spooky ghost story

Rating: Null/10 (21 July 1999)

Again I am too late to provide any new insight for a film, with it allready having been commented on 80 times on IMDb, but the only new thing I can add is give this film time to get going. Yes, the beginning is a bit talky, but it didnt bother me cuz it was pretty interesting. And thats basically what will make this work for you, if you find the hotel and its history intriguing or not. I was very drawn to the story because of the huge scale, like the BIG hotel, the looong running time, the climax that took about 45 minutes. It will all depend on what grabs you the most. There's plenty of memorable moments; redrum, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, the creepy twin girls, bloody elevators, heeeeres Johnny!, and that yucky old lady in the bathtub...ewwww. The finale is really drawn out and takes a while to unfold, but it just makes more time for spookiness. I mean when Duvall is running through the hotel and keeps encountering twisted image after twisted image, coupled with that chilling music, I was freaked. I'd also have to say this will take multiple viewings before everything makes sense (I had to explain a lot when my girlfriend watched it for the first time), with some of the characters not clearly defined enough. Like I'm assuming that bartender was one Nicholson knew from his drinking days. And for those who think this is boring, just read the book and tell me whats better. Kings novel is even moooore blah blah blah, with the ending here much better. Jacks and Kubricks best.