The Shining

Good Movie!

As a fan of Sephen King's book I went to the movie theater to see this movie back when it was playing in the theaters and despite not being all that faithful to the book I liked it and thought Jack Nicholson was great as Jack Torrance. By the way: I think it needs to be pointed out that Stephen King never actually said that he hated this version of the book. I watched an interview with him on TV and he said he thought this movie was visually stunning and very scary but that some important aspects of the novel were left out that really explained why this family was doomed. The psycological horror of the alcoholisim, etc.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

weak preformances

Shelly Duvall's portrayal of Wendy Torrance was to weepy and Jack Nicholson made Jack Torrance look evil from the start runining most of the movie.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The most overrated horror movie ever.

''The Shining'' is probably the most disappointing film I've ever seen. I had heard so much about it that when I saw it, I was so disappointed. Some scenes were creepy, but the film mostly just dragged on forever. The length and pacing for the film were unbearable. This is probably the only ''classic'' horror film that just bored me to no end. Jack Nicholson and Scatman Crothers are both great talents, but they seemed to be wasted here. Director Stanley Kubrick seems more concerned with subtle visual details than story or character development. That was what made his sci-fi epic ''2001'' dull and boring. That same thing occurs with ''The Shining''. I was not scared out of my wits; I was mostly bored out of my skull.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The shining

i didn't really like this movie as much as the book the book was better because it had a nice plot and it just gave you a nice visual. the movie was ok but the soudtrack was pretty good i thought but the actual film i didn't really like.

An exciting epic horror movie!

Kubrick's the Shining is very different from King's version. However, if you are willing to accept these differences, you are in for one heck of a ride! Overall I'd give this movie a 8.5/10, or 4 stars.

A masterpiece in horror

Director Stanley Kubrick outdid himself in this adaptation of legendary author Stephen King's The Shining. Set in a remote hotel in the middle of nowhere, Jack Nicholson takes his wife and son to gaurd the hotel while it is closed for the winter. However, their psychic son has visions of the hotels gory past and its deadly future intentions. Jack soon looses his mind and begins a rampage through the building after his family. Kubrick directs every scene, every frame with utter perfection. Moreover, the most frightening character in the film is the music score. The eerie sounds alone builds the suspense, along with the high pitch instruments and the low bass of the tubas. Blood and gore dont play too much of an element in The Shining because it doesn't have to. A favorite classic that has yet to be outdone.

It's a classic!

One of those movies you have to see.

Jack Nicholson classic

This is one of my favorite movies. Nobody does crazy like Jack Nicholson.

never looking at a hotel the same way again

after watching this, good god was it creepy but love the camera work and those girls creep me out especially the young/old lady. eww. this is the story of a family, a hotel and one hell of a stay. redrum, redrum!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the all-time classics

Almost 30 years after it was released to much criticism and low box office results, "The Shining" proves its value as a horror film and as a Stanley Kubrick product by continuing to fascinate, scare and entertain. Watching the movie again recently on DVD "on my laptop computer, a completely new and different viewing experience for this 1980 film", I was struck by how beautiful "The Shining" is just on the level of production design and cinematography. I was only 10 when the movie was first released, so I didn't see it in theaters, but I'm sure it was awesome on the big screen. This is one of the great horror stories. The screenplay has a purity that puts it on a level with "Jaws," "The Exorcist" and "Alien." Also, it's the classic haunted house/homicidal lunatic tale. Kubrick makes us believe in two things vital to the story: the satanic power of the Overlook Hotel, and the Jeckyl/Hyde insanity of Jack Torrance. Jack's craziness feeds into the horrific psychic energies of the hotel, and vice-versa. By the end of the movie, it is clear that the hotel itself wants little Danny and poor, pathetic Wendy murdered, and that Jack is its instrument of destruction. The performances are still remarkable. This is the high-water mark of Jack Nicholson's impressive career. Who cares if he's over the top? He's terrifying all by himself in this movie, without Kubrick's zoom shots, without the gore and without the hotel. Think of him as playing a werewolf, one whose transformation is triggered by alcohol and rage instead of the full moon. Nicholson nailed it. Shelley Duvall cringes, weeps, screams, cowers and flees as Jack's enabler, Wendy. She is the weakest link in the film "you just want to slap her", but that's Kubrick's fault, not Duvall's. Watch the superlative "Making Of" documentary on the DVD and you will understand why her performance turned out the way it did. Kubrick basically hated her and made no secret of it. Then there's Danny Lloyd, as little Danny Torrance, the gifted child whose talents enrage his abusive father. Critics called his performance "wooden" back in the day, but in 2007, Lloyd makes so many contemporary child actors appear lame by comparison. "The Shining" works just fine as it is, what one critic called an "epic horror film." But there are other, deeper levels to explore, such as the significance of the hedge maze, the numbers game, the seeming "continuity errors," and two completely unrelated subtexts. One relates to McLuhan's "medium is the massage" theory, the other, to the genocide waged against American Indians "the Overlook is built on a pagan Indian burial ground". Check around on the Web for scholarly insights into these storylines. Despite some flaws, "The Shining" stands tall as one of the best films of the last quarter century.

It can never be Overlooked!,

The first time I saw the Shining I was very young, it was about 2 in the morning and everything was dark and still. Every few minutes I heard a sound that was amplified by the complete silence of an empty house at 2 am. Of course, when you are very young you are convinced that every sound and every shadow that seems to echo or quiver is something sinister that has nothing better to do than come get you! So this was the situation I was in - absolutely terrified of every little noise and every little movement. I made up my mind to turn on the TV, hoping that the light from the television would disperse any shadows and that the noise would hide any other sound that I couldn't explain. To my great dismay, the film that was on television was `The Shining' I don't think I slept properly for about a month afterwards! Whilst saying this, it still remains my favourite! From the moment the movie opens, all horror fans realise they are in for a treat. Jack Nicholson is on top form - steadily throughout the film becoming more and more sinister and irrational. Descending at a steady and believable pace from a man who dismisses superstition (in the first scene's interview room) to an axe wielding maniac corrupted by the ghosts of the Overlook Hotel. Although, it is not only Nicholson's performance that makes this film a classic. It is the director - Stanley Kubrick's use of colour and sound which chills you to the bone. Whether it is crimson blood gushing from the sides of the elevators or the contrasting sounds of a child riding a tri-cycle over carpeted and solid wooden floors - you are terrified! The Shinning does not use the clichés we now associate with horror movies to make us jump, for example, loud bangs accompanied by jerky visual onslaughts. It treats its audience with a bit more respect than that and tells a story of man's slow descent into madness.

Great Movie!

I love Jack Nicholson in this! Even though, it is so different from the book, it is very entertaining. I love the part where Jack is sitting at the typewriter and Wendy disturbs him at his work and he lashes out at her. He was hysterical! Do yourself a favor, though and read the book or buy the audio book -- its so good!

Kubrick's horror movie lives up to expectations

Stanley Kubrick's movies never are direct adaptions of the books(if based on one) that they are based upon. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, but his opinion on this movie is outlandish and childish. When the final version was shone Stephen King attacked Kubrick for not using his novel. The point is why would Kubrick want make a direct copy of a book, and Kubrick knew this, so he made his own version of that story. This movie is as good, or better than the book, and Kubrick is the reason. Sure Jack Nicholson acted superbly, but it is the Direction which really raises the bar. Stanley Kubrick used wonderful camera work to follow Danny in the maze or in the hallways, this is what makes it a directorial delight. Kubrick mixes his sets with emotion and beauty, the colorful sets make the movie even more fun to watch, and with Kubrick's classic moments and wit this movie can't be beaten. This is the best 'horror' film ever made, and it's all due to Kubrick.

Awesome movie, BEST Jack performance: 99stars but could have been 100

This is one creepy movie. Even from the opening credits with that opening music. This is probably on my Top 5 list although it might have been number 2. Don't get me wrong, I love this movie, but it could have been so much better, and that is creepy itself. First, i recommend you see this movie before you read the book. If you read the book first, you'll spend more time being mad about parts that should have been left in and you won't get to enjoy the film like you should. With Jack's performance this could have even been a greater movie. Yes, if Kubrick would have followed the novel better it would have been like 4 hrs long but i would have loved to see Danny and the playground scene and Jack with the hedges. Owell what can you do. This is still a classic in my book and should be in everyone's collection.

Great

This is a great and legendary horror movie. it is (in my opinion) Jack Nicholson's best performance and Stanley Kubrick's best.

A Horror Great

The Shining was so cool . It was so intersting to watch the stages of how a person cracks and finally try to kill his family . The axe scene was the best . When Jack Nicholson yells out 'Herrrrrrrrrrrre's Johnny!' , the movie instantly became a classic . Even if you watch a parody of The Shining , you won't get angry because you know it's honoring a horror great . The Shining RULES !

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy...

This was an instant classic from one of the greatest authors in history. This could be the best horror/dark comedy of all time.

The Shining is Jack's best movie ever. If Jack ever had a taylor made role this would be it!!

The Shining is a very good movie. The overlook hotel was built on a hollywood sound stage. But that thought will never cross your mind when you watch this movie. This movie should have been released in 1979 instead of 1980, because this film is a classic 1970s film. This motion picture was made back before all the over used C.G. scenes were put to use to sell the film. The shining is timeless.Believe me or not I have seen The Shining atleast 100 times. Its the type of movie thats fun to watch.Sit in the chair,get your bowl of popcorn, turn off the light, push play and go check in to the Overlook Hotel and watch Jack go crazy!!!

A great scary movie!

I love this movie. It is sooooo scary, but a great story line. My friends and I love to watch this movie in the middle of the night in my basement.

All of the Above!

This film is another Kubrick masterpiece, not to mention a fabulously over-the-top performance by Jack Nicholson. This is a tour-de-force of a film that deserves a place along side the greats of cinema.