Editorials
Happy 36th Birthday to Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining!’
On May 23, 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s seminal horror film The Shining was unleashed upon the world. Adapted from Stephen King’s classic 1977 novel of the same name, The Shining has become known as one of the scariest movies of all time, as well as regarded as one of the best horror films of all time. We all know Stephen King feels about Kubrick’s adaptation of his third novel, but interestingly enough, audience and critical reception were decidedly mixed when the film was first released. We thought we’d take a look back at just what people thought about The Shining back in 1980.
In terms of box office, The Shining would go on to gross $44 million upon in 1980 ($127.8 million in 2016 dollars). Of course, it only made $622,337 its opening weekend. That was only in 10 theaters, which gives it a respectable $62,233.70 per theater average, but when you consider the fact that Friday the 13th grossed $5.8 million when it opened just two weeks prior (though that was in 110x more theaters) it puts it a bit more into perspective. Luckily, the film would go on to earn more than double its $19 million production budget.
Would you believe that The Shining was also nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards? Stanley Kubrick was nominated for Worst Director and Shelley Duvall was nominated for Worst Actress (something Stephen King was probably not too upset about). In fact, The Shining was the only one out the last nine films that Kubrick made not to be nominated for an Academy Award or a Golden Globe. It seems almost impossible to believe now, but The Shining was once critically maligned by many critics.
Variety agreed with King’s perception of the film, stating that it “destroy[ed] all that was so terrifying about Stephen King’s bestseller.” The Guardian wrote that “If The Shining isn’t trivial, it certainly encourages one to think that it is.” Gary Arnold of The Washington Post went on to describe it as an “elaborately ineffective scare movie.” What is fascinating about his review is that he points out that trailer for the film gives away its best money shot (the blood coming out of the elevator doors), showing that even in 1980, people were pissy about trailers showing all the good stuff.
Not all reviews were so negative, however. Janet Maslin of the The New York Times gave the film a positive review, though she did mention that “the film’s climactic chase virtually fizzles out before it reaches a resolution.” Roger Ebert, who failed to review the film upon its initial release would go back to the film in 2006 and add it to his list of “Great Movies.”
Of course, we all know that The Shining is a fantastic film, right? Truth be told, The Shining was always one of my least favorite Stephen King novels (I’m so sorry Mr. King. If we ever meet please don’t hold that against me). I’m more of a Misery guy myself, but perhaps my general animosity toward’s King’s novel is why I love Kubrick’s film version so much. King was right when he described the film as “cold” and that’s what makes it such an effective and (sorry) chilling horror film.
What are your thoughts on The Shining? Do your negative thoughts on the film now feel validated by knowing that not everyone adores the film? Or do find the film to be the classic it is so often claimed to be? Either way, give the film a re-watch on its 36th birthday today, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
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