Stanley Kubrick, the renowned filmmaker, passed away at the age of 70. Throughout his 50-year career, he directed only 13 feature films, yet each one left an indelible mark on cinema. Kubrick's work spanned multiple genres, from melodrama, as seen in Eyes Wide Shut, to science fiction with 2001: A Space Odyssey, horror with The Shining, comedy with A Clockwork Orange, war films such as Paths of Glory and Full Metal Jacket, and period dramas like Barry Lyndon. Each of these films is considered a masterpiece of the Seventh Art, a term used to describe cinema. One might also include Spartacus, an epic film that Kubrick regarded as an absolute classic of its genre, though he was not fully satisfied with it. He had little control over its production, which he had not originally been involved in, and this lack of control deeply affected him. Kubrick became known for his meticulous nature, insisting on complete control over every aspect of his films. He once explained to journalist Michel Ciment that having more control helps prevent others from interfering with his creative vision. "This is not a guarantee that you will actually do what is needed, but it prevents others from making you lose your balance," he said. This philosophy was evident in the production of The Shining, where Kubrick famously shot 148 takes for one scene, and 127 takes for a scene involving actress Shelley Duvall. These numbers highlight his relentless pursuit of perfection, even when it meant repeating scenes many times. In 2005, the late Sydney Pollack, who played a role in Eyes Wide Shut, shared his experience working with Kubrick. Pollack was not a director but an actor, stepping in for Harvey Keitel in the film. He described the experience as both fascinating and frustrating. "The main thing I took away about Kubrick is his absolute obsession for the smallest detail, even if it is trivial, and his inability to say that he was finished until he obtained exactly and precisely what he wanted," Pollack said. He noted that it was not unusual for Kubrick to do 75 or more takes on a single scene, a practice that contrasted sharply with his own experience, where even 20 takes were a challenge. Pollack also recalled Kubrick's approach during the filming of Full Metal Jacket, where the director told actor Matthew Modine, "Reality is good, but interesting is better." For Pollack, Kubrick's films favored surreal and hypnotic elements over strict realism, creating a dramatic intensity that often came at a cost. The director's insistence on perfection and control often pushed his collaborators to their limits, drawing out the best — and sometimes the most painful — performances from those who worked with him.