Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by halfnote (A) on May 15, 2021 at 20:52:24

In Reply to: RE: If you are a fan of Kubrick but didn't like The Shining posted by RGA on May 12, 2021 at 07:15:01

Over the years, THE SHINING, which, I admit, left me a bit underwhelmed when I first saw it, has grown mightily in its depth and scope since.

This seems to happen with many of Kubrick's film, with 2001 being the most notable example. But I also remember being a bit disappointed with FULL METAL JACKET, which turned out to be something other than the jungle combat fantasmagoria I went to the theater seeking. Today, I consider it one of the finest films of the late 20th century.

Woody Allen admitted that he was unmoved by his first viewing of 2001, and found that after a second viewing, and a third viewing, he came to see it for the great artistic achievement it is.

He later declared (paraphrasing) that in 2001 "the vision of the artist so far exceeded the audience's ability to comprehend it" that it was vastly misunderstood.

I feel the same way about THE SHINING. It was viewed widely, at first, as a poorly executed version of King's ghost story. What is actually is, is a harrowing study of domestic violence and marital dysfunction which requires neither ghosts nor supernatural doings to convey its terrors. In fact, the ghosts can be viewed as almost superfluous.

It is epic in its portrayal of the heartlessness and self-indulgence of evil, and how alarmingly common are its causes.

BTW, there are many EXCELLENT Kubrick documentaries on Youtube, including the Cinema Tyler series, and REMEMBERING STANLY KUBRICK, among others.

Edits: 05/15/21