What more could anyone ask for at 3am?

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2002)

When I first read the novel, I was 10 years old, and naive beyond all comparison. A year later I saw the film for the first time, alone at night.
I wondered until now as to why my little brothers had nightmares from just hearing the soundtrack from their bedrooms at the other end of the house. I was so stupid, that I thought that REDRUM was meant as in a RED ROOM. So much has changed. With the invention and distribution of DVD, I can now sit and watch this film in its UNCUT version (which has never been aired in Australian cinema), at 3 in the morning, and on a big screen, thanks to digital projectors. It was so terrifying to me (even though I know the "Shinning", of the Simpsons off by heart). The music was spine tingling, with a most frightening moment in the film actually being the cutscene, with the word TUESDAY. (The music built up to a climax, and was paid with many a scream) This is a masterpiece in almost every way. Jack Nicolson has always been scary looking, but this is undoubtedly the freakiest he has ever looked. I can almost go as far to say that he is the scariest monster in horror, and he barely spent 10 minutes in the make up room. The laugh of the old woman still haunts me, (and my little brothers) although not nearly as much as the Tricycle that Danny rides, and his many misadventures. Here is my question for anyone out there: What is the deal with the man dressed up as an animal. Was that in the uncut? Because I can't remember it. It was strange, completely off track, but frightening in its own way.
It also occurred to me, that the Hotel seems a lot scarier due to the 70's interior design. You may laugh at me, but room 237 was a lot scarier for me, due to the purple and green carpet. I strongly think that this film in its new and improved sense, has scared me. But really, if you want to let a child see this, even if they are tough, make sure that they understand what they are watching. For me it has made all the difference. Kubric did a great job. The film is so intense, that it has even made an episode of the Simpsons, and Rocko's Modern Life, quite chilling and freaky. I just wish that there were more horror films that were actually scary.