Shine On

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2019)

Kubrick has helmed one of the best horror films of all time. This film is a terrifying bravura work of art. Adapted from Stephen King's novel Kubrick and Johnson took some liberties penning the story, however it is the first time I enjoyed the film over the novel. The score adds to the creepy and petrifying tone of the film and could actually be considered a character in the limited cast. This film has outstanding direction, cinematography, screenplay, score, special effects, setting and acting. Nicholson and Duvall are superb portraying a horrifying character, Jack and horrified character, Wendy. The plot revolves around an alcoholic writer Jack who takes a winter job as a caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. During his interview he is forewarned of the hotels dark past and the previous caretakers actions. He accepts the job regardless and soon the madness begins. The haunted hotel and malevolent forces inhabiting it slowly drive Jack towards insanity. His wife, Wendy and their son Danny are slowly becoming aware of Jack's bizarre acts. Danny has the ability to foresee terrifying events, which he learns from the hotel's summer caretaker is called 'Shining'. Danny doesn't let on about his visions but he knows that death looms within the hotel. Jack has become a homicidal maniac determined to do his job which he is informed of by a ghostly servant. His job is to 'correct' Wendy and Danny. The plot is dark, ominous, eerie, disturbing, violent, horrifying, bone-chilling, bloody, spine-tingling, inventive, unique and has a cathartic ending. There are so many memorable scenes and quotes in this film they still haunt this viewer's dreams. This viewer's favorite scene is when Wendy turns and looks into a mirror that shows the reflection of a mirror behind her which Danny had written redrum on. To this day fans of the film quote it's most famous line , "Here's Johnny". This is a masterful work of art and is one of the best, if not the best, film to hit the silver screen in it's genre in this viewer's opinion.