Heeeere's Maxy!

Rating: 9/10 (4 December 2012)

Although Jack Nicholson looks exactly like my mother's ex boyfriend. This film had nothing I had ever seen before. Though having seen some of Kubrick's work before, I could not have imagined his innovative use of symmetry and mirror work to shine through. Especially in a horror; saying this, I am part of a generation who's grown up on countless Scream and Final Destination sequels which have, lets face it, as much creativity as a hair brush.
Throughout the film, it is revealed that Kubrick is the master of cinematography. As a Film student, I now find it hard to not analyze a film whilst watching it. Yet the sheer amount of incredible camera work overwhelmed me into sheer submission and horror bliss as the film worked itself into my head.
Jack Nicholson. Is there anymore to say? In this film, Nicholson gives the horror performance of the 20th century. In complete harmony with the script, Nicholson delivers such fantastic lines as "Here's Johnny!" and "Wendy, give me the bat" With such an over-the-top performance, it almost relates to an earlier period of horror, Nosferatu and German Expressionism.
The film opens with an overwhelming shot of the surroundings giving a foreboding sense of the environment around. Throughout the picture, a further use of the subliminal helps us as the spectator foreshadow events to come i.e. the use of of a back and red teddy bear on the floor at the place in which Crothers is killed, the use of repetitive banging noises in the hallway with the tennis ball to foreshadow the Axe murder attempt.
Upon multiple viewings of this film, multiple interpretations come to mind, and I think this is the genius of Kubrick's work. All in all I gave this film 9/10 for its stunning appearance, fantastic filmography and exceptional performances
Max Church
Co-Founder of Pukka Pride.