The Shining (1980)
"A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future."
- IMDB
The acting, the music, the camera movements & angles, the sense of isolation, and all the ghost encounters really drive the intensity that makes the Shining one of the most classic horror movies of all time. The story itself is very interesting. I know Stephen King was very inspired by the Stanley Hotel, which has it's own tales of death and hauntings. There's just something about old historic hotel lore that hits my vibe, and King's spin on this was basically perfect.
The acting in this movie is a huge standout. Isn't it true that Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy, was genuinely scared filming some scenes? Couldn't tell you which scenes because she always looked genuinely scared, which always makes me feel scared. Danny Lloyd as Danny is absolutely creepy. His Redrum voice haunts my nightmares and I always found the kid to be disturbing. But the Unofficial Oscar goes to Jack Nicholson. His performance was art. He perfectly showed his character, Jack, fall further and further into madness. The face, the voice, the axe - even I was convinced he'd barge through my door and murder me too. This is definitely one of the most captivating performances of his career.
If you're a horror fan. the Shining is a movie you'd probably have some nostalgia for. The carpet, the blood and the elevator, Redrum, the bike scenes, the twins, that disgusting old lady, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" - there are just so man iconic pieces here that fans will always remember. I mean let's be real, how many times have you ever heard someone reference "Here's Johnny!" in other movies and in real life? Culture icon.
My Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆