View from the Overlook: Crafting 'The Shining' (2007)
*** (out of 4)
This 2007 documentary isn't nearly as memorable as Vivian Kubrick's MAKING 'THE SHINING' but there's enough here for fans of the film to check out. Pretty much we get fans of the film, Kubrick experts, famous directors and even Jack Nicholson sharing their thoughts and opinions on the film. These thoughts range from how the film was shot to how Kubrick took his sweet time to make sure that everything was done exactly the way he wanted it. We also learn that the scene between Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers as they talk about their powers took over eighty-takes yet the kid kept coming back from more. Hearing about the relationship between Kubrick and Lloyd was pretty interesting and one wishes that the actor had been interviewed here. Another wonderful part was just hearing Nicholson share his thoughts on Kubrick and why he thought he was so great. Directors William Friedkin, Ernest Dickerson and Sydney Pollack are all interviewed and share a few interesting through about the movie. It funny that one mentions they don't like THE SHINING yet they can't help but be drawn to it, which is something I'm sure many people feel. Overall the 28-minutes are extremely funny but at the same time you can't help but wish they put a little more into and expanded the running time. There are so many other things that could have been talked about but are overlooked and this includes the alternate ending as well as Kubrick cutting the film down for overseas.
