The Shining New Version

Let's first look at Jack Nicholson. He is one of my all-time favorite actors. His career has been marked by many masterful performances in films such as, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Easy Rider", "Chinatown", "A Few Good Men", and the most recent Oscar winning "As Good as it Gets". In fact some of Jack's early work was in teaming with Roger Corman on films like, "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Terror", and "The Raven". Nicholson was even up for the part of "Father Karras" in the "Exorcist" before Jason Miller took the role. So we should all consider ourselves lucky that we , as defenders of the ultimate genre...horror, have been graced with Jack's support. This culminated with his chilling performance as "Jack Torrance" in "The Shining". It's too bad that since his success with "The Shining", Jack has been less akin to appear in genre films. "Witches of Eastwick" was a great film, but I don't know if I would consider it horror, and I see "Wolf" as being sacrilegious to the whole werewolf genre.

Now let's examine Jack's stunning performance in "The Shining". Jack Nicholson was, is, and always will be "The Shining" to me. Stephen King, along with a few others, has said that Nicholson's portrayal of "Jack Torrance" was "over-the-top". That Nicholson's presence took away from the main character of the story, the Hotel. I only have one word for these people....bullshit. Without Jack, "The Shining" would be just another haunted house film. Nicholson's depiction of a man teetering on the brink of insanity was brilliant. We watch in terror as the madness slowly settles in and exploding fiercely into this man, transforming him from one who is trying repair his fragile family life into a stark raving lunatic bent on destroying everything he loves. It is truly a magical movie experience.

Second, is the direction of Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick has directed some of the greatest films in the history of cinema. Films like "A Clockwork Orange", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Sparactus" and "Full Metal Jacket", all of which are masterpieces in their own way. It is amazing to think that Kubrick although nominated for 13 Oscars has only won one for "Best Effects, Special Visual Effects" for "2001: A Space Odyssey". In retrospect, "2001: A Space Odyssey" helped to set the standard for "Star Wars".

"The Shining" is definitely a Kubrick film, so much so that it carries the title "Stanley Kubrick's The Shining". His signature techniques helped craft "The Shining" it into the classic it is today. His use of a steadicam, lighting, plus his flair for intermixing ghastly visual flashbacks propelled the effectiveness of this film. Although it has been said that Kubrick can be difficult to work with, his perfectionism is evident in the final product. With "The Shining" he succeeds on all levels and delivers a film that warrants it's placement in the House of Horrors' Vault.

But before I move on, let me say that since I haven't mentioned the importance of Stephen King to this film doesn't mean that I don't recognize his contribution. "The Shining" would never have been made if it weren't for the creative mind of Stephen King. The film's plot is directly rooted in the framework of the novel, but Kubrick had to tailor it into a management sequence of shots that could be executed efficiently within the limitations of the day. The film itself is 144 minutes (146 when it was originally released) and although lengthy, especially for a horror film, is never boring. Not many of King's books have been adapted in a more effective movie than "The Shining".

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a beleaguered writer and recovering alcoholic, has just secured a seasonal position as the caretaker for the Overlook Hotel. Seems like a cake job. You get to spend all winter snowed (cooped up) in a big hotel with all the food, space, and fun you can enjoy. No guests to fool with (yeah right) and just a little up keep of the grounds and building. There will be plenty of time to work on your book and of course, slaughter your family.

So along with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their boy Danny (Danny Lloyd), the Torrances head off to enjoy a little family bonding at the old Overlook Hotel. Oh...I forget to mention that Danny is bringing along his imaginary friend

Tony, the little boy who lives in the back of his mouth and helps him to see things that aren't suppose to be there. "The Shining" allows Danny to see the past, present, and future digressions of the Overlook. It's haunting existence becomes quite evident as he witnesses the death and destruction that has come to called this place home. An evil that is looking to add three new guest...permanently. REDRUM REDRUM!!!!!

Slowly this evil begins to wear down Jack's defenses as the winter snow falls driving him to the brink of insanity. It is so easy to hit a man when he is down as Jack is re-introduced to an old, dear friend..... booze. When Wendy stumbles upon Jack's next bestseller, "All work and no play...." she know that it is time to get Danny the hell out of there. But it seems that the Hotel won't make that easy. Directed by the ghostly apparition of Grady, the former caretaker who chopped up his family, Jack heads out to correct his little problem. Here's Johnny!!!!! Axe blows and one liners fly as Jack chops his way towards the film's chilling conclusion. Will the Overlook be checking in three new guest or will the maze be the place for ultimate checkout???

Tags: shelley duvall, jack nicholson, shining, stanley kubrick, eyes wide shut