One of cinemas most critically esteemed directors decides to adapt a story from the most popular horror author of all time and what do you get? The Shining, thats what. Some of the effects have not aged well, but the psychological warfare this movie wages against the viewer is timeless. Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance is enlightening. His lack of play and overabundance of work does not, in fact, make him a dull boy. As the caretaker of the storied Overlook Hotel its his duty to tend to the grounds and eventually massacre his family. You know, classic caretaker duties. Stephen King is admittedly not a fan of this adaptation, but he can go kick rocks. Stanley Kubricks body of work spans decades and continents, but all of it was handled with a perfectionist attitude and technical brilliance. He genre-hopped much like Danny Boyle would decades later: he made a historical drama, a scandalous love story, a Cold War comedy, a futuristic punk ballad, a sci-fi epic on a grand scale, a few war movies, and this horror to name a few. Each has been heralded as the pinnacle of achievement in its respective category and The Shining is no exception. So heres to make-believe bartenders serving red rum, Room 237, hedge mazes, and most of all, heeeeeres (to) Johnny! Please proceed to proclaim what this article left out in the comment section below!
Joe Sippy grew up in Chicago and now resides in Los Angeles. He enjoys corn dogs, rap music, and horror movies. On weekends you can find him in the ocean, surfing very poorly.
