Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
The best horror out there
cacb3995 - wrote on 10/29/2017
The master Kubrick himself taking on Stephen King’s novel, but instead of making it a direct adaptation, Kubrick made the story his own, resulting in not only a superior work of fiction, but also the best horror film of all time. Deeply layered, open to thousands of interpretations, filled with subtleties that hint at the profounder thematics, carefully written, greatly performed and expertly directed, not to mention quite disturbing. The more you look into the film the more sinister it gets, with so many undertones and possibilities that there’s even a film about theories of this move, Room 237. The Overlook Hotel is a character in and out of itself, the most insidious of antagonists that could turn a regular man into a monster. With so many unforgettable images and moments and a …
Rating of
4/4
The best horror out there
cacb3995 - wrote on 10/29/2017
The master Kubrick himself taking on Stephen King’s novel, but instead of making it a direct adaptation, Kubrick made the story his own, resulting in not only a superior work of fiction, but also the best horror film of all time. Deeply layered, open to thousands of interpretations, filled with subtleties that hint at the profounder thematics, carefully written, greatly performed and expertly directed, not to mention quite disturbing. The more you look into the film the more sinister it gets, with so many undertones and possibilities that there’s even a film about theories of this move, Room 237. The Overlook Hotel is a character in and out of itself, the most insidious of antagonists that could turn a regular man into a monster. With so many unforgettable images and moments and a …
Rating of
3.5/4
The Shining review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 07/31/2013
“Do you have the slightest idea what a moral and ethical principle is? Do you?” Re-watching this again after several years of purchasing a copy on DVD. One of the most artistic, creepy, insightful and detailed horror movies. It starts off with a writer in a job interview named Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson). The interviewer, Manager Stuart Ullman (Barry Nelson), informs Jack about a certain "cabin fever" incident. Chef Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) informs Danny about not going inside Room 237. Jack's wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), has Danny (Danny Lloyd) checked after discovering his imaginary friend called Tony. Jack and his family check-in Overlook Hotel where he meets previous caretaker, Grady (Philip Stone) in the Gold Room. So many memorable scenes like the camera …
Rating of
4/4
*looks at finger* 'Tony, I'm scared.'
memento_mori - wrote on 06/23/2013
So what's my take on The Shining?: Brilliant.
First of all, this movie is like a roller coaster ride. It starts slowly. It ascends and the air gets thick, a heartbeat and the coaster zooms down with everything rushing past in a crazy haze.
The Shining is a little like that. It starts slowly and builds suspense, then gives it to you.
Second of all, Stanley Kubrick. When people ask me what I think about Stanley Kubrick, I respond in two parts. I like to think of him as two parts of a filmmaker. The first part is the screenwriter, who I don't quite know how I feel about them. The second is the director, whom I absolutely love.
If there is a director of who's films you will definitely have to watch them twice, it would be Stanley Kubrick. It's like a little bit of his mind is split …
Rating of
4/4
"The Shining" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 02/26/2012
A writer and his family move in as caretakers to a secluded mountainside hotel for the winter, but a presence inhabiting it causes his mental disintegration leading to the urge for bloody murder. I'm not a fan of Stephen King. In fact, I'd go as far as to describe him as "a bag of cock". But what Kubrick did was to strip away the hokey nonsense of King's original novel, and create a masterclass in haunting imagery and suspense. In fact, the supernatural elements of the story are almost irrelevant. The horror lies in the subtext of domestic violence; it's difficult to see a plaid wearing, balding middle-aged man as a terrifying monster, and Nicholson is hardly the most physically formidable presence. But in the classic scene in which he finally snaps, it is easy to see why waif-like …
Rating of
3/4
Good movie, Great book
The Dude - wrote on 06/14/2009
I was a huge fan of this book and was relieved to find that this great and terrifying story by Stephen King was not ruined by mundane and mediocre acting as is the case in most of his films. Overall the movie is great, you really see how insane Jack Nicholson is becoming being trapped in the Overlook for the winter. How at first he is content, then contention turns to boredom, boredom turns to apathy, then apathy turning to insanity slowly and surely. I do have a few qualms however, Kubric put his own spin on a lot of things that were better left alone. King is a master of horror and i dont understand why things were changed, for instance, Danny's second sight or pre-cognition does not come through in the film very well. Good movie better book.
Rating of
4/4
All work an no play makes Jack #31!
mdtinney - wrote on 05/26/2009
The Shining is Stanley Kubrick's famous horror film, starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a former teacher who stumbles upon a winter maintenance job in the Overlook Hotel. He brings his wife and child, and then is isolated for the winter. The isolation and creepy hotel history ends up effecting each character differently, slowly bringing psychological chaos. Kubrick uses several disturbing images to build up the suspense, such as an elevator spilling out blood and two twin ghosts meeting the boy, Danny. There is also some unconventional, even alien, music. The acting is realistic. At first I did not like Shelley Duvall's portrayal as the wife, but the desperation and anguish is so convincing that it won me over. Jack Nicholson, as expected, is perfect for his role. The boy, played …
Rating of
3.5/4
All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Very Dull Boy.
LeopardExplosion - wrote on 11/04/2008
Terrifying film. Jack Nicholson is great as Jack Torrance a former school teacher turned writer. The movie continues to give me chills as stills of creeping images sit in my head interrupting all my thoughts, but the movie was very well crafted. Really, nothing short of amazing.
Fantastic direction from Kubrick (as always), and transitions the horrifying novel into an unforgettable thriller. Looks like Kubrick can do horror!
Though I must say, lots of films take off of this one. What with the blood oozing walls, creepy little children, and bathtub demons, today's horror flicks just can't work horror magic like Stanley Kubrick and the Shining can.
Definetly check this one out if you haven't done so already.
FINAL SCORE :::: 83% ::::
Rating of
4/4
One of the Best Horror Films Ever Made
Franz Patrick - wrote on 07/31/2008
I saw this film when I was about thirteen years old and I was absolutely horrified. Even though I was scared, I couldn't help but keep watching because it was so interesting. Seven years later, nothing much has changed. Jack Nicholson was perfectly casted because he has that natural manace and craziness that are both amusing and intimidating. I completely believed with the way his character changed from a somewhat distant father to a murderous ax-swinging psychopath. Even though most people think that the way Shelley Duvall acted was annoying, I thought it was exemplary. I don't think this film would have been as scary without her constant freak-outs, trembling voice, and maternal instinct. I could tell that she was pushed and did her best. I must also give kudos to Danny Lloyd for …
