The Shining
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Movie Reviews of The Shining
Movie Review: The best war film ever made!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my favorite Kubrick film to watch because it is his most "extreme"- in language, violence, and subject matter.What makes this movie so much better than all other war movies is the fact that it doesnt concentrate on one facet of war, such as a battle, man or mission. It focuses on the complete process of dehumanization of men in war.From drilling it into their heads in basic training, to "pacifist" Joker wasting the sniper, and thus, completing the process.Kubrick really seems to capture the essence of men in the Vietnam War. Commanders only intent on creating killing machines, soldiers simply killing for amusement, and no one thinking of the consequences for anyone. I've read a lot of criticism of the second half of this movie-the battle scenes-for being boring(compared to the first half) and unrealistic. I feel I must point out that the first half is so savagely brutal that the revelation of the meaning of life would probably be a letdown. As for it being unrealistic, Vietnam is not just one big jungle, and war is not made up simply of planes flying overhead and bombs being dropped. These scenes, I feel, capture the isolation and sense of terror in being in a situation in which you have little or no control, and can be killed at any moment. I hope that those of you who don't lile the second half will go back and rewatch it. It is certainly worth the extra effort, for it is what makes the film a classic.Movie Review: Classic Kubrick!!! Ignore the 1-star reviews!
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhaps some of the reviewers here are not old enough to remember seeing this one in the theatres, but (un)fortunately I am. While I was a bit dismayed to see this film was NOT in widescreen, my fears were overcome upon the first viewing. It looks as terrific as the first time I saw it!Pan and Scan? I don't see any of it myself. The compositions look beautiful. What ratio was this filmed in? How much can we possible be missing when scenes look perfectly composed (see the interview sequence), and I didn't catch any awkward panning to catch the action. I love widescreen films, but if every non-widescreen film looked this good, perhaps I could live without it!!! It's my understanding that Kubrick wanted this film (and some of the others in the set) exactly the way they appear!
As to the extras on the set -- a great trailer! I remember the first time I saw it and it is still creepy to this day (and as far as I know, it was the only trailer).
The documentary (finally available!) is fantastic and hilarious, but wouldn't have been awesome to hear some of Kubrick's own thoughts!!! He's almost absent from his documentary! Fascinating scenes and interviews! The documentary alone is worth the price, especially since this is the only depiction of Kubrick at work that we have.
Ignore the ignorant and ridiculous carping about this film and buy it!!!
Movie Review: this goes out to all you 'fans' of the book!
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, i must state quite simply; this is probably the greatest most epic horror movie EVER. I have never been more scared during a movie then I was during this. Sorry, but halloween, Jason, Freddy, and all their clones just dont frighten me. This is TRUE horror, suspense at it's greatest. It is IMHO Nicholson's greatest performance, he is PERFECT. And the set design is UNBELIEVABLE! Ok, now for all you people who think this movie doesn't compare to the book or whatever, first off the bat, the book hardly scared me, if anything i thought King's book was cheesy. This movie frightened me and put me in a state of awe that the book couldn't touch. OK, this movie was not supposed to be exactly like the book. If it was, King would have written the screenplay. He didn't, Kubrick wrote the screenplay. They are very different in their morals and in their beliefs of human nature. This movie is more realistic then the book. And yes, even at the beginning of the movie Jack is supposed to have that glimmer of insanity, he is an unstable person recovering from alcoholism. BUT he is still a good father and husband.There are so many themes I could touch on, but I won't even bother. Just know that this is a completely different entity then King's 'masterpiece', as all you people call it (haha).It is much superior. Kubrick truely is a genius.....Movie Review: Stunning, Epic Horror Film.
Summary: 5 Stars
The late Stanley Kubrick made some of the best pictures we have ever seen. His 1980 project, The Shining proved to be a big hit with the critics, and also proved that Stanley can do anything: comedy, drama, thriller, war, and in this case, terrifying and classical horror.An exceptional script from Stanley and his impressive co-writer are one of the key elements in this movie. It's engaging, it's intriguing and it has never been done before, making it a truly original film as well as a horrifying one. The actors are quite amazing, Jack Nicholson in particular in the most underrated performance of his career, and kiddo Danny Llyod manages to be believe every time, he follows Kubrick's instructions expertly as expertly as Scatman Crothers, an underrated actor with something about him that makes his characters so immensly watchable. The only actor who was pretty miscast was Shelley DuVall, who jumps on everything Nicholson says and comes off more as a child awaiting her suspension from school than a trapped, terrified soul. Other than that, Kubrick's direction and Nicholson's shouldering of the film make it one of the most engaging horror films of all time.
The Shining is a must-see for all Kubrickian's, as well as most horror fans who look for more in films than just gore and jump-frights.
The Shining: A
Movie Review: Unparalled Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite the obvious limitations inherent to this DVD, this film "shines" through. Kubrick delivers an absolutely brilliant interpretation of King's novel. The film itself continues to be a personal cult favorite, but the Kubrick touches should cement this opus in the pyschological horror hall of fame. Kubrick manages to film at simultaneously alternative depths. The soundtrack is superb - excrutiatingly effective. Casting is sublime. Jack 's role requires no comment: what scene has been more memorable in this actor's entire repertoire than his axe wielding confrontation with Wendy? Ms. Duvall, while mildly abrasive, is effective at creating support for Jack as the anti-protangonist. Danny Lloyd nearly steals the show (if it weren't for Jack) as the innocently attuned lad who survives the madness. Scatman Crothers also delivers a memorable performance as Danny's extra-sensory mentor. This DVD's faults include a lame audio/video duplication and no option, at least, for the 1:66 to 1 format; nonetheless, I am thrilled to own this film on DVD and am infintiely pleased with the inclusion of Vivian Kubrick's "The Making of..." which will prove incredibly insightful for any Kubrick fan or The Shining fanatic.