Beauty vs Beast: Writers Retreat
Monday, October 20, 2014 at 2:46PM JA from MNPP here with our third week's worth of Halloween-flavored "Beauty vs Beast" treats - today we're swerving away from Wes Craven's cadre of high school students in distress to hit up a whole different kind of Final Girl fight club: jump in the Snowcat, we're heading up to The Overlook Hotel to face off the ill-fated Torrances, Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and Jack (Jack Nicholson), with their snowed-in battle for little Danny's soul.
You've just got one week til the cold takes over, the elevator doors swing open, and the blood gets off on the second floor, so cast your votes and let us know which Torrance you feel for in the comments.
PREVIOUSLY You screamed, I screamed, we all screamed for Wes Craven and his 1996 slasher classic Scream - would Sidney whoop those bad boys Billy and Stu's butts once again? Naturally she did - four full movies couldn't keep our Super Bitch down, this was no contest. Said Tom:
"This is my 90's! Sidney all the way. She isn't the perfect innocent virginal girl most horror movies have as the heroine. She is probably just as disturbed as the villains she defeats. She fights the darkness inside and out. No wonder there was speculation that she would be the killer in Scream 4."
Reader Comments (19)
Team Jack. "Here's Johnny!" is one of the most inspired line readings in film history. Jack manages to define his character, reflect pop culture, be comedic and scare the hell out of everyone with just two words. No contest.
Shelley Duvall is a Gumby-esque goddess. Her flailing around the Overlook adds a campiness that feels tonally detached from the rest of the film, but somehow still works.
Theyr'e both marvelous in this movie. Tough choice. It's enough to drive me slowly mad
All work and no play makes Nat a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nat a dull boy
Allwork and noplaymakesNat a dull boy
All work and no play makes Nat a dullboy.
All work and not play makes Nat a dull boy.
All work and noplay makes Nat a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Nat a dull boy.
all work and no play makes Nat a dull boy.
All work and noplaymakesNat a dull boy.
All work andno play makes Nat a dull boy.
I can't imagine a scenario in which I'd vote against Shelly Duvall. Ever.
Shelley Duvall should have won her second Oscar for this, for real.
I can't believe Team Jack is losing in a landslide!
I adore both! One of Nicholson's many iconic roles and certaintly the role that still makes people remember Duvall today. I think I'm on Team Wendy on this one.
Shelley Duvall forever. And ever. And ever. And ever. And ever...
There are only a few line readings in any movie of any genre (comedy or otherwise) that make me laugh as loud and heartily as Jack Nicholson mimicking Shelley Duvall's "As soon as possi-BELL?!"
Ha! Weird - I had already set out my copy to watch tonight.
P.S. Team Wendy, bitches.
My college roommate always said she thought I looked like Shelley Duvall, so Wendy all the way!
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Hello. I'm Shelley Duvall.
Wendy all the way. Is there any other actress who worked with directors like these in a row (in their peak, also)?: Altman, Altman, Altman, Altman, Altman, Allen, Kubrick, Altman.
I'm torn y'all! Nicholson is so awesome in this role that I want to vote for him, but then again Wendy is more resourceful than he thought she was. But my gosh all that flailing! I'm surprised she didn't stab herself.
I can't believe Wendy is running away in this vote.
I love Shelly Duvall, but no one can naturally beat Jack Nicholson, ever.
Love Wendy and I will always defend the character and performance. But my vote goes to Jack all the way.
Craver - i'm surprised too. I mean i know TFE fans love Shelley Duvall but Jack's role is so iconic.
I think many may assume Jack will get the lion's share so perhaps that has skewed the vote.
I have to vote for Shelley Duvall! Uniquely gorgeous and criminally underrated.
Really tough choice! Probably the hardest Beauty vs. Beast poll. I'd have to go with Jack, who's great at making lunacy both hilarious and menacing here. His belittling of Shelley sends chills down my spine.
P.S. I think Shelley is Oscar-worthy in this, too!