Watch The sCHining

The sCHining is a seven-episode web series from CollegeHumor, parodying the classic horror movie, The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick. The show features Grant O'Brien playing Jack Torrance, the lead character who is appointed as a caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel during the winter as he wants some peace to work on his writing. He brings along his wife, Finley (Katie Marovitch), and their son, Danny (Raphael Chestang). But soon things start to go haywire, and their stay at the hotel turns into a nightmare.

The show follows the original story of The Shining with some comedic twists. The characters of Jack, Finley, and Danny at times break the fourth wall and acknowledge that they are in a parody of the movie. The first couple of episodes set the premise of the story and introduce the characters. It showcases the family's journey to the hotel, where they are greeted by the hotel's cook, Dick Hallorann, played by Mike Trapp, who warns young Danny about the creepy past of the hotel.

As the show progresses, it introduces other characters, including the hotel's owner, Mr. Ullman, a perfect blend of humor and intimidation, portrayed brilliantly by Zac Oyama, the hotel's caretaker, Grady, played by Siobhan Thompson, and the hotel's head bartender, Lloyd, played by Raphael Chestang, who also played Danny.

The show's director, Vincent Peone, and the writer's team execute the satire flawlessly. The show takes every opportunity of The Shining's iconic scenes and exaggerates them to the maximum limit possible. The sCHining includes various hilarious skits like the 'Jack Nicholson eyebrows' scene, the 'Redrum' scene, and the 'Here's Johnny' scene.

The show also parodies some other famous horror movies and TV shows, such as The Exorcist, Hannibal, Bates Motel, and others. The sCHining humorously makes fun of these movies by putting its characters in similar scenarios.

The cast delivers their performances astounding-ly, and they all have a unique way of portraying their characters. Katie Marovitch's performance as Finley is top-notch as she adds humor in situations where it's least expected. Her comedic timing is impeccable and adds a much-needed balance to Grant O'Brien's portrayal of the overly crazy Jack Torrance. Siobhan Thompson's performance as Grady is a standout as she nails her character with precision, giving out spine-chilling vibes.

Raphael Chestang's portrayal of both Lloyd and Danny is amusing as he switches between the two characters flawlessly. Even though Danny's character is somewhat off from the original story, Chestang's performance makes it work. Mike Trapp as the hotel's cook, Dick Hallorann, brings a friendly and hilarious character to the mix, making the viewer forget his original role in the movie.

The show's production value is top-notch, with the visuals resembling the movie's original scenes. The cinematography and set design are executed with perfection, giving it an authentic look.

Overall, The sCHining is a fantastic parody of the classic horror movie, The Shining. The show doesn't shy away from taking jabs at the original movie and other horror movies, adding its own unique style to the mix. The episodes are set up in a way that the viewers would want to keep watching, as the comedy remains fresh and entertaining throughout. The cast's performances are memorable, and the show's production is top-notch, successfully parodying the iconic scenes of The Shining. The sCHining is worth a watch if you're in for some good laughs and are familiar with The Shining.