The Shining (1980)

[Dreamliner330]

I just watched this for the first time. I wasn't overly impressed.

From Kubrick, I've seen 2001 & Full Metal Jacket; I really didn't like Full Metal Jacket at all, but I did like 2001.

I've read a lot of the conspiracy theories/hidden facts about the movie. Most of them seem to me to be continuity errors...I dunno.

Even stuff on Kubrick faked the Moon landing...sheesh.

Was Kubrick seriously a super genius with layers of hidden meanings in his films that somehow eluded even the cast & crew?

Plus, if it was so methodical, why did he cut a few minutes after the opening weekend and then another half hour or so for the international release?

If he didn't make continuity errors as some claim, whats the explanation for the different sandwich sizes or cigarette length during scenes. Could it be some sort of majestic hidden meaning, sure, but more likely was simply the result of a bazillion takes.

Thoughts?

[oldgame]

Your better off going to websites like this http://kubrickfilms.tripod.com/id4.html
You'll be hooked.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I just watched this for the first time. I wasn't overly impressed.

From Kubrick, I've seen 2001 & Full Metal Jacket; I really didn't like Full Metal Jacket at all, but I did like 2001.

I've read a lot of the conspiracy theories/hidden facts about the movie. Most of them seem to me to be continuity errors...I dunno.

Even stuff on Kubrick faked the Moon landing...sheesh.

Was Kubrick seriously a super genius with layers of hidden meanings in his films that somehow eluded even the cast & crew?

Plus, if it was so methodical, why did he cut a few minutes after the opening weekend and then another half hour or so for the international release?

If he didn't make continuity errors as some claim, whats the explanation for the different sandwich sizes or cigarette length during scenes. Could it be some sort of majestic hidden meaning, sure, but more likely was simply the result of a bazillion takes.

Thoughts?

Right here is where I got my start:

http://www.collativelearning.com/the%20shining.html

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I just watched this for the first time. I wasn't overly impressed.

From Kubrick, I've seen 2001 & Full Metal Jacket; I really didn't like Full Metal Jacket at all, but I did like 2001.

I've read a lot of the conspiracy theories/hidden facts about the movie. Most of them seem to me to be continuity errors...I dunno.

Even stuff on Kubrick faked the Moon landing...sheesh.

Was Kubrick seriously a super genius with layers of hidden meanings in his films that somehow eluded even the cast & crew?

Plus, if it was so methodical, why did he cut a few minutes after the opening weekend and then another half hour or so for the international release?

If he didn't make continuity errors as some claim, whats the explanation for the different sandwich sizes or cigarette length during scenes. Could it be some sort of majestic hidden meaning, sure, but more likely was simply the result of a bazillion takes.

Thoughts?

This is one of my favourite films, but I mostly agree with you, Kubrick is not above continuity errors; people who act like every single thing in his films holds meaning are frustrating.

[Geoff D]

Kubrick's renowned as this legendary technical perfectionist but that misses the mark IMO; even though he loved the nuts and bolts of filmmaking he loved the performances even more, so if an error crept into shot or the continuity was off it simply didn't bother him as long as the performance was there. (See also: the out of focus stuff in Nolan's Interstellar.) This may be apocryphal but I believe he once said that he doesn't know what he wants [from an actor], although he definitely knows what he doesn't want (hence the many, many, many retakes).

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by ijustblumyself

This is one of my favourite films, but I mostly agree with you, Kubrick is not above continuity errors; people who act like every single thing in his films holds meaning are frustrating.

Yeah, I'd say half the conspiracy theories are just that; conspiracy theories.
I personally like the fact that there's the "impossible windows" (at the hotel), the carpet "inverting" when we see the ball rolling to Danny, the metaphor for the american Indians....etc.
Again, those aren't so much conspiracies as they are interesting things

[roundasapound]

Just watched the Shining and I have both the DVD and BD.


The BD is a massive improvement over the DVD for PQ and aspect ratio.


the film itself is not for me, I was bored and can't see it as being something I'll ever watch again so it's going up for sale.


I upgraded this to BD without watching the DVD.. hmmn.. this is the 2nd time I've done this and regretted it both times.


Perhaps I'm not a fan of Stan's stuff..
Clockwork Orange, Spartacus, The Shining.. I don't really like any of these films.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by roundasapound

Just watched the Shining and I have both the DVD and BD.


The BD is a massive improvement over the DVD for PQ and aspect ratio.


the film itself is not for me, I was bored and can't see it as being something I'll ever watch again so it's going up for sale.


I upgraded this to BD without watching the DVD.. hmmn.. this is the 2nd time I've done this and regretted it both times.


Perhaps I'm not a fan of Stan's stuff..
Clockwork Orange, Spartacus, The Shining.. I don't really like any of these films.

I didn't particularly cared for The Shining either. It was just OK, and not great as everybody claimed it to be. The Shining always have been overrated! Jack Nicholson's performance was outstanding, but the movie was slow, tedious and too long. It could have been edited at least 20 minutes.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I didn't particularly cared for The Shining either. It was just OK, and not great as everybody claimed it to be. The Shining always have been overrated! Jack Nicholson's performance was outstanding, but the movie was slow, tedious and too long. It could have been edited at least 20 minutes.

Watch the International cut

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I didn't particularly cared for The Shining either. It was just OK, and not great as everybody claimed it to be. The Shining always have been overrated! Jack Nicholson's performance was outstanding, but the movie was slow, tedious and too long. It could have been edited at least 20 minutes.

Should have cut an hour off its runtime and just had jump scares instead of tension build up. Much more convient.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Watch the International cut

I would if I could find it.

[Arch Stanton]

The Shining is everything I love about film. Moody, mysterious, clearly designed and constructed, beautiful on the eye.

Never found it particularly scary (maybe because it's a film hard to avoid seeing references of in pop culture), but I love it for other stylistic reasons.

[welcometothepartypal]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

The Shining is everything I love about film. Moody, mysterious, clearly designed and constructed, beautiful on the eye.

Never found it particularly scary (maybe because it's a film hard to avoid seeing references of in pop culture), but I love it for other stylistic reasons.

Agreed! IMO, it's a masterpiece of film making. I try to watch it once a year. I can only surmise that it's been built up way to much for those who don't get the love.

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I would if I could find it.

Region free: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dvd/dp/B00BMVD45E/ref=sr_1_6?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1440339627&sr=1-6&keywords=the+shining

[Mr.Twinks]

One of my favorite Kubrick films and favorite S.King books! Even though the movie doesn't follow the book 100% of the time, the film still is great on it's own.

[Yojimbo68]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I would if I could find it.

The international cut sounds like the cut for you! I imported it from Amazon UK about 6 months ago and just watched it recently. I'm still not sure which cut I like the best but I can say watching the International cut I didn't feel like I was missing anything. It obviously moves a lot quicker. It's pretty cheap to import. I think I got mine for about 10 bucks shipped. Totally worth it.

[Sonny]

I've always enjoyed the film. Sure it's long, but it's a real film. (Don't see many of those anymore)

[Ray Jackson]

I blind bought a Dutch film called The Vanishing during the recent Criterion sale because I read an interview where Stanley Kubrick said was the most terrifying film he had ever seen and that The Shining was child's play by comparison.

I have no idea what he was talking about.

...The Shining is WAY better in every way.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by roundasapound

Perhaps I'm not a fan of Stan's stuff..
Clockwork Orange, Spartacus, The Shining.. I don't really like any of these films.

lol...I think I see the problem. You can call him Stanley Kubrick or Mr. Kubrick, but never "Stan". This just shows a flippant lack of proper respect for one of cinema's great directors.

Sounds like you should stick to Mikey Bay.

[P-Rock]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I blind bought a Dutch film called The Vanishing during the recent Criterion sale because I read an interview where Stanley Kubrick said was the most terrifying film he had ever seen and that The Shining was child's play by comparison.

I have no idea what he was talking about.

...The Shining is WAY better in every way.

Maybe the remake appeals more to the American audience.