Give Movies A Chance Issue 5 / October 2020
Counting down to Halloween Pg. 5 As Above So Below What We Do in the Shadows Pg. 11
Tenet New Mutants The Devil All the Time NEW REVIEWS! Pg. 6
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Give Movies A Chance
Letter from the Editor
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ello, and welcome to a We all know the holiday is going to spooky edition of Give Movies look a little different this year with A Chance! kids not being able to trick or treat in some areas, but who says you It’s so exciting to be able to have can’t celebrate with a good movie some new movies in theatres again. marathon and cookies in the oven? I’ve been trying to make an effort to support my local movie theatres by I hope this edition gives you some watching some new and some old, inspiration! like “Honest Thief” starring Liam Neeson and “Hocus Pocus”. Happy reading! In this issue, you’ll find our latest Brittany Mulligan reviews along with some fun thrillers Editor-in-Chief to watch in preparation of Halloween.
New releases...
Pg. 6 Rants & Raves...
Halloween favorites...
Pg. 5 Flashback reviews...
Three Kings review...
Pg. 4
Pg. 3 Pg. 10
Issue 5 / October 2020
Rants & Raves
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Everyone’s a critic - send us your rants and raves but keep it short, please! Submit 150 words or less to givemoviesachance@gmail.com to see your rant/rave/ rebuttal featured here! Hubie Halloween For an Adam Sandler film set during Halloween, perhaps the scariest thing about it is the fact that I actually found it amusimg. BLACKPINK: Light up the Sky After watching this, I love and admire BLACKPINK more than I ever have before. Insightful in terms of both their success and K-Pop as a whole; if you’re a fan of them, you’ll most likely enjoy this. The Trial of the Chicago 7 Deliberately, depressingly timely in a way I find sanctimonious and not entirely productive but also extremely engrossing and with all the prestigious craft you’d expect. Enola Holmes Enola Holmes is much better than it should be. It has the right amount of feelgood fluff to make for an entertaining watch. I think I would’ve eaten this up a few years back and completely fell in love with it, but even now I had quite some fun with it, even though it doesn’t have the most inventive plot. There’s definitely some potential for more adventures and I would gladly watch them as well. The Wolf of Snow Hollow A thrilling small-town serial killer monster murder mystery that, instead of pulling back from the story, leans in harder to focus on the character trying desperately to stay afloat at the center of it all. The only true way to know any human’s innermost essence is by their reactions.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things Every single line of dialogue in this movie is entirely deliberate, a piece of an exceedingly intricate puzzle that you slowly start to piece together over the course of the film’s runtime. Shockingly, at no point does it become tedious, repetitive or boring. It’s a genuine thrill to see how even the most mundane conversation can be warped into something far more important and meaningful over time. The Shining Arguably the most aesthetic, artistic, and technically accomplished of all horror films, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is another masterwork of precision craftmanship that presents the gifted filmmaker in top form as he smoothly blends the elements of supernatural and psychological horror into one methodically structured and meticulously layered story. Scream One of the best and most intense opening scenes in a horror film ever. I love that the meta horror jokes and humor make it hilarious, but there are still many terrifying parts. The score and music worked beautifully together. The cast is phenomenal. Halloween Arguably the most influential of all slasher films, John Carpenter’s Halloween is the reason why this particular subgenre of horror even exists in the first place. Although it wasn’t the first of its kind, it certainly was the game-changer since almost every other slasher flick that followed this low-budget indie horror only ended up imitating the formula this this classic originated.
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Give Movies A Chance
Written by Brittany Mulligan
In an empty London theatre with nothing but cameramen and a virtual audience, Andrew Scott made another remarkable performance. On Sept. 5, I journeyed from my living room to The Old Vic in London to watch Scott’s monologue “Three Kings” written by Stephen Beresford. Following the maturation of an Irishman named “Patrick” and his relationship with his absent father over the years, Scott delivers a raw and emotional performance that feels totally believable. “Three Kings” refers to a puzzle Patrick’s father taught him at the age of 8 during a brief meeting after his parents separated. Patrick’s father promises to return once Patrick completes the puzzle, a lie Patrick swallows that leaves a bitter memory. In each act, we learn a bit more about Patrick’s father and the brutal impact his leaving left on his children. As Patrick interacts with people who were connected with his father over the years, the abandonment he felt becomes more evident. The play was supposed to debut in early August but with Scott undergoing an unexpected minor surgery the day before, the three performances were postponed. Well, I can tell you it was worth the wait. I’d never watched a live performance via Zoom before, and I was nervous. What if my internet connection has a hiccup (it did- I lost my connection five minutes before the start of the play and I anxiously restarted my computer, inwardly cursing our provider/area we live in). Maybe two or three times Scott froze before me for a few seconds but I somehow never
missed a moment of his monologue. And as for visuals, wow. I was impressed with how clear the video feed was - like Scott was in my living room delivering his performance to me personally (I wish!). One advantage of watching a play online rather in person is that the camera is a tool that can further the emotions of an actor. Throughout the hour, as the camera zoomed in on Scott’s face, the intimacy grew unlike what you could experience in person. I liked how the play was directed, and on screen, split screens showed audiences which act Scott was moving into. For act two, the screen was split in two with an up close view of Scott’s head that highlighted his emotions, while the second screen featured more of his body to further demonstrate how body language could tell his story; Act three featured the screen split in three and it was interesting how we could see Scott perform from different camera angles. While this may not be the ideal method for actors who prefer the stage to screen, in addition to performing alone, it’s one way that can continue to support the arts in a time when Covid-19 is changing the way we live.
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Issue 5 / October 2020
Celebrating 31 days of Halloween
(Left to right:) Nightmare Before Christmas, Let the Right One In (Swedish version), The VVitch
Brittany Mulligan
1. As Above, So Below 2. The Thing 3. Insidious 4. Dracula 5. Rocky Horror Picture Show 6. Let the Right One In 7. Shaun of the Dead 8. Silence of the Lambs 9. Prometheus 10. Alien: Covenant 11. Hellboy 12. Poltergeist 13. E.T. 14. Veronica
Oisín Ó’Ruacháinn
16. The Mummy 17. Hocus Pocus 18. The VVitch 19. Sleepy Hollow 20. The Ninth Gate 21. Halloween 22. Hereditary 23. The Conjuring
Cynthia Hall
25. The Harry Potter series 26. Nightmare Before Christmas 27. Practical Magic 28. The Shining 29. What We Do in the Shadows 30. Eve’s Bayou 31. A Quiet Place
(Left to right:) The Mummy, The Ninth Gate, Practical Magic
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Give Movies A Chance
The New Mutants Written by Brittany Mulligan Blu Hunt, Maisie Williams, Anya TaylorJoy, Charlie Heaton, Henry Zaga, Alice Braga Directed by Josh Boone Rating: C+
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group of young teenagers with extraordinary powers are kept in a facility for their own good. The New Mutants is like an introductory course to the X-Men franchise but with coarser language and less boundaries. Dani (Hunt) is a new mutant who doesn’t know what her power is yet and struggles to fit in with the others already locked up. She befriends Rain (Williams), a “good influence” who keeps an eye out for her as Dani is pushed and provoked by another teen. Not much is given away about how this
New re facility came to be or who the superiors are, but that can be forgiven if a sequel were to be made. Not that after watching this I would really want one, but it was entertaining. I liked the diversity of the actors, bringing in a range of characters who played Cherokee, Russian, Irish, South American, and North American roles. It’s a very limited cast, which might bore some audiences but at least it doesn’t overwhelm the story with any unnecessary plot lines. For a movie that has been teased for the past few years (New Mutants was originally anticipated to release in 2018), I was a little underwhelmed. There were some spooky aspects that brought something fun to the movie and it had potential to be even scarier but that’s probably not what the director had in mind. A solid C+ because it may be worth watching once but not really a second time.
Issue 5 / October 2020
eleases
TENET
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Written by Brittany Mulligan John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Kenneth Branagh, Elizabeth Debicki Directed by Christopher Nolan Rating: A-
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fter a prolonged wait for the theatrical release of Tenet, Christopher Nolan brings us an exciting new story that bends time. Similar to Inception, Tenet breaks the rules of how we see the world to bring us an impending doom from the future that must be stopped. The Protagonist (washington) is on a mission to discover a strange device that has an abnormal effect on the world around him before an enemy force can use it. Teaming up with a skillful ‘middleman’ named Neil (Robertson) to accomplish tasks hard to do solo, the Protagonist finds himself facing new challenges across the globe. Tenet is a lengthy, action-packed adventure that, if you just go with it, can be an enjoyable ride. Time certainly doesn’t stand still for this movie, but for audiences who weren’t a fan of the mind-bending Inception, they may want to pass on this one or go in with low expectations. The Protagonist kind of has a James Bond feel as he works with damsels in distress and to dismantle a threat that could change the world. Some of the biggest complaints I’ve heard other reviewers mention is 1) volume, 2) lack of emotions and 3) not a fan of the lady in distress theme. In regard to volume, it certainly can get loud at times, drowning out some dialogue. Personally, I had a bit of a hard time with accents but it didn’t make me feel like I lost any important part of the film. As to the second complaint, what more
emotions did you want? This wasn’t a romantic film, and neither did the main character get pulled into any romantic trysts (which was refreshing in my opinion). As to the third complaint, although Kat (Debicki) was portrayed as a stereotypical woman in distress, what’s wrong with that trope? She may not be the strong lead we’ve come to see in modern movies, but her character still contributed to furthering the plot. I did see Tenet twice, and gained some more insight upon my second watch, as well as clearing up some confusion I had toward the end of the film. On both occasions, I left the theater satisfied. It’s not as confusing as the trailers make it seem, and loose ends are resolved for a nice and tidy ending. This will definitely be a movie I’ll be excited to add to my collection, and I think if you can have an open mind, it may be one you enjoy too.
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Give Movies A Chance
Enola Holmes Written by James Davidson for FilmFodderBlog.com
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Enola Holmes” is a new mystery/adventure film that debuted on September 23rd, 2020 on the streaming service Netflix. It’s a retelling of the classic Sherlock Holmes story, but instead of focusing on Sherlock, this story features Enola, Sherlock’s teenage sister. It showcases an all-star cast, led by Millie Bobby Brown as “Enola”, and Henry Cavill as “Sherlock”. The story follows Enola as she searches for her mother, who has disappeared. As Enola comes into her own as a super sleuth, she attempts to outsmart her famous brother as she discovers a dangerous conspiracy surrounding the young Lord Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether. Enola must follow clues to not only find her mother, but find out who is out to get the young Lord Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether, as well as stay one step ahead of her brother. I thought that this film looked like a fun, fresh take on a classic story and I was excited to see how it would turn out. I was hoping for a complex mystery with some powerful acting, For the most part, I was impressed with the results. The plot was intriguing, with many unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. It had just the right amount of humour injected into the story to keep the mood of the film light and fun. I really enjoyed how Enola would break the fourth wall and talk to the audience and narrate her own story. I thought that it was a fun way to keep the audience informed and create an interior narrative for the character. I enjoyed the fact that Enola was the main protagonist. While Sherlock is in the story, he is a secondary character that takes a back seat to the young Enola. I thought this brought a new, interesting spin on the classic tale. It would have been easy for Sherlock to steal the show,
especially since he was played by a big star like Henry Cavill. However, Millie Bobby Brown did an incredible job portraying the young Enola and stole the show in her own right. Cavill
did a great job at portraying Sherlock, and letting Brown take the lead and showcase her talents. The one caveat to this movie is that there are many intertwining storylines and it’s easy to lose track of what is going on. I think that the writers did a great job at tying all of the plotlines up, but I felt at times they focused too much on one plot point while others took a backseat. There were also a few questions that were left unanswered, such as why Enola’s mother went missing in the first place. I would have liked to have seen a little more explanation for a few of the plot points that were left open-ended. This movie is rated PG-13 for some violence, but there is nothing too offensive in the film, and I think it makes a great movie for a family movie night. There are a few fight scenes, but not a lot of gore or unnecessary violence, and not too much offensive language at all. “Enola Holmes” is a fun, fresh take on a classic story, with many unexpected plot twists that will keep the entire family guessing until the very end. It has some incredible acting by some powerhouse actors and is a great choice for any family movie night. It earns 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Issue 5 / October 2020
The Devil All the Time Written by James Davidson for FilmFodderBlog.com
“The Devil All the Time” is a new crime thriller that premiered on Netflix in September. It stars Robert Pattinson, Haley Bennett, and Tom Holland as it follows a cast of nefarious characters in the 1960’s backwoods of the Northeastern U.S. that is teeming with corruption and brutality. Arvin (Holland) and Charlotte Russell (Bennett) are orphans who have grown up in the same home. After Charlotte is taken advantage of by the new preacher in town (Pattinson), Arvin begins a journey of revenge that will take him on a path of destruction that forces him to face his dark past. It will also bring him face to face with other iniquitous characters that are wreaking havoc on the rural region of the country. I watched the trailer for this movie and thought that it looked like a dark, slow burning, crime drama. I was expecting a complex plot with a lot of interesting characters that were depicted well by the actors. I was especially looking forward to seeing the acting since there are a lot of power house actors in this film. This movie is the definition of a slow burn, meaning it takes a while to get started, and might be a bit confusing at first, but it all comes together in the end. There are a lot of different storylines that follow a myriad of characters. It can get a bit convoluted at times and I found myself wondering more than once where the story was going. However the story all ties together by the ending and all of the characters become connected in one way or another. I thought that it was brilliantly done the way that the film was able to bring together a great number of characters in this way. I was a bit disappointed in the way some characters’ storylines were ended, or left open ended. There were one or two characters that the film just seemed to forget about. I think it
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would have been better to leave some of these characters out instead of leaving me wondering what happened to them. I think that there are possibly too many characters in the plot and it becomes a bit convoluted. Some of the quality of some of the characters suffers because the film is trying to focus on too many plot lines. I think that the movie could have been more concise and maybe eliminate some of the lesser characters and focus more on the main ones. I found the main characters to be portrayed to perfection. I thought that Tom Holland made the character of Arvin relatable, you can understand why he takes the path that he does and can really sympathise with him, especially knowing his past. The evil characters, mainly Preston Teagartin, played by Rober Pattinson, and Carl Henderson, (Jason Clarke) are easily detestable and you don’t feel bad for their outcomes at all. Then there are characters that are somewhere in between, they make terrible choices, but I could still relate to them and see where they were coming from, even though I didn’t agree with their choices. This film is rated R for violence, bloody/ disturbing images, sexual content, graphic nudity, and language throughout. There is quite a bit of graphic gore and sexual content in this movie, so if you are sensitive to these types of things, I suggest that you skip this film. “The Devil All the Time” is a slow burning crime drama with some incredible acting and relatable, interesting characters. Unfortunately it suffers from having too many characters and seemed to lose its way at times. However, it is a very enjoyable, interesting film with a complex plot and is a great film to watch with your friends or significant other. It earns 4 out of 5 stars.
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Give Movies A Chance
Evil Dead (2013) Written by Brittany Mulligan Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore Directed by Fede Alvarez Rating: B+
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here’s nothing like a good detox in an isolated cabin with your best friends. Oh, and releasing an evil spirit by opening a Book of the Dead, too. David (Fernandez) hasn’t seen his sister or friends for a few years. In that time his mother passed away, his sister got hooked on to drugs, and their friends have tried to give her an intervention after she O.D.’d. It failed the first time, so he agrees to meet up for a retreat, bringing his girlfriend along for support. When they arrive at the cabin, it looks like it had been used by some squatters. There’s a foul smell reeking from underneath the floorboard where it is revealed there is a trap door. Under the door dead cats hang from the ceiling and a book has been barb-wired shut. No one should touch the book, right? Wrong. Curious Eric (Pucci) cuts the wire and speaks aloud the curse which sends out a demon possessing the vulnerable, detoxing younger sister, Mia (Levy). Evil Dead has a great plot. Four friends, in the woods, trying to help Mia cold turkey hard drugs. After she starts seeing things in the woods, leading up to her possession, no one believes her that the trees were whispering and the bushes were tugging on her. It’s a great setup for the crazy girl to tell the truth and only the viewers know she’s right. The demon that takes hold of her soul is vulgar and violent. This movie does not shy away from gore. Before the end of the night is done, “possessed” Mia promises that each person will be dead before the end of the night. She has bonus powers that manipulate different friends minds into cutting themselves open, and has telekinetic powers that drag people
around the room. David seeks a way to save his sister from losing her soul to the demon but it is a bloody fight along the way. There is nothing but violence happening throughout the movie once Mia is possessed. It’s gruesome, it’s gross, but the effects are just incredible. Blood pores out of every surface in this movie and the non-stop action makes you wonder, what can happen next? This is why I think it deserves the B+ rating. After it ended, my thoughts were revolving around one word, “wow”. How could they fit so much violence in there without caring if it goes overboard? I initially didn’t like it, but after mulling it over, what won me was the plot and I was a little impressed with the shock factor of the gore. Evil Dead is not a remake of the 80s The Evil Dead trilogy, like I thought it was going into watching it. The 2013 version is a reboot, which makes more sense, while not trying to replace the old movies with fresher faces and better graphics. There are some nods to the original movie with similar occurrences happening to characters in the newer movie.
Issue 5 / October 2020
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As Above, So Below Written by Brittany Mulligan Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge, François Civil Directed by John Erick Dowdle Rating: A
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s Above, So Below takes the average psychological thriller and amps it up with an intelligent approach on a treasure hunt for the Philosopher’s Stone. Thank you, J.K. Rowling, for writing about the stone in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. As soon as the name Flamel was mentioned, I knew exactly what the object Scarlett (Weeks) was searching for and the qualities it held. Real or mythical? The Philosopher’s Stone was said to have been created by Nicolas Flamel with qualities to turn objects into gold, healing powers, and immortality to whoever has the stone in their possession. Scarlett continues her deceased father’s search for the stone, guided by his notebook and her knowledge of history. Flamel is buried in Paris and so the stone is speculated to be hidden near him. With the aid of an old friend, a cameraman to document her journey, and Parisians who have frequented the underground tunnels of Paris, Scarlett descends on a perilous path to unlocking the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone. The familiar path the French guides are used to trick them into walking back to the start of the tunnel. Only this time, the entrance has disappeared and they are forced into taking the dangerous unknown route. This route frightens the guides because they remember an old friend who lived in the tunnels one day explored it… and never came out. Haunted images follow the group on the trail to Flamel’s tomb. Claustrophobia builds tension and anxiety in the audience. The limited sight viewers have from cameras attached to each character’s head flashlight
give brief glimpses of terrifying specters. The sounds emitted from strange occurrences create hair-raising expectations that supernatural beings are around the corner. It’s enough to make you want to take a deep breath and partially cover your eyes to avoid fully seeing the stuff that makes up nightmares. The horror continues as the group descends farther into darkness. [SPOILER AHEAD] When the only way to get outside is to crawl through the gates of Hell, the leading question is can this story get any scarier? What does Hell look like? The challenge of surviving underground is slim. As Above, So Below combines history, puzzles, and myths into a psychological thriller that succeeds in being terrifying. There’s just the right amount of pop-out horror and tension to make the audience feel anxious about the next turn of events. It sets the right level of horror to potentially induce nightmares later on. If you’re looking for a good scare, this is the movie to spend your money on.
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Give Movies A Chance
What We Do in the Shadows Written by Brittany Mulligan Jemaine Clement, Taiki Waititi, Jonathan Brugh Directed by Jemaine Clement and Taiki Waititi
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n a modern New Zealand flat, four vampires share living quarters. Each were born in different centuries and get along with a shared set of rules. Unfortunately, Deacon (the newest vampire at 183-years-old) isn’t following the chore chart like he’s supposed to and the other roommates aren’t happy. Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav allow a film crew to follow their nightly lives as they try to get a fresh supply of blood delivered to their house and try to get into the hottest nightclub. When one of their dinner parties goes wrong and a would-be victim turns vampire, the group reluctantly accept him. They teach Nick (the new guy) the general rules of being a vampire (like don’t go telling everyone what you are) and he shows them the usefulness of modern technology (like computers). Nick can’t keep his new secret and tells everyone he meets, even his best human friend. Without thinking about consequences Nick brings his friend to an undead party, where zombies and vampires are eager to eat him. Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav re-think if being friends with Nick is going to work out. What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy in the style of a mockumentary. Audiences who enjoy television shows like The Office (U.S.) or Flight of the Conchords would most likely get the humor these vampires unintentionally show off. The undead life isn’t easy when you have five years worth of dishes to clean or like trying not to get blood on the vintage couch. These vampires who have never seen a sunrise since they were turned are now able to do so through the siblings, some of the material is funny. What Internet. It may be facing a tough audience but for We Do in the Shadows is worth a try for an 86-minute movie. those of us who have had roommates or
Issue 5 / October 2020
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The Shining
Written by Brittany Mulligan Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duval, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers Directed by Stanley Kubrick Based on the novel: The Shining by Stephen King Rating: A
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very winter the Overlook Hotel in Colorado is closed due to the heavy snow that blocks the roads. The hotel hires a caretaker to keep the place in shape during the long months from October to May. Jack Torrance (Nicholson), a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, takes the job as caretaker and moves his family into the hotel. The manager warns Jack that past caretakers have cracked under the intense isolation and admits that it once led to a gruesome murder. Not bothered by the news, Jack heartily accepts the position, saying that the peace and quiet is what he needs to write his novel. The head chef, Dick Hallorann (Scatman), notices something special in the Torrance’s young son, Danny. In a private conversation, he asks Danny about his psychic ability. He calls it “the shining”. Danny reluctantly explains that his invisible friend, Tony, shows him things that have and haven’t happened yet. Over a period of time when a brutal snowstorm cuts the Torrance’s off from communication, they begin to feel suffocated by the emptiness of the hotel. Strange phenomenon’s start to occur and Jack becomes taken over by insanity. The Shining was just creepy enough without going overboard to induce nightmares. Director Stanley Kubrick chose the right moments to zoom the camera on things in the movie. It wasn’t overdone, which was perfect for creating tension. Kubrick plays on a few types of fear: the supernatural, the familial, and the isolation. There are elements of the strange, like
Danny’s ability and the brief encounters that haunt the hotel rooms. Then there is the fear of Danny’s own father, who is driven crazy and is on a murdering rampage. The isolation plays into fear because of how alone the family is. The only connection they have to the outside world is through the radio. The police can do little but comfort them over the airwaves. The music of the film played a vital role in manipulating the viewer’s emotion. There were some disturbing compositions, like in the opening of the movie with the car driving along the mountain. The music was ominous here and then a strange birdcall-like sound puts the viewer on edge. Another example is when a scene cut, the next one began with a black screen setting the timeline and it was dead quiet for two seconds. It was perfect because at the end of one scene, the sudden quiet makes the viewer tense and ready to jump a few times. There’s no wonder why The Shining is a classic. It’s a terrifying but enjoyable movie.
