Bizarre but fun documentary on Stanley Kubrick's movie version of THE SHINING. And not a making-of by any means, more of a dissection by some obsessed fandom theorists, whom we never see...but just hear talking over loops of "incriminating" footage from the classic 1980 film. Kind of an intriguing concept! I was immediately drawn into the fascinating theories. Room 237 is the "haunted room" in the Overlook Hotel where Jack Torrance meets the gruesome Bathtub Lady, and the commentary overlayed with clips from the movie make it kind of a surreal view....a discovery for the viewer, you might say, like Jack made a "discovery" in that evil hotel room... The participants unlock the secrets of the movie, from their perspective, and it is intriguing. There's a bit on the hidden meanings of certain dialogue, props, continuity errors, and subliminal suggestions. Is THE SHINING about the genocide of Native Americans with all the Indian props scattered about in the background? Is it a veiled confession for the allegations and rumors that Kubrick cinematically orchestrated and faked the "first man on the moon walk" back in July 1969? [This reviewer stands with the minority that the Apollo 11 moonwalk footage was faked, so I found this part captivating and revelatory!] This is a documentary largely about theories, interpretations, puzzles, and perspective. If you're in the mood for something like this, all based around Kubrick's classic masterpiece interpretation of Stephen King's novel, then definitely go for it! You might be pleasantly surprised. Or even...SHOCKED!
Bizarre but fun documentary on Stanley Kubrick's movie version of THE SHINING. And not a making-of by any means, more of a dissection by some obsessed fandom theorists, whom we never see...but just hear talking over loops of "incriminating" footage from the classic 1980 film. Kind of an intriguing concept! I was immediately drawn into the fascinating theories. Room 237 is the "haunted room" in the Overlook Hotel where Jack Torrance meets the gruesome Bathtub Lady, and the commentary overlayed with clips from the movie make it kind of a surreal view....a discovery for the viewer, you might say, like Jack made a "discovery" in that evil hotel room... The participants unlock the secrets of the movie, from their perspective, and it is intriguing. There's a bit on the hidden meanings of certain dialogue, props, continuity errors, and subliminal suggestions. Is THE SHINING about the genocide of Native Americans with all the Indian props scattered about in the background? Is it a veiled confession for the allegations and rumors that Kubrick cinematically orchestrated and faked the "first man on the moon walk" back in July 1969? [This reviewer stands with the minority that the Apollo 11 moonwalk footage was faked, so I found this part captivating and revelatory!] This is a documentary largely about theories, interpretations, puzzles, and perspective. If you're in the mood for something like this, all based around Kubrick's classic masterpiece interpretation of Stephen King's novel, then definitely go for it! You might be pleasantly surprised. Or even...SHOCKED!
