tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post1907432886457320598..comments2024-03-01T05:30:08.196-06:00Comments on Brian Vs. Movies: The ShiningBrian Vs. Movieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11822912407531442886noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-92085865971102696612012-08-20T12:11:50.487-05:002012-08-20T12:11:50.487-05:00Point taken. I like your interpretation of Duvall...Point taken. I like your interpretation of Duvall's character and will keep an eye out for some of that subtext the next time I watch this.Brian Vs. Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822912407531442886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-27610566670269180942012-07-16T01:42:52.660-05:002012-07-16T01:42:52.660-05:00I'm coming to this discussion pretty late, but...I'm coming to this discussion pretty late, but I have to disagree with the criticisms regarding Shelly Duvall's performance/place in the movie. Think really, really hard about this character--not the actress, the character. This is somebody who puts up with an alcoholic husband who's not good at keeping his promises. When she's telling the doctor about Danny's arm being dislocated by Jack, but then explains that it's all okay because Jack promised he'd never drink again or else she could leave him, and that "he hasn't had a drop in five months." Now, fast forward to Jack telling Lloyd the same story in the bar, where again the five months of sobriety is brought up, but here's the kicker: he then complains that Wendy won't let him forget about it, and "...it was three god-damned years ago!" That's not a writing mistake. The incident happened years before, and he was sober for awhile, and then he wasn't, and then he was again. Just how many times had Jack "given up" drinking in the interim? Yet Wendy never left him---she's an INCREDIBLY weak person, emotionally; absolutely dependent upon Jack and just about devoid of self respect. Her response when Jack--for no reason--jumps down her throat for offering to bring him sandwiches and tells her to "get the f___ out of here" is to try and smile and say "Sure...okay." Her dress, her demeanor, her whole way of moving and interacting with those around her (but especially her husband) is hesitant and reserved in the extreme. If she seems to be acting strange, it's because she IS strange. If you think for a moment, I bet you've known incredibly awkward people in your life, who don't act like everybody else. If they knew HOW to act like everybody else, they would, but they live in constant fear of being judged and disliked, and as a result they tend to fulfill those prophecies. We're not used to seeing characters like that up on a movie screen, but they absolutely exist in real life.<br /><br />I think a really gorgeous woman would have seemed out of place given that character concept. Why on earth would someone with looks/confidence put up with the treatment that has obviously been part of this relationship for so long? Wendy's treatment of Jack is sycophantic--up until he actually becomes murderous, she's still trying to please/reason with him, despite his growing mental/emotional abuse and a strong suspicion that he'd now attacked their son for a second time. During the scene with the ball bat, her flailing at him is decidedly girlish---like a very small girl swatting at a larger, bullying child. I think she looks/sounds extremely awkward when standing up for herself because he hasn't ever stood up for herself before.<br /><br />My read of her has always been somebody who is greatly in love with somebody who only sort of likes her in return. She found a man that would put up with her (in exchange for her "sperm bank" services to use the movie's phrase) and sees holding onto him as being her main priority in life. I'm not sure I could ever see (picking out a good actress/babe of the era) Candice Bergen in that role--and I don't think Stanley Kubrick wanted her in it.<br /><br />Obviously it's just my take on it, but I think it's far more likely than believing that a man who obsessed over his movies like Kubrick did just suddenly became phlegmatic about one of the main characters in the story who wasn't doing what he wanted. I think he got exactly what he wanted on screen.<br /><br />As to the length---well, that's just Kubrick. I actually don't think this movie drags at all, but have to admit that I could easily rip ten minutes out of 2001 and not miss them. I don't think he was a flawless story teller, just vastly superior to almost all of the others.Warpuppynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-58119226434255392982011-12-11T07:59:02.689-06:002011-12-11T07:59:02.689-06:00best horror movie ever made...best horror movie ever made...L MMMhttp://mercurymovies.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-27991844433107340002011-12-01T22:26:36.452-06:002011-12-01T22:26:36.452-06:00As per usual, Dan, I agree with your take on this ...As per usual, Dan, I agree with your take on this horror flick. It could definitely benefit from a shorter run-time. And yeah...Duvall is funny looking, at the very least.<br /><br />This isn't a movie I like to watch often, but I it was a happy change of pace for me this year.Brian Vs. Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822912407531442886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-68650702092053526642011-10-30T11:39:05.636-05:002011-10-30T11:39:05.636-05:00Shelley Duvall's character is described as bei...Shelley Duvall's character is described as being very pretty in the book, which makes her casting choice even odder.<br /><br />There are parts of this movie I really like, but it's too long for me. I don't mind a long film most of the time, but I think Kubrick could have easily made the film at least a half hour shorter without losing anything.Danny O'Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05748954984681152801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-24705081896111632142011-10-23T22:07:28.708-05:002011-10-23T22:07:28.708-05:00Jack's facial expressions are pure gold, that&...Jack's facial expressions are pure gold, that's for sure. Sure, I might laugh with the movie from time to time, but it is that frozen image that makes me laugh AT the movie, which is a big difference.Brian Vs. Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822912407531442886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-36163898576662209782011-10-23T13:13:49.865-05:002011-10-23T13:13:49.865-05:00Nicholson's face is priceless throughout the f...Nicholson's face is priceless throughout the film. I'm surprised it's only that last image that makes you laugh! His face makes this film pure comedy!ilovethatfilmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11882133059882238037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-66905622670228969772011-10-22T20:18:19.292-05:002011-10-22T20:18:19.292-05:00Perhaps he thought of Jack as Popeye and wanted an...Perhaps he thought of Jack as Popeye and wanted an Olive Oyl in the film? That's the best I can do. It boggles my mind that they reshot the baseball bat scene a Guinness Record-breaking number of times, and she's still only that good.Brian Vs. Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822912407531442886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169788203783133877.post-51649057026214759092011-10-21T11:52:19.354-05:002011-10-21T11:52:19.354-05:00That's odd, the blood usually gets off at the ...That's odd, the blood usually gets off at the second floor.<br /><br />Poor supporting actors?! Dr. Eldon Tyrell keeps bar for chrissake!!! I loved hearing that Kubrick made Shelley Duvall cry during the shooting of this flick. It gives me a little satisfaction from her performance. It is odd that Kubrick (never one to compromise) kept her in the movie and did not recast (he never cared much for budgets). I guess there must of been something in his vision that kept her in there. She is a very unique looking actress. Any ideas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com