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« More Movie Filming | Main | How was I supposed to know you can't put dishsoap in the dishwasher?? »

My 50 Favorite Movies - The Shining

I saw this the other day and I thought it was just hilarious.  Its amazing how a few carefully collected clips and a little change of soundtrack can do.  Definitely worth watching.

In all seriousness, though, The Shining is one of my favorite movies.  First of all, it makes me feel so conflicted.  On one hand, you have the perfectly deconstructed and torn down psychopath, Jack Nicholson, flipping out and trying to kill his family.

On the other hand, boy do I hate Shelley Duvall in this movie.  I mean, I seriously think if he did clip her with that ax, the audience probably would have cheered.  Can an actress be more irratating??  Watching her flounce around in an attempt to run was just painful.  Well, I suppose if it was Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack wouldn't have been too much of a match for her, so they had to pick an easier target.

Anyhoo, Jack's whole unwinding is done at such a perfect pace.  Its never unbelievable and it never drags on either.  Plus, I like the fact that the ghoul factor is pretty low.  Its scary, but the only thing you really need to be scared of is the woman in the tub.  Other than that, its all just mood and suspence.  Fantastic score, set off by the early Berlioz on the trek up the hill.  I loved the scenes where the charactors from the past appear, and I think maybe the scariest thing in the movie is when he turns up in the picture at the end.

Best unintentional comedy moment:  Scatman Carrother's (the cook) apartment in Miami.  It looks like a scene from "The Ladies Man"...  huge sprawled out female nude painting behind the bed.  Totally 70's decor.  Look out Miami. 

Reader Comments (2)

I loved the Shining, too. The first time I saw it, I watched with a bunch of friends who lived in my co-op in college. My best friend and I, normally soft-spoken the peace-makers in the group, sat on the edge of the couch screaming, "Stab him in the face! Stab him in the face!". Afterward, we made the guys check all the closets. My favorite scene is when you realize that he's not writing at all, just "all work and no play..." over and over. Oh, and looking down on the model of the maze which turns into the real thing. Creepy.
October 3, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterChristy
I remember reading the book. It was terrifying. I was too chicken to take out the movie, but maybe I will at some point.
October 3, 2005 | Unregistered CommenterIrina

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