Film Review: The Shining (15), (U.K./U.S.A. 1980) (Director: Stanley Kubrick), Wednesday 31.10.2012 20:15, The Filmhouse, Screen One, Edinburgh

This was a screening of the original U.S. cut of the film, which had never before been seen in U.K. cinemas, and went on to get a general release here on 02.11.2012. When originally released in the U.S., it was not well received, so Stanley saw to removing 25 minutes for the version that would be released in the U.K..

I had heard of the longer U.S. version seven years ago, so got myself a copy on D.V.D., and therefore have been familiar with this version for some time. It had struck me, that when I subsequently went on to mention about there being two version to others over the past seven years, no one I mentioned it to seemed to know about this.

As soon as I saw the longer U.S. version it appeared to me to be a better film. There was more build up and background given to the characters. It feels to have more depth. I have read that this detracts from the horror element. This is hard for me to detect, as I think once you have seen a horror film several times it is no longer frightening anyway. If you think you know The Shining from the version the U.K. has had for 32 years, you don't.

Some have commented that Jack's performance is over the top, though I find it very engaging and watchable. On seeing this version again in the context of a cinema, what impressed me most was the portrayal of the disturbed child by Danny Lloyd, the calm travelling camera work and the sound. Whether viewed as horror or not, I think in this longer form, the film is one of Kubrick's classic works.

I highly recommend to any film/Kubrick enthusiast.

Rating: 10/10.    

Film Review: Room 237 (15), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Rodney Ascher), Sunday 28.10.2012 15:30, The Filmhouse, Screen Three, Edinburgh

This is a documentary film that gives voice to nine people's differing interpretations of what Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' (1980) is actually about. The proposed allegories range from it being about the genocide of the native American Indians, to the Holocaust to Kubrick's admission to having been involved in faking footage of the moon landing. There are also other oddities noted about the film, including how the hotel has an impossible layout, etc.

The people speaking about what they see in the film admit their views have arisen from obsessive viewing, and in my mind too much time on their hands. Some of what is suggested is preposterous, though conveyed with such certainty, that it becomes intriguing rather than annoying. The film is highly amusing in parts and due to it's soundtrack is quite hypnotic.

The voices are played to footage of scenes being discussed, which seemed quite obvious, though it works very well and therefore also there is the added bonus of no talking heads. Clips from other Kubrick films are used in the background, along with clips from other well known films, all of this is used well to assist with understanding what the people are speaking about. Due to the footage used, I would say that I would expect that even if you had not seen 'The Shining', you may still enjoy this as a film about obsession and the absurd. Very enjoyable.

Rating: 08/10.