Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep is a monumental achievement of tension, suspense, forgiveness and sacrifice I’m not soon to forget.

The complex plot takes some time to get used to, especially if you’ve come to the theater expecting a story consistent with the simplicity of “The Shining.” If that was easy as pie, this is easy as Pi. But when it confidently hits its stride near the middle, Doctor Sleep is gripping.

When it’s good, Doctor Sleep is mighty good.

For all the fresh originality of the first half, why do we have to retread Kubrick’s film again? Leashing the film adaptation so closely to Kubrick’s film is a missed opportunity for this story to realize the full mystical potential promised.

For as much as the story concerns leaping into other people’s heads, Flanagan never quite gets into Danny’s; his tortured grappling with his memories is abstract at best, McGregor’s mostly functional performance failing to offer the necessary window into that process.

Flanagan is more faithful to "The Shining" than he was to Shirley Jackson’s "Hill House," but he ends each with a twist that functions as a smug reproach.

A soul-killing sequel that gets its kicks torturing and murdering children and offers little hope or redemption. King has long wanted to commit “Redrum” on the reputation of Kubrick’s film, which he openly despises. Nearly 40 years later, this adaptation of King’s 2013 book “Doctor Sleep” doesn’t so much tarnish Kubrick as embarrass itself.

The first horror/thriller I ever saw with memory was The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe which was lackluster to me. Ever since I have attempt to watch multiple horror and thriller films where they didn't do much for me. Even the recent IT Chapter I & II were good, but they were not exceptional or game changing or threw me for a loop. This pretext is important, as I find Doctor Sleep not only to be one of the most effective horror/thriller films, but also one of the most stylized and enjoyable movies I have ever seen. The movie balances being both a sequel to the movie The Shining and the novel by Stephen King. All the while keeping the movie tonally consistent, handling themes of alcoholism, forgiveness, and tenacity. All the performances from both adults and children are believable and terrifyingly immersive. This movie does not shy away from the horror aspect, it slowly burns tension with terror without relying on jump scares. Utilizing camera works to emphasize interpersonal intimate moments whether comfortable or uncomfortable. My only recommendation for enjoying this film is to watch the extended edition, the reason is that it improves the theatrical cut. Most movies have extended edition making you scratch your head wondering why certain scenes weren't included, and adversely makes you realize why they were cut. However, with the extended edition of Doctor Sleep 99% of scenes improve the entire experience of the enjoying the movie. There is a singular scene that feels a little out of place near the end, but apart from that very brief scene the movie is better at the longer run time. Do not let the other reviews dissuade you from seeing this movie, please do yourself a favor and indulge this beautifully well done film.

/ /

Schauspieler ok, drehbuch ist echt schlecht. Für die Länge des Films wird auch schlussendlich wenig erklärt.

I don’t know how to describe how I feel about Doctor Sleep but ill start with the fact that this looked like a showtime movie. Everything from the color correction, the acting, the editing, the laughable CGI, to the set design looked like a cheap television show. The characters were hilariously underwritten and poorly developed. Lets take a look at the main characters of Doctor Sleep. First we have hipster witch **** who was the most cliché and uninspired villain Hollywood has seen in a long while. Her costume design alone was enough to send shivers down my spine. Next we have teenage supergirl who was completely lifeless, poorly acted, and was a constant reminder that this movie was very likely intended for a much younger audience. Then we have a generic alcoholic version of Renton from Trainspotting who really did a great job playing an addict. (Just kidding go watch **** Trainspotting) What really busted my nut was the recurring homages to Kubrick which served as constant reminders of how good The Shining is and how bad this movie is. I laughed out loud when I saw the continued attempts to recreate iconic shots from The Shining as if it would trick the audience into believing the two films were even close to being on the same level. I know it’s most likely not fair to compare this film to one of the greatest horror movies of all time but it’s incredibly difficult not to when you see the repeated attempts to recreate what Kubrick envisioned. How can the audience be expected not to compare these two films when the only moments of genuine cinematic style in Doctor Sleep are blatant recreations of scenes from The Shining. Not one moment of this movie was interesting, thrilling, unique, or necessary.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]