I love horror movies going back to when I was a kid. As much as I love horror movies I wasn’t impressed with “The Shining” when I saw growing up and I never saw the 1997 mini-series. As a result I’m wasn’t that invested in the story and characters of “The Shining” before this fall. My husband read “Doctor Sleep” and really enjoyed the book and since the movie adaptation stars the ever so talented and still ever so sexy Ewan McGregor I decided to give this world another shot.
Before going to see “Doctor Sleep” back in November my husband and I re-watched “The Shining”. I did find the film more entertaining as an adult than I did as a kid. However, I do think that Jack Nicholson (who can be a subtle actor right character and director) is so over the top that it is distracting. I can see why in 1980 Stanley Kubrick just let Jack Nicolson do his thing but in retrospect it was a mistake that takes away from the power of the film.
As for “Doctor Sleep” itself, without reading either book I have to say I was very impressed. As a horror movie it is creep and a good deal of tension. As a drama the film has a lot of layers. It manages to truly pick up nearly forty years after “The Shining” and make the continuation feel real. At his best Stephen King can use horror to channel real life issues and he certainly does with this story.
It still baffles me that as Ewan McGregor get close to 50 that he still hasn’t received an Oscar nomination, and I’m sure this film won’t change that. But still if Daniel Kaluuya can get nominated for “Get Out” then Ewan McGregor should get nominated for “Doctor Sleep”. McGregor brilliantly plays the first half of the film as a drama and the second half as a horror movie. I was really impressed and that’s saying something because I’ve been impressed with his talent for decades. Kyliegh Curran is fantastic as Abra and Rebecca Ferguson perfect as Rose the Hat.
Although it’s gone from theatres I highly recommend “Doctor Sleep” for at home viewing for anybody who likes Ewan McGregor, Stephen King adaptations, “The Shining” or horror movies.
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Here is a description:
Justin Gomez and his sister, Terri, have never been close. Separated by nine years and distant in adulthood, Justin and Terri have little in common, except for the love of her three children. In the days before they embark on a road trip to visit the father that once abandoned them and their now deceased mother, both Terri and Justin are dealing with unexpected changes in their lives. Justin surprisingly realizes he might want more than a series of one night stands after a first date goes unexpectedly well. After a lifetime of being a strong type A personality, Terri is forced to confront the reality of the end of her marriage. As they hit the road, with Terri’s children in tow, they find themselves forced to rely on and confide in each other following a devastating event. Confronted with memories from the past and challenges from the present, Terri and Justin must dig deep and unearth the truth about themselves and their parents in order to build a new family based on their love for each other.
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