View Full Version : The Shining
I've recently seen The Shining (again). I suppos that everyone know this film by Stanley Kubrick. It's from the 70's and takes place in a big hostel in the USA, hard to reach while the winter because of the snow.
The plot tells the story of a father and husband, Jack Torrence, interpreted by the famous Jack Nicholson, who is a teacher but decides to postulate for a vacant place of "gardian" in this hotel during 6 month: the time of the closing. He get the job and he goes live there with his wife (S. Duvall) and his son, aged of 6 years old. He knows the bad reputation of the hostel. The last gardian killed his wife, his two daughters and himself. But Jack doesn't care and can't image that he could become crazy too. He hopes that he will may enjoy these 6 month to write a book. But after a while, in the hostel, he developes a certain aggressiveness with his family. He doesn't support anything anymore. He has some hallucinations, he speaks with the ghost of the gardian, ...
His son has also this problem. But not because of a sickness or because he become crazy, but because of his secret power: "the shining" which permits him to see what happened in a place.
The story talks about that: the Madness which hit Jack and makes him want to kill his family.
I really didn't like this film. I know that Kubrick is a famous figure in the world of the direction. But I couldn't see the film fully. However, I usually like S. King (the story is an adaptation of his book). But here, I found that too slow, boring, and the film theme was horrible, particularly when the child has some visions. The actress was so bad, whit an unsupportable voice. I really wouldn't see it one more minut, I give in.
So, to conclude, this movie is a disaster. It's only famous because of J. Nicholson and his scene where he tries to assassinate his wife. Fortunately, he was there to save this load of rubbish. So thanks to him... And in my mind one think is clear: I don't like Kibrick, even if I tried everything to descover his art.
Gideon58
10-29-13, 11:43 AM
I liked THE SHINING a lot more than you did. Yes, the film is nowhere near as good as the book, but Nicholson is electrifying and makes the whole thing worth sitting through.
TOP BEST Cinema
10-29-13, 11:57 AM
Guys, I must disagree
the book is stupid, the hotel is evil, etc....like in all stephen king, this is too much unbelievable things...so even not very scary...i remember the elevator events were just so kiddy..
whereas the movie is just a masterpiece...Stanley Kubrick added the labyrinth which is just excellent idea...and no need to talk about the memorable performance of Jack Nicholson...
but I do respect your feedbacks...^^
REDRUM !
skizzerflake
11-02-13, 12:15 AM
I have not read the book (usually a good idea before seeing the movie), but being new to the story, I took the whole haunted hotel thing mainly as a setup for Jack's advancing madness. It's the most direct sort of horror movie...imagine yourself and your son locked in for the winter, nowhere to flee, husband going stark crazy bonkers and finally homicidal. What could be scarier than that. I always had the impression that Jack Nicholson just unleashed the dark side of his own personality for this role; he was just too damn good to be acting.
Mmmm Donuts
11-02-13, 12:25 AM
I took the whole haunted hotel thing mainly as a setup for Jack's advancing madness. It's the most direct sort of horror movie...imagine yourself and your son locked in for the winter, nowhere to flee, husband going stark crazy bonkers and finally homicidal. What could be scarier than that.
You're spot on. This is why I think the Shining is scarier than Friday the Thirteenth, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween combined. Jack is not some supernatural being or a killing machine. He's an alcoholic husband and father, who slowly goes mad from isolation and (possibly) spirits. The realism of the situation hits home harder than any guy wearing a hockey mask or a demon with a sense of humour.
The Gunslinger45
11-02-13, 12:55 AM
To top it off, there was a mini series based on The Shining with a teleplay written by Stephen King himself. And from what I hear, it has NOTHING on the Kubrick movie. It is written too much like a book as it stays very close to the original text. Mostly because King HATES the Kubrick movie.
Gabrielle947
11-02-13, 06:57 AM
I love Shining,it's my favorite horror film so far.Sometimes I wonder how it would be without Dannys "shining" power which is the only supernatural thing in the movie.It would definitely be more realistic but maybe not creepy enough.
TOP BEST Cinema
11-02-13, 12:14 PM
i agree
To top it off, there was a mini series based on The Shining with a teleplay written by Stephen King himself. And from what I hear, it has NOTHING on the Kubrick movie. It is written too much like a book as it stays very close to the original text. Mostly because King HATES the Kubrick movie.
That miniseries is some of the most laughable **** i have ever seen!
The Gunslinger45
11-02-13, 12:40 PM
That miniseries is some of the most laughable **** i have ever seen!
Yeah I watched a review of it recently, apparently not scary in the least.
There is one thing I agree with in the opening post - Shelley Duval was awful. However, the rest of the movie is great. Actually just watched it again yesterday and it does have some issues but overall it's a 9/10 movie.
APieceofMind
11-05-13, 10:42 AM
I must point out that the film is rather good, despite main actress's horrible acting... I've come across the comment that the pace is somewhat problematic here. I disagree... I am a man who likes dramas and this film has always seemed to be a cross between a drama and (let's say) horror... But you were probably just expecting the slaughter from the first minute so you were let down... It's all about your initial approach to any film, really...
TOP BEST Cinema
11-05-13, 01:29 PM
To top it off, there was a mini series based on The Shining with a teleplay written by Stephen King himself. And from what I hear, it has NOTHING on the Kubrick movie. It is written too much like a book as it stays very close to the original text. Mostly because King HATES the Kubrick movie.
Ok i have not seen yet...no surprise Stephen King can't stand a "normal" psychological story but always go for paranormal and kiddie stuff...
What an ego if he can't recognize that the movie Shining is far better than his novel.
Well have a nice day fellows :)
Mr Minio
12-31-13, 07:57 AM
Maybe I will rewatch it today. Maybe.
The Sci-Fi Slob
12-31-13, 10:15 AM
Makes me want to watch again as well. :)
Mesmerized
12-31-13, 10:33 AM
To top it off, there was a mini series based on The Shining with a teleplay written by Stephen King himself. And from what I hear, it has NOTHING on the Kubrick movie. It is written too much like a book as it stays very close to the original text. Mostly because King HATES the Kubrick movie.
I don't think he hates it. I think King was jealous of Kubrick's masterpiece.
The Gunslinger45
12-31-13, 10:52 AM
I don't think he hates it. I think King was jealous of Kubrick's masterpiece.
Oh he said he hated the movie. :D
And thought it was misogynistic (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/21/stephen-king-calls-kubricks-the-shining-misogynist/)
Mesmerized
12-31-13, 11:06 AM
Oh he said he hated the movie. :D
And thought it was misogynistic (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/21/stephen-king-calls-kubricks-the-shining-misogynist/)
Naturally. It's easier to say you hate something than to admit you're jealous. I sometimes get the impression King is a snot-nosed little brat.
The Gunslinger45
12-31-13, 11:09 AM
Naturally. It's easier to say you hate something than to admit you're jealous. I sometimes get the impression King is a snot-nosed little brat.
Who knows. Either way, Kubrick is the man. I think we all can agree there. :D
Mesmerized
12-31-13, 11:09 AM
It's only famous because of J. Nicholson and his scene where he tries to assassinate his wife.
Assassinate? No. He was merely attempting to correct her for preventing him from doing his duty.
The Shining is one of the best films of the 1970s, and one of my favorite thrillers of all time. It also happens to be one of the most studied and picked-apart films ever made, as well. There are hundreds of websites, books, blogs and the like dedicated to discussing, analyzing, and interpreting the symbolism and themes in the films. The film deals with themes of genocide, guilt, mythology, and the burden of history on humanity. Even thte set design contains oddities that people obsess over, like the Impossible Window (http://www.collativelearning.com/PICS%20FOR%20WEBSITE/SHINING%20EXPANDED/lobbymap%20with%20captions%20SHRUNK1.JPG). There are more, shall we say, fringe theories dealing with the faking of the Apollo 11 moon landings and other tenuous at best claims, but man, the more you read about and study this film, the more questions and mysteries emerge. It's just such an interesting film...
And that's just the subtext of all this. On the surface, you have brilliant set design, stellar cinematography, and fantastic acting across the board. Shelly Duvall was the only actress on the planet fit to play this role, so said Kubrick and about a million other people. She has the perfect nervous system for the role, and she knocked it out of the park.
The Shining is complex film. If you disagree, you are questioning the work of a master who was much, much smarter than any of us having this discussion, unless your IQ is up around 200, like ol' Stanley's was.
Dig into it a bit more, and you can learn about the subtleties of symbolic film making from one of the best masters of the craft, ever.
Kubrick was THE MAN. If you discard and ignore his work, it is surely your loss.
More information concerning: The Shining (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/23/we-know-what-the-shining-is-really-about-and-were-going-to-tell-you-perhaps/)
Nostromo87
12-31-13, 02:35 PM
The Shining is one of the best films of the 1970s, and one of my favorite thrillers of all time. It also happens to be one of the most studied and picked-apart films ever made, as well. There are hundreds of websites, books, blogs and the like dedicated to discussing, analyzing, and interpreting the symbolism and themes in the films. The film deals with themes of genocide, guilt, mythology, and the burden of history on humanity. Even thte set design contains oddities that people obsess over, like the Impossible Window (http://www.collativelearning.com/PICS%20FOR%20WEBSITE/SHINING%20EXPANDED/lobbymap%20with%20captions%20SHRUNK1.JPG). There are more, shall we say, fringe theories dealing with the faking of the Apollo 11 moon landings and other tenuous at best claims, but man, the more you read about and study this film, the more questions and mysteries emerge. It's just such an interesting film...
And that's just the subtext of all this. On the surface, you have brilliant set design, stellar cinematography, and fantastic acting across the board. Shelly Duvall was the only actress on the planet fit to play this role, so said Kubrick and about a million other people. She has the perfect nervous system for the role, and she knocked it out of the park.
The Shining is complex film. If you disagree, you are questioning the work of a master who was much, much smarter than any of us having this discussion, unless your IQ is up around 200, like ol' Stanley's was.
Dig into it a bit more, and you can learn about the subtleties of symbolic film making from one of the best masters of the craft, ever.
Kubrick was THE MAN. If you discard and ignore his work, it is surely your loss.
More information concerning: The Shining (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/23/we-know-what-the-shining-is-really-about-and-were-going-to-tell-you-perhaps/)
great post :up: tough to declare, but i believe the Shining is a perfect movie. in a way i'm sorta glad i put off watching it for the first time until just about a month or so ago
some of the conspiracy theories surrounding it are pretty goofy, but even so i think it's awesome for the movie's sake that some have read that much into it
prior to viewing this, i hadn't gotten cuckoo about Kubrick yet... as the movie unfolded i morphed into a Kubrick fan, couldn't help it. it just happened
i still haven't seen most of his filmography either... Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, Lolita. these have pretty much risen to the top of my 'to watch' list
I was watching Fritz Lang's The Testament of Dr. Mabuse last night, and Dr. Mabuse was being kept in an asylum in Room 237, but he "escaped" and was mind-controlling others to do his bidding. Apparently his grip eventually spread to Kubrick and Jack Torrance. They should have interviewed me for that "documentary". :cool:
I don't think he hates it. I think King was jealous of Kubrick's masterpiece.
King didn't seem to understand that Kubrick never did conventional adaptations. He merely adopted previous source material (in this case, The Shining) as a springboard to develop and tell his own story. It wasn't about illuminating King's vision, but taking the basics of his narrative and turning it into some completely different.
Eyes Wide Shut is a perfect example of this.
mikeython1
01-03-14, 08:59 PM
Sedai nailed it with his Post. There was much more going on than just a great movie. Kubrick was telling many different stories with this movie. Kubrick always had deeper meanings to all of his movies. The man is a genius! Simple as that. Read up, and watch the documentaries about him then re-watch his movies. If you know anything about Alchemy or the Cosmos, well your in for a real treat, borderline life changing! Don't even get me started on 2001. :p
It's a shame The Shining has become a basis for so many ludicrous conspiracy theories, however. According to some, Kubrick filmed the fake moon landing on the set of 2001, felt horribly guilty about it and then decided to drench a film twelve years later in subtle, almost incomprehensible symbolism that apparently can be seen as Kubrick's confession the world. Furthermore, Eyes Wide Shut is also, according to some, Kubrick's personal journey of discovering and exposing the 'illuminati', a satanic secret society that controls the world.
Got to give these people one for creativity.
Mesmerized
01-03-14, 11:21 PM
Furthermore, Eyes Wide Shut is also, according to some, Kubrick's personal journey of discovering and exposing the 'illuminati', a satanic secret society that controls the world.
That was one weird movie. I always wondered about that scene and didn't know it was based on a real satanic cult. Cool.
That was one weird movie. I always wondered about that scene and didn't know it was based on a real satanic cult. Cool.
Well, it's not really, but conspiracy theorists think this is a depiction of a satanic secret society that controls the world.
Mesmerized
01-03-14, 11:31 PM
in a way i'm sorta glad i put off watching it for the first time until just about a month or so ago
Congratulations on seeing it for the first time. You must have really enjoyed it. I saw it when it was first released on home video. It had a completely different cover.
Mesmerized
01-03-14, 11:38 PM
The scene was no doubt made to look satanic with the man in red and the shaking of incence; and then there was the backwards music and the orgy which followed.
BlueLion
01-03-14, 11:39 PM
My reaction after I saw it for the first time: 4 Really good horror flick with stunning camerawork. Second time (after almost a year): 5 Kubrick at the top of his game, filmmaking at its finest.
The reason I think Kubrick films are prone to numerous conspiracies and whatnot is because of how layered and complex his films are. They're ripe for discussion, and that's a big part of what makes them so great. 2001,The Shining,Eyes Wide Shut,etc continue to be analyzed to this very day.
The Shining is an easy 4.5+. It's the work of an absolute master, its in my 20 favorite films ever made.
The scene was no doubt made to look satanic with the man in red and the shaking of incence; and then there was the backwards music and the orgy which followed.
Of course. It just gets looney when people think that such a satanic cult which runs the world actually exists, and the protagonists' journey is a depiction of Kubrick's personal experiences with this supposed illuminati group.
Of course. It just gets looney when people think that such a satanic cult which runs the world actually exists, and the protagonists' journey is a depiction of Kubrick's personal experiences with this supposed illuminati group.
Eyes Wide Shut is a very mysterious film, and while I'm not sure it's about Kubrick trying to expose some secret society or cult,it's still a possibility. Let me explain. Eyes Wide Shut on the surface is a film about marriage,infidelity, and desire. It's brilliant, and a perfect deconstruction of modern relationships. I do believe that cults like this movie portrays do exist,I'm not saying its the Illuminati or some Satanic society...but its a possibility.I agree tin-foil hate conspiracies like those seen in the documentary Room 237 are extremely far fetched, but maybe there is more to some of his films than meets the eye.You never know.
Mesmerized
01-04-14, 01:25 AM
Of course. It just gets looney when people think that such a satanic cult which runs the world actually exists, and the protagonists' journey is a depiction of Kubrick's personal experiences with this supposed illuminati group.
And I thought Kubrick was Jewish.
Anytime an element of satanism or the spirit world is depicted in a movie, there will always be people who see too much into it. There was, or used to be, a website forum devoted to the Amityvile Horror house and people believe the house is still haunted even to this day. They will post pictures on the site and point to shadows which they believe are ghosts. It's amusing but sad.
Mmmm Donuts
01-04-14, 01:35 AM
Yep, exactly right. Though I must admit that it's fun to imagine that some of these theories are true. :D
The whole "aboriginal revenge" theme counts as a theory for the Shining, right? I enjoy that one a lot, there are just so many good examples of it throughout this fantastic film.
BlueLion
01-04-14, 10:10 AM
What about the burning monolith in Full Metal Jacket?
http://www.standbyformindcontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Monolith.jpg?9d7bd4
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/Q4r1I-J6g0M/mqdefault.jpg
We all know what the monoliths represent in 2001, evolution etc. In FMJ, it symbolizes the opposite.
mojofilter
01-05-14, 05:40 AM
The greatest horror film ever made. Even better than Hitchcock's classics.
5
Eyes Wide Shut is a very mysterious film, and while I'm not sure it's about Kubrick trying to expose some secret society or cult,it's still a possibility. Let me explain. Eyes Wide Shut on the surface is a film about marriage,infidelity, and desire. It's brilliant, and a perfect deconstruction of modern relationships. I do believe that cults like this movie portrays do exist,I'm not saying its the Illuminati or some Satanic society...but its a possibility.I agree tin-foil hate conspiracies like those seen in the documentary Room 237 are extremely far fetched, but maybe there is more to some of his films than meets the eye.You never know.
I agree with you, mate. Cults like this do exist, and they are certainly more common than what we think. They've been exposed a few times before. I can subscribe to the notion that Eyes Wide Shut is a story about 'discovering' a hidden cult, sure. But to argue the film is about Kubrick's personal experiences with discovering the 'illuminati' after he agreed to shoot the fake moon landings on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey is a bit too far-fetched and implausible for my liking. For starters, the moon landing was not a hoax. And secondly, I am pretty sure there is no such thing of a group called the illuminati that controls every facet of the word, idolises Satan, and incorporates hidden symbols in film, architecture, and infrastructure.
But yes, you're certainly right nonetheless.
The Shining is probably my favourite horror film and I love Jack Nicholson in it, although I am yet to see many other Kubrick films.
I assume meatwadsprite won't mind me posting this, but he put up a video about The Shining (his favorite film) a few weeks ago (note: some language):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU1hnE6klVw
I assume meatwadsprite won't mind me posting this, but he put up a video about The Shining (his favorite film) a few weeks ago (note: some language):
That ws great. I especially like the attention to the score.
rambond
07-22-18, 05:17 AM
The shining sequel coming in 2019
HashtagBrownies
07-22-18, 02:10 PM
I assume meatwadsprite won't mind me posting this, but he put up a video about The Shining (his favorite film) a few weeks ago (note: some language):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU1hnE6klVw
WAITWAITWAITWAITWAITWAITWAIT, videogamedunkey was a member of this site?!
My life has so much more meaning!
meatwadsprite, can I get a hello?
FromBeyond
07-22-18, 02:43 PM
It's a shame The Shining has become a basis for so many ludicrous conspiracy theories, however. According to some, Kubrick filmed the fake moon landing on the set of 2001, felt horribly guilty about it and then decided to drench a film twelve years later in subtle, almost incomprehensible symbolism that apparently can be seen as Kubrick's confession the world.
Thanks for this... I am so tired of all the noise about symbolism and hidden meaning and I watched the movie documentary with some idiot saying that people love The Shining but for the wrong reasons.. give me a ****ing break... it's amazing at face value and I don't love it for the wrong reasons.
PS best opening credit in movie history... best original making of documentary (not Room 237) made by Kubricks daughter, in movie history, one of best movies in movie history..
mathi it's not the bloody YMCA, it's a hotel and your wrong... about everything you ever said... ever.
Gideon58
07-22-18, 02:44 PM
I love The Shining too...Nicholson is brilliant and was robbed of an Oscar nomination. As for other Kubrick films, may I recommend Dr. Strangelove and Eyes Wide Shut.
GulfportDoc
07-22-18, 04:50 PM
I have mixed emotions about a sequel: it could be great, but yet sequels usually are not. "Mr. Milquetoast" Ewan McGregor would not be my choice of actor to play an adult Danny Torrance:
http://comicbook.com/horror/2018/06/13/the-shining-sequel-movie-doctor-sleep-ewan-mcgregor/
So the release date is 1/24/20. If I'm alive, I'll see it..:)
I too loved The Shining, and have seen it many times since it's debut. It's a movie with almost no flaws in it IMO, and the entire cast was wonderful. Shelley Duvall especially was so good that she seemed like the real gal-- almost like a reality show. I'll never know how she got cast, but I'm delighted that she did. Nicholson, Crothers, Turkel-- all fabulous.
I never read King's novel, so I don't have any gripes about how the film compares to it..;)
~Doc
Citizen Rules
07-22-18, 06:07 PM
...I never read King's novel, so I don't have any gripes about how the film compares to it..;) Neither have I, and I always say comparing movies to the book is like comparing cars to airplanes. The Shining (the movie) stands on it's own. Kubrick's imagery style is very apparent in the film, and that's why you see movies even today 'stealing' his shots.
I also liked The Shining (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118460/?ref_=nv_sr_2), any fans of that version?
GulfportDoc
07-22-18, 08:11 PM
I seem to remember that when it came out on TV. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was pretty dreadful. But I may be mistaking it for another. Was that the one where the bushes kept moving around?
~Doc
Citizen Rules
07-22-18, 08:20 PM
I seem to remember that when it came out on TV. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was pretty dreadful. But I may be mistaking it for another. Was that the one where the bushes kept moving around?
~Doc I don't know about moving bushes, I only seen it once, decades ago. What I liked was there was more focus on the kid, who would go into some type of convulsions and communicate with a spirit or ghost.
I never read King's novel, so I don't have any gripes about how the film compares to it..;)
The only interesting comparison to be made between the book and the movie is how it frames Jack’s descend into madness. In the novel you can clearly see King trying to acknowledge and repent previous substance abuse. He’s looking back. The movie, on the other hand, is examining the behavior. Kubrick shows the effects on the family as it happens.
I seem to remember that when it came out on TV. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was pretty dreadful. But I may be mistaking it for another. Was that the one where the bushes kept moving around?
~Doc
I think the moving bushes is right in the book.
Watched this again after many years. It’s a great experience, a great film very enjoyable for a horror. I actually love all the exposition surrounding the overlook. It left me wanting to know more and wanting to know what really happened. What did happen lol? Clearly it’s haunted and not a mere cabin fever psychotic break. How was he present in the 1921 pic. Reincarnation seems odd coupled with the ghosts...what theories do ppl have? Interested.
MoreOrLess
10-01-18, 04:40 PM
As has been mentioned I think Kubrick really just uses Kings book as a basic springboard and if anything his film feels like it draws more influence from the similar French new wave film Last Year At Marienbad in terms of the way it treats its setting and the idea of characters themselves taking control of the narrative.
Act III
11-12-23, 07:00 AM
Found this podcast on The Shining, 37 minutes long. Did you know that this film got across the board bad reviews by film critics when it was first released?
Nicholson should have been given an Oscar for his performance.
https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/episodes/7DrgY3c/
Well, this podcast is about the subtle symbolism Stanley Kubrick placed in the film and the theories about what this movie is truly about.
Austruck
12-11-23, 01:02 AM
Who cares about Die Hard being a Christmas movie? The Shining is now a Christmas movie!96586
KeyserCorleone
12-11-23, 11:41 AM
Who cares about Die Hard being a Christmas movie? The Shining is now a Christmas movie!https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=96586
It's better than the Pixar one...
Brody At Amity
12-15-23, 10:08 AM
It's a classic. But I appreciate it's not for everyone. And like all Kubrick films, it's divisive. I think it gets better on repeat viewings. It may not be easier to give it another shot after not liking it the first time around but I think it could sway some people.
skizzerflake
12-15-23, 02:46 PM
I've seen it a few times over the years and was repeatedly under-whelmed. Since it featured Kubrick and Nicholson, I could not help but be disappointed. There's nothing all that interesting in it, just a basic slasher movie with star power. It differs from Freddie Kruger mainly in that the slasher lives in the house with you, possibly possessed by something, but the something just isn't visible or obvious. It just doesn't have anything that grabs me.
For about five years I had a ritual of cracking open the book and reading it straight through the evening when a big blizzard would blow into town and snow me in my home. A different story, but images evoked in my mind were incorrigibly Kubrick's, and I didn't mind that.
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