After months of waiting since the release of Room 237 trailer,i finally got to watch it.
Room 237, a documentary feature directed by Rodney Ascher explores numerous theories about Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' and it's hidden meaning. I myself am not a fan of horror flick but since it was a Kubrick film,i had to see it.  I find the film to be both disturbingly scary and fascinating. Who could forget the iconic moment of little Danny riding on his tricycle through the corridors of the Overlook Hotel and confronts the infamous Grady twins.

In case you were wondering, Room 237 refers to the room in the Overlook Hotel claimed by the hotel's caretaker to be haunted, and avoided at all cost. Danny's curiosity about room 237 gets the better of him when he sees the room's door open. All hell breaks loose after that.
Personally,I think it's one of the the most remarkable filmmaking work in cinema history ,with the its stunning use of steady cam and brilliant execution of atmospheric sound/noises in creating the psychological space for the film.

Anyway,back to the documentary..

When i first saw the film,i knew there was something cryptic about it. I knew the film has a historical content attached to it, because there was a mention of the hotel built on top of a Native Indian burial ground.Apart from that, we are constantly reminded about the past, when apparitions appear in a form of the murdered Grady twins, the mysterious bartender Lloyd whom Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) had conversations with, and not to forget, the murderous caretaker himself, Delbert Grady confronting Jack and reminding him that he ( Jack) had always been the caretaker. It was almost like an obituary of the building's violent history, that somehow manifested within the walls of the hotel. 
The ideas about The Shining as a meditation on historical guilt and the return of the repressed are powerful.

Room 237 proved my suspicious when it revealed, that there were others who have developed far-reaching theories and believe they have decoded the hidden symbols and messages buried in the late director's film. Carefully examining The Shining inside out, and forwards and backwards, Room 237  gives voice to the fans and scholars who espouse these theories, reworking the film to match their ideas and intercutting it with layers of dreamlike imagery to illustrate their streams of consciousness.
They are convinced the characters' dialogue, their clothing and even the pattern of the Overlook's carpet are codes. Breaking those cryptic clues, they argue, reveals hidden messages about the genocide of America's indigenous people, the Nazi's Final Solution and even an admission the 1969 Moon Landing was faked. 
I was blown away by these theories ,that it prompted me to watch the movie all over again and forge my own research and theories. 

I think that was the point of the whole documentary. That a well crafted film, could withstand the test of time. The brilliance and craftsmanship of  Stanley Kubrick, the ambiguity in his work, still captivates  audiences till this day.

I don't want to spoil the documentary, but do check it out.

Enjoy the trailer:

I was just taking a break from work when i caught the last few minutes of  Mad Men season 5 Finale episode on the FX channel.  I just love the way they shot the last scene with Nancy Sinantra's You Only Live Twice' music in playing in the background.The scene begins with Don leaving the film set (where Meagan was shooting her commercial) walking as the camera tracks and ends up at a bar alone ordering a drink. An attractive blonde asks him for a light and points to her friend at the end. 'My friend wants to know if you're alone.' Don slowly turns his head toward the beautiful brunette, a signature smirk on his handsome face. Before he could answer, the season ended in a brilliant cliffhanger.

It was epic.

I don't what it is....Maybe its because Skyfall just opened in cinemas and there's been a lot of Bond frenzy lately.Or perhaps 'You only Live Twice' is one of my two favorite Bond theme song,with the other one being 'Diamonds are Forever' by Shirley Bassey...I just love that cliffhanger.
To tell you the truth,i don't follow Mad Men religiously. But i've watched enough episodes to understand the drama that's been going on throughout the seasons, especially Don Draper's character and story development. Don Draper could always be counted on for one thing: seducing women. But the beginning of season 5, it looked as if his womanizing days were over when he married his second love, the stunning and wise Meagan. But something happened and all bets are off. If you follow the show, you'd understand what's Don's smirk represent. I'm really excited to see what the creator have install for for the next season.

I really appreciate the originality of the show. You can tell that the creator did a lot of research in portraying the hey days of the advertising industry set during that era by looking at the production value of the show; the costume design,make up, set design, cultural/political/historical references etc. 
With good storytelling and strong cast,it's one of the best shows i've seen so far. And being in advertising myself, i understand the dramas that goes around behind closed door of the advertising world.

Apart from the advertising and office politics references ,the show was nostalgic. It reminded me a lot about P.Ramlee, about the music back in the days, the black/white films, women in traditional kebaya dresses , prima donnas like Maria Menado, Sarimah and of course, Saloma. 

It seemed like a cool era to be in.