The Shining [HD DVD]
![The Shining [HD DVD]](/images/The-Shining-HD-DVD-B000I2J0W4-L.jpg)
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.30 You Save: $21.69 (75%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.42 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Shining [HD DVD]
Movie Review: Brilliant film, best transfer yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Shining is one of the horror genre's most notable films. Made in 1980 by the late, legendary Stanley Kubrick, the film stands out as not only one of his best but probably the best Stephen King adaptation as well. Though not nearly as true to the book as the later TV-movie would be, it is undoubtedly darker, more macabre, and ultimately superior to that version. Kubrick was a genius behind the camera, giving us long, beautiful shots, allowing us to take in both the beauty and the horror of the Overlook Hotel. For those who have yet to see the movie (and honestly, who hasn't at this point?), do yourself a favor and buy it today! Disappointment is impossible.
As for the transfer of the film, it is unbelievable. While clearly not as visually stunning or breathtaking as modern day flicks, this HD DVD version of The Shining boasts a virtually flawless transfer and cleans up many of the blemishes that were present on previous VHS and DVD versions. Black levels are deep, clean, and ungrainy and the majority of the film offers a surprisingly clean look. Detail is not as strong as it could have been, but Kubrick intentionally shot this film softly. The images won't pop and shine like modern movies will, as this is an old film, but for the price of the disc you are without a doubt getting the highest quality transfer this film has ever seen.
Audio has been upgraded from a mono to a TrueHD soundtrack, but for the most part audio will be very front-heavy. Most of the peripheral speakers are used only for music, to intensify the sound of it (and it is effective).
Special features are slim: the old making of documentary (with or without commentary), theatrical trailer, and a few small featurettes that delve deeper into the making of The Shining, as well Stanley Kubrick's "Visions." All pretty standard fare, all in 480i/p standard definition.
Whether you're a long time fan of the film, or new to it, this is a must-own if you own an HD DVD player and HDTV! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Movie Review: Finally!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie here finally gets the transfer, correct aspect ratio and oodles of extras it deserves! This movie was previously only available in "open-matte" 4x3, as all of Stanley Kubrick's pre-and post-2001-A Space Odyssey gems, per Stanley's wish. But the movie was originally shown in 1.85:1 top-to-bottom masked (which is almost identical to HDTVs' 16x9 shape) in cinemas, and I'm sure Stanley himself would agree that, in the HD era, this is how his films should be shown. Not only do we get more resolution from the frame-filling widescreen image, but the more-than-double-the-resolution of 1080p HD renders this film in as close to a 35mm presentation as it's ever been. The extreme wide-angle lense compositions, particularly inside the hedge-maze, are now properly-framed, as we are drawn into the world of madness and homicide that Nicholson's Jack Torrence character descends into, along with his family, his wife Wendy, hysterics properly protrayed by Shelly Duvall, and his son Danny, played by Danny Lloyd, who possesses the psychic "gift" of The Shining, where he can see the future and the horrific past of the Overlook Hotel and its demons. The soundtrack receives a robust discreet 5.1 surround remix, rendering the spine-tingling Bartok and Wendy Carlos music with ever-greater detail that cuts to the bone, as well as various roaring '20s artists, in spectacular stereo with rear detail. This remains the quintessential Stanley Kubrick classic, visually immaculate, with a story as twisted and disturbing as only Stanley (with the help of author Stephen King here) could muster. Don't watch this one alone!Movie Review: Some dvds are like people: some shine and some don't. This hd dvd shines. Hd dvd special features below
Summary: 5 Stars
I personally wouldn't re buy every film that comes out on Hd-dvd especially seeing as how the prices haven't really come down. That said a film like this is an exception, I believe horror fans are some of the most die hard film fans out there, and should and will pick this one up.
For Audiophiles there is a new 5.1 track as opposed to the mono you got on the previous release. The beginning score when Jack is driving to the Overlook hotel is amazing cranked up with a Dolby digital plus track in 5.1.
The transfer on this is beautiful.
The Shining is the greatest Stephen King film adapation and is one, if not the greatest of all horror films. Also one of the greatest films for any genre and right in time for Halloween you can't go wrong.
Special features
- Audio commentary by Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and Kubrick biographer John Baxter
- The Making of The Shining, with optional commentary by Vivian Kubrick (from the previous DVD)
- New View from The Overlook: Crafting The Shining featurette
- New The Visions of Stanley Kubrick featurette
- New Wendy Carlos, Composer featurette
-Theatrical Trailer - This was one of the most effectives and eeriest trailers I've ever seen and it was so simple.
I'll go more in depth of the special features as I watch them.
Technical Specs:
- Aspect Ratio: 1080p HD 16X9 1:85:1
- Audio: Dolby true HD: English 5.1 Dolby digital plus
Movie Review: THE SNOWS OF KILLER-MAJARO?
Summary: 5 Stars
To be honest, when I first viewed this film in the early eighties, I thought that Stanley Kubrick had completely ruined Stephen King's best novel. But, now that i'm able to mentally segregate the film from the book, this is a classic horror film with a terrific DVD transfer that I saw last night. As for the movie, simply take a recovering alcoholic prone to visions and flashbacks (Nicholson), pair him with a son who's got many problems himself despite psychiatric reassurances(Lloyd) and bundle this up with a sane mother who looks insane(Duvall))and you've got all the ingredients for a winning tri-fecta at sea level. Add a secluded mountaintop hotel with a notorious past that this trio will inhabit alone for the next six months, and you have all that you really need to know. Now, go buy a perfect stocking stuffer for the "King" residing in you.Movie Review: US cut of The Shining HD DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd heard that the picture was top notch on this transfer and for a film made back in 1979 and released in 1980 it doesn't disappoint. The hotel seems more detailed and the bold colours of those dreadful carpets stand out from the screen. This US cut is about 30 minutes longer than the UK version and offers some interesting little extras. It's a better cut and builds the tension better than the shorter version in my opinion. If you can pick this up for £6 or £7 you can't go wrong if you like this movie. Easily in the top five transfers on HD.