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2001: A Space Odyssey   1968         G, 139 min. Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi Director: Stanley Kubrick   Cast: Keir Dullea, William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, Daniel Richter, Douglas Rain, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Frank Miller, Bill Weston, Ed Bishop, Alan Gifford, Ann Gillis   The story begins millions of years ago during a crisis on Earth when starving apes, seeking water rights, could only shake their arms at the Others across the stream. Then, one day, a mysterious monolith appeared to probe and direct their brains. Over time, the apes learned that they could change their world through the use of tools, which provided means to obtain food. Skip ahead to the year 2001: apes have evolved into humans, tools into weapons, and Earth is again in crisis. Overpopulation has caused another food shortage, nuclear megatonnage threatens the entire surface of the planet, and, once again, a mysterious monolith has been discovered—this time on the moon. And now, mysterious radio signals from Jupiter are aimed at Earth. A space shuttle is sent to Jupiter to investigate. The genius of this film is the awe it inspires in us as the music sets the tone. Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube," for example, accompanies the docking of the space ship. The pace of both docking and ballet are deliberately slow—a perfect match. While the film does not provide a clear narrative, Arthur C. Clarke's novel does. In this case, reading the book before viewing the movie increases one's understanding. The film received an Oscar for Best Special Effects; three other nominations were received, including Best Director. Cast Keir Dullea Dr. Dave Bowman William Sylvester Dr. Heywood R. Floyd Gary Lockwood Dr. Frank Poole Daniel Richter Moon-Watcher Douglas Rain HAL 9000 (Voice) Leonard Rossiter Dr. Andrei Smyslov Margaret Tyzack Elena Robert Beatty Dr. Ralph Halvorsen Sean Sullivan Dr. Bill Michaels Frank Miller Mixxion Controller Bill Weston Astronaut Ed Bishop Aries-1B Lunar Shuttle Captain Alan Gifford Poole`s Father Ann Gillis Poole`s Mother

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