The Shining Analysis

There are an infinite number of websites and articles that analyze The Shining. It would take a lifetime to comprehensively read all of it. I have attempted to compile a list of the most legitimate resources out there…

What I’m asking you to do, is not to fully read everything (that would still take forever), but rather skim, and see what interests you. After narrowing down the pages that interest you most, then read a little closer and take some notes. Use the “Shining Web Notes” sheet to take your notes. You should evaluate/read at least three different websites. The endgame will be an essay analyzing The Shining, so make sure to take down notes that will help support your analysis.

Exhaustive, deep analysis:

• Rob Ager: Broken down by chapter and very extensive, some theories hold water...some are a little suspect. 
• Juli Kearns: While Ager’s website deals more with themes, this one concerns itself more with the film form. It includes shot-for-shot analyses, and really breaks down the filmmaking techniques. 
• Andy Buckle: A nice, compact essay that incorporates some of the better information/analysis from the above sites. 

Comparison of the book and the film:

• Justin Morrow: Pretty thorough look that compares the book and film. 

Critical review of the film:

• Richard T. Jameson from Film Comment : Film review from 1980--when the film came out. Different than other reviews in that it is from a scholarly film magazine. 

Fun and light trivia and links:

• Meredith Danko: 25 things you might not know about the Shining; some cool trivia. 
• Lee Unkrich: Fan site that links a lot of cool videos relating to the film (fun fact-he directed Toy Story 3). 

And Other Stuff...

• The Shining is actually about the moon landing being staged by Kubrick
• The film is about the US Government's genocide of Native Americans. 
• What if The Shining was a romantic comedy? 
• Or re-enacted by bunnies in 30-seconds? 
• Or spoofed in the Simpsons?