The Shining Analysis

In class we were given a number of different film covers and asked to looked at them and connote what we thought the covers were trying to imply.
For instance, one of the films we were asked to analyise was the film 'The Shining'. Just from looking at the front cover you can tell that it is going to be a horror. One thing that allows you to tell this is the facial expressions used. For instance the man has a strange exited look on his face - possibly implying that he has gone slightly insane. He also has a deranged look in his eyes which are directed towards her, telling us that it is her who he wants to hurt. The woman on the right is hiding so is therefore scared for her safety, her facial expression also reads that she's terrified.
  If you look at the two weapons in this film cover you will see that the woman is holding a knife in her hand. Usually this would signify violence but if you contrast her knife with the massive axe that is be swung through the door then it starts to look less like a threat and more like a defence mechanism.
  Another suggestion that she is the victim or good person in this movie is the fact that she is surrounded by white, which symoblises pureness and innocence where as the man is surrounded by colours such as red and black. This symbolises danger and evil. It's implied that he has been chasing her around for squite some time as he is sweating on his forhead and her hair is messy, showing that she has been hiding from him for quite some time.