Journey step started: Mar 4, 2022
Journey step ended: Apr 10, 2022
Click the Google sheet to the right to see every item covered on this step of the journey.
The Book — The 1980 Film — The 1997 TV Miniseries
The Book
Day 63: Mar 4, 2022
The highlight of the Stephen King Journey is the start of the next book in the sequence. Today I kick off my reading of “The Shining”, a book I consumed when I was in the 6th grade and haven’t read since!
Day 64: Mar 5, 2022
Yesterday was a day.
It was a crazy day in which I was up until 2 am to finish a project.
It was a day in which I got no reading done.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We will not have a repeat of that tonight!
The style of writing is so very different from what I’ve seen in ‘Salem’s Lot. This “inside the head of a madman” perspective is one that SK uses so very often in all of his books since – and I’m not quite sure I enjoy all that much.
“the snap of the breaking bone had not been loud, not loud but it had been very loud, HUGE, but not loud. Just enough of a sound to slit through the red fog like an arrow-but instead of letting in sunlight, that sound let in the dark clouds of shame and remorse”
Ugh – gruesome!
Just reading about the Overlook’s basement and all of its old hardware and the maintenance required… STOP RIGHT THERE – this is already too much of a nightmare for me! If my garbage disposal breaks, I’m ready to put the house up for sale and move.
“Oh, she’s rated for two-fifty, but she’d blow long before that now. You couldn’t get me to come down an stand next to her when that dial was up to one hundred and eighty.”
This sounds like an important nugget of info to remember for later.
“I admire that, as long as the fella ain’t one of those fairy-boys. Lots of em are. You know who stirred up all those college riots a few years ago? The hommasexshuls, that’s who.”
Continuing this pattern from ‘Salem’s Lot of out-of-the-blue gay bashing dialog. It’s jarring.
Day 65: Mar 6, 2022
Continuing with Jack’s descent into madness while I read “The Shining”. Also, I’ve cancelled our family’s ski vacation in Colorado – oh hell no.
While I think SK missed the mark with the boy Mark Petrie in ‘Salem’s Lot by making him practically an adult, I think he captures 5-year-old Danny Torrance’s thought patterns wonderfully!
“Wendy had insisted on a phone in spite of their unraveling finances.”
Crazy to think that in the late 70’s, having a phone was considered optional. In today’s world, people would go without food and lifesaving medicine first before going without a phone.
In case anybody’s interested, I love listening to the “Midsommar” soundtrack while I’m reading an SK novel.
“She had jumped as if he’d struck her with a quirt.”
quirt: A riding whip with a short, stiff handle and a lash made of two or more loose thongs.
Millions of people must’ve read “The Shining” by now. And I’m sure a majority of them came from the same types of families that were dominated by alcohol just like the Torrances were.
“But of course there had been a face, Danny’s own sweet face, and the caul that had covered it at birth now resided in a small jar which she had kept, almost shamefully.”
Ewww. Do people still do THAT?
Day 66: Mar 7, 2022
The Torrances checked into the Overlook & poor little Danny’s got a bad feeling. I, however, think everything is going to work out just fine & am sure they’ll enjoy a peaceful winter as I read “The Shining”.
“There was a man to call if the lights went out, a man to call if the shower stopped up, a man to call if the TV went on the fritz.”
I’m actually old enough to remember when TVs weighed 1000 lbs and you indeed would call a service shop for a house visit to repair ’em.
“You shine on, boy. Harder than anyone I ever met in my life.”
If there were a list of the top 10 most important lines in all of Stephen King’s work, I’d bet this one would be among them.
One thing that I’m currently liking about The Shining is the intimacy of focusing on so few characters. This is contrast with ‘Salem’s Lot where I had to keep a crib sheet of who’s who among the ever expanding list of townsfolk.
Day 67: Mar 8, 2022
Danny Torrance just had a sit-down with Dick Hallorann to get the skinny about the “shining”. This was one of the most powerful chapters in any of Stephen King’s works! I continue reading this novel while pouring a glass of red rum.
“He had an agent in New York, a tough red-headed woman named Phyllis Sandler who smoked Herbert Tareytons…”
These old King novels are such wonderful little timecapsules!
The chapter with the wasps was intense. I’m enjoying this read much more than I expected I would and far more than ‘Salem’s Lot and Carrie. I guess I shouldn’t rely on my 6th grade impressions of books I’ve read!
Danny Torrance going into his “trance” at the doctor’s office is a favorite trope of mine: The scientific world encountering the supernatural and attempting to explain it away.
Regan MacNeil undergoing a battery of medical tests at the hospital in The Exorcist is my fav example.
“Jack pulled a newspaper from one of the bundles and glanced down at the headline.
JOHNSON PROMISES ORDERLY TRANSITION
Says Work Begun by JFK Will Go Forward in Coming Year
The paper was the Rocky Mountain News, dated December 19, 1963.”
Decades later: “11/22/63” was born.
“their child star, Little Margery Morris, had died of a heroin overdose in 1934. She was fourteen.”
Child star stories from that era indeed were harrowing & sad. Reminds me of the bio of actress Tuesday Weld which I just recently read.
Day 68: Mar 9, 2022
Jack is feeling the urge to drink as he learns the history of the Overlook.
Danny is getting bullied by his imaginary friend.
Wendy is becoming a worrywart. Dick
Hallorann has made a beeline to Florida: “Later bitches!”
I continue to read “The Shining”
Next hotel I check into, I’m going to request Room 217.
“The image was burned on Danny’s mind. The severed heads of Bluebeard’s seven previous wives were in the room, each one on its own pedestal, the eyes turned up to whites, the mouths unhinged and gaping in silent screams.”
My earliest recollection of a nightmare was of a severed head sitting on the shelf in my bedroom closet, looking remarkable like Alfred E. Neuman, its mouth moving slowly & silently while I was compelled in frozen terror to approach it. I think I was also 5 when I had that.
“As he got behind the truck’s wheel it occurred to him that while he was fascinated by the Overlook, he didn’t much like it. He wasn’t sure it was good for either his wife or his son or himself. Maybe that was why he had called Ullman.
To be fired while there was still time.”
“The Overlook faced it as it had for nearly three quarters of a century, its darkened windows now bearded with snow… Inside its shell the three of them went about their early evening routine, like microbes trapped in the intestine of a monster.”
Brilliant!
David hasn’t gotten around to talking about the book yet, but I’m gonna guess he’s going to give it a rave review. 😄
Jack Torrance as the most autobiographical representation of Stephen King among all of his works? That includes that one novel in which he appears himself as a literal character? Bold claim! 🤔
This was disturbing! 😂
The first half of “The Shining”, like “‘Salem’s Lot”, was 99% buildup without memorable action. Yet… The Shining’s first half went by much faster even with more pages!
So David breaks the fourth wall and reveals that he films these videos over the course of multiple days. I ask: Does he keep his clothes off to the side to ensure that he’s wearing the same thing throughout? Has he ever had a wardrobe malfunction and forgotten a item?
Day 69: Mar 10, 2022
I once saw my grandmother in the bathtub so I can truly appreciate the horror Danny Torrance experienced in room 217.
I’m at the halfway point as I continue to read “The Shining”
“-kill him. You have to kill him, Jacky, and her, too. Because a real artist must suffer. Because each man kills the thing he loves.”
I wonder if King, at the time, truly believed that about artists suffering.
“an hour ago she had been asleep, firmly convinced that things were all right and soon would be even better. Now she was considering the possibility of using a butcher knife on her husband if he tried to interfere with her and her son.”
Pretty much summarizes every day at work.
“…the cry of ‘Unmask! Unmask!’ (And the Red Death held sway…)”
I just postively swoon every time he brings in this Poe reference.
Day 70: Mar 11, 2022
Wendy & Jack are starting to turn on each other.
Danny’s peeing his pants every 10 seconds.
Hedges still need trimming & the Overlook is making everyone a bit stir-crazy.
Witnessing this train crash in slow motion as I continue to read “The Shining”.
It’s Friday night and I’m in a hotel reading a book about the most famous hotel in fiction. I’m not sure though which is scarier: The Overlook or this Comfort Inn & Suites?
“There had been bad parents, the father a beater as his own father had been, the mother a limp and silent dishrag as his mother had been. A homosexual experience in grammar school.”
It wasn’t just a sexual experience grammar school. Oh no, it was a *homosexual* one! The horror!
Third novel in a row where homosexuality is cast only in a negative light. I do believe King’s views have changed since then, but it is still uncomfortable to read even knowing the period in which it was written.
“The strangeness in his eyes seemed to break then. ‘I’m trying to help him find the difference between something real and something that was only an hallucination, that’s all.’”
I’m grateful for the movie as I read all of Jack’s words and hear Jack Nicholson’s voice in my head.
“Lights and colors, the pop of champagne corks, a forty-piece orchestra playing Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood.’ But Glenn Miller had gone down in his bomber before she was born, how could she have a memory of Glenn Miller?”
I’m 50 and I only kind of know the story of Glenn Miller. I can’t imagine a young person reading this book today would get any of this.
Day 71: Mar 12, 2022
Jack sabotaged their only chance of escape.
The hedge animals pounced on Danny.
Wendy moaned with pleasure.
That’s my takeaway from yesterday’s reading of The Shining.
I continue forward tonight.
“Because here in the Overlook things just went on and on. Here in the Overlook all times were one.”
Interesting to thing of this as a place where space-time was ruptured, where quantum entanglement led to paradoxes in reality, causing human consious to go insane from it all.
I am somewhat confused by the Overlook’s motivations (if it could be said to have any intentional motivations). If wants to drive Jack insane, then Jack’s not monitoring the boiler which then blows the hotel sky high. That’s a rather self-destructive path. No self-preservation?
The scene where Jack is partying with the ghosts in ballroom so perfectly describes how it feels to be in a hallucinatory fever-dream state. I’ve had out-loud conversations with mental ghosts before while my brain was getting cooked by a fever and it was just like that!
Rental car service used to be SOOOOO much better!
Day 72: Mar 13, 2022
Everyone’s having a ball at the Overlook.
Dick is Trains, Planes & Automobiling it back to Colorado.
Some unknown entity is manipulating events to blow itself to smithereens.
I look forward to the explosive conclusion!
“…she thought that Danny might be the one the hotel really wanted, the reason it was going so far… maybe the reason it was able to go so far. It might even be that in some unknown fashion it was Danny’s shine that was powering it…”
That’s some “blame the victim” mentality!
“Wendy, you let me out! Let me out right now! You cheap pickle-plated cold-cunt bitch!”
Pickle-plated?
“It scared him to have the yellow center line buried under swirling, drifting snow, and it scared him when the heavy gusts of wind came unimpeded through the notches in the hills and actually made the heavy Buick slew around.”
I know well the terror of driving in a snowstorm.
“Hallorann’s testicles turned into two small wrinkled sacs filled with shaved ice.” I wonder what the lady-version is of this involuntary fear reaction?
Jack’s weapon of choice: The roque mallet. Interesting decision!
“Danny cried back at it fiercely. He began to shuffle and shake his fists at the ruined thing before him. ‘Any minute now! I know it! The boiler, Daddy forgot the boiler! And you forgot it, too!’”
Tried to warn the Overlook yesterday about that boiler but did they listen to me?
“Danny? You listen to me. I’m going to talk to you about it this once and never again this same way. There’s some things no six-year-old boy in the world should have to be told, but the way things should be and the way things are hardly ever get together.”
“The world’s a hard place, Danny. It don’t care. It don’t hate you and me, but it don’t love us, either. Terrible things happen in the world, and they’re things no one can explain. Good people die in bad, painful ways and leave the folks that love them all alone.”
“Sometimes it seems like it’s only the bad people who stay healthy and prosper. The world don’t love you, but your momma does and so do I. You’re a good boy. You grieve for your daddy, and when you feel you have to cry over what happened to him,”
“you go into a closet or under your covers and cry until it’s all out of you again. That’s what a good son has to do. But see that you get on. That’s your job in this hard world, to keep your love alive and see that you get on, no matter what.”
“Pull your act together and just go on.”
😭😭😭
And with that, I’ve just completed reading the 3rd book on this journey, “The Shining”.
Starting tomorrow – all of the wonderful podcasts and analyses. The movies and the commentaries. And Jack freakin’ Nicholson in my future!
Day 73: Mar 14, 2022
The book completed, I turn to the wisdom & wit of The Losers’ Club for their take on “The Shining”. Grateful for the intro warning me that this 3.5 hr episode covered EVERYTHING! I’ll stay for the book & revisit after each movie.
I read The Shining back in the 6th grade and just couldn’t appreciate the true horrors that I felt while reading it today. The hotel was the least scary aspect. But the horrors of addiction, job stress, family anxiety, childhood trauma – oh yeah, those are very REAL!
“As a kid, I patrolled the horror section of Blockbusters and so on..”
That right there is the story of my life too! So much inappropriate visuals for impressionable young lad. See how I turned out?
“[The Overlook] was supposed to be a place of healing but instead was a place of enablement.”
What a great observation, and an even more depressing interpretation of the hotel. The Torrance family was definitely doomed from the start.
That was an interesting factoid: The Shining had its origins in an early draft called “Dark Shine” which was about a boy with telepathic powers in a telepathic amusement park.
Joyland, anyone?
I agree that The Shining isn’t so much a horror story as it is a tragedy. From the first page you knew a terrible fate awaited the Torrance family, and no choice, no action on their part, was going to change their destiny.
I’ve given my cats that look from time to time.
I ❤️❤️❤️ the old clips of Stephen King talking about the Kubrick adaptation of The Shining. What a treasure!
“Behind the door of 217 was the manifestation of Jack’s fear of failure.”
That’s a helluva manifestation!
Day 74: Mar 15, 2022
There’s many layers to explore with “The Shining”. Today, I’ll be starting with David Farrington’s interestingly titled analysis that focus on one of the most disturbing scenes in the book.
“I normally don’t like fan theories, but I have a fan theory.”
Brilliant! 🤣
OK… I most certainly didn’t see THAT coming.
Easy to dismiss his theory out of hand, but the more he talks… 🤔
Gotta admit, the bike being in the middle of the road was never satisfactorily explained.
OK, now I’m totally distracted. David – what video editing software do you use?
Day 75: Mar 16, 2022
Continuing the exploration of the book “The Shining” with Chat Sematary‘s episode on the subject.
The Overlook was definitely able to take advantage of Jack’s damaged persona (alcoholism, insecurities, childhood trauma). But what if a happy-go-lucky individual with no hang-ups at all had been hired as a caretaker that winter? How frustrated would the ghosts have been?
Interesting to consider “The Shining” without the epilog. Did it truly add anything to the story? Other than Dick Hallorann’s moving speech to Danny, I think it didn’t. And reflecting back on Carrie & Salem’s Lot, I think I could have done without their epilogues too.
Next up is a really clever bit of playacting by The Kingcast in which a trial is conducted over a lawsuit filed by the surviving members of the Torrance family against the owner of the Overlook Hotel. For the record, Scott Wampler is a terrible defendant!
Day 76: Mar 17, 2022
Stephen King Cast enlightens me with all of the nuances I’ve missed while reading “The Shining”. Gosh, this guy is really Stephen King smart!
During Dick’s travel from FL to the Overlook to help out Danny, I focused on all of the obstacles he encountered. I never thought of them as *intentionally* put there by forces of evil. Nor did I count up all the help he received along the way from… a positive guiding force?
Malicious, attacking hedge animals could have gone sooooo very wrong on the written page. But I agree with Stephen King Cast that King pulled it off masterfully.
Hmmm… I didn’t notice that, but yes, Stephen King’s first three books all ended in a fire or explosion.
Day 257: Sep 14, 2022
*** circling back ***
I flip back to “The Shining”, mostly because Derry Public Radio decided to read this book after I finished it (thanks, guys!) But I’m very glad to revisit this wonderful book, esp with C.M. Alexander reading it for the first time.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Derry Public Radio has the BEST episode titles. Here’s part 2 of their review of The Shining.
Day 258: Sep 15, 2022
*** circling back ***
“It’s a weirdly romantic notion that somebody would die inside your head.”
That and more disturbing observations as Derry Public Radio wraps up the novel, “The Shining”.
Day 261: Sep 18, 2022
*** circling back ***
Finally, I heard on one of the Dark Tower Radio episodes that there was a recently added prologue & epilogue to the book “The Shining” that was only available in a limited edition publication.
Fortunately, the prologue “Before the Play” can be found here:
This prologue to “The Shining” was really good! “Before the Play” reads like a mini-Night Shift with a bunch of standalone vignettes from The Overlook’s history.
Day 382: Jan 17, 2023
Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came kick off their reading of The Shining and cover Ch 1 – 7.
Day 383: Jan 18, 2023
Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came continue with their read-along review of The Shining.
Day 384: Jan 19, 2023
Continuing with a revisit to The Shining is Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came.
We’re now into the second half of the book. One of the hosts believe Stephen King is executing a paint-by-numbers rendition of Gothic horror. Interesting take!
Day 385: Jan 20, 2023
Today wraps up a read-along of The Shining with Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came. Here’s Part 1.
They reach the end of the book The Shining!
They mention the reference of “smelling oranges” which appears in the book. And then they stated that oranges play an important forecasting role in “The Godfather”.
Whenever an orange appears, death follows.
Is this true?
Apparently, it indeed is the case.
Day 386: Jan 21, 2023
Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came review the mysterious prologue to The Shining – a little known work called “Before the Play”.
Day 455: Mar 31, 2023
***circling back***
Nobody dives deeper into a Stephen King novel than The Kingslingers.
Today, I started their nine-part series on the novel The Shining with each episode clocking in at 2 hours or more!
They spent 30 minutes on just the opening quotes of the novel.
If there’s blood to be drawn from a stone, The Kingslingers can do it!
Second greatest opening line of any Stephen King novel?
(“The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed” is the obvious first place line).
Day 458: Apr 04, 2023
***circling back***
I was able to complete another Kingslingers deep-dive episode on The Shining, this time covering Chapters 8-13.
Day 462: Apr 7, 2023
***circling back***
Day 464: Apr 9, 2023
***circling back***
Day 467: Apr 12, 2023
***circling back***
Day 471: Apr 16, 2023
***circling back***
Day 475: Apr 20, 2023
***circling back***
Day 477: Apr 22, 2023
***circling back***
Day 823: Apr 2, 2024
Circling back to podcast episodes that have released covering books I’ve already completed:
Tower Junkies tackles the novel, The Shining
The 1980 Film
Day 77: Mar 18, 2022
I’m so excited that today’s the day I get to start on Kubrick’s rendition of “The Shining”! I think I’ve only seen this movie once long ago, but the pop culture references since have been overwhelming. Looking forward to it!
For example, I think I must’ve seen The Simpson’s spoof “The Shinning” a million times now.
I’ve got a free evening & I’m excited to begin live-tweeting my watching of The Shining (1980). I’ve not particularly enjoyed any of the video material for Carrie or ‘Salem’s Lot so far. Brian DePalma’s Carrie was good, but certain annoyances prevented it from being a “classic”.
But I *love* Stanley Kubrick and could recite by memory scenes from A Clockwork Orange or Full Metal Jacket. Even the lambasted Eyes Wide Shut made a lasting impact on pop culture. I recognize the movie deviates from the book, so I’ll enjoy “The Shining” on its own merits.
The first thing I noticed is how long it is. 2 hours and 23 minutes? Makes me think that there may be a bit of fat that could be trimmed. But we’ll see!
I don’t think you’re supposed to see the helicopter’s shadow in an aerial shot like this (watch the bottom right corner).
Ahhhh… They don’t make names like “Scatman Crothers” anymore, do they?
I looked it up. His full name was “Benjamin Sherman Crothers” and he called himself “Scatman”. Would’ve been cool to see that on a birth certificate, though.
I think I’m most excited for the Jack Nicholson experience. I’m pretty sure this was his only Stephen King movie appearance. I wonder what other movie/character he would have been perfect for?
I’ve been at this for half an hour and I’m only 3 minutes into the film. This is gonna take me all week.
Yep, cigarette smoke in a kid’s face while he’s trying to eat – that definitely brings me back to my childhood!
Who could’ve possibly foreseen HE was going to go crazy?
That’s some miraculous ash at the end of her ciggie.
Seems like it would be rather cold for them to be driving with the passenger side window all the way down like that.
According to the movie, the Overlook Hotel was originally built on top of an Indian burial ground? How trope-y!
This is a goddamn piece of art. Even the sound capture is magnificent!
Huh
Day 78: Mar 19, 2022
Made it halfway through the movie yesterday; hope to finish it today. Kubrick’s truly a visual & story-telling artist. Nicholson’s exaggerated facial expressions are perfect! Wendy is annoying & Danny is adorably cute.
Since Jack Nicholson is on my mind today, here’s a story I didn’t need to know about. And now I’m passing it along to you.
I like Kubrick’s “The Shining” so far, but this level of fandom takes it to a whole other level!
Saturday night and now it’s time to get back to the movie!
Saturday night stoned.
This Prince Valiant haircut would be considered child abuse by today’s standards.
Old-timey music and parties creep me out. I think I have a literal fear of them. If I walked into a ballroom like this, I would’ve “noped” my way right outta there.
A high-contrast monochromatic & geometric scene right out of the signature Kubrick playbook. I freakin’ love it!
I can watch Jack Nicholson’s face all day.
Watching this on a big screen made me dizzy. What a genius angle!
What made the book so spectacular & the story so tragic was that you felt from the beginning that there was warmth in the Torrance family despite Jack’s struggles. There was a special bond between Danny & Jack and true affection with Wendy. In the movie, Jack’s a dick from Day 1.
I could see the same outcome happening with Jack attempting to murder his wife WITHOUT the haunted hotel or Danny’s shining.
Well, that was an absolute waste of some good Dick.
That’s it for tonight! Both I and the Overlook survived the movie. It really felt like the film just “fizzled out” without a definitive conclusion.
Day 79: Mar 20, 2022
The Kubrick movie now behind me, I tackle the massive amount a material that’s been done on this movie. You know something’s important when everyone’s gotta have their take on it!
First up is The Losers’ Club “The Shining” episode where they get to the movie about 2 hrs & 20 min into it.
The beauty of listening to a Stephen King podcast is how you’re often surprised to learn about related items you never knew existed. With Carrie, it was “Carrie: The Broadway Musical”. With Salem’s Lot, it was the BBC audio drama adaptation with the Pinhead Hellraiser guy.
Now, thanks to The Losers’ Club, I learned about a full-length documentary called “Room 237” which is solely about the Kubrick film. I now must add this to my journey!
Next up is Film Sack – the funniest crew out there who takes on a number of classic Stephen King films.
“And what does Scatman do? Scatman do hop a plane, take a cab, rent a SnowCat, brave a blizzard & wander the halls of the Overlook. His reward? An axe wound to the chest. Scatman should’ve just stayed in bed. Maybe spend a little more time staring at his sweet foxy momma posters”
“The only reason they cast Shelley Duval in this film is because she looks like an alien.”
“I don’t know who this ‘Tony’ is -”
“Tony spelled backwards is ‘Y Not’!”
Good point! 🤔
Oh wow – one of the hosts of Film Sack, Brian Ibbot, was a finalist to play the role of Danny Torrance in this film! Went through a screen test & everything!
This episode was recorded just before the Dark Tower film came out and Scott, who said the book series was his favorite of all time having read them several times, had such anticipation for it and the TV series that were to accompany it. My heart is breaking.
That Film Sack episode had the funniest opening that mocked this scene from The Shining (screencaps by me). It was spot on and had me in tears!
Day 80: Mar 21, 2022
I just learned over the weekend about the existence of the conspiracy documentary “Room 237”. I’ve already heard differing opinions about it, so I look forward to taking on this controversial work about a controversial work!
All right, settling down to watch this “documentary”. Let the conspiracy theories begin!
Did Tom Cruise really stop and stare at a movie poster of The Shining outside of a theater in “Eyes Wide Shut”? I’ve got to check that out again sometime.
One person opines that the movie is about the genocide of the Native Americans because there was a can on the shelf in the pantry that featured an Indian profile. Another is convinced it’s about the Holocaust because the typewriter is German made.
Some things I failed to observe that were pointed out: The television set that Danny was watching wasn’t plugged in. All of the luggage Jack pointed to would never have fit and that little car they brought.
After the initial tour of the hedge maze, they cross the street to head back to the hotel and was almost run over by a car that mysteriously disappeared when the cut shot showed them at a different angle.
I do recall this period of time as being heavy on using subliminal messaging in mainstream media. It was all the rage. I can totally see Kubrick using this extensively throughout this film.
One person swears that Stanley Kubrick was airbrushed into the clouds just after his name scrolls off screen during the opening credits. They even freeze framed the shot, there was nothing at all, and the guy said, “Trust me, it’s there.” 🙄
One lady pointed out that the window and almonds office, where Jack first meets him to be interviewed, is an impossible window. Based on the layout of the hotel scene, that office is smack dab in the middle of the building not facing any outer edge. That window can’t be there.
That’s just one of many inconsistencies/impossibilities regarding the hotel layout. Chairs were in one scene & then disappeared the next second. Door handles suddenly switch sides of the door. Stickers are missing off of doors that were there in a previous shot. Disconcerting!
Danny takes three different bike rides throughout the hotel. The first one was normal. The second one was like an impossible MC Escher painting where he turns the corner and suddenly he’s on the second floor. And the third one was even stranger.
Ok, one of the guys is spouting the BS of Kubrick filming the “faked” Apollo landing on the moon. My eyes are getting sore from rolling them.
Since in one scene, Danny was wearing a knitted Apollo 11 sweater, it’s proof positive.
Get this: With the capital letters on the keytag, he observes that the only words they can spell are “ROOM” and “MOON”.
He must’ve missed “MORON”. 😂
Kubrick was quoted as saying that “The Shining” was a film meant to be seen both forwards and backwards. So one arthouse movie theater did just that. With two projectors, they played it both forwards and backwards, superimposed on the same screen. I’d pay to see that!
Day 81: Mar 22, 2022
“Room 237” was a fun diversion. But tonight it’s time for a movie rewatch with The Losers’ Club and their “Ka-mmentery track” for “The Shining”. It’s like watching a movie with friends who don’t know I exist (just like real life!)
When listening to “Ka-mmentery” tracks, is it normal to speak out loud and converse with the members on the recording? I’ve corrected them on some facts at least three times now and I don’t think they’re hearing me.
Day 82: Mar 23, 2022
I didn’t get too far last night on the movie rewatch with The Loser’s Club and their “Ka-mmentery track” for “The Shining”. But I’ve said “Screw it!” to the million things I have to do tonight because there’s priorities.
My first Kubrick film was “A Clockwork Orange”. I saw that when I was around 12 years old. I know it seems very inappropriate for someone so young, but I turned out just fine, didn’t I?
DIDN’T I??? 🔪🔪🔪
Never paid attention to Wendy’s outfits before, but thanks to this watch-a-long I’m now being forced to.
One hour and thirty six minutes into “The Shining” and The Losers’ Club have just gone off the rails. The Cujo diatribe was hard to follow over their own maniacal laughter. You can hear the alcohol kicking in!
Now they’re speculating about what “furries” might experience in the afterlife. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now entering philosophical territory never before explored in the history of mankind.
“How come there are no ghost dinosaurs?” The last question you’d expect from a group watch of The Shining!
Day 83: Mar 24, 2022
I know several have watched “The Shining” multiple times. But has anyone watched it 3 times in the same week? I’m about to with The Kingcast and their Commentary with Glen Mazzara!
Was “The Shining” actually award-winning? I need to look that up. Wonder what it won. Best crazy face? Most crying in a film?
Everybody in every podcast brings up that “Room 237” documentary. Glad I took the time to watch it myself. Half of it was really interesting; half was complete, eye-rolling BS.
I’ve seen “Ready Player One” and I have ZERO recollection of any reference to The Shining in it.
Day 84: Mar 25, 2022
There’s still so much to say about “The Shining”. And to hear about it with Dr. Strange’s Scott Derrickson and The Kingcast? That’s just freaking awesome!
Day 85: Mar 26, 2022
It’s a The Kingcast trifecta on Kubrick’s “The Shining”! This time it’s with film director Issa Lopez, someone about whom I knew nothing. But after hearing this episode, I’m going to make an effort to discover her work!
Day 86: Mar 27, 2022
Today’s exploration of Kubrick’s “The Shining is with the Kingslingers! They admit from the outset, they’ve got nothing to say that hasn’t been said many times before. Doesn’t mean it’s not worth hearing again!
Next in my listening queue is Stephen King Cast with a great scoring of which is better: The book or the Kubrick version of the “The Shining”.
Day 87: Mar 28, 2022
After all this time, I’ve only reached the HALFWAY point of “The Shining” step of my journey. I’m glad it’s with a quick and insightful article about the 1980 film written by Zach Dionne!
Having reach the top of this mountain, I begin my slide to the end with Chat Sematary‘s take on Kubrick’s “The Shining”.
I really don’t place this as one of the best “horror” films of all time. There’s no disputing its technical brilliance, but I found it too disjointed without a connected plot. Visually, it had stunning moments. But maybe I’m too close to the story to actually feel dread.
Day 88: Mar 29, 2022
I’ve reached the final discussion on Kubrick’s “The Shining” with The Losers’ Club‘s 3-hr epic episode on the subject! “
All podcast and no play make Jack something something”
Day 89: Mar 30, 2022
I’ve reached the end of my journey with Kubrick’s “The Shining” having just completed The Losers’ Club’s 3-hr magnum opus on the matter! Tomorrow, I begin the arduous slog (I so I hear) of the TV mini-series adaptation. Yay.
Day 258: Sep 15, 2022
*** circling back ***
Derry Public Radio tackles the Kubrick version of “The Shining” in which it is observed that Jack Nicholson “cannot help his face.”
Speaking of Jack Nicholson, Derry Public Radio took an unexpected turn to discuss his “sexiness”. Really? He was always the oldest-looking young man in any movie he was in. Always appeared 15 years older than his actual age.
Day 259: Sep 16, 2022
*** circling back ***
Continuing my revisit to The Overlook with Dark Tower Radio and their commentary track of Kubrick’s “The Shining”.
Day 261: Sep 18, 2022
*** circling back ***
Ah… the Kubrick film soundtrack kicks it off. Nice!
And they run right into The Overlook Hotel. *Swoon*
Awesome!
No way – did they just go there?
I can’t let this opportunity pass to watch (for the millionth time) the absolute BEST adaptation of The Shining out there: “The Shinning”!
I expected a parody of the Kubrick film, not a word-for-word re-rendering.
Ahhhh… the most famous line from this episode…
“This is less encouraging…”
Classic!
Never noticed the sexy Scottish lass above Willie’s bed before! Perfect!
Day 386: Jan 21, 2023
Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came take on the classic Kubrick adaptation.
Among all the other podcasts about the Kubrick movie I’d not heard about the meaning and use of mirrors until now.
Day 478: Apr 23, 2023
***circling back***
Day 480: Apr 25, 2023
***circling back***
Day 564: Jul 18, 2023
***circling back***
Finally for this evening, I turn to the “Creepshows: The Illustrated Stephen King Movie Guide” chapter on that classic Kubrick adaptation of The Shining.
This had to have been the most analyzed film of all that I’ve seen so far, so I doubt I’ll learn anything new here.
This is incredible. At one point, Kubrick wanted to change the ending so that Dick Hallorann became possessed and finished Jack’s job in killing Danny & Wendy.
That would’ve been NUTS to see!
Day 700: Dec 01, 2023
***circling back***
Continuing with my backlog of podcasts revisiting books I’ve completed, I now move into the haunted hotel with Kingsize and The Shining.
Day 701: Dec 02, 2023
***circling back***
I’m spending another day in the Overlook Hotel with Just King Things.
Day 824: Apr 3, 2024
Circling back to podcast episodes that have released covering books I’ve already completed:
Tower Junkies returns to The Shining and focuses on the 1980 Kubrick film.
The 1997 TV Miniseries
Day 90: Mar 31, 2022
Who greenlit this attempt to remake a horror masterpiece and do it on network television where gore, sex & foul language aren’t allowed? Tonight, I’m off to a late start but here I go with Episode 1!
Glad to see the boiler making a triumphant appearance, but I daresay it has more personality than that guy who is playing Jack Torrance.
One should never say they don’t like a kid, but I’m going to say it. I don’t like this kid.
Day 91: Apr 01, 2022
OMG – there’s 4.5 hours of this? I only got through the first half of Ep. 1 last night. I’ll do some energy shots to see if I can stay up long enough to finish this episode tonight.
Day 92: Apr 02, 2022
The only truly horrifying scene in Episode 1 of “The Shining” miniseries was when Jack almost fell off the roof. They captured that well. But now on to Episode 2!
She’s pouring her heart out about Jack’s drinking problem, but methinks the “concerned” doc sees an opportunity…
Rebecca De Mornay is absolutely the ONLY redeeming aspect of “The Shining” TV miniseries.
Ahhh – the famous hedges. Will they give me a sense of dread greater than what I already have of finishing this series?
Day 93: Apr 03, 2022
My consecutive SK Journey streak continues but damn if “The Shining” TV miniseries isn’t posing the greatest challenge yet. Abandon all enjoyment ye who enter here! Complete Ep 2 tonight. Thank the Beam there’s only one more.
OK – I see they’ve utilized Atari 2600 level CGI for those moving animal hedges.
My misery (no pun intended) nears an end as I head into the final chapter of a series that is less frightening than my tax returns.
Oh my, how will I ever get to sleep having seen this rubber mask?
Day 94: Apr 04, 2022
Only one more hour to go and I’m ready to blow up the Overlook myself to put everyone involved in The Shining miniseries out of our misery.
There’s angry drunk.
There’s depressed drunk.
Then there’s boring drunk.
Day 95: Apr 05, 2022
With that nightmare of a miniseries over with, I get to move onto more creative output, like David Farrington’s creative reimagining of a proper fan trailer for it!
***Sadly, David set this video to “private”***
That was short & sweet and absolutely LIES to the viewer of the trailer about the actual quality of “The Shining” TV miniseries.
You see, that fan trailer was damn INTERESTING! And I loved the scare placed at the end. Well done! 👏👏👏
Day 96: Apr 06, 2022
So what does the podcast world have to say about the Mick Garris TV Series “The Shining”? Let’s start with The Kingcast.
I heard it before, but The Kingcast goes into a little more detail about what happened to Courtland Mead, the actor who played Danny Torrance, later in life.
And now I circle back once more to The Losers’ Club and their magnum opus episode on “The Shining” where they concluded with the TV miniseries and an overall wrap-up.
Day 97: Apr 07, 2022
And for the defense of “The Shining” TV miniseries, we have David Farrington. Was I unjust in my absolute loathing for this misplaced endeavor? David always brings new insights, so we’ll see!
WOW – an interesting fact: In order for “Executive Producer” Stephen King to be allowed to make an adaptation of his own novel, he had to get *permission* from Stanley Kubrick, who owned the adaptation rights.
*AWKWARD*
Granted as long as SK stopped bad-mouthing Kubrick’s film.
Day 98: Apr 08, 2022
Continuing with “The Shining” TV miniseries, is Chat Sematary. Apparently, there were quite a few cameo appearances in this, including from Sam Raimi and SK himself. My attention kept wandering away and completely missed those!
I also enjoyed Kingslingers‘ not-to-gentle handling of this unnecessary and quite forgettable endeavor.
Day 260: Sep 17, 2022
*** circling back ***
It’s another epic episode with Dark Tower Radio as they take on the novel and the Mick Garris made-for-TV rendition of The Shining.
They gave the miniseries a glowing review, the only podcast I’ve listened to that did so. I really enjoyed the other point of view, even though I still have to immediately disagree. The Shining miniseries was a borefest!
Day 261: Sep 18, 2022
*** circling back ***
Derry Public Radio took a crack at the TV miniseries of The Shining. Did they fawn over Steven Webber the way they did over Jack Nicholson? We shall see.
“Every time a ghost was just like, ‘I’m gonna tip over a chair’ I was like, ‘Sure. You go, ghost!’”
😂😂😂
Continuing with the second episode of The Shining mini-series is Derry Public Radio who is surprisingly high on this adaptation. I’m I the one out of touch?
Sadly, it looks like I’ll have to wait until the end of this month before Derry Public Radio will deliver the landing on The Shining TV miniseries.
Day 99: Apr 09, 2022
I listened to the whirlwind tour of everything The Shining with this episode of Stephen King Podcast that was recorded just before and in preparation for the movie release of “Doctor Sleep”.
Which got me thinking…
I’m going to call an audible here and change up the order of my journey. With The Shining so fresh in my head, I think my next step will be to take on Doctor Sleep. My journey will take 5 – 7 years & I don’t necessarily want to lose this story by the time I reach the sequel.
I’ll do the same with the Talisman and Black House. But other than that, I’m sticking with the release timeline.
It was a raucous & fun hour and a half with The Kingcast and their new pal Thomas Lennon as they covered The Shining inside and out.
Day 100: Apr 10, 2022
🥳Day 100!🎉
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To kick off the 100th day of my SK Journey, I start with some “comfort food” in the form of David Farrington’s book vs movie vs TV miniseries compare/contrast.
While this was an all-over-the-place general episode, The Losers’ Club did have a strong tie at the end to “The Shining” with a report about a fun little event in Chicago! Especially hilarious were the numerous ideas for future King-related pop-ups! 😂
“Riveting” doesn’t even begin to describe the The Kingcast‘s interview with Glen Mazzara about the unfilmed script of a powerfully dark prequel to The Shining.
An unexpected twist in The Shining journey: The Losers’ Club interviews Pulitzer Prize winning composer Paul Moravec about his creation of an opera version of this story!
The Shining: Final thoughts
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37 pieces of media consumed
64 hours spent on this step of the journey
38 days to complete
Book ranking:
1. The Shining
2. ‘Salem’s Lot
3. Carrie
✔️I confess I wasn’t looking forward to revisiting this book, but I was pleasantly surprised how much more it resonated with me as a father with his own internal struggles as opposed to the preteen version of me that may have related more to Danny
✔️Most fun step was The Losers’ Club‘s Ka-mmentary on Kubrick’s film.
✔️Where was Derry Public Radio with “The Shining”? I missed their take on the book, movie, opera, or whatever.
✔️Most fascinating episode: The Kingcast‘s episode “The Overlook Hotel with Glen Mazzara”. This prequel NEEDS TO BE MADE!
✔️Hot take: I’d rather rewatch “A Return to ‘Salem’s Lot” than have to go back to the TV miniseries of “The Shining”. Not that it was better, but it was mercifully shorter.
✔️Looking forward to reading “Doctor Sleep” starting tomorrow with The Shining still fresh in my mind.
Day 387: Jan 22, 2023
***circling back***
The Kingcast brings to the stage an all-star group of guests for a discussion about Stephen King and #The Shining!
Day 565: Jul 19, 2023
***circling back***
And now for another trio of articles from “Creepshows: The Illustrated Stephen King Movie Guide”.
I start with the very disappointing TV adaptation of “The Shining” from 1997.
Prior to taking on The Shining, Mick Garris was attached to film a Clive Barker remake of “The Mummy”??? Why didn’t that happen???!!!