Review of Room 237 (2012) by Scowly X — 19 May 2017

Attention all zealots of conspiracy theories and fans of unsubstantiated propaganda--this film is for you. Whether or not Kubrick's take on 'The Shining' had intentional hidden messages or not, some of these outrageously risible theories are straight up grasping-at-straws-level ridiculous. Ideas of racism, government involvement, etc. This is paranoia propagation at its most ludicrous--Kubrick would be laughing in his grave at some of the outlandish material these researchers suggest. With every new hypothesis from these variegated cinephiles, the movie often approaches a revelatory point without actually reaching it, rendering the perception of this documentary as some kind of cinematic April Fool's joke, a grand epiphany that never manifests.

Ultimately, for serious Kubrick fans, I wouldn't waste the time. This movie offers little validating evidence of any "hidden meanings", as the theories tailspin into a dark hole of obscurity.

The disclaimer--"Neither this film, nor any view or opinion expressed in it, NOR the context in which film footage and images are used, is approved or endorsed by, or is in any way associated with...Stanley Kubrick's family...or anyone else connected with the making of ['The Shining']"--succinctly states it all.