We will never see horror films like this anymore....

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2017)

This is one of those rare gems where every time you watch it you appreciate it just that little bit more each time.
First things first, Jack Nicholson.... Jack... Freaking.... Nicholson... If you want to see good acting and i mean beyond amazing acting in a horror film, check out Jack Nicholson in this movie. we see his complete personality transformation on screen starting from being a humble author looking for peace and quiet, gradually becoming more frustrated with his wife and living circumstances building up to him becoming a full on murderous lunatic. His chaotic nature is just amazing to see on screen.
Shelly Duval is an actress I didn't really know of until I saw this movie and even she played an amazing role as Jacks wife, and a very underrated actress if I don't mind saying so. Some of the imagery in this film is terrifying even to this day, like when young Danny is riding around on his tricycle and suddenly stops when he sees two girls randomly appear in front of him, you just know something horrible is about to be showed on screen. from the two dead girls who have been axed to death covered in blood in the hallway to blood pouring out of an elevator flooding the place, there is imagery in this movie that will play hell on your mind as your watching it. I first saw this movie when I was only 11 so if that's anything to go by....
A large theme in The Shining is the theme of Psychological effects. The Psychological effects of Jack being stuck in isolation with his family, ending up in the ballroom full of people and sitting at the bar drinking bourbon and chatting to the bartender (despite the fact that it's just Jack talking to himself). Then there's the psychological effects of Jacks behavior that's taking it's toll on his wife more and more as the film goes on. The psychological effects of the family dealing with knowing what happened in this hotel previously...Danny constantly having visions of previous events... the list goes on...
The conclusion to this film is quite fitting and the classic "Here's Johnny" scene is still to this day a terrific blend of terror and humor combined together.
Overall, The Shining is one of the best horror movies ever made, hands down. It is slow in the beginning and there are large portions of the movie where there isn't much going on and rather quiet at times too, but to me, this is what makes the movie work so well. It has a classic slow build that adds up to a wonderful climax.
If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Easily Nicholson's finest work.
Fox.