i can't be a fan, as much as i like kubrick

Rating: 3/10 (20 February 2007)

there's just no way for me to enjoy this one, no matter how i try, but i'm a die-hard stephen king fan. if you've never read his superb novel, nor seen the made-for-TV version, you'll probably like this movie and think that i am an idiot. the movie has a few really good points, most of the credit going to jack nicholson's stellar performance which lends several images that last even today, over 25 years later, namely his 'here's johnny' impression and the expressions he has during his mania. also, the ending is close to what was intended, and it's even kind of scary but it loses the metaphor king intended. i've been told that kubrick didn't want the project, but king wanted him to do it, which makes some sense for the way that it turned out. if you want to see a movie that will probably scare you, then you should indulge but if you want to see a good adaptation of stephen kings classic novel, then rent the made-for-TV version put out in the last five years which has nothing to do with stanly kubrick.