The Shining- still chikking 30 years later

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2010)

Jack Torrance, a novelist, takes a job as a caretaker of the Overlook Hotel.The manager tells him how the previous caretaker, Mr. Gradt, chopped his family and then killed himself with a shotgun.Jack's son Danny has a gift, that's called the shining.It shows him things from the past and the future.He knows some bad things are going to happen there.Mr. Hallorann also has this gift and he warns Danny, especially of the room 237.Soon Jack starts losing his mind.He goes to the Gold Room where he sees a room full of dead people, including Grady.Jack's son and wife Wendy are both in danger, and they have to escape.The Shining (1980) is a Stanley Kubrick masterpiece.The Shining hasn't lost its shining in 30 years.This movie still gives you chills.Stephen King didn't approve this version, which I can't quite understand.I haven't read the novel, I must admit, but I do know that Stanley Kubrick made some minor changes to the movie.Like in the end there's the labyrinth instead of the hedge animals.But the result is a great horror movie, and it's all that matters.Jack Nicholson plays his part of the luneatic very well.He plays his role in a somewhat funny way, which has been criticized over the years.I've always liked his performance.Like when he's the big bad wold and he huffs and puffs.It doesn't make him any less scary.Shelley Duvall is amazing as Wendy Torrance.Stanley really gave her hard time, but it was all worth it and she agrees with that.She had to do 127 takes for the baseball bat scene, which is a record.They found a real talent for the role of Danny.Danny Lloyd didn't even know at the time that he was in a horror movie, but yet he gives a credible performance as this kid.He only made one movie after this.Scatman Crothers is perfect as Dick Hallorann.Some great performances in other parts as well.Philip Stone plays Delbert Grady, who murdered his family.Joe Turkel is Lloyd the bartender.Lisa and Louise Burns are the Grady twins.Vivian "Stanley's daughter" Kubrick is seen as Smoking Guest on Ballroom Couch.One scary scene is when Jack goes into the room 237.There's the seemingly young woman taking a bath and all of the sudden she turns into an old decaying woman.The twins have always given me the creeps."Come play with us, Danny".And the hotel is filled with blood.The Shining is a movie that will never lose its shining.