transcript
show notes
It’s been far too long since we last reviewed the work of one of cinema’s all time masters, Stanley Kubrick, so recording on Halloween gave us the perfect excuse to finally tackle his legendary psychological horror classic The Shining (1980). Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers, the film follows a struggling writer who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel, where sinister supernatural forces begin to unravel his sanity and threaten his family. Somehow, Zac had embarrassingly never seen the film before, making this a particularly exciting first viewing. It’s also remarkable that 46 years after the film’s release, Stephen King’s work continues to inspire so many new film and television adaptations, something we find fascinating enough to get distracted by before even beginning the review. Once we dive in, there is an enormous amount to unpack, from the mysterious supernatural powers at play to the film’s disturbing themes of domestic abuse, alcoholism, and generational trauma. But all of that is really just the cherry on top of an exceptionally crafted piece of cinema. Kubrick’s masterful direction, unsettling score, meticulous editing, and extraordinary production design combine to create some of the most disturbing and iconic images in horror history. It’s a special film that has lost none of its impact. After the review, we keep the Halloween spirit alive by discussing our favourite jump scares in film and video games.
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