The Shining (1980)

[Josso]

Hey Trevor cool review, I am about to read the 2001 series by Arthur C. Clarke, picked them all up in a charity shop - so I feel kinda like you but in reverse. The fact that so few people read the Harry Potter books kind of bummed me out by a few films in - you get a much better sense of context and time progression than you do in the films (plus everyone is scared to make a movie over 2.5 hours these days, just bring back interludes!). I liked the film quite a bit but I will definitely find the book when I get the chance. A few years ago I was bemused by the sheer amount of conspiracy theories surrounding Kubrick a few of which were genuinely interesting, some in relation to the shining - have you seen that recent film/documentary that was about that? If so what did you think of it I was meaning to watch it. Probably my least favourite Kubrick film despite really enjoying it every time I watch it, in college I did a study on Diane Arbus who made very odd and creepy photographs in her career - the twin idea come from one of her photographs which is arguably her most famous link to anything.

[major jay]

Just watched this again, and have to say that the root of this movie is all about communication (be it between either the living or the dead) and the lack there of. Whether one on one, by phone, CB, TV or Shining. Yeah, there's lots more going on too, but communication is at the forefront. And I'd say the internet is no different. Sorry for the rant.

[Trevor]

Hey Trevor cool review, I am about to read the 2001 series by Arthur C. Clarke, picked them all up in a charity shop - so I feel kinda like you but in reverse. The fact that so few people read the Harry Potter books kind of bummed me out by a few films in - you get a much better sense of context and time progression than you do in the films (plus everyone is scared to make a movie over 2.5 hours these days, just bring back interludes!). I liked the film quite a bit but I will definitely find the book when I get the chance. A few years ago I was bemused by the sheer amount of conspiracy theories surrounding Kubrick a few of which were genuinely interesting, some in relation to the shining - have you seen that recent film/documentary that was about that? If so what did you think of it I was meaning to watch it. Probably my least favourite Kubrick film despite really enjoying it every time I watch it, in college I did a study on Diane Arbus who made very odd and creepy photographs in her career - the twin idea come from one of her photographs which is arguably her most famous link to anything.

Thanks, Josso. 

[Trevor]

Just watched this again, and have to say that the root of this movie is all about communication (be it between either the living or the dead) and the lack there of. Whether one on one, by phone, CB, TV or Shining. Yeah, there's lots more going on too, but communication is at the forefront. And I'd say the internet is no different. Sorry for the rant.

There was definitely a breakdown in communications between Stanley Kubrick and myself: I had no idea what the man was trying to say or to get across to me. 

[Trevor]

Updated.

[HappyGilmore]

Good review overall.  I love the movie, however, so eh.

No, I did not like it in 1980 and although it is miles better than the crappy miniseries with Steven Weber, Melvin van Peebles and Rebecca DeMornay, I still loathe it today, despite its’ brilliant cinematography, eerie music and the number of supreme jump scares in it (the twins, the lady in the bath, the blood filled elevators, the violent axe murder and the truly WTF ending) it was a film with so many low points - the confusing narrative, the (intentional?) continuity errors, etc - and just being so untrue to its’ source material that I still loathe it now and I actually wonder why I am watching it and why I bought the DVD a few months ago. Another reason I hated it is the weak character of Wendy Torrance – as the son of a feminist, weak women who let their husbands abuse them with little or no retaliation against this abuse, gain no respect from me, either in real life or on film.

One POSITIVE that the mini-series has over the Kubrick one is it slowly shows Jack's degeneration into madness.  Kubrick's is just Nicholson being Nicholson.  However, it is painfully long.  I defer you to this, a review of the mini-series:

The Shining Mini-Series - Nostalgia Critic

[Trevor]

Updated.