Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
origin of the film reviewed so you can check your player for compatibility. You may
also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
review. All the reviews here have been reviewed either by myself or my current movie 
reviewers. If you're an avid watcher of horror movies then why not join 'Castle Dracula'
as an official 'staff member' reviewing them. To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff'
link in the menu to the left for details of this and other vacancies.
New reviews are normally placed here once a week, check my front page for under 'Castle
Dracula Updates' to see what latest movie reviews have been placed.

- The Shining - US DVD -  

'The Shining' is one of the most fantastically prolific movies ever made. When I say
this about 'The Shining,' I am not just speaking about horror movies. This is one of
the top movies to ever be put on the big screen. Many credit this remarkable movie to
novelist Stephen King. Yes, King did write the book. He had nothing to do with the film
production. One of the most eccentric and brilliant minds to ever make movies, Stanley 
Kubrick, brought this tale to life. Kubrick co-wrote, produced, and directed the film. 
Whether you like or dislike Kubrick, I would find it hard for anyone to not like this movie. 
'Jack Torrence' (Jack Nicholson) accepts a winter position at an upscale Colorado hotel, 
'The Overlook.' The hotel is closing for the winter. 'Jack' moves his wife, 'Wendy,' and 
young son, 'Danny' into the hotel with him. 'Jack' wants to use the time and solitude to
finish writing his novel.
Along with his family, 'Jack' brings some personal baggage. He is a recovering alcoholic 
who once broke his son's arm. Anyone who knows anything about the novel or the movie 
understands that this will not be an enjoyable vacation for the 'Torrences.' 
Soon into the movie we find out that young 'Danny' has what is referred to as "the shining."
It is a special power. 'Danny' can at times see things that have not yet occurred, or 
glimpse traces of events that took place years ago. 'Danny' has an invisible friend named
'Tony' that lives in his mouth. 'Tony' sometimes shows 'Danny' things. 'Danny' makes 
friends with the 'Overlook's' head chef, 'Dick'(Scatman Crothers). 'Dick' also has "the 
shining." 'Dick,' like the rest of the 'Overlook's' staff, is in the process of moving out
for the winter.
The winter hits the 'Overlook' hard. A severe snowstorm smacks the Colorado mountains. The 
phones are knocked out of service. The 'Overlook' is cut off from the world. The 'Torrence's' 
only contact with the outside world is through a short wave radio. 
'Dick' is in his comfortable Florida winter home as the storm pelts the 'Overlook.' He knows
that things are not going well with the 'Torrences.' He decides to travel to the 'Overlook'
and check up on the family. Can the bond between 'Danny' and 'Dick' save the 'Torrences?'
Or were they doomed long before they stepped foot in the 'Overlook?'
'The Shining' is gripping and unsettling. The power of this movie is not so much in its gore,
but in Kubrick's ability to cast a spell over us. The movie has almost a hypnotic atmosphere
about it. We have been pulled from our world and thrust into the hotel. Kubrick constantly 
builds the tension. It is a slow burn. At times I almost felt like screaming, "Just let 
something happen." Things happen, just enough to raise the hair on your nape, but not enough
to drive the dagger through the audience's heart. We are forced to be patient as we sit on 
the edge of our seats. Almost as a voyeur we watch as 'Jack Torrence' deviates from a caring
family man into a deranged lunatic. 
Nicholson gives one of his greatest performances. The facial expressions he uses as his 
character slowly drifts further and further into insanity are remarkable. Without make up he
turns into a monster. He is crazy and evil with a perfect mask of madness. Like his son 'Danny,'
'Jack' also has a special friend. 'Grady,' a former caretaker of the 'Overlook,' appears to
'Jack.' 
'Grady' murdered his wife and two young daughters several years earlier. 
Either 'Jack Torrence' is completely insane, or the supernatural is abound in the 'Overlook,'
or even worse, maybe both.
The role of 'Jack Torrence' needed Jack Nicholson. Only an actor of Nicholson's caliber could 
have pulled off this complex role. At times 'Jack Torrence's' method of speech, facial 
expressions, and mannerisms almost border on the comical. Nicholson ensures that 'Jack Torrence'
never gives us unintentional laughs. Instead we see him as an absolute embodiment of madness.
The film is excellently photographed. Each and every scene has its own importance. No fillers 
are included. Everything has its place, and we see all the images as a finely crafted display 
of charisma. 
Kubrick's direction uses the cinematography to put all the pieces together. They fit perfectly.
Kubrick gives us some indelible scenes that penetrate deeply. Among these is a river of blood 
surging from the behind the elevator doors, 'Grady's' murdered daughters lying in a blood
splattered hallway, 'Jack Torrence' and his axe, 'Danny' and "Redrum." These scenes and other 
are designed to stick and they do. It is easy to see that a great visionary made this film. 
This movie is haunting but does not rely on the supernatural. How many directors do you think
could pull that off?
'The Shining' is also well scored. More then just music abides in the sound track. 
A sense of a loss of sanity bites away at the characters. At times it might seem like the 
soundtrack wants to pierce your brain. A deeply moody feeling of despondence creeps along 
with the plot.
This special edition DVD Includes a documentary filmed by Stanley Kubrick's daughter, Vivian.
The documentary has its own commentary version. Vivian does a commentary on her own documentary.
The documentary is actually very good. It is interesting to watch Stanley Kubrick on the set. 
He comes across as a man who knows what he wants, and gets what he wants. Vivian's commentary 
version, it's okay. I was actually expecting Vivian's documentary & then a commentary version 
of 'The Shining.' Too bad that Stanley Kubrick was dead when this package was put together. 
A commentary version of the movie with his narration would have been extraordinary. 
The DVD has a few other extras. 
The French or English release soundtracks are available. 
English, French, or Spanish subtitles can be chosen. 
A theatrical trailer is included.
As horror movie fans, we should be thankful for 'The Shining.'
It does not get much better than watching Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick together and
at their best.

Reviewed By Scal Williams.

Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.