Hey, Kubrick Fans: The ‘Dr.’ is in - again

One of the undisputed masters of 20th-century cinema was Stanley Kubrick. In such films as "Spartacus," "2001: A Space Odyssey," "The Shining," "A Clockwork Orange" and Full Metal Jacket," he not only refined the art of moviemaking, he helped define it.

And perhaps his wildest offering? His 1964 adaptation of the novel "Red Alert," which made what is a world-ending tragedy into the darkest of offbeat comedies, "Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb."

Starring Peter Sellers in three different roles — including the title character — plus supporting roles by the likes of George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn and Slim Pickens, the film tells the story of a rogue U.S. Air Force officer (Hayden) who authorizes a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union. The main part of the film involves the subsequent efforts that are made to stop the attack and ward off World War III.

Rotten Tomatoes gives "Dr. Strangelove" a 99 percent rating among critics. Here are some comments:

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: "This landmark movie's madcap humor and terrifying suspense remain undiminished by time."

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: "Perhaps Kubrick's most perfectly realised film, simply because his cynical vision of the progress of technology and human stupidity is wedded with comedy."

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: "Like most of his work, Stanley Kubrick's deadly black satirical comedy-thriller on cold war madness and its possible effects has aged well."

If you have a yen to see the film again, and on the big screen, your chance is coming. Fathom Events is screening the film four times, Sunday and Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m., at both Regal's Northtown Mall and Coeur d'Alene's Riverstone Stadium Cinemas.

And remember, if you're looking for a perfect example of irony, just remember the words of President Mervin Muffley (Sellers), who exclaims, "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."