The Shining
(1980)All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Stanley Kubrick's masterful horror adaptation of Stephen King's novel. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) has writer's block. So he and his family move into an isolated resort hotel, high in the Colorado mountains, as the sole occupants and caretakers for the long winter. But this awakens more than just artistic demons as a madness takes over Jack, one the whole family will come to experience.... More
"Every frame of the film brims with Kubrick's genius for implying psychological purpose in setting: the hotel's tight, sinister labyrinth of corridors; its cold, sterile bathrooms; the lavish, illusionary ballroom. This was horror of the mind transposed to place (or, indeed, vice versa). The clarity of the photography and the weird perspectives constantly alluding to Torrance's twisted state of mind. The supernatural elements are more elusive than the depiction of his madness. The 'shining' itself - the title comes from the line "We all shine on" in the John Lennon song Instant Karma - is the uncanny ability to see dark visions of the truth (young Danny manifests the power through an imaginary alter-ego Tony). A power separate from, yet entwined, with the evil that dwells in the building." (Empire Magazine)Hide
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Directed by Stanley Kubrick ('Spartacus', 'Lolita', 'Dr Strangelove', '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'A Clockwork Orange')
Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Written by Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson (based on the novel by Stephen King)
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 5 providers
Flicks Review
BY Adam Fresco Flicks Writer
As fresh today as when released in 1980, Kubrick still packs a psychological punch in this ravishingly restored big screen revival. Improvising off Stephen King’s novel, Kubrick explores obsession in obsessive style. For those who’ve seen conspiracy-doco Room 237, it’s proof that Kubrick faked the moon landings – for everyone else it’s a cracking movie in a genre all of its own. Welcome to Kubrickland where everything means something and some things mean everything…
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The Shining
BY yuefei superstar
If it weren't for the somewhat ridiculous acting on behalf of characters other than the protagonist himself in the first act (it may have been excellent or appropriate at the time of the screening, I wouldn't know), this would probably be a 5.
So much about this... The terrific visuals; which mesmerise and encapsulate with a character of its own, flamboyant in style and... More innovation. The strange surrealism, and mysterious elements, are things that I cannot get enough of in one lifetime.
And don't even get me started on that soundtrack...
So yeah. I loved it.
Edit: I can't believe what this would have done to people in the 80s haha.
Edit #2: Fluck it, it's a 5.Hide
BY OscarSM superstar
This is a chilling adaption of Stephen King's classic novel that has earned it's place in the horror hall of fame. Long establishing and tracking shots paired with eery noises, a downright spooky set and great acting throughout give the viewer full immersion in the film. I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. You get a real sense of isolation when watching this film and it certainly delivers scares, not jumps, but a more psychological sort of simple terror.
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The Press Reviews
90%
of critics recommend.
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