Got horror?

Rating: 6/10 (29 November 1999)

This is considered one of the scariest movies in film history. I'm not completely sure why. Sure it is very cold and leaves the audience disoriented in many great shots, but what Kubrick film doesn't? Spartacus?
Every time I have seen this film, I find more things I like and more things I hate. By the way, if you have read the Stephen King book, do not see this movie! If you have seen this movie, read the book! If you have done both already, you know what I'm talking about.
I am an avid fan of Jack Nicholson and he does spit out some classic lines in this movie. " Heeeeere's Johnny! " (where on earth did that come from?) and " All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. " I'm sure that was the mantra he chanted while working with the irritatingly perfectionist Stanley Kubrick.
There's one thing of Jack's performance I didn't understand. Where did he go mad? One day he's joking with his wife and the next he's staring off into oblivion with cold, soulless eyes. Insanity needs some sort of explanation. It's funny how Kubrick can edit out scenes from Nicholson's growing cabin fever and leave in so many scenes of the dreadfully miscast Shelley Duvall and the unfortunately wasted Scatman Crothers doing virtually nothing.
One member of the cast that does a wonderful job is Danny Lloyd as the moptop kid with a special gift. "Reeeedruuum!" He is used in the movie's scariest scenes, especially the one with the two little girls and room 237. Brrrr...
What keeps this movie from evolving into a horror masterpiece is that it tries too hard to be epic with so many holes to fall into along the way. There are so many moments where the viewer needs an explanation, but Kubrick is too busy trying to make you feel cold and uneasy. I still don't know what he intended for the final shot. Maybe he wants you to read the Stephen King novel yourself.