Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

Home | All Reviews | Festival Courses | Film and Media Studies | SBCC | | Log in

1. Mitchell Schena 02.12.13 / 12am

   Interesting review, I also am a huge Nicholson fan and thought his performance in this film was outstanding. I thought it was entertaining as well to what you said about anyone going insane with being isolated with just your family.
2. Sandra Doyle 02.13.13 / 11pm

   Anyone would probably go a little nuts being cooped up with their family. I’m sure most of us can relate. The performances were outstanding, Jack Nicholson was so convincing. I hadn’t seen the movie prior to this either although I’d gathered the general gist over the years. I must say I was disappointed only with not having seen it sooner.
3. Jessica Taxara 02.19.13 / 7pm

   I really enjoy watching films like this where something makes a character go insane after a while and there’s a lot of craziness occurring. It makes the story line really interesting and what I like even more if Jack Nicholson. I also think it’s interesting how this film is a remake; I have heard of the older film but have only seen bits and pieces of it. Although I am not sure if I fully want to see this film because I think the fact that Jack Nicholson is the lead character, is what makes the film what it is.
4. Micah Mccabe 02.24.13 / 6pm

   This is a classic i watched as a kid but now to watch it as an adult i realize what a great movie this is and the combination of great writing and acting really do scare you this goes down as an all time classic great movie
5. Brianna Stearns 03.22.13 / 8am

   I also did not watch The Shining as a child but was constantly being told that I should see this classic. After I watched this film it instantly became a favorite of mine, as well as a Jack Nicholson fan. The acting in this movie was superb and I feel as if the actors truly embodied the characters they were supposed to play. I also enjoyed the other actors besides Nicholson and the realness they each brought to the film. I think this film has a realness that most scary movies do not have; this movie is both supernatural and reality at the same time. This movie is an excellent scary movie with a good storyline and interesting film techniques added throughout.
6. Marlon Reed 03.22.13 / 6pm

   I am also a Jack Nicholson fan. I have only seen bits and pieces of this film and I have never sat down and truly watched the whole movie in one sitting. I liked your critique of the film. You gave me a better insight on why I should watch this film in detail. When I was a lot younger, I was confused by this movie. I was taken back by the kid Danny riding around the hotel on his big wheel and then he suddenly starts screaming REDRUM and then the most famous scene in the movie occurs with Jack swinging an ax through the bathroom door and yells “Here’s Johnny” So on that note I will finally sit down and watch the whole movie. Thanks for your wonderful insight on the movie The Shining.
7. Christian Preciado 04.22.13 / 3pm

   The Shining is a classic and I had not seen it in a long time. I remember it being about a family in a huge resort for the winter and while there, the dad becomes very hostile and attempts to murder his family. I agree with the original review on the film, I liked it because I enjoy watching Nicholson work. As for the story line goes, I am skeptical. The plot is too obvious, and there are plot holes in what happens during the movie that don’t really make sense. Acting was strong with Jack Nicholson and he plays the witty character we remember him as in the film but it lacked attention everywhere else. What made this movie very interesting thought was the directing by Kubrick. Scenes with the massive amounts of flowing blood and the twins in the hallway triggered chilled feelings. I felt they were presented to let the audience know that you were not in a safe place.
8. Maxwell 06.28.13 / 9pm

   Easily one of Jack’s best performances! “Here’s Johnny!” He is an amazing actor. Now the film it self is just as amazing. The concept of Murder backwards, Red Rum. Genius. The plot of the film was perfect. Beautifully set up for a huge final bang. And the ending did not disappoint. Overall i would give The Shinning a 9/10! Easily an instant classic.
9. Katherine Henley 07.06.13 / 10pm

   I have yet to see Kubrick’s film The Shining, but I plan on watching it in the next several days as I have heard that it is one of the director’s best. I enjoyed reading this review as it gave a broad overview of the plot and only furthered my interest in watching it. I am curious to see how Kubrick uses music to further the audience’s engagement throughout and since I have heard it is scary, the music is the part that always gets me. Also, I have visited the hotel in Colorado where the film was shot and I am curious as to whether I will recognize the area and what role this will have on me as a viewer. Kubrick pays particular attention to the spacing in a shot and I think the hotel is a perfect place to communicate the cramped and trapped situation of the characters.
10. Sonia Aissaoui 07.26.13 / 11pm

    I think that this movie was really scary at times. However, Jack Nicholson is a magnificent actor, and in this film he does a great job. This feels like a classic movie that I could watch many time. Interesting review!
11. Alexis Diaz 10.18.13 / 6pm

    Even though I was really scared most of the time, I still enjoyed this movie. The actors’ performances were outstanding, especially Jack Nicholson’s performance. I can’t imagine playing the role of an insane person is easy. My favorite scene by far is where Jack Torrance sticks his head through the hole and yells “Here’s Johnny!” I was also impressed by Danny Lloyd. His acting was very impressive considering his young age. Overall, The Shining is very interesting and I’m glad I finally watched it. Also, great review. I loved your last comment about how anyone would go insane in isolation with just your family, very entertaining.
12. David Wright 10.18.13 / 10pm

    Jack Nicholson gave a performance of a lifetime even by his already high standards, as you said he’s an incredible actor not to mention his perfectly suitable facial features for this role. I think Kubrick did an excellent job getting the most out of Nicholson, as well as demonstrating how devastating shades of red both on and around Nicholson’s character can even make the audience go a little crazy. Like you mentioned this is one of those films I too grew up seeing pieces and parts of, but never really went in for the full ride. Once I did however, it was like that sinking feeling one gets at the top of the roller coaster right before it lets gravity take over. Overall one of the most enjoyable psychological horror films I’ve ever seen and in this case you made a great decision to watch an old re-run.
13. Johanna Carlsson 02.03.14 / 12am

    Good Review. It was great that you told a Little bit about the movie to get the reader to know what the movie was about. I’m not a big fan of this movie but I agree that Jack Nicholson is a really good actor! And in this movie a think he did an outstanding performance.
14. Alexander Percy 03.21.14 / 11pm

    This movie is awesome! Stanley Kubrick is my favorite director of all time. He directed very few movies and they are all incredible. Jack Nicholson is at his best in this film and really does an tremendous job of making you feel uncomfortable.
    The film is based off the novel The Shining by Stephen King, and is pretty closely taken from the book to the film. As a team, Stanley Kubrick and King were able to create such a spooky visual interpretation of the story. Imagine being in the shoes of anyone stuck in that giant hotel in a storm. Scary.
    Good review, the plot summary is spot on and provides general basis of the story without giving to much detail away. This is definately one of those movies that people have heard of, but never seen. “Here’s Johnny” is such a classic line, that nobody really knows its roots! I would say if you like Kubrick or Jack Nicholson you will love this film!
15. CarterFeld 06.06.20 / 11pm

    I have recently gotten to watch this movie from a film class I am taking which was great, especially because I couldn’t find this movie on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon! I enjoyed your review for a variety of reasons; firstly, everything about the plot summary was perfect, secondly I like how you went in-depth into some of the things. I also thing it is funny that you were surprised you liked this film, as I was too because I am not usually a horror type of person! My favorite parts of this film were when the father would look crazy at his family or others, something about the close up faces he would make as well as the acting of the family was astounding!
16. Cinthia Flores 07.23.20 / 12am

    Hello Lauren, I really enjoyed your detailed summary of the film. I agree that Jack Nicholson is a great character, and to be truly honest I cannot see another actor playing this role better than him. His face expressions are both scary and sort of funny. One of my favorite parts that you mention is when Jack starts going insane and begins talking to the previous killer. I am glad the mom and the child were both able to escape but unfortunately the chef was murdered. I think a part two of this film would have been great due to Danny having many similarities with the chef. Good job!
17. Kaya Clementi 03.07.22 / 9pm

    When I was about 12 I was at a friend’s house for a sleepover, I think it may have been her birthday, and all the girls there thought it would be a great idea to watch a scary movie. Somehow we landed on the shining and I proceeded to have nightmares of Jack Nicholson for months. I watched petrified through my hands and wondered how anyone could enjoy such a horrible, horrible movie. Now, watching it for a second time, at a much older age, I can appreciate more as you did, noting the great acting and intriguing film making. I liked in your review how you went talked about your love of Jack Nicholson because I often find that when I love a certain actor, anything he or she in becomes much more interesting to me! I totally agree that the acting was very good and I also thought the set design and ominous sound track supported the actors in making this movie so compelling. Great review!

Home | SBCC | Class Schedule | Film and Media Studies

Contact: Prof. Nico MaestuCopyright 2007-23 Log in