THE SHINING (1980) | First Time Watching | Movie Reaction

[@joeymac3777]

This is one of those movies you have to watch again and again, and you will pick up on a lot more. The first time watcher tends to miss a lot because they're anticipating the scares and wat have you. So the scene where Dick gives Danny Ice cream and starts discussing "Shining" with him reveals a lot. Dick tells Danny that both people an places shine. He says that some people have the ability and some don't. He says "There are other folks, who mostly don't know it, or don't believe it." Breaking it down, The Overlook Hotel itself shines. The hotel is "Alive" in a manner of speaking. Danny has the "Shining", Dick has it, and guess what...so does Jack, but he's one that doesn't know it or believe it. Danny, being a child and not fully understanding his ability created "Tony" as a way of dealing with it. Wendy to a degree shines too. All the things that happened in the hotel over the years make themselves known to Jack, who has never really left the hotel. The scenes in the bathroom between Grady and Jack tells a lot too. Grady tells Jack "You are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker." Grady goes on to say that he *Grady* has always been there. Jack is reincarnated throughout time, and it's a vicious cycle. They set things up throughout the movie. When Wendy brings Jack breakfast in bed, he tells her that when he went there for the "first time" for his interview, that he seemed to know what was around every corner. Because he'd been there before, many times. Even when Mr. Ullman is telling Jack what happened with Charles Grady in the winter of 1970, Jack has a disturbed expression, or an expression of familiarity with that story. Also note that when Ullman tells Jack about the murders, he refers to the previous caretaker as Charles Grady, but later, in the bathroom scene, Grady says his name is Delbert Grady. That's not a continuity error, that was on purpose, as in that scenes, as mentioned above, Grady says that he too has always been there. When Jack freezes to death at the end, that's the hotel claiming him.....again. the hotel claimed this version of Jack and made him another part of itself (the hotel) and it's history. I have seen ths movie probably thousands of times since I was 10 years old. Every time I watch it, I still pick up on new things.

[@cinemawithsteph]

That’s.. holy smokes! I cant imagine how many times I’d have to watch the movie to grasp all that 😳

[@MrCzerillo]

This is one of the best comments I have seen in a "The Shining" reaction comments section. Gold star for you Joey.

[@torpedoboy4]

There was a whole scene at the beginning of the film where Wendy is talking to the therapist, and she explains that Jack hurt Danny when he was drunk.

[@cinemawithsteph]

A few other people commented something similar and it seems I saw a different version somehow. There wasn’t any scene with a doctor in what I watched, otherwise I think that would’ve helped set the whole dynamic of the family in my mind.

[@Cain353]

​​@@cinemawithstephYeah, there are different versions of this movie. The one you watched had several scenes cut. I think there's a difference of about 30 minutes in total.

[@cinemawithsteph]

@@Cain353 Such a shame :(

[@Cain353]

@@cinemawithsteph I wouldn't worry about it too much. Apart from some exposition it doesn't change the movie that much. Some people prefer the shorter cut. Of course I'm not opposed to you reacting to the US cut as well. 😄

[@Bruce-Wayne79]

Delbert Grady was the caretaker in the 1920s and Charles Grady was the caretaker in the 70s. The most recent murder that happened in the hotel, that’s why my theory is that the hotel calls them back in each lifetime.

[@LastRenegade]

If Grady was the caretaker in the 1920s, why does the date on the picture at the end with Jack say 1921, implying _he_ was the caretaker then? And why does Grady say Jack's _always_ been the caretaker?

[@DescmondBell]

Well they are both the same people…. Delbert Grady. Remember when he went to open the door to get Jack out, he said “Grady is that you” Grady then said, Yes.. Delbert Grady. The Hotel is the culprit to everything. Remember he said I’ll give my soul for a drink and then Lloyd appears. Jack appears in the picture because the Hotel claimed his soul as it did the rest of the people in the picture.

[@Smobean1850]

Eww creepy but good

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Steph, the book might explain things better. Stephen King didn't like the movie. -------- He thought it diverted too much from the book. So reading the book might help.

[@henrytjernlund]

I think when Wendy sees what Jack has been typing is one of the best reveals of madness. Great movie and reaction. Thanks.

[@sidewaysoul]

Don't sweat not noticing every detail, or even getting a big picture idea of what the film is about. People have been sorting that out for 43 years and there's still no definitive explanation. However, if you rewatch it every year or two, you'll eventually develop your own theories that are no worse than anyone else's (and possibly much better).

[@cinemawithsteph]

I already need to rewatch as apparently I watched a different one!

[@sidewaysoul]

@@cinemawithsteph There's a documentary from 2012 called 'Room 237' which both objectively and subjectively approaches the film from a bunch of different directions. Provides context for many things, muddies the water for others, but worth seeing if you honestly want to grapple with the meaning. (Also, you can be like me and just be happy to not know what any of it means!)

[@LordVolkov]

Concerning Wendy - in the movie, we only really see her through Jack and Danny's perception until the climax when she is faced with all the horrors of the Overlook. Jack sees her as a boring nuisance and Danny sees her as a fragile protector, and so that's how she's presented to the audience. Kubrick got what he wanted from Shelly (by torturing her 😬), and I think there's a lot of subtlety in the facets of her performance before everything goes insane - at which point Kubrick just wants hysterics and fear 😅

[@cinemawithsteph]

That’s a very good point in terms of each characters perception. I didn’t think of it like that 🤔

[@davidstevenson1933]

Duvall's performance very effectively conveys that Jack has always been abusive (definitely emotionally and probably physically) without the film having to spell that out. The way she tiptoes around him even early in the film and the way she carries herself and her placid, meek, upbeat (but not too upbeat) demeanor in her interactions with him clearly point to an abusive relationship. Her performance feels really real and grounded to me.

[@sca88]

You need to see Jack in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'. Great film and arguably his best acting performance.

[@bengaltiger1289]

Grady went from being a jovial gent to sinister murderer. The music "Its all forgotten now" added to the scene...just as Grady was talking about murdering his family. As if the Overlook is preying on the next victim... yet leaving no trace for the next folk who move in. Kubrick is a genius

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

I think Shelley Duvall gives a good performance here, but I was already a fan of her work before this movie came out. I saw her in six Robert Altman movies in the 1970s, and she was solid in a variety of roles. ("Thieves Like Us" might be her best performance, and she's hilarious in "Nashville.")

[@tomhoffman4330]

A Personal-Favorite for Me is when Shelley played Olive Oyl in the "Popeye" Movie!

[@cinemawithsteph]

I haven’t seen her before, maybe I should check one of those out :)

[@benntura]

Duvall is in a movie called 3 Women (1977), co-starring Sissy Spacek and directed by Robert Altman. It’s a really weird movie, but Duvall give a great performance.

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

@@benntura Not one of my favorite Altman movies (by a long stretch), but she's amazing in it.

[@AutoPilate]

Loved her in Roxanne, even if it wasn’t a huge role.

[@hv3926]

I've heard that it takes at least 200 watches to truly get everything about this movie. That's vintage Kubrick. I'm on approximately number 123 since 1981. Shelly Duvall played Wendy and was tortured by Stanley Kubrick throughout the filming. Very intense. The scene in the Colorado Lounge where Jack Basically backs Wendy across the room and up the stairs and gets clobbered by Wendy with the bat, was done in over 100 takes. Jack Nicholson complained about all the takes and being exhausted. It was rough on both actors.😮

[@cinemawithsteph]

I would completely believe that! I feel like I missed so many details as well as just the overall picture really. That’s horrible to hear about refilling that scene over and over again. I saw a few comments saying that and it’s terrible. Seems completely unnecessary

[@Sandy-dd4le]

There's a commentary of the film on KZbin by the cameraman, there's quite a bit on the number of takes and the effects it had on the actors. As far as he's concerned the whole mistreatment of actors thing is overblown. Though, he was not present for the entire shoot. He breaks down what the takes were for, the first 5 to 10 for example, were for fine tuning the camera position, making sure the actors were hitting their marks etc. Its worth a watch, there's also a lot of technical stuff about the camara work, what scenes are Steadicam etc. There is a similar section in the commentary of Full Metal Jacket, where they discuss the same sort of issues around number of takes and how the actors responded. I get the impression Kubrick wanted his actors to get to certain 'pitch' to suit a certain scene, theres an interesting part to the Full Metal Jacket commentary where they talk about how R L Ermey(the drill instructor) could do his scenes In usually less than 6 takes, sometimes as low as 3, then go home. While the actors playing the cadets were there all day doing 30 to 40 takes, as filming went on, many of them came to hate Ermey as much as their characters do, it's an interesting parallel to his role in the film.

[@JamesGilburt-lb7sg]

Jack Nicholson is one of the GOAT actors, and if you've not seen One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975) then I highly recommend you react to it, it's an excellent drama with dashes of comedy. It's one his best films and he gives an academy award winning performance in it as a prisoner who is sent to a mental hospital to be evaluated if he's mentally ill...

[@williamsummerson1204]

I second that.

[@JamesGilburt-lb7sg]

​@@williamsummerson1204👍🏻

[@armandoucles5346]

Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall gave such frightening performances. Fantastic film.

[@2GunRock]

Nicholson is one of the greatest actors whoever lived. Try one of his earlier films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" ... it swept the Oscars, including Jack.

[@MrKINSM]

I highly recommend watching the sequel with Ewan McGregor.

[@Smobean1850]

I did it was creepy

[@davidevans3175]

The dots in this movie are intentionally hard to connect. Kubrick made it that way. You're supposed to find the connections yourself. Personally I love the Kubrick signature lighting and cinematography. Kubrick owned his own set of camera lenses which gives all his films a certain look and continuity. The movie is adapted from the Steven King novel, and both he and Steven Spielberg did not care for the movie. I don't particularly like it in the whole either. But I love watching all your reactions. Looking forward to your next. (Yes I subscribed).

[@SinisterSouthernbelleReactions]

I just reacted to this. Seriously considering reading the book. I watched the documentary for Room 237. It helped it put an extra layer on it.

[@warpath1911]

Great reaction. I think however you missed one significant character which is the Overlook hotel itself. Also this movie was more about Stanley Kubrick's interpretation rather than Stephen King's novel. That's why it has so many random elements of unease and horror e.g. the blood elevator and the dog costume guy. I think the movie is mostly interpreted as the hotel becoming a center of evil by absorbing all the bad things that have happened there througout the years and in the novel you find out that it's built on a Native American burial ground. Eventually the hotel becomes semi-sentient and is trying to absorb Danny because Danny didn't have the ability to protect himself like Dick Hallorann (the cook) could.

[@BobbyAstronomy]

The hotel is supposed to represent America.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Oh that’s really interesting and not something I even considered! Thank you for pointing that out!

[@KevinArdala01]

I'm starting to think that the ballroom represents an eternity of hell for those who've died there, which is why Grady says: "he's always been there" and that Jack "has always been the caretaker" - both realities, or timelines, are trapped and happening simultaneously. That's the best I've got...lol.

[@AutoPilate]

They had to change the door that Nicholson was chopping through from a fake prop to a real door because, as a former firefighter, he was tearing through it too quickly.

[@paulinegallagher7821]

Stanley Kubrick has always had a very stylized way of filming. Striking imagery and symbolism were a big thing with him, and it sometimes just came out of left field, like the nuclear bomb drop scene in Dr Strangelove. The blood in the elevator? why even question that lol its scary, its cool looking and its so iconic its been parodied to death. Mr Burns in the Simpsons as a vampire: 'Hmm, the blood usually gets off on the 2nd floor'. There are a million reasons, like maybe the hotel itself is a living entity, another character? the hotel is alive, the hotel is a demonic presence. Or it symbolizes the volume of violence and death the hotel has seen. And lol WHY did you ever think Dick was evil? he shares the same gift as Danny, pretty clear from the start. Was Danny evil? NO! Shelly Duvalls performance was fine. It was fragile, mousy and timid, because thats who Wendy was. Jack was oppressive, sinister, and intense. And saying that you dont think you would ever let any man talk to you the way Jack talked to Wendy, well..thats you. Try being a broken woman damaged by possibly childhood trauma as well as being married to a nut job. The scene with Wendy seeing the intimate act between the man and someone in a bear costume doesnt have to mean anything; it was just disturbing and to me, it was her just seeing ghosts,as the man appears to be in the same 1920s formal wear as the party scene. The supernatural activity in the hotel is at its strongest at this point in the movie. Or it could be something she saw as a kid that she was never meant to see. OR it could be the furries convention after party

[@TheEnnisfan]

Don't feel bad about not necessarily like it after your first viewing. Steven Spielberg told Kubrick he didn't like it after his 1st viewing as well, but then he watched again and he loved it. Me personally, I've LOVED The Shining since the 1st time I saw it back in the early 80s. It was different than everything else I'd seen up to that point. There's a certain atmosphere that only Kubrick can capture on film and that's what makes the film terrifying and brilliant. It's a masterpiece and one of the Top 3 horror films of all time.

[@Hapsard]

As far as whether you should read the book, King can be a good to great read (Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption is a great story), but sometimes his style of showing some of the baser things in life can kind of gross me out (for example, several scenes in It, including the one everyone will tell you about). I read and liked The Shining, and I think it gives a better picture of what's going on than the movie. I read and liked Dr Sleep, and I think both that book and the movie give you a better idea of what's going on in the Shining. In any case ... happy spooky season.

[@cinemawithsteph]

A couple people have mentioned Dr. Sleep and I’m thinking I’ll check that help, especially if you think it helps in understanding The Shining. Thanks for your comment!

[@SinisterSouthernbelleReactions]

I just reacted to this. Seriously considering reading the book.

[@TheCamarosBand]

You’re not alone. Every single Kubrick movie was panned upon release…then 10 years later they’re considered classics. That’s because Kubrick was a stone cold genius making art on a level mere mortals need time to understand. Also, you’re adorable!

[@Rusaarules]

I hope you watch Doctor Sleep soon, the sequel. While some things were changed from the book in that movie, it's not as massacred as The Shining was from the book.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Added to my list! I’ve never even heard of it 🤔

[@aarrgghh]

the hotel itself is the evil entity, which periodically demands a ritual blood sacrifice. lloyd the bartender did not suddenly appear for no reason: when jack first sits down alone at the bar, he says "i'd give anything for a drink...i'd give my goddamn soul." this summons lloyd, who offers him his wish. jack sealed the deal & his fate by accepting the drink. i like to think that the gallery at the end are the hotel's scrapbooks of the souls it's captured. why 1921? after a job well done, the hotel places its victims in the setting used to capture them. everything haunting the family was from that era.

[@JackNapierDe]

The hotel in the movie has an impossible architecture. The first example is the manager's office - by the position of the office as you see Jack entering, there mustn't be a window. Entering the family's appartment, they have to go some steps up and the parent's bedroom goes tp the left then. In the outside view from the hallway, there are doors, where the appartment must be some steps higher. Further, checking the windows in the family's appartment, it has to be a corner appartment. When Danny exits the bathroom window, there's no corner.... and there's much more...

[@ericmoore571]

Danny knows what cannabilism is because every child in the seventies watched Gilligan's Island so we knew all about cannabilism, quicksand, headhunters, witch doctors, etc.

[@AndyAnonymous]

Great reaction, Steph! I saw this movie when I was about 7 years old uncensored (no memory of where my parents were at the time but they sure weren't aware I was watching it) and it had a really profound impact on me that lasted for a long time after! My personal interpretation of that last shot where Jack is in the old photo was that it's meant to show that after freezing to death Jack is part of the Overlook now, and that all its dead "residents" from over the years sort of inhabit all of its eras. Mr. Halloran tells Danny about the bad things that have happened there over the years, and the stuff the Torrances see (the lady in the tub, the partygoer with the gash in his head, the bear costume "activity") all seems to be little vignettes of some of those things. As for the blood elevator I always thought that was just supposed to be symbolic of all the blood spilt in the hotel over the years. Some of the supernatural elements are definitely meant to be mysterious. In the Kubrick movies I've seen since he does tend to film shots that are meant more to convey feelings and be symbolic than things meant to be taken literally, and also leaves some things up to the viewer's imagination, so I think maybe some of the confusing elements are that kind of thing. Looking forward to your next video!

[@MrCzerillo]

I don't know why but "Why don't you start right now and get the fuck out of here." is one of my favorite lines in this movie.

[@Bruce-Wayne79]

ReDruM Steph! 👭🏻 yeah, the ending was a bit confusing, but I think he was there in another lifetime, so was Grady. The hotel is a haunted place that keeps calling them back through the Shining. Make sure to check out Batman 89 to see Jack as the joker. Love your video Steph.❤ please keep up the spooky movies for spooky season.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thanks for your comment! I really appreciate it :) I’m actually thinking of doing a Batman marathon of some sort down the line. Not sure if people would really be interested as I’ve seen the Nolan ones, and the Robert Pattinson one but I know there are others

[@Bruce-Wayne79]

@@cinemawithsteph cool, definitely see them before you watch Keaton return in The Flash movie. 🦇🖤

[@user-Mike8290]

The directors secretary typed all the "All work and no play" pages for the movie.

[@williamjones6031]

1. Joe Turkel/Lloyd plays Tyrell in the original "Bladerunner" 😇 2. "Here's Johnny" was adlib by Nickelson. 3. It took 117 takes for Jack to chop through the doors. He used his voluntary firefighting skills to get through all the takes. 4. The reason King didn't like this adaptation of the movie is because he didn't like the changes Kubrick made. This thing was remade just for King and although the remake was more in line with the book IMVHO it wasn't as good at this one. 5. Two of the changes he didn't like were Jack's decent into madness was too rapid, and Wendy wasn't such a patsy in the book. 6. Shelley Duval said making this film was the worst thing she ever experienced in her life. She has said that she would never do that again. 7. Jack Nicholson and Scatman worked together in "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest". 8. The real villain here is the hotel itself. 9. Watch Dr. Sleep. Danny is an adult and many of the loose ends will be cleared up.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thanks for the interesting info! A lot of people have now mentioned Dr. Sleep so I think I’ll look into that

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Steph, for more answers within "the Shining" lore. Check out the sequel, "Doctor Sleep". Its a more cohesive viewing experience than, "The Shining"

[@frmthefuture]

so "the shine" is king's version of the force. it gives different people, different abilities. some being: telepathy, telekinesis, ability to see / hear hidden things, astral projection, and visions the past / future [sometime by touching objects]. the shine ability itself is mentioned in other king books [the dark tower series, carrie, billy summers, and the stand] but by different names. another connection to a king book is pet sematary. the original overlook owners desecrated an indian burial site, by building upon it. in pet cemetery, it's stated that dealing with such sites is, "never a good idea. bad things tend to happen when you do that." both jack and wendy had the shine, it's why danny had it. jack overused his abilities, unknowingly. his shine allowed him to be a good author [thought it was his "creativity"]. because he abused it, his shine dried up and jack got "writer's block." this caused him to be almost dropped by his publisher, so he turned to booze to try and force his "creativity" back. this resulted in jack resenting wendy and danny, feeling they caused his block. he then started to abuse them [danny physically and wendy emotionally]. danny's powers kicked in, as a result of jack hurting him during a particular drunk episode. the shock was so severe, danny's mind disassociated and created "tony" to cope. danny's powers took root in "tony." everyone sees "tony" as danny's imaginary friend but here's the twist: danny's middle name is anthony. so "tony" is actually danny's subconscious. so when danny's talking to "tony," he's actually talking to his subconscious in real time. jack starts to feel his "creativity" again at the overlook, when it's the hotel actually feeding off him. it's how he was able to "see" wendy and danny in the maze model [while they were walking in it]. it's also how he's able to interact with the woman in rm237, the bartender and grady. wendy's abilities kick in as well, as she starts to hear things: jack's typewriter [when jack's not there], hearing danny cry out [when he's halfway across the hotel] and seeing the two men in the room [when her family are the only one at the hotel], the spirit with the ax wound and the blood elevator. two final notes: when it looks like danny's having a seizure, is actually him / tony contacting hallorann for help. and whenever the camera's behind someone, we're seeing / hearing what that character's experiencing.

[@user-le5vb3dy7s]

People give her crap but i actually think Shelley Duvalle did a good job. She was literally tortured on set having to do hundreds of takes and Stanley Kubrick treated her horribly and told people to ignore her

[@cinemawithsteph]

People have been telling me that in the comments and I can’t believe that! It’s so awful :(

[@donkeyhanger]

If he treated her that way .then why give Kubrick and props .He's a money hungry Grub

[@dimitriosgliarmis7622]

As Jack sees things and Danny too the idea is the hotel is coming alive. That’s why the mom can also see things later

[@josephbzezinski6847]

Kubric made Shelly Duvall do the scene backing up the staircase 187 times!

[@LordVolkov]

187 is the police code for murder 😱 Redrum!

[@Cain353]

127. But yeah. That's a record in takes.

[@mark37724]

I kinda thought the kiss with Jack and the woman in room 237 had a strong romance element, you're selling it short.😊

[@cinemawithsteph]

The general scenario didn’t help it lol

[@Gathbard]

"if you have proper clothing, I would at least try" is an appropriately canadian response. I would probably turn into an icicle as soon as I step outside.

[@cinemawithsteph]

😂 Fair. Granted I say that, and I too would turn into an icicle. I loathe the cold. I may even just take my chance with a psycho

[@TTM9691]

Just curious: did you watch this through a VPN that gave you the crappy, shorter, neuteured European version? Or did you just edit out the sequence early in the film with Danny, Wendy and the doctor? The real version is 2 hours 24 minutes. The crappy European version is 1 hour 19 minutes. Just checking. It totally messes up the exposition and I'm just hoping you edited it out and were watching the "real" version of "The Shining".

[@cinemawithsteph]

Oh no!! I didn’t know there was such a thing. I didn’t see any doctor scene :( but without credits it’s almost 2 hours (the version I watched)

[@TTM9691]

@@cinemawithsteph Damn! No biggie, it's not your fault. I wish they would take that neutered version out of commission, it does people like you a disservice. Still, it was a good reaction! You're a great reactor! Don't mean this in a discouraging way!

[@cinemawithsteph]

@@TTM9691 Thank you! But it is disheartening to not have seen it. I'm going to find a copy that has the scene in there so I can check it out :) thanks for letting me know!

[@TTM9691]

@@cinemawithsteph Awww, now I feel bad to have bummed you out! It's early in the movie, right after he has his first vision. The doctor examines him and asks him a lot about Tony. Then the doctor has a long talk with Wendy, asks him about Tony and divulges that Jack had been abusive to Danny, that Tony's appearance coincided with that injury, and that Jack has been sober for only five months. We know all this before they even arrive at the hotel and so it immediately fills you with an added sense of dread since you know that this guy is a loose cannon with violent tendencies and a drinking problem. It's a strained marriage. You lose all that. By theway, it's not uncommon for reactors to do this neutered version; but it's usually people in Europe or (for some reason) India. That's why I was asking. The American version - which is the original version - is the full version. There are other things as well that are missing, but the thing that I think is the most vital is that sequence with the doctor.

[@cinemawithsteph]

@@TTM9691 Woah that would make a HUGE difference in how I saw their dynamic! Why on earth would they take that out?

[@georger.3489]

Great classic horror, without too much violence. Enjoyed your reaction :D

[@MarcoMM1]

Great reaction Steph like always this movie is a masterpiece, and might be one of the most accessible classics to new viewers of today to understand why it is, in fact, one of the greatest and most influential horror films of all time. The ending is still mind-blowing after all these years. And some Fun facts about this Kubrick masterpiece of cinema that is a addaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Stephen King was "disappointed" in Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining. In 1983, King told Playboy, “I’d admired Kubrick for a long time and had great expectations for the project, but I was deeply disappointed in the end result. Parts of the film are chilling, charged with a relentlessly claustrophobic terror, but others fell flat.” In the book, the spooky events are set in Room 217, not Room 237. Oregon's Timberline Lodge, which was used as the hotel’s exterior for some shots, is to blame for this swap. The Lodge’s management asked for the room number to be changed so that guests wouldn’t avoid Room 217. There is no Room 237 in the hotel, so that number was chosen. The website of the Timberline Lodge notes, “Curiously and somewhat ironically, room #217 is requested more often than any other room at Timberline.” Danny Lloyd (the child) didn't know he was making a horror movie while shooting The Shining, and to protect Lloyd, who was 5 years old when he made the film, Kubrick told him that they were filming a drama. He didn’t even see the actual film until he was 16. “I just personally don’t find it scary because I saw it behind the scenes," Lloyd later said. "I know it might be kind of ironic, but I like funny films and documentaries.” Jack Nicholson improvised The Shining’s "Heeere's Johnny" line. Nicholson is responsible for the only line from The Shining to make it onto AFI’s Top 100 Movie Quotes. While filming the scene in which Jack breaks down a bathroom door with an ax, Nicholson shouted out the famous Ed McMahon line from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The catchphrase worked and stayed in the film. Keep up the good work, im sure this channel will have success, Keep up the good work.

[@cinemawithsteph]

That was all so interesting! The room number especially, I would think it would become a tourist attraction for the hotel lol. Also thank you for explaining the “Heeeere’s Johnny!” part. I meant to add that at the end but I forgot. I had no idea what that was referring to when watching it 😅

[@Ocrilat]

On leaving the hotel on foot...it was a 3 1/2 hour drive in good weather, in a car. Wendy would have to walk it during a blizzard, with a five-year old in tow. It would be a death sentence.

[@SmithSens16]

i hope someone in the comments mentioned that jack nicholson's character constantly looks in the camera, why? i can't remember but it kubrick was telling him to do it subtly.

[@cinemawithsteph]

No one has actually but that’s a very good point! I’ll have to go back and take a look

[@SmithSens16]

@@cinemawithsteph yeah I didn't notice it until I saw a video about it on KZbin. Also there's a documentary out there called Room 237 that's pretty interesting that gives alot of insight on how crazy the movie actually is. Highly recommended!

[@michaelallen3894]

Shelley Duvall was being tortured by the director the entire time on set. That's why she comes off the way she does.

[@williamsummerson1204]

Another stellar reaction Steph. This is definitely an iconic movie, Jack Nicholson is a national treasure. Plz consider watching the sequel, I think you might like it more than this one. 🥰

[@Cain353]

The Overlook Hotel is based on the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Stephen King stayed there with his wife at the recommendation of some of the locals. Apparantly, when he stayed there the Hotel was pretty much empty which gave him the principal idea of Isolation in a big Hotel. And Apparantly the Stanley Hotel has had many guests who claim it is haunted. As for the movie. The Hotel is basically a living entity that consumes its victims and traps them forever. Time and Space work very differently inside it as seen through various parts of the movie. For instance, when Jack goes in for the interview, the location of the office he enters would not make it possible for the office to have a window. And when Danny is riding his big wheels through the hotel the rooms he passes disappear when he turns a corner. He also teleports from one part of the hotel to another just before he runs into the twin girls when they ask him to come play with him forever and ever and ever. And the elevators with the red doors are also in locations that don't make sense as the floors above them don't have any elevators.

[@simdoolally]

I think people love this movie because of Jack Nicholson and not much else. As someone who can fully appreciate the skill of JN as an actor, he’s not someone I gel with in any of the many films I’ve seen him in. I love Stephen King’s books and not all of the films are translated well for me and this is by far the worst. People seem to rely on others for insight on this film (which often comes from the book) and once they gain insight later rave about the film forgetting how much it’s actually missing. Dr Sleep the sequel has also been turned into a film and they’ve tried to backfill some of the information for the film watchers so you might want to check it out.

[@randallbollinger9625]

I also used to think that Wendy, Shelly Long, acting was terrible, BUT, I since have come to realize that Stanley Kubrick is such a perfectionist when he creates movies that her performance was intentional.

[@mrch6200]

2:41 Just realized for the first time that the interviewer's name, Mr. Ullman, sounds like "Mr. Omen" 🤠

[@boldbearings]

Love the Halloween decor. 🎃 👍 Yes, youll like the book. 😉 😈

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thank you!

[@lipby]

Kubrick is the kind of director who wants to you have questions.

[@barryscott8041]

In the 1920s, a beautiful young Starlet of Silent film vacationed at the Overlook. She was gorgeous, well-known and rich. ...When she retired, she ended up living at the Overlook, every May through October. ....When she grew old, one day her longtime Boytoy/Companion left her......for a younger lady. Despondent and broken, the elderly Starlet drowned herself in her bathtub.....in Room 237. It was.....Awhile before she was found. Both naked ghosts are the same person

[@Isaac-xm4cs]

PS: This Movie Is A Masterpiece. Jack Nicholson Is A Legend. Yes The Film Differs A Lot From The Source Material But It Is Very Unique. Steph I Will See You On Your Psycho Reaction Bye 🤗😎😆🤘

[@davejay6855]

Please watch the SEQUEL to this amazing movie! It’s just as amazing and manages to go down it’s own path in the middle then comes right back to what you see here ☺️☺️☺️ #DoctorSleep

[@williamsummerson1204]

Great sequel.

[@kellyi.4353]

If you watch the behind the scenes making of the Shining (it's on KZbin) they discuss the Charles Grady/Delbert Grady conundrum. It's a script error of sorts. The Grady character is just one person. The writers/director used two different first names.

[@pitchpanic2900]

I’ve seen many, many reactions to The Shining. It’s my favorite movie and seeing others react to it, seeing what they pick up on (and don’t) is very interesting to me. But I’ve picked up on something odd in watching, as I said, many, many reactions: I’ve seen both men and women react to this film (sometimes at the same time), and I’ve noticed that about half the women reacting seem to (for reasons I can’t figure out) completely ignore the early scenes with Dick Halleran and Danny. In the scene in the pantry the movie shows Halleran using the “shining” to communicate with Danny in his head. Immediately after this we have the ice cream scene where Halleran basically explains everything you need to know to understand the movie (at least at the obvious surface level). So the movie both shows and tells us about the “shining”, that people and places can “shine”, that a lot of people who do “shine” don’t know or don’t believe that they do. We are directly told by Halleran that the Overlook “shines”. I genuinely don’t understand why it is that I’ve never seen a man ignore these scenes, but a large amount (like I said, I’d put it around half that I’ve seen) of women seem to, I don’t know, miss? Ignore? Disregard? Forget? Disbelieve? what the film both shows and tells us. The movie is literally called “The Shining”. The ladies then proceed to watch and react to the rest of the film in sometimes total confusion, thinking that events that happen (particularly to Jack) are just in his imagination, believing that Tony is merely an imaginary friend, and they just generally don’t “get” what’s going on. And are REALLY genuinely baffled when Wendy sees things at the end. Often enough these ladies don’t really care too much for the film (which, of course, is perfectly fine). This probably comes across as sexist, but it’s merely something I’ve noticed over time that I find interesting and a bit confusing. The movie has a lot about it that is subtle and can be easy to miss, especially the first time seeing it. However, it is decidedly not subtle about making sure the viewer understands the “shining”. Another thing I find interesting is that almost everyone automatically believes Wendy at the beginning of the film when she tells the doctor about what Jack did to Danny despite the odd way she’s acting while she’s telling the story (not to mention the doctor’s reaction -or lack thereof). Notice much later when Jack recounts the incident himself that he says it was “three goddamn years ago”. But Wendy told the doctor it was only five months ago, they took Danny out of school as a result, that Jack quit drinking because of this incident, and that this is when Tony first appeared. Hmmm. Seems someone might be lying. I wonder why they might do that. Just something to ponder.

[@rayname908]

Wendy is repressing the child abuse. She covers for Jack's dislocation of his arm. Danny in underwear on a Teddy Bear pillow telling the Dr a man in his mouth goes into his stomach but doesn't want to talk about it. Later Wendy freaks out realizing Jack is abusing Danny. Seeing the teddy bear blow job... Connecting it to her son's abuse. Jack is reading a Playgirl magazine with a cover story about incest. The "horror" can be seen as ghosts and jump scares or mental, physical and sexual abuse suppressed beneath the surface. 2 movies in one! Kubrick deletes explanation of what is real.

[@JamesGilburt-lb7sg]

Hi Steph, it's great you've seen this iconic scary film. Another classic horror movie for the spooky month of October that I highly recommend you react to is An American Werewolf In London (1981) It has heart jolting scares, incredible special make up effects, has a very creepy vibe and has humorous moments too. Please react to for the channel asap :) I love your reactions and I'm subscribed.

[@cinemawithsteph]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing! I’ve added the movie to my list but I don’t think I’ll have time to get to it this month as I have a couple already needing to be edited :(

[@JamesGilburt-lb7sg]

​@cinemawithsteph Cool, yeah it was a great reaction. Aw no problem, it's nice to be on board. Ok excellent but ah alright then, fair enough, I understand. Yeah that's fine, it can be reacted to anytime of year. Keep up the brilliant work you do :)

[@Zholobov1]

the river of blood the twins TUESDAY room 237 "Denny, what happened to your neck?" the lady in the bath REDRUM "Here's Johnny!" the death of Holloran the bear-man

[@zedwpd]

20 miles in freezing temperatures in 20 foot deep snow. Not a good idea to take Danny and walk out. You wouldn't last an hour and that walk would take days.

[@cinemawithsteph]

I guess I would think it would be worth a shot rather than death by axe? Granted, that’s easy for me to say not being in that position lol

[@warpath1911]

If you want a fuller understanding the novel goes into greater depth obviously. The Doctor Sleep movie is a direct sequel to the Stanley Kubrick movie. It does a better job explaining what's going on with the "Shine", and blends a little bit more of the first novel into it.

[@vlad5042]

personally i think the book and the dr sleep film lose a little by explaining away the mystery

[@foreignmilk5589]

dr sleep sucked. basically danny mind fighting a bunch of satanic hippies. we have enough of that in real life.

[@shanepye7078]

The Jim Carrey Deep Fake of The Shining was well done.

[@PedroCastillo_1980]

Thank you Steph for reacting this masterpiece The Shining starring by Jack Nicholson. Next time reacts the sequel Doctor Sleep

[@robmann400]

Old Indian burial grounds should never be Overlooked...

[@samsquanch1996]

The actress who played Wendy is Shelly Duvall, she was very famous in the 70s, she wasn't great in this movie though I agree.

[@tubekulose]

1:07 Why do Americans always react this way, when they see cigarettes? 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lue_Jonin]

Big thing to remember in comparing the Stephen King book and Stanley Kubrick film adaptation, is that King wrote a ghost story filled with supernatural events, and Stanley Kubrick made a masterpiece psychological thriller. Kubrick's use of the unreliable narrative and red herrings is the key to understanding, that there are NO GHOSTS or anything supernatural, paranormal , psychic abilities , curses, reincarnation or spiritual afterlife. Kubrick was an atheist , he never alludes to anything of these imaginary aspects in his film. He sticks with the factual truth of reality while artistically showing the mental and emotional unstable delusional disordered minds of every character in the film. Again , it's a psychological thriller , not a mediocre ghost story as King wrote about . 🏆 💘 😱 🎥

[@MrKINSM]

You are thinking too literally, the hotel's spirit released him from the walk-in.

[@lisae9958]

I've been watching several reactions from different sources and I've noticed that the younger generation don't know what a 'ghost story' is. It takes them longer to 'catch-on' as they try to make 'sense' of the movie.🤔

[@dailyrider2975]

Stephen King, though they changed a lot, likes the use of evil spirits that get empowered by the living. So the crazier the characters get more the spirits can do even in physical plane. Like opening the doors. Also King likes locations that are cursed or objects. So the soul in this movie joins the "others" after death and so "always been there" is reference to that and they spirits are stuck in a timeless dimension. My thinking anyway.

[@dailyrider2975]

I would recommend, if you can, reading the book "The Stand". It's a very long book by Mr. King and very well written. So it contains a lot of characters and ideas that cover most of themes you see in his other works. Also recommend watching "The Golden Years" (if you can even find it) a TV-miniseries, low budget and bit slow, but for some reason I found it very enjoyable. Also based on a Stephen King story.

[@cinemawithsteph]

You know what, I’ll actually add that to my reading list. It’ll take me a bit to get to it, but your description of his writing is really interesting. I’ll check it out :) thanks!

[@BobbyAstronomy]

I don't think Stephen King actually understands the movie lol

[@DrVVVinK]

If you want to get more in-depth, there is al also this giant turtle that connects everything and gives these powers, the Losers from IT have it.

[@noxteryn]

Dunno if it was intentional, but I like how your cadence in the intro matches the rhythm of the background music.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Not intentional haha, but thank you :)

[@noxteryn]

@@cinemawithsteph That is amazing. I seriously thought you were about to start rapping.

[@cinemawithsteph]

@@noxteryn 🤣I would never put anyone through such torture

[@bluris1711]

I'll say the pretentious line: I prefer the book. Jack in the movie seems to be on the edge of crazy from the start, while in the book he is a good man struggling with alcoholism (an important point for King in his novel, and it isn't in the movie) - and of course the hotel's influence, and Wendy is a more interesting character too.

[@santaonthecross]

This movie is fine, but if you want a version that actually follows the book, watch the TV miniseries.

[@Mr.NoName1972]

I have watched this movie 100 times, since I first watched this classic on the Friday night movie special back on May 6, 1983, while I was in 5th grade. This movie has so many hidden meanings. That "all work and no play" could have been a murder plot Jack was planning, as Wendy was flipping through the pages, when the word content was not shown. I am still confused with Charles Grady and Delbert Grady. Two different people, or did Stuart Ullman mean Delbert Charles Grady? I believe Jack Torrance was a reincarnation of the Care taker in the photo from the July 4th, 1921 Ball. Danny was "shining" when he was staring at Dick in the storage when he said "How would you like some ice cream Doc." Dick was "shining" while he laying on his bed in Miami and visioning what was happening at the Colorado hotel. Danny found a connection. Danny, Dick, and Wendy were the good ones. Jack was the villain. Not quite classical Hollywood cinema, since one of the good guys dies, as well as the villain.

[@SG-js2qn]

IMO, you're not supposed to get the whole picture, and that's part of what makes this movie suspenseful. You've got the music giving cues all over the place, and the story wandering around like it is lost, pushing the audience to use their imagination to fill in the blanks, or to try to. As opposed to a lot of modern storytelling, which wraps everything up with a satisfying explanation. So if you realized you didn't feel the satisfaction of an explanation ... that's because none was given. Also, evidently furries existed in 1921. Anyway, you may find that your impressions of this film improve on the rewatch. Also, you may find answers to questions in the sequel, "Doctor Sleep." Hopefully nobody is explaining and giving spoilers.

[@cinemawithsteph]

I’m ok with not necessarily being given an explanation but it’s sort of a toss up in a reaction situation between enjoying it for what it is, or feeling like you’re missing something you should’ve understood and people want you to get. If that makes any sense 🤔

[@SG-js2qn]

@@cinemawithsteph I follow you and I'm with you. I'm pretty sure I felt the same way. I think the unresolved mystery was purposefully done as a way of generating unease and suspense, because you're trying to put it all together. It leaves a sense of incompleteness, but that may go away on the second viewing. YMMV. 🤷‍♀ The sequel is completely different storytelling, and it won't leave you hanging.

[@quixote6942]

Stephen King HATED this version, as it deviated from the Novel. They did a Remake a few decades later that followed the novel more closely, but it didn't get the Attention this version did. Wendy's character was the definition of the "Battered Spouse Syndrome".

[@paulinegallagher7821]

It didnt get the attention because it didnt deserve the attention; it was awful. As great as the book is, sometimes a novel does not translate well if everything is used, even if it did work well in the book. The mini series is tedious and not very well acted.

[@4QTRMrCanadian]

Jack Torrance was Delbert Graddy when Delbert Graddy killed himself he came back as Jack Torrance and the cycle repeats he kills his Family all over again thats why you see him in the 1921 picture at the Kubrick explained that in an Interview i forget what its called now that Interview

[@johnkestner7625]

Jack Nicholson movies you should see: Carnal Knowledge (1971) Chinatown (1974) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

[@Hereticked]

With a film like this, the mechanics of the plot are almost irrelevant compared to how it made you feel. You'll only arrive at good explanations by analyzing things metaphorically instead of literally. The blood coming from the elevator is almost definitely a representation of all the murder and mayhem the hotel has caused over the decades. The tide of blood only ever grows larger. Interpretations of what part Jack played are all over the place, but any number of explanations suffice, from him being a reincarnated Grady to the hotel absorbing his soul at the end for failing to carry out his mission. Kubrick designed everything in this movie to be as disturbing and off-putting as possible. Shelley Duvall's performance as Wendy is deliberately stilted so we're even creeped out by her (Kubrick practically drove her insane forcing her to do endless takes until he got the delivery he wanted.) The layout of the hotel is spatially impossible. A ballroom that size wouldn't fit anywhere in it and we see windows in certain rooms (like Ullman's office) where there shouldn't be one. All of this was done on purpose so there was a constant sense of unease attacking the viewer's subconscious from beginning to end.

[@UberDurable]

Can't get enough of this movie! (2023.10.28)

[@vicegrips188]

It sounds like the FX series LEGION would definitely be up your alley, it’s one of the best series I’ve ever experienced

[@cinemawithsteph]

I’ve never heard of it, but I’ll look into it :)

[@mikeminer1947]

I love this series! I'll never understand why more people don't know about it.

[@mikeduplessis8069]

The intent was to short circuit your brain function. You're like the characters, you don't know what's going on, how or why. If they explained things you'd lose that.

[@cinemawithsteph]

Then it succeeded 😂

[@mclizzard2928]

If you were thinking about reading the book, you should still do that, especiallysince it'sa quick read. Aside from names and the largest plot points, the movie doesn't share much in common with the book. A lot of the things you mentioned - especially Wendy and Dick's characters - are better and vastly more three dimensional in the book. While few passages don't age particularly well, the book is still a beautiful look at generational trauma in the middle of a horrifying ghost story. The movie is... Kubrick.

[@RMBittner]

I understand your perspective regarding King’s book, but I’m one of the fans who thinks this movie failed to deliver on the book’s strengths. Just be aware that the book is much different; watching Kubrick’s version isn’t like reading King’s.

[@SinisterSouthernbelleReactions]

I just reacted to this. Seriously considering reading the book. I watched the documentary for Room 237. It helped it put an extra layer on it.

[@RyeSix45]

Again another legit reaction:) and i hope you are having a great day!

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thanks so much and I hope you are too!

[@johnpittsii7524]

Hope you are having an great and awesome day ❤

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thanks so much, you too!

[@tomhoffman4330]

👏Bravo Steph; for one thing, You certainly handled this Movie a lot better than most other Reactors have before.👍 No one else can play CRAZY quite-like Jack, and ("Yes") indeed...wait until You experience His Joker in "Batman '89!" If You're thinking about doing "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (which I would-also Recommend), please be advised: most-every KZbinr has struggled to Post any Reactions to that one...and You've been having enough struggles already.🤞 On the Subject of Romance, I was just wondering: You ever Read any "Twilight" or "Fifty Shades"? My Mother Liked those Books, and We-Both honestly Enjoy their Movies!!❤‍🔥

[@cinemawithsteph]

Someone in my family suggested “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” but that’s good to know regarding copyright issues. When I have a few ready for posting maybe I’ll try it then so I don’t get behind lol. And I have definitely read and seen the Twilight trilogy, read the Fifty Shades trilogy but only watched the 1st movie. It had me cringing honestly 😅

[@tomhoffman4330]

@@cinemawithsteph That's understandable, and always Happy to Help-Out whenever I can.👌

[@Lucifer_the_devil25]

Oh yes best reaction I’ve seen keep it up

[@tomhoffman4330]

@@Lucifer_the_devil25 Hey Lu, glad You Liked this one too! No Premiere Chat today, Steph had enough trouble just getting it Posted.

[@Lucifer_the_devil25]

@@tomhoffman4330 at least I didn’t miss anything I’m trying to catch up with Steph post and comments but hope you are doing well

[@jaspermatty]

Grady is A Ghost from the past.

[@Traitorsteapot]

You should watch Doctor Sleep, I think it helps make more sense of this movie

[@Socrates...]

There are many levels to this movie, watch Rob Ager video explanations of The Shining

[@cinemawithsteph]

I’ll be checking that out, thank you!

[@BobbyAstronomy]

Rob Ager is a rabbit hole of confusion. One of the best videos I've seen is by "wow lynch wow!". It's not perfect but I think the idea that there aren't literally ghosts in the hotel is a great place to start.

[@guitarman8462]

Since you haven't read the book yet , I wo t give away book spoilers 😉

[@jaydisqus3353]

They tortured Shelly Duvall making this movie. The filmed the stair scene 127 times. Stephen King hated the movie, he said it wasn't the book he wrote.

[@cinemawithsteph]

127 times?! That seems completely unnecessary 😳

[@Caldras]

Kubrick was known for excessive takes. I believe he ramped it up with Duvall to frazzle her mentally.@@cinemawithsteph

[@jonlandin2440]

Suggest reacting without captions. It takes away from the actual reaction to scenes because you know what they are going to say, and read it without their inflection. Just stating the obvious naybe.

[@cinemawithsteph]

100%! When I react I actually don’t have the subtitles on. I just put them on when I record the video for editing purposes :)

[@Isaac-xm4cs]

Hello There Steph. Today, I Have Just Discovered Your Channel And Let Me Tell You That You Got A Very Good Taste. Maybe The Exorcist 1973, Halloween Or Christine For The Future Perhaps. Pretty Nice Reaction As You. Greetings From Costa Rica 🤗🎥😆🤘

[@cinemawithsteph]

Thanks so much! I have a few movies already planned but I will certainly add those to the list :)

[@tomhoffman4330]

👋Welcome to the Channel, and I too-have Recommended "Christine!"🤞

[@clintmorrison5863]

Looking forward to this reaction.

[@clintmorrison5863]

I'm still gonna need an Exorcist and Chainsaw Massacre reaction Steph

[@drlee2]

Yeah, personally, The Shining is hit and miss for me. It's neither remotely my favorite horror film, Kubrick film, nor adaptation of a Stephen King book. I even kind of disagree with you on Jack Nicholson. I felt like he was kind of playing himself at times in this movie. I felt like Jack Torrance was a dick from the start and didn't feel like he was a good husband or father, so I didn't feel much of a transition when he went crazy. I think the kid Danny Lloyd actually gave the best performance in the film. Shelley Duvall's acting definitely kicked in when things started to go crazy. Generally, I think this movie has too much padding with long drawn out scenes and overdoing it with the creepy score and just random clips for cheap jump scares. And I know this is a very unpopular opinion.

[@Hapsard]

Totally agree about the changes to Jack's character. So disappointing, and I have to feel we missed out on a much better movie because of that. Also the joke they turned Halloran into ... Rushing halfway across the country to be axed in the chest with no fight. Kubrick may be great at visuals, but he kind of sucks (just my opinion) at adaptations.

[@cinemawithsteph]

I think it’s probably because I made the assumption (so guilty for those), that he came into the movie as a good husband/father and that the hotel from the start is where he kind of begins to unravel

[@hemlock399]

We know Jack's not a good husband / father based on Wendy's story about his drinking & abuse of Danny. We also know from the story that Wendy is a weak person, making excuses for Jack's bad behaviour. Neither one of them undergoes any character development in the film. Rather, the spirits of the hotel manipulate the characters to heighten their flaws.

[@BobbyAstronomy]

You're completely missing the point, Jack is supposed to be a bad husband and father from the start. That's what makes the whole theme of the film work. It's not about spirits or ghosts, it's about cycles of violence that repeat, specifically in America.

[@hemlock399]

@@BobbyAstronomy Yes, he's bad from the start, but it seems a bit absurd to say that a movie of this genre is "not about spirits or ghosts". Spirits & ghosts are fantasy, but the movie is fantastical in just that way.

[@jamesconnolly1201]

READ THE BOOK !!! EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE.... IT'S SCARY