The Shining is not a Horror movie

Rating: Null/10 (10 August 2004)

I am responding to those of you who have commented that The Shining is the greatest horror movie of all time (or things to that effect). Firstly, a couple of you have wondered why Kubrick would have chosen a King novel for a movie. My theory is that Kubrick used the basic plot details of the novel as another way for him to make a movie to express his low estimation of women. The underlying misogyny of Kubrick's films can be seen in A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket and even in Eyes Wide Shut. In The Shining, as some of you have noted, Shelley Duval's character is pretty stupid and annoying; in fact, after reading reports about Kubrick's severe treatment of her on the set of the film, I am inclined to believe that Kubrick wanted the audience to 'side' with Jack against her. This leads me to my second point - Jack is the hero of the movie, and through various devices by Kubrick and the charisma of Jack, personally I cannot help but think that we as the audience are supposed to hate Wendy (Duvall's character) and hope that Jack kills her. My other claim is based upon the fact that Jack is damn funny - admittedly because of Nicholson's brilliant performance - and his mannerisms and discussions with a number of the 'residents' of the hotel are so deeply amusing. In sum, I can't believe that anyone could be scared by this movie. It makes me laugh like no other movie. In order to really get 'into' a movie, you have to be able to sympathies with the protagonists (usually the victims) but I think that Kubrick reversed that strategy by making Wendy so loathsome as to make us want Jack to survive, if not 'finish the job'. Funniest movie of all time (maybe just behind Dr Strangelove).