Room 237

I am a Kubrick superfan and have been thoroughly changed by his movies. I watched Room 237 today, a film about the many theories surrounding The Shining and the evidence that these ideas are based upon. Regardless of whether you think that The Shining is a metaphor for the Holocaust, the USA's genocide of the Native Americans or a confession of Kubrick's assistance with faking the moon landing, Room 237 is a must watch for anyone who's seen The Shining more than twice.

Although I am always fascinated by conspiracy theories and "hidden messages" in art, I rarely believe them. I am extremely interested in the popular conspiracy theory that Paul McCartney is actually dead, but I know that it's nonsense, or the Vinland Map that supposedly shows the Vikings in New England long before it could be possible. The difference between topics like that and Kubrick's Shining, is that in Kubrick's case, there really are hidden messages.

Mr. Kubrick is obsessed with little background details and depth perception. He purposely moves chairs and changes the properties of objects mid-scene, or frame by frame. Carpet patterns change directions in a split second, scenes fade into each other causing startling images that last for just a moment, like an outdoors scene going indoors, and for just a split second it looks like a teepee is on fire. The Calumet can is something I specifically remember from the first time I saw the movie, and Room 237 really explains the meaning behind the placement of such a unique item.

Now, not every idea in Room 237 is a valid one, for instance, I don't believe anything substantial can be learned from playing the movie forwards and backwards at the same time overlapping, but I love the fanaticism. Looking deeper into Kubrick's movies isn't something you can show someone, or pressure them into doing, it only happens when your brain spontaneously clicks on it's own during one of his films. When your mind starts piecing together all of the Native American clues, it becomes very exciting when you think you're onto something, and then confirm it. If you appreciate Stanley Kubrick's genius, or are at all interested in seeing what happens when a super genius intentionally fills a masterpiece with subliminal messages, then watch Room 237. Right now.