The Shining

One of the only movies that I would argue is better than the book. The soundtrack is near perfect. Between the pattering off-beat rain and eerie off-pitch screeches, Kubrick seamlessly uses sound to build tension and discomfort. The cinematography is stunning (the hotel shots, the mountain landscapes, the camera movement in the hotel tour scene, the tricycle scene, the maze scene, etc). All three leads are phenomenal. Shelly Duvall winning “Worst Actress” for this film is abysmal. She arguably had the best performance in the film, although Nicholson was also incredible with his portrayal of alcoholism, abuse, and insanity. Danny Lloyd gave one of the best child actors performances I’ve ever seen as well. I’m currently reading IT, and knowing that Dick Hallorran was at the Black Spot in Derry, Maine alongside Mike Hanlon’s father makes him such a more interesting character. The fact this The Shining takes place in the same universe as IT really makes me wonder about how the “evil” in both stories might just be one and the same….