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When Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” opened in April 1968, few in the audience understood it, though most would never admit it. All they knew was they had just seen something like they had never seen before.

The Cannes Film Festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of “2001: A Space Odyssey” with the world premiere of an unrestored 70mm print, introduced by Christopher Nolan, May 12.

Filmmaker James Cameron was no different. At age 14, he took the film in at the Castle Theatre in Toronto — where, as in many cities, it played continuously for two years. “The word used to describe it was ‘mindblowing,’” he recalls. “It was like no cinematic journey like I’d ever seen before.”

Kubrick’s space epic hurled science fiction films far beyond the edges of the galaxy that they had inhabited up to that time. It brought a massive shift in sci-fi storytelling, as...

In the new issue of The Cine-Files, professors candidly discuss teaching single films. You'll find pieces on Hollywood classics (Casablanca, Pillow Talk), experimental landmarks (Meshes of the Afternoon), even television (The Wire). Also in today's roundup: Nathan Silver's Stinking Heaven, Simon Callow's Orson Welles biography, a new book on Harry Lange's designs for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, lists of best TV shows (Slant goes for Hannibal and Hitfix for The Leftovers), Karina Longworth on Gloria Grahame, news of forthcoming films from George Clooney and Anton Corbijn's next project, and the first trailer for Steven Spielberg's The Bfg. » - David Hudson...

In the new issue of The Cine-Files, professors candidly discuss teaching single films. You'll find pieces on Hollywood classics (Casablanca, Pillow Talk), experimental landmarks (Meshes of the Afternoon), even television (The Wire). Also in today's roundup: Nathan Silver's Stinking Heaven, Simon Callow's Orson Welles biography, a new book on Harry Lange's designs for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, lists of best TV shows (Slant goes for Hannibal and Hitfix for The Leftovers), Karina Longworth on Gloria Grahame, news of forthcoming films from George Clooney and Anton Corbijn's next project, and the first trailer for Steven Spielberg's The Bfg. » - David Hudson...

To celebrate the 30th anniversary, re-live every side-splitting comedic moment, every outrageous vignette and every tasteless joke, as Monty Python’S The Meaning Of Life commands your attention once again. The classic Python film will debut on Blu-ray™ on October 8, 2013 with Digital Copy & UltraViolet™, and is packed with extra features including a nostalgic cast reunion featurette The Meaning of Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Reunion, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The Meaning of Life brought all the loyal Pythonites back together, sharing writing responsibilities as they returned to their much loved sketch show format, with Terry Jones directing and John Goldstone producing. Bringing to life roles ranging from The Grim Reaper to the legendary Mr. Creosote are John Cleese (Faulty Towers; A Fish Called Wanda) Terry Gilliam (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; Brazil), Eric Idle (What About Dick?, Shrek the Third), Terry Jones (Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail...

Toronto - Whether you know him best as Sean Connery, Roger Moore, or Daniel Craig, we all know him as Bond; James Bond. Tall, dark, and handsome, yet devilish, armed, and dangerous, Ian Fleming’s MI6 secret agent is the definition of iconic, influential, and indelible.

Starting October 26th, Tiff Bell Lightbox presents the North American Premiere of Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, the most comprehensive James Bond exhibition ever. Running until January 20th, the showcase will explore the craft behind the Bond phenomenon, from the villains and femme fatales, tailoring and costumes, set and production design, and gadgets and special effects.

Notable highlights include Bond’s Samsonite briefcase with diamonds from Die Another Day (2002), his Omega Watch from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), his bathing trunks from Casino Royale (2006), his Tom Ford tuxedo from Quantum of Solace (2008), Scaramanga’s golden gun and 007 bullet from The Man With the Golden Gun...

Photos courtesy of AMPAS

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the 1968 science fiction epic “2001: A Space Odyssey” as the fifth film in its series “The Last 70mm Film Festival” on Monday, August 6, at 7 p.m. at the Academy.s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards®, including Art Direction (Tony Masters, Harry Lange, Ernie Archer), Directing (Stanley Kubrick), and Writing – Story and screenplay written directly for the screen (Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke), and won an Oscar® for Special Visual Effects (Kubrick).

The 70mm short “To Be Alive!”, which won the Academy Award® for Documentary Short Subject in 1965, will be screened prior to the film. Shot over an 18-month period in Italy, Nigeria and the United States, the film traces the journey from childhood to adulthood in different cultures.

“The Last 70mm Film Festival,” showcasing 70mm classics from different genres...

Throughout November, Sos staffers will be discussing the movies that made them into film fanatics.

(click here for the full list)

There is really only one place to begin – The Dawn of Man. A montage of prehistoric images denotes the timeless passage of the years and decades, aeons before such concepts existed in the human imagination, as a collection of our simian cousins shelter from the elements, from rival clans and from the lethal predators, a scrabble for sustenance amongst the arid African veldt. One morning the troop awakes to discover that a ominous, obsidian black monolith has appeared in their midst, its presence signalling a terrified rage amongst our forebears, a suspicion of the unknown and incomprehensible. Through association, through a mental leap mirrored in the films narrative we make the association that this mysterious object has ignited a flash of inspiration in one ape, our distant ancestor whom...

Here’s a quick recommendation for sci-fi fans seeking a vintage fix: Z.P.G. (Zero Population Growth) is a seriously underrated gem directed by Michael Campus. Campus has precious few other helming credits, with The Mack and The Education of Sonny Carson among them, but in this 1972 shocker that channels classic Orwellian themes, Campus’ debut proves to be admirably assured, resulting in a picture of extremely deliberate pacing while also indulging in many unsettling and near-experimental flourishes.

This particular dystopian future is one in which the curing of diseases has resulted in a population explosion of globe-threatening proportions, while the environment has been thoroughly violated by smog so thick travelers must wear oxygen masks when venturing outdoors. At the outset of the film, childbearing is officially outlawed on punishment of death. “Legal” babies are branded with a mark that’s visible when scanned by authorities, and citizens are encouraged to fink...