40. THE SHINING
40. THE SHINING
(1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Well, now we have officially entered the top 40. How exciting. Time to pay a visit to the Overlook Hotel. Many folks who have spent a few winters in colder climates are likely familiar with that restless claustrophobic condition known as cabin fever. A deep snowbound winter can do funny things to a person. Sometimes you end up drinking more than usual and watching too much hockey. In the case of Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson) you end up losing your mind completely and turning homicidal. Stanley Kubrick, given his penchant for slowly roving and eerie exploration of interior spaces, was a perfect choice to direct this adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Kubrick began his career with horror (as did both Coppola and Spielberg) and flirted with the horrific in many of his films, from the psycho robot Hal in "2001, a Space Odyssey" (1968) to the Beethoven-crazed hooligans in "A Clockwork Orange" (1971). But "The Shining" is his only full blown effort in the genre and quite an effort it was. The memorable images are legion: Jack limping along with his axe, the apparition of the murdered twins, Shelly Duvall screaming with kitchen knife in hand as Jack whacks his way through the door, blood spilling from the elevator in cascading splashes, the naked and cackling old woman and, of course, the terror of the snowy garden maze. Nicholson plays the part of the psychopath with an over the top intensity that recalls Dwight Frye and Vincent Price.
(1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Well, now we have officially entered the top 40. How exciting. Time to pay a visit to the Overlook Hotel. Many folks who have spent a few winters in colder climates are likely familiar with that restless claustrophobic condition known as cabin fever. A deep snowbound winter can do funny things to a person. Sometimes you end up drinking more than usual and watching too much hockey. In the case of Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson) you end up losing your mind completely and turning homicidal. Stanley Kubrick, given his penchant for slowly roving and eerie exploration of interior spaces, was a perfect choice to direct this adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Kubrick began his career with horror (as did both Coppola and Spielberg) and flirted with the horrific in many of his films, from the psycho robot Hal in "2001, a Space Odyssey" (1968) to the Beethoven-crazed hooligans in "A Clockwork Orange" (1971). But "The Shining" is his only full blown effort in the genre and quite an effort it was. The memorable images are legion: Jack limping along with his axe, the apparition of the murdered twins, Shelly Duvall screaming with kitchen knife in hand as Jack whacks his way through the door, blood spilling from the elevator in cascading splashes, the naked and cackling old woman and, of course, the terror of the snowy garden maze. Nicholson plays the part of the psychopath with an over the top intensity that recalls Dwight Frye and Vincent Price.
posted by scottra at 3:00 AM
2 Comments:
Although I would have moved this one up another 39 notches, I do agree with your synopsis, which pretty much nails the reasons why The Shining is a classic. Of course, being the warped degenerate that I am, I would have mentioned the oddly beautiful Shelley Duvall as another one of the film's many pleasures.
As always, enjoying your posts.
Since compiling this list a few years back my opinions on things have naturally changed a bit and I am shocked and embarrassed that I could have ever ranked "The Shining" as low as this. Other pleasures, in addition to the waifish sexpot Shelley, include the incredible soundtrack featuring the likes of Ligeti and Penderecki. Kubrick, bless his heart, had a love of Classical and an avid interest in new composers. But Sir Pee Money already knows this. Ah, we could sing the praises of this movie into the wee hours... next years updated list will find this gem ranked much higher...
Post a Comment
<< Home