Student Film Reviews

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1. Tobias Luvenberg 02.12.13 / 12am

   This is one of my favorite movies from back in the day’s. A really good film review! and I think this is one of the best film that Kubrick have done, but also the movie full metal jacket is good!
2. Kylie Willis 03.14.13 / 6pm

   As a child, my parents had this weird obsession with making me watch movies that would ultimately leave me petrified, they particularly felt this obsession when it came to films based off of Steven King novels. While the movie still manages to terrify me to this very day, its one of the many reasons I love it. I think that with the technology we see utilized in film during this day and age, it speaks volumes when a movie still manages to speak to an audience and scare them in a similar manner as it did when it was released. I personally am a fan of the music in the film, and I think it makes a huge impact on how terrifying the movie can be. Even when it seems as though little may be happening in the film, the score that Kubrick utilizes constantly keeps his audience on their toes, which is a big reason why I think the film still remains on almost every list about great horror stories to this day.
3. Matthew Johnson 11.22.13 / 5pm

   I recently watched The Shining for the first time in many years the other day and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Right from the get go Stanley Kubrick makes me feel extremely uncomfortable, but I couldn’t figure out why. So many aspects of the film irritated me with the messy dissolves, unorganized scene sets (or at least I thought), and just strange camera views that I wasn’t use to Kubrick implementing. I had to watch it again. After the second time I truly realized why Kubrick is an absolute genius. He throws so many strange coincidences, props, and dialogue that just kept ringing in my head. Their are themes of the genocide of the American Indians, The Holoucast, the Minotaur myth, and of course the conspiracy that Kubrick threw in clues that pertain to his involvement in shooting America landing on the moon in a Hollywood studio. Every single shot is intricately planned down to the pictures on the walls. At first, I was horrified for Danny and Wendy trying to stay alive from crazy Jack but the second time I was horrified by the themes highlighted. The way Kubrick brings the film together is eerily brilliant and I will definitely be watching for years to come. Also, if you watch the film forwards and backwards, so many scenes line up compositionally and thematically perfectly that artist intent cannot be ignored here. With that said, Kubrick may not have been consciously implementing all of these themes but they are there wether he wanted it or not.
4. Joseph Mezzetta 07.05.14 / 8pm

   The Shinning helped to open up a new genre in horror films. The film adapted from a best selling novel and promoted as a “mainstream” movie attracted audiences who wouldn’t normally see a horror film. It furthered developed the horror genre adding themes of the paranormal. Jack Nicholson does an amazing job transforming into a possessed psychopath by the end of the movie. The son Danny also adds a creepy factor by hearing voices in his head and constantly screaming “red-rum.” The television advertisements for this film earned it blockbuster ticket sales. With Stephen King represented as the author and the visual of blood surrounding the elevator in the movie trailer, moviegoers interests were peaked and helped to make this movie go down in history as one of the best horror films of all time.
5. madisonbowman 10.10.17 / 4pm

   Stanley Kubrick’s, The Shining, was a movie that lived on decades past its release date. Although it was released in 1980, the film is still very relative today and even appears on popular streaming sites such as Netflix. I have viewed the film multiple times in my life and Kubrick’s touch of cinematography and perfected mis-en-scene is always sticking. You did a great job reviewing the film. It is a very complex film with foreshadowing and telepathic beings, but when describing it briefly you hit the mark. I agree that that this wasn’t one of Kubrick’s most brilliant work. Stephen King himself was even disappointed in the film. The most remarkable part is that with all of that aside it still became a film that will go down in history.
6. Pia Valtierra 03.16.18 / 4pm

   This film really does have a huge sense of suspense throughout the entire film. I find it a little contradicting on how you started and ended your review. You begin with referencing of this film as a masterpiece however you end your review by saying it is by far the weakest film Stanley Kubrick has ever made. It was just interesting how you progressed from one thought to the other after writing your review on the film. I personally liked the film I think it kept the audience intrigued by the whole concept of isolation however there are parts where I dozed off a bit and I think that has to do with the length of the film.
7. Garrett_Totten 04.27.18 / 6pm

   I really liked your review on this film. This is by far one of my favorite horror films. I totally agree that this is one of Jack Nicholson’s best performances. I feel like the story of this film is what really makes it such a good one, which is due to the fact that it was based off of a novel. Its not made like the horror films today, instead of a bunch of suspenseful scenes, this film really scares you with the story that it tells.
8. Miguel Lozano 10.19.18 / 11pm

   I’ve watched The shining a few times, but I never really looked for a deeper meaning to it until I took the film studies class. this film from literature is truly captivating. The use of suspense throughout the film is also, in my opinion is what makes this film so great. The mise-en-scene of the film fit perfectly. Also, the foreshadowing in this film is a nice touch as well. Kubrick does a fantastic job of bringing the film together to create an eerie feeling in the viewer. Overall, this review does a great job talking about Kubrick’s use of different elements to create such a creepy film.
9. Gabriella Rigor 03.11.19 / 10am

   I remember watching this film as little girl and was absolutely terrified. I was reluctant to watch it again but I knew this film was such a classic in so many ways that I forced to watch it again. Once I did I realized there were so many deeper meanings and Jack Nicholson is a pheromonal actor who made the film come alive and really make it into the movie it is. The movie is creepy and eerie throughout the entire film using a sound track to make you feel uneasy while you sit through the grueling 2 and a half hours.
10. alyssa lopez 02.28.20 / 4pm

    I am very much in concurrence with Mr. Munoz when he says “The Shining” is one of the most iconic films to date. With the use of certain Mise- en- scene factors such as lighting, props, expressions and camera work, Stanley Kubrick managed to create a tense thriller which is responsible for creating some of the most quotable and known scenes in cinematic history. Characters such as the twin sisters, Jack’s quote as he axes the door, the patterned carpeting, and tricycle being ridden by Danny throughout the hotel are few of the visual and auditory scenes which have left lasting impressions on its viewers.
11. alyssa lopez 02.28.20 / 4pm

    I am very much in concurrence with Mr. Munoz when he says “The Shining” is one of the most iconic films to date. With the use of certain Mise-en-scene factors such as lighting, props, expressions, and camera work, Stanley Kubrick managed to create a tense thriller which is responsible for creating some of The most quotable and known scenes in cinematic history. Characters such as the twin sisters, unique carpeting, Jack’s quote and his axe, and the tricycle being ridden by Danny throughout the hotel are few of the visual and auditory scenes which hae left lasting impression on its viewers.
12. alyssa lopez 02.28.20 / 4pm

    I am very much in concurrence with Mr. Munoz when he says “The Shining” is one of the most iconic films to date. With the use of certain Mise-en-scene factors such as lighting, props, expressions, and camera work, Stanley Kubrick managed to create a tense thriller which is responsible for creating some of The most quotable and known scenes in cinematic history. Characters such as the twin sisters, unique carpeting, Jack’s quote and his axe, and the tricycle being ridden by Danny throughout the hotel are few of the visual and auditory scenes which have left lasting impression on its viewers.
13. Ramon Ramos 02.28.20 / 8pm

    Hi Reyes, I agree with your commentary on the movie for the most part. I haven’t read the book, but after having seen the movie it’s one of the most haunting and memorable horror films I’ve ever watched. Like you mentioned, Jack’s performance was phenomenal; they couldn’t have possibly picked a better actor to portray Jack Torrance. The way he was able to portray himself and his thoughts with just his facial expressions was pretty terrifying. The musical score and the overall set design was great too, the film really put up a convincing plot that made me forget I was watching a movie at times.
14. Raya Whittington 02.28.20 / 9pm

    I have to agree with the fact that although it is a good film, it is not Kubrick’s best work. I was very underwhelmed because it was not quite the anxiety-ridden film I expected it to be. It did leave unsettling feelings at times when the piercing screams were matched with the shrieks in the music or when Jack hugs the beautiful woman that turns older and not as appealing. Besides some of its faults, it’s still a quotable, memorable, iconic film.
15. Lauren Solis 06.06.20 / 4pm

    This was such a great and detailed review. Very well written. I find it interesting that you mentioned the “eerie music score”. I too thought that that was one of the most emotion evoking aspects of the film. As soon as the music began I instantly became terrified for what was to come next. I found myself covering my eyes plenty of times out of fear. I think that this film was very well and strategically crafted.The impeccable acting in this film even made me forget that I was watching a film and the actors were in fact, acting. I think that the idea behind it makes it even more scary; the fact that this idea of cabin fever can happen to any seemingly normal and stable minded person. I think this film is well deserved of being a classic.
16. lidya_demissie 07.18.20 / 4pm

    short and sweet review, after all this was straight to the point. i totally agree with you when it comes to choosing jack to play the main role. he did such a great job and sometimes it even felt like he was going off scrip, that how good it was. i didn’t think this movie was scary at all compared to the movies that have watched that have came out. I really enjoyed watching the film but I did think it was very slow but well did.
17. Niccolo Borromeo- Kendall 10.16.20 / 9pm

    Hi Reyes,

    Just like you, I was blown away by how well Kubrick assembled this movie, particularly through his great character development and cinematography. Although I haven’t watched all of Kubrick’s films, I wouldn’t consider it his weakest work. Kubrick’s The Shining is one of the most influential horror movie films of all time, and for very good reason. Jack Nicholson’s electrifying performance as a psychological maniac is so surreal it almost seems as if he isn’t acting at all. The cinematography of the film was also astounding as it really highlighted the central themes of the film. There is a heavy presence of mise en scene throughout the film and that just adds to the overall greatness of the film. All of this together really made an intriguing film that left me on the edge of my seat throughout the story.
18. Naveah Hopper 10.24.20 / 11pm

    In the film the shining by Kubrick really got the best actors in my opinion to play the part. The music really built suspense and they way jacks manic behavior is portrayed is nearly realistic. you almost forget that he is even acting. If you really like horror I would suggest watching it. If you have no idea about this film then I am sure you would know of the iconic duo, the twin girls who Danny sees in the hotel as well as other spirits. This movie will definitely make you want to cover your eyes with the great miseducating-en-scene the producers have included.
19. Gavin Alford 10.24.20 / 11pm

    The Shining is easily one of my favorite films. It was the first horror film I watched that I actually enjoyed. Prior to watching The Shining I was used to horror flicks that relied too heavily on jump scares and gore. One of my favorite aspects of the film was the ‘eerie music score’. The music was expertly used to build suspense and set the tone. Scenes of simple hallways shots in the hotel were transformed into agitating suspenseful buildups. Another thing that stood out was the high pitch ringing sound that occurred during the scenes with the twins and during Jack’s insane episodes. These sounds were juxtaposed by low bass tones after suspense had been broken, in order to slowly build the action back up. I will definitely have to rewatch this film and pay more attention to all the background noise that I missed as so much energy and mood is hidden inside it.
20. Margaret Palmer 03.05.21 / 4pm

    Really Great Review. I personally love horror movies and I also really loved the Shining. You did a nice job explaining why exactly this movie was so good and scary. Jack is what made this movie actually make you feel something or some sort of fear. I also definitely agree that the characters were cast so well and it could not have been done better. This film had a lot of good sound effects and music. The mix of high and low tones in multiple scenes added to the eeriness and made it that much scarier. They create suspense and give the movie a nice adrenaline factor and rush.
21. Amanda C 03.23.21 / 5pm

    The Shining is such a classic horror film, and I can also agree that it is one of the scariest films that are out there along with The Exorcist. The Shining was a film that oddly really helped me get into horror movies more, I had always heard about The Shining and how much of a classic it is and from the start of the film you get this off feeling. It’s a super complex film with so much suspense and is scary. I think you did a really great job with this review and I agree with a lot of what you said.
22. Kenna Mayer 10.10.21 / 10am

    Everyone who has been alive for more than 18 years knows about The Shining. This cult classic is one of the best horror films out there, and for its time was an incredibly horrifying film. Everything from the huge hotel with its creepy feel to the individual actors who were casted to play out these intense scenes was perfect. Kubrick did a terrific job in creating a film that envelopes the viewers and makes them feel like they are sitting in the hotel watching this family deal with their horrors. Some parts of the film were questionable and left me wondering, but after re-watching the film a few times I began to make more and more connections and understand the film better. This movie, along with other films like Inception and Interstellar, you need to watch a few different times to understand the complexity of the storyline.
23. Kane 07.27.22 / 10pm

    I also think that this is one of the scariest movies of all time. It might not have any jump scares or crazy brutal kills, the eerie music and the stillness of the characters really make it creepy. I think The Shining might be one of if not the most famous movie of all time due to all the famous shots and all the references from other shows and movies. The references are the blood elevator, the twins, here’s johnny, the distinct carpet, and many more things.
24. Summer Castillo 07.20.24 / 6pm

    I agree that without Jack Nicholson this movie would have been something completely different. He transformed the scenes and made the movie as eerie as we can all recognize it to be. There is no one in my mind that could have done a better job than him. The movie itself in my opinion is the kind of movie you can’t really watch more than once. I think while it is an iconic movie it lacks in the entertainment department. I love the storyline but I feel as though it could have some more engaging elements embedded within it. I have not seen any other of Kubrick’s films but I think I might give him a shot after reading your review.

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