The Shining . Weekly Alibi . 06-06-97

The Shining

DIRECTED BY: Stanley Kubrick

REVIEWED: 06-06-97

Watched this one with my pal Emily on Thanksgiving night, tummy full and body aching from a brutal pre-dinner beating courtesy of my 14-year-old niece Sam. Consider yourselves lucky that you weren't there, 'cause the flick sent me and Emily into full-on movie nerd frenzy, squealing and twitching over every scene of Stanley Kubrick's woefully unappreciated classic. Emily pointed out the beautiful symmetry present in the film; I commented on the completely naked woman. Emily brought to my attention the way Kubrick managed to make an enormous hotel seem claustrophobic by using the Steadicam to give the feeling that the walls are not only alive but closing in on our heroes; I mentioned that Scatman Crothers was the voice of Hong Kong Phooey. I praised the acting ability of Danny Lloyd, who plays the young boy cursed with "The Shining;" Emily pondered whether he was now of dating age. By this time, I had consumed two beers and, lightweight that I am, had lost the ability to prop my foot on the table. After wrestling with that problem for no small amount of time (finally giving in and tucking my foot up on the couch), I turned my attention back to the film as Emily raved over the way Philip Stone (Grady, the caretaker who chopped his wife and twin daughters up) managed to be completely terrifying without moving his body in the least. Screw the damn TV "remake" they'll be airing soon--Kubrick's film may not "be the book," but it's a freakin' great movie. (Warner Home Video)

--Scott Phillips

Capsule Reviews
The Shining

Other Films by Stanley Kubrick
A Clockwork Orange
Dr. Strangelove
Eyes Wide Shut
Lolita
Paths of Glory
The Killing

Film Vault Suggested Links
Friday the 13th, Part 3
Friday the 13th, Part 2
The Addiction

Rate this Film
If you don't want to vote on a film yet, and would like to know how others voted, leave the rating selection as "Vote Here" and then click the Cast Vote button.