The Shining
Think of the greatest terror imaginable. Is it a monstrous alien? A lethal epidemic? Or, as in this harrowing masterpiece from Stanley Kubrick, is it fear of murder by someone who should love and protect you - a member of your own family?
From a script he co-adapted from the Stephen King novel, Kubrick melds vivid performances, menacing setting, dreamlike tracking shots and shock after shock into a milestone of the macabre. In a signature role, Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, who's come to the elegant, isolated Overlook Hotel as off-season caretaker with his wife and son. Torrance has never been there before - or has he? The answer lies in a ghostly time warp of madness and murder.
Member Reviews
One of my favorite films - SpockClone
I find it very strange that Stephen King has said that this movie simply wasn't very scary. I suppose he is right in that it's a very atmospheric type of scary instead of a slasher blood spatter type of scary.
Jack Nicholson is superb. It's worth watching this movie just for his performance alone. I don't know if he won any awards for it, but he should have won them all.
The photography, scenery and locales are magnificent. It's a visual feast.
The plot is a bit slow developing, but the story is beautifully told and should be savored like a fine wine. I know the movie isn't perfect, but somehow I forgive all it's flaws, and love to watch it.. it's like an old friend I never get tired of seeing.Never gets old.....ever. - samiam1
I love this movie. Love, love, love it. I don't think of it as a horror movie at all. It's art. It's beautifully acted and wonderfully directed and don't get me started on the novel. As an avid Stephen King fan, this movie is one of the few of his books made into film that does the book justice. Sure some things have been changed, good books aren't generally written as screenplays.
There are so many great scenes in this movie. But my all time favorite is the slow moving scene Jack & Wendy take to the stairs, right after she's read what he's been working on. Killer scene.Epic horror masterpiece. - dural78
What can I say that hasn't been said before? Jack Nicholson slide into delusion and insanity is convincingly frightening. While the movie is long, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Movies of this scope are terrifying on a psychological level, and are far more effective than the cheap thrills of most modern movies. This movie plants seed of horror in your mind, rather than relying on clichéd crutches like silent passages followed with loud noises.
The musical score heightens the suspense and terror of the premise. The majestic shots of the mountains are truly awesome. The camera angles of the characters inside the hotel, and the use of mirrors during Jack's conversations are excellent.
My only slight criticism are the loose ends that were included in the book, but omitted from the film. Also, while the casting of Jack Nicholson works well for when Jack snaps and goes nuts, it certainly does not leave any room for doubt that he will indeed snap. While Nicholson can indeed play a psycho path to perfection, his "nice guy" persona still creepy, and doesn't have a Jackal/Hyde type of extreme.
Minor quibbles aside, this is truly an epic film.
Member Reviews
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One of my favorite films - SpockClone
I find it very strange that Stephen King has said that this movie simply wasn't very scary. I suppose he is right in that it's a very atmospheric type of scary instead of a slasher blood spatter type of scary.
Jack Nicholson is superb. It's worth watching ...Never gets old.....ever. - samiam1
I love this movie. Love, love, love it. I don't think of it as a horror movie at all. It's art. It's beautifully acted and wonderfully directed and don't get me started on the novel. As an avid Stephen King fan, this movie is one of the few of his books ...Epic horror masterpiece. - dural78
What can I say that hasn't been said before? Jack Nicholson slide into delusion and insanity is convincingly frightening. While the movie is long, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Movies of this scope are terrifying on a psychological ...