The Shinning (1980)

The Shinning (1980)

Based on the novel by Steven King, Stanley Kubrick’s version of this creepy tale works much better than the Steven King approved remake that came out in 1997. Kubrick’s signature style is all over this movie and it is a nice blend between his direction and King’s story. King never fully supported this film and felt Kubrick took it in a different direction, yet that’s what Kubrick was known for.

In another director’s hands, this movie would have a quicker pace, but Kubrick takes his time to develop the story. His long panning shots are not only scary but also well crafted. You can tell he took his time to plan each camera pan, and the way it relates to the story. Kubrick also seems to rely on plain dialogue where people talk in a relaxed manner, such as 2001.

Jack Nicholson pretty much plays a slightly more mantic version of himself. He just gives us just enough leeway to decide if all this is in his mind or something is influencing him. I still get a little scared every time I see the “here’s Johnny” scene.

Shelley Duvall is great as the passive character in the piece. However, I can’t help but think of Olive Oyl when I see her on screen. I want her to say, “Oh, Popeye”. But also, the great Scatman Crothers did a swell job as The Black That Gets Killed ™. I still hear his Transformers character Jazz in his voice. I would have liked to see more of this ‘shinning’ ability in and more back-story from him.

There isn’t much to say about the movie that hasn’t already been stated in other people’s reviews. All the directors of those cheap PG-13 and torture porn horror movies need to be tied up and forced to watch this movie. That way they can understand the proper way to make a horror movie. It’s not about how much gore you can get away with. Style, storytelling, and acting should be your focus.

I enjoyed how the movie plays around the facts, not fully telling us if ghosts were pushing Jack Torrance into madness, or if he was just losing his mind on his own. However, Stanley Kubrick does have one scene where I believe it’s proven that there were real ghosts in the story. One ghost freed Torrance from a freezer, which otherwise would have been impossible to for him to do himself.

I still remember watching this movie as a little kid and being freaked out by the visuals, but now as a grown man, I can see all the subtle details in the film that make it more than just a horror flick. It is a good flick to watch today and still holds up.

Grade: A-

___________________________________________________________________

Red Rum=murder