Dr. Strangelove

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, January 14, 2009

You know the plot of Stanley Kubrick’s landmark 1964 A-bomb farce: Sterling Hayden launches an attack wave of B-52s to wipe out Russia—which has a retaliatory doomsday machine. Intentions—for good or evil—have their opposite effect in Strangelove’s satire. Our meek president (Peter Sellers) only hastens war with his pacifism. Wimpy Brit Lionel Mandrake (Sellers again) ends up feeding ammo to Hayden instead of stopping him. And in the sole remaining B-52, the resourceful bomber crew led by pilot Slim Pickens perseveres on its glorious flight—in a backhanded celebration of all the courage and determination that makes our country great. And we’re rooting for them the entire way. (Note: the film also plays for free at Wallingford’s Keystone Church at 7 p.m., Fri. Jan. 16.) (NR) BRIAN MILLER

Fri., Jan. 16, 11:59 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 17, 11:59 p.m., 2009