thats related to rainbows depicted in the movie.

  • @nosoupforyou89
    @nosoupforyou89 3 роки тому +32

    What makes most people "hate" christmas ritual is that buying gifts in that time of the year is so in your face from everywhere, specially since these days stores start forcing christmas decoration and presents so early. Many are doing it in early november and some even earlier. Interesting thing, I don't have a single happy memory from my childhood that involves christmas presents. Actually, one memory that stucked with me involving them is actually a sad one, when my mom bought me a really nice clothing, but obviusly I was expecting something else then, so I really hated the present on the christmas day. The thought of her finding that nice clothes to make me happy and then seeing me being so unhappy when I got it haunts me still for some reason. Luckily, it took me a matter of few days to fall in love with theclothes and I remember it being my favorite clothes for years. Positive memories of christmas that I have always involved family dinner and decorations, never the presents.

    • @myrtle1234
      @myrtle1234 3 роки тому +13

      Kubrick appears to have carefully cleansed the holiday imagery in the film of every Christian element, reducing it to an orgy of wearying commercial consumerism. It juxtaposes nicely with the cheap consumption of anonymous bodies in the sexual orgies. Christmas devoid of Christ, sex devoid of love, marriage devoid of fidelity, all pointless and tedious.
      I like many observant Christians, do not celebrate Christmas, which is NOT even observed during the real season of His birth nor was it kept by the early Church. I keep it to please my German husband who has fond childhood memories of the German Christmas markets.

    • @nignamedmutt7270
      @nignamedmutt7270 2 роки тому +3

      If you go to most major retail stores ON Halloween, you'll see Christmas decorations(if not already set up, they'll be putting them up around you as you shop)
      Hell, I worked in a hardware store and we'd get our Christmas stuff in June, and basically hide it in various spots around the store.
      Haven't worked there for like 6 years, but ever since I see the Christmas decorations start poking out from behind corners right as summer starts.
      It's a bit fucking ridiculous.

    • @teddratch_owner_signature_4920
      @teddratch_owner_signature_4920 Рік тому

      As much as I enjoy the presents and celebrating, the marketing is definitely not the true meaning of Christmas. Santa Claus has no place in the story. People will still ask what it means, so it's not awful in that respect but...🤷‍♂️

    • @brendancoburn427
      @brendancoburn427 Рік тому

      A quote from 'A Course in Miracles'..... 'Christmas is not a date, it's a state of mind'.

    • @DennisMHenderson
      @DennisMHenderson Рік тому

      @@myrtle1234 Christianity & it’s conduit of liars are the well known irony & flagship doubt against the source of life. As long as you traitors continue with this charade of hijack, so will your reflection manifest. It is a joke of torture perpetuated by a planet of apes that believe they are righteous through the biggest lie of this 2000 year era. (The imaginary false christ vs the self evident truth of the only covenant that exists) Perversion in a sheep skin.

  • @shmalts1
    @shmalts1 Рік тому +18

    2 things:
    The Christmas cards blew my mind, especially the drawing of red clock on Bills fridge.
    Second, it’s so interesting to me about the movie being originally released in July. That’s so weird and interesting! Why would Kubrick release a film so centered on Christmas imagery, in the middle of summer? Was it even up to him?

    • @tomsnowden6201
      @tomsnowden6201 9 місяців тому +2

      Ever hear of Christmas in July?

  • @GamerWordDotNet
    @GamerWordDotNet 3 роки тому +24

    Your Eyes Wide Shut content is always fantastic.

  • @ReeTM
    @ReeTM 3 роки тому +11

    Over the rainbow and the Christmas lights: unbelievable, there in plain sight.

    • @DemoDick1
      @DemoDick1 3 роки тому +6

      Kubrick *really* knew what he was doing. What a master.

    • @charlesroyal5125
      @charlesroyal5125 3 роки тому +1

      Eyes wide open

    • @VanezArt
      @VanezArt 2 роки тому

      If you want to hide something put it in plain sight.

    • @SuperSlimshady1
      @SuperSlimshady1 Рік тому

      What does it mean?

    • @brundlefly262
      @brundlefly262 8 місяців тому

      What do they mean?

  • @Killernaut16
    @Killernaut16 3 роки тому +8

    I never even noticed this. Kubrick never ceases to amaze.

  • @TBM1121
    @TBM1121 3 роки тому +13

    Red Cloak / Santa connection: Both deliver "gifts" to who he judges "good" and threats / coal for those who disobey or dont belong are "bad" boys and girls. Ho....Ho....Ho.......

    • @VanezArt
      @VanezArt 2 роки тому

      Santa = S A T A N

  • @TravisGriffinTron
    @TravisGriffinTron 3 роки тому +15

    You had me at Eyes Wide Shut

  • @brendanduffy2367
    @brendanduffy2367 3 роки тому +9

    I watched this for the first time only recently and it blew my mind.

    • @juliannfloress3490
      @juliannfloress3490 2 роки тому

      so, what do u think about the movie? did u like it?...

  • @funckyjunky
    @funckyjunky 3 роки тому +9

    Oh, I have just realized that its a Christmas movie ! Cant wait to watch it with whole family 😭

  • @kremesauce
    @kremesauce 3 роки тому +19

    Rob and cinemaTyler both putting out a video today...it’s Christmas.

  • @carljames4862
    @carljames4862 3 роки тому +24

    Good point about Alice and Bill putting their troubles on hold to take Helena Xmas shopping. Playing into that illusion of fun and happiness for their daughter. I loved that scene where Helena is happily bouncing from one toy to the next but then looks back at her parents and senses how serious they are. Helena's change in demeanour from excited to one of sadness always gets me when i watch this movie back. So well acted and directed.

    • @ronmackinnon9374
      @ronmackinnon9374 2 роки тому +9

      Worse than that, she goes off with two old men, seen earlier at the Christmas party (and possibly among the attendees at the mansion as well), and Bill and Alice don't seem to care.

  • @memo6588
    @memo6588 Рік тому +18

    It all depends on the meaning behind the activity/ritual. I say the movie speaks a lot about how we lose the meaning in our lives by getting wrapped up in what else we could have instead. There's always another rung on the ladder to success but we lose focus on what success means or could mean. As a family man, I suspect Kubrick may have been bothered by modern cultures growing selfishness replacing the selflessness needed to be a successful parent. This has occurred in all cultures at the top of the food chain so to speak. The cult group wasn't a dream but an ultra reality. It's the depraved sinful nature of man that occurs when purpose and meaning has left your life.

    • @The-Seventies
      @The-Seventies 10 місяців тому +1

      That’s some insight. Thanks!

    • @HeatherHolt
      @HeatherHolt 6 місяців тому

      I like this take.

  • @Westhomasmusic
    @Westhomasmusic 3 роки тому +4

    Love your videos mate, and totally agree with your points. me myself, I have stopped christmas for the last 7 years and i dont regret my choice. Keep the video coming

  • @esyphillis101
    @esyphillis101 3 роки тому +21

    One question I’ve always had about Kubrick: did he have Aspergers? Given what we know of his personality and how meticulous he certainly strikes me as someone who would.

    • @Onmysheet
      @Onmysheet 2 роки тому

      It was confirmed he had a form of autism.

    • @ricardoandrade7810
      @ricardoandrade7810 2 роки тому +1

      Like Elon Musk

    • @jesustovar2549
      @jesustovar2549 Рік тому +3

      This is coming too late, but as an Asperger myself, yes, I think Kubrick had it, I think is the only way to explain his manias (like repeating takes), and fixation on subjetcs such as Napoleon and other obsessions.

  • @bonedog5130
    @bonedog5130 3 роки тому +5

    My Rob Ager Spidey Senses randomly fired today and I realized I hadn't seen a video of yours in a long time. Lo and behold, a new EWS video released a mere 50 minutes ago! Nice!

  • @jinabrasser9439
    @jinabrasser9439 Рік тому +1

    Really great analysis of this film….I’ve always been obsessed with this film & with Christmas lights more so than any of the other holiday rituals & this video just made my day 🥰🤩😘

  • @TheMorganVEVO
    @TheMorganVEVO 3 роки тому +2

    I love this channel so much.

  • @TommyTwoSocks
    @TommyTwoSocks 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you Bobby always love your insightful Kubrick content

  • @joealbright7125
    @joealbright7125 2 роки тому

    I love all your stuff Rob Ager!

  • @KevinPDunn
    @KevinPDunn 6 місяців тому

    Great video! Merry Christmas, Mary!

  • @mitchelleroberson
    @mitchelleroberson Рік тому +6

    There was also an angel like on that Christmas card inside the room where he and Alice meet Ziegler and his wife, there’s a similar angel statue behind them in front of the staircase. You did a great job explaining Christmas. It doesn’t say in the Bible to celebrate Christmas

  • @phrasedeyebrow2083
    @phrasedeyebrow2083 2 роки тому

    Another wonderful video Mr. Ager!

  • @tonitsi78
    @tonitsi78 3 роки тому +1

    Since this is a Kubrick film analysis by Rob Ager, I can confidently hit Like button even before I have seen it.

  • @judithrivera3385
    @judithrivera3385 2 роки тому

    Thank you. Excellent interpretation and dissection of Kubrick's film.

  • @unityofsaints
    @unityofsaints Рік тому

    Excellent analysis Rob, I much prefer this updated version broken down into sections to the previous single long video.

  • @bev9708
    @bev9708 Рік тому +8

    Sorry Rob, that is not a Cupid depicted on the Christmas card, that is one of Raphael's putti from The Sistine Madonna (in the Old Masters Gallery in Dresden). The 2 putti from the painting are extremely famous, more famous than the painting itself, and are reproduced on endless decorative items and souvenirs.

    • @explosivetwist
      @explosivetwist 8 місяців тому +2

      that's even better symbolism. the putti attend directly to God himself. they are devoid of human feelings and of superhuman power.

    • @bev9708
      @bev9708 8 місяців тому +2

      @@explosivetwist AH interesting indeed!! Perhaps even their commercial success with people being largely unaware of what they actually are is also kinda symbolic ... with Kubrick we are endlessly reading into everything!!🤷🏻‍♀

  • @Cugelclever
    @Cugelclever 3 роки тому

    Great as always Rob.

  • @LEG0B0Y
    @LEG0B0Y 3 роки тому +4

    Brilliant analysis of Christmas With the Kranks, Rob! I always knew it was about cult rituals.

  • @eddyrose8596
    @eddyrose8596 3 роки тому +6

    I really dig how you keep coming back to this movie time and time again!

  • @pauliedibbs9028
    @pauliedibbs9028 Рік тому +12

    I believe the x-mas lights during the scenes with sexual undertones symbolizes _the rainbow_ often referenced. The scenes with Santa also symbolize something else, nefarious, and if you pay close attention to Red Cloak's sleeves, it almost looks like a Santa outfit. Perhaps it is he in the Santa outfit at the end, with the mysterious figures and potential disappearance of the daughter? lol

    • @lizclegg7556
      @lizclegg7556 Рік тому +3

      I think Red Cloak is meant to echo Santa Claus, especially as its a "Christmas" film. Santa Claus gives presents to children. Red Cloak gives the sex slave women to the party guests as presents. Or is there an inversion where children are given as presents to Red Cloak? (It could recall the story of Little Red Riding Hood as well, where a young girl is threatened by the wolf, and in some versions raped by the wolf, although this would of course be inverted as Red Cloak would be the predator rather than the innocent.)

    • @pauliedibbs9028
      @pauliedibbs9028 Рік тому +1

      @@lizclegg7556 Yes, I believe so too... however the colors I now realize are the pertinent detail "Gold & Red"

  • @SuzanneKowalski
    @SuzanneKowalski 3 роки тому +22

    Wow, you stirred up some memories in my head with your last couple of sentences.
    When I was 16, I attended to an optional literature course at my school. The attendants were from several different classes, most of them were completely unfamiliar to me, actually I've had never ever seen some of them before that course, despite the fact that we were all going to the same high school. Christmas was around and the teacher found it a good idea if we all gave presents to one another after drawing names from a jar - the usual silly stuff. As I didn't know most of the others and I didn't give a flying f... about this anyway, not to mention that I was brought up in a far from wealthy family and I didn't want to put another burden on my own parents, I simply stood up and told everybody politely not to count me in this ritual. You should have seen that sheer hatred and all that eye-rolling they gave me in the next one and a half hour or so. After a long argument they did what the teacher proposed and I managed to talk myself out of it, but I felt so frustrated about this incident that I never returned to that literature course in the next semester.

    • @jamesr5741
      @jamesr5741 2 роки тому +8

      Just goes to show how superficial they all were.

    • @xBINARYGODx
      @xBINARYGODx Рік тому +2

      @@jamesr5741 no, you dont know that about any of them, more do you even know if the story you read is true - I bet if you spoke to everyone these years later, the stories would not all match - and it might be HOW he said it and not WHAT he said,
      But also - that grab bag things are for cheap gift giving, so the "oh I am oh so poor, going to a school that has optional lit classe (not a poor district)" is rather teliing, btw.

    • @jamesr5741
      @jamesr5741 Рік тому +1

      @@xBINARYGODx Well he might have been scraping by, just like some are given a scholarship when they wouldn't have been able to afford it.
      Christmas has become way too superficial and it is ridiculous what was proposed by the teacher. There obviously wasn't much feeling of community in that class and a cheap, thoughtless present wouldn't change anything.

    • @HeatherHolt
      @HeatherHolt 6 місяців тому

      @@jamesr5741i assume it was meant more as a bonding experience than actually gift giving. And to right off the bat say “count me out” prob came across like they were above it all, bc I doubt they said “count me out bc I’m poor.” They could have gifted a book they had read and liked since it was a lit class, and that wouldn’t have cost a thing. But instead of even trying to be inventive they instead immediately refused. Regardless of reason we have to empathize with how the other students must have felt without the context of the OPs feelings being stated to them. So I can see both sides however I do believe OP came across as stuck up in high school terminology due to immediately being so dismissive of something that was meant to be fun and for bonding with essentially strangers from other classes.

  • @Peepholecircus
    @Peepholecircus 3 роки тому +3

    Two videos in one day? monsieur you are really spoiling us

  • @TheDirrtydog
    @TheDirrtydog 7 місяців тому

    Excellent take on EWS, the lights and Xmas! I too have not participated in the exchange of material during xmas in years. But i do enjoy the vibe, music and family time it offers.

  • @aps1695
    @aps1695 3 роки тому

    yes!!!!! i love your kubrick videos

  • @carmensmithaguirre3049
    @carmensmithaguirre3049 3 роки тому

    Very good analysis Rob

  • @andrewptraining
    @andrewptraining Рік тому +1

    Excellent analysis

  • @El_Hicks
    @El_Hicks 3 роки тому

    good job, as usual, Rob

  • @jacksonkelley1740
    @jacksonkelley1740 Рік тому +1

    I’d like to say that this video was done insanely well. I feel most videos on this movie tend to try and sum up everything going on in the movie to one video, which is really not doing it justice.

  • @stevestew9199
    @stevestew9199 3 роки тому +2

    At 8:38 the little painting on the shelf on the left. Perfectionist!!

  • @justjay8186
    @justjay8186 2 роки тому +8

    I know I’m late here but this is brilliant and I have a thought about the Xmas themes in EWS.
    Jon Benet Ramseys parents were having a Xmas party the night she died suspiciously. Apparently the ritual involving the rich Ramseys and other Elites was called “Last Light On The Xmas Tree”
    I’d love to know more on this alleged ritual practice and I think then we can draw comparisons to Kubricks masterpiece.
    Can’t believe I’ve only just found this page. Subbed 👍🏾

  • @soundhealingbygene
    @soundhealingbygene Рік тому +2

    I think this Christmas symbolism throughout the movie... this is ultimately saying that what we want may not always make us happy.

  • @basehead617
    @basehead617 2 роки тому +3

    The waitress who Bill asks about Nick Nightingale.. ‘i don’t know if he’d want me to give out his address’ - there’s no way she would even know his address unless they were involved

  • @Wallnuts
    @Wallnuts Рік тому +3

    I’ve also heard hypotheses on the intentional use of white vs colored lights and the duality they represent between fantasy and reality

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 11 місяців тому +2

      When white lights first showed up (you can see them in Rosemary's Baby, 1968) they were called fairy lights. Probably came from show biz, I am guessing. Stage decorations.

  • @JohnZyski
    @JohnZyski 5 місяців тому

    This is a really good catch.

  • @mackychloe
    @mackychloe 2 роки тому +1

    It's amazing just how much I miss when I watch a movie.

  • @lousekoya1803
    @lousekoya1803 9 місяців тому +1

    At the beginning you see that he really wanted us to see the six chairs with the three pilars
    on the painting above , and at .52 sec , you see three stars with a six and lots of all seeing eyes watching . When i see a Kubrick movie,
    I always watch for everything hanging on the walls or everywhere around , its all there.

    • @brundlefly262
      @brundlefly262 8 місяців тому +1

      It is all there... even Kubrick himself.

  • @thomasreilly4749
    @thomasreilly4749 Рік тому +3

    Rainbows are not illusions, they are atmospheric phenomena.

  • @colinwardrop847
    @colinwardrop847 10 місяців тому

    Keen observations. Thank you

  • @ricardosanguineti516
    @ricardosanguineti516 3 роки тому

    amazing video!

  • @bigdada018
    @bigdada018 3 роки тому

    Love it, Rob, thank you for the great content. Always a treat!

  • @cleo6205
    @cleo6205 3 роки тому +1

    Just watched. I am impressed

  • @RobertOrgRobert
    @RobertOrgRobert 3 роки тому +3

    “ I mean the friggin bath is in the kitchen “ ! Cooking with your eyes wide shut !

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 3 роки тому +2

      Actually, different poor families shared a bathroom in the early part of last century in NYC. Martin Scorsese's family was filmed in the 70s, talking about their early days. Sounded pretty bad. But, what they remembered was how the whole building was like one big family. Something really missing in EWS.

  • @aliensoup2420
    @aliensoup2420 Рік тому +1

    13:32 ... boycotting Xmas. I did it years ago. I regularly traveled to visit family on Xmas. At some point after the nieces and nephews grew up, I determined there was no point to buying presents, and I was tired of collecting things I did not want. I stopped buying gifts and requested nobody buy any for me. But you can't stop other people from doing what they believe they want to do, so I reluctantly accepted their gifts. Eventually they stopped. I am still welcome to visit and partake of festivities, and quite frankly, nobody misses my presents because they receive more than enough from everyone else.

  • @TeatroGrotesco
    @TeatroGrotesco 3 роки тому +15

    Kidman is such a beautiful woman and Kubrick knew how to show it.
    She almost has a Hitchcock Love of the Leading Lady treatment in this.
    Also, I think Kidman being shown in such a light is a point, because Cruise's character's pursuit of other women could NOT be due to disappointment in his wife he is clearly motivated by other reasons.

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 3 роки тому +7

      That's one of the points. He has better at home. Although she is getting older, Alice still looks like a flat chested Barbie doll. I think Mandy is his soul mate, though, hence the long good bye in the morgue.

    • @pentelegomenon1175
      @pentelegomenon1175 3 роки тому +1

      I was once watching that 2007 movie The Invasion with my brother, I mentioned that Nicole Kidman was still very sexy despite her age, he disagreed at first but changed his mind before the movie was over.

    • @kylieeeramirez7838
      @kylieeeramirez7838 Рік тому +1

      Kidman is a he … reverso like most in Hollyweird

    • @SuperSlimshady1
      @SuperSlimshady1 Рік тому +1

      @@kylieeeramirez7838 wait what?! plz explain!

    • @kylieeeramirez7838
      @kylieeeramirez7838 Рік тому

      @@SuperSlimshady1 lol yup… all A list actors are…. They have to be in order to get that far in Hellywood

  • @nemosthebandit
    @nemosthebandit 3 роки тому

    Fantastic content

  • @elcross77
    @elcross77 7 місяців тому +1

    Christmas is the perfect backdrop for displaying that passion we all crave amidst a superficial ritual grounded on lies and hypocrisy. To go where the rainbow ends is just a trap when you give into temptation and desire. For Bill this is the lesson he learned yet his wife seemed to be the wiser one in the end. In the beginning of the movie, Bill had such a naive perspective on sexual desires and gender roles, which led him down the rabbit hole of forbidden and repressed emotions. I think this exhibits the existential crisis that most men and couples experience at some point in their lives.

  • @seanbarker9272
    @seanbarker9272 3 роки тому

    I just watched your video on acid reflux and it was very helpful and I will try it myself. You should think about doing videos on mental health I found your logical reasoning very refreshing and I think people would get a lot out of it.

  • @wagner7242
    @wagner7242 3 роки тому +1

    Eyes Wide Shut, my favorite film

  • @drumstick74
    @drumstick74 3 роки тому +1

    Great analysis, that left me hungry for more.
    It *is* possible to "not do christmas at all", as you put it. I haven't for 2 decades...at least no present exchanges and no decorations (still see the family).

    • @aaronrodriguez1410
      @aaronrodriguez1410 2 роки тому

      Yeah but why lol

    • @drumstick74
      @drumstick74 2 роки тому +1

      @@aaronrodriguez1410
      Preventing waste of resources is one reason...being fed up with the commercialism is another. ♥

    • @aaronrodriguez1410
      @aaronrodriguez1410 2 роки тому

      @@drumstick74 eh fair enough

  • @horrorstateofmind2724
    @horrorstateofmind2724 2 роки тому +2

    I'm watching this on 12/17/21 at 12:34 and everything Rob is saying about the ritual of Christmas for men is hitting the nail for me..lol

  • @jackwardrop4994
    @jackwardrop4994 2 роки тому

    This is brilliant

  • @carmensmithaguirre3049
    @carmensmithaguirre3049 3 роки тому +4

    I don't think without his background as a very good photographer he would've been as brilliant of a director

  • @eddyjuillerat835
    @eddyjuillerat835 3 роки тому

    Good observations.
    Not all constraints are bad in essence. We all need to breathe, eat and drink and sleep to survive. They are constraints, to stay alive.

  • @joannewalker4232
    @joannewalker4232 3 роки тому +31

    I didn't "do" christmas last year and I'm not doing it this year either. Covid certainly has made all the other delusions come into sharp focus.

    • @mroctober3657
      @mroctober3657 3 роки тому +4

      Is that the fabled "War on Christmas"?

    • @fidelio76
      @fidelio76 3 роки тому

      Why ? Pls explain

    • @mroctober3657
      @mroctober3657 2 роки тому

      @EyewatchlessYTeach Timetheylockmeout As Melania Trump would say... "Fok Chreesmus."

    • @mroctober3657
      @mroctober3657 2 роки тому

      @EyewatchlessYTeach Timetheylockmeout Yeah, it was recorded by her assistant who then left and tried to cash in.

    • @davidlean1060
      @davidlean1060 2 роки тому +2

      The commercial side of Christmas, ok, I'll give you that, but thinking it is delusional to celebrate the time of year when the days stop getting shorter and the slow march to spring begins?! Really? People have been celebrating the solstices for millennia!

  • @robbiepeterh
    @robbiepeterh 3 роки тому +3

    A Stanley Kubrick film is like a million separate paintings, one after the other,

  • @ChubbyChecker182
    @ChubbyChecker182 7 місяців тому

    The Best Xmas Movie. Me and my family always settle down after the turkey to watch Eyes Wide Shut 😊

  • @RideAcrossTheRiver
    @RideAcrossTheRiver 2 місяці тому

    The waltz music at Ziegler's has a fragment of "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland".

  • @noiamspartacus8965
    @noiamspartacus8965 Рік тому +2

    Over the past few years the aspect of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas has been completely taken over by the commercial aspect of Santa. Only Santa is celebrated in the shopping malls and yet no one seems to have noticed the change.... Quite Kubrickesque!

  • @Joanto613
    @Joanto613 6 місяців тому +1

    The constant appearance of Christmas lights throughout the film is telling us, in a very subliminal way, that they are illuminati, it is a personal appreciation.

  • @wilsonbeddingfield4860
    @wilsonbeddingfield4860 2 роки тому +2

    I have always said it was a great Christmas movie .

  • @MrJamesC
    @MrJamesC 3 роки тому +5

    Hey, I love your videos! Could you maybe talk about James Camerons "Titanic" some day? I always sense that it has a rich subtext beneath it's clicheed melodramatic surface. In some interview I listened to years ago James Cameron himself said that the Titanic Story has multiple symbolic and metaphoric layers which attracted him to tell the story.

    • @jamesjwalsh
      @jamesjwalsh 2 роки тому

      "Weekend At Bernie's" too. Very deceptive and complex movie.

  • @gretchendorenbos3900
    @gretchendorenbos3900 Рік тому +1

    A thing I also noticed is that the colour red is mainly used to desplay sexual excitement , while the colour blue is used to display lack of sexual excitement

  • @luthorn
    @luthorn 3 роки тому +2

    Interestingly, there is a green and a red jacket / coat hanging in the morgue right across from the deceased girl. As if to symbolize, the xmas lights went out, but the spirit remains.

  • @patrickgrengs7594
    @patrickgrengs7594 Рік тому +2

    Another observation -- Bill and Alice's daughter is named Helena, which means 'shining bright light.' Perhaps it is though their daughter that these two will find a way out of the darkness of their lust-driven fantasies that run counter to their mutual attraction.

    • @isaac.avena33
      @isaac.avena33 Рік тому +1

      They give away their daughter in the final scene. That was the price they had to pay

  • @w13d0w
    @w13d0w 3 роки тому +4

    Hey Rob, you may want to watch "Christmas with the kranks" it's a Tim Allen comedy movie about a older couple trying to skip Christmas and being pressured back into it by their neighbors. It's a mediocre movie but may be interesting to you under the Christmas ritual angle

  • @backcenter2
    @backcenter2 3 роки тому

    We're on a roll

  • @jonathano6946
    @jonathano6946 3 роки тому

    Rob, would you care to do a video on the movie last temptation of christ? I was watching clips of it and found it very interesting.

  • @user-nv6wt2zp2o
    @user-nv6wt2zp2o 7 місяців тому +1

    I've always been convinced that the Hungarian hitter on Bill's gosh dang wife, was the mofo in red talking in the wierd sounding voice he's fuckin got

  • @mikebarnettstuff
    @mikebarnettstuff 3 роки тому +1

    I apologize I was moved to write again. This is about the Charles Dickens Christmas Carol. I agree with your point about its indoctrination use and it may be interesting to note that the book itself actually had a major effect on the holidays popularity when it was first published. Helping to turn it from a minor holiday to a major one.

    • @watermelonlalala
      @watermelonlalala 3 роки тому +1

      That is true. Halloween wasn't even any kind of holiday. Public schools and show biz did a lot to make the American Christmas and also to erase Easter.