“Here’s Johnny!”
As all Horror fans (and most people who own a television) know, The Shining is an iconic classic film based on the just as famous Stephen King novel. The cast and crew recently reunited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this famed adaptation, so in commemoration of this, here’s why you should watch/re-watch The Shining.
Synopsis: It’s hard to explain The Shining, as it does not necessarily make sense. The premise is that a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer, Jack, takes his family to a hotel for the winter in an attempt to recuperate his creative abilities. The situation quickly deteriorates as Jack’s young son’s supposed “psychic abilities” detect a horrible history to the building, his wife’s sanity is tested by Jack’s growing irritation, and Jack himself quickly descends into a delirium of boredom and anger. Once Jack’s madness progresses to the point of murderous behaviour, the family begins their attempt to escape the hotel; though, of course, their path is blocked by the many ghosts and unexplainable gruesome appearances.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G7Ju035-8U&w=740&h=422]
Even if the plot line does not sound too appealing to your personal taste, this film is worth a watch at least so you can say you have seen it once. The nonsensical structure and the disjointed filming adds to the psychological aspect of the film and should prove interesting from a media aspect – the chilling “blood elevator” scene has since made itself iconic in terms of classic film shots. Of course, when referencing The Shining in terms of classic scenes, the identical twins have also embedded themselves in Horror history; the camera films from Danny’s perspective, as he (a child) witnesses two young girls inviting him to play, then just as suddenly they are shown dead and bloodied on the floor in a blood sodden hallway.
Watch if you Liked: The Silence of the Lambs, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Clockwork Orange.
Rating: 8/10
Words by Charlie Ginger Jones.