The Shining

If only this app had a top 5 this film would absolutely be up there - it’s the movie that got me into movies I can’t believe there are people that say Shelley Duvall’s performance is anything short of incredible - I often see the criticism that she is overacting and I really struggle to see where people are getting this opinion from, there aren’t many actresses, if any, that play such a convincingly sweet of somewhat naive housewife and show such a realistic deterioration into a broken down, fearful and sympathetic mess better than Shelley Duvall The ending is so mysterious and simultaneously conclusive - the foreshadowing throughout is excellent and I like that there are still unanswered questions, too many movies nowadays are afraid to leave any stone unturned which ends up dampening the impact of some stories - this should be the standard! Jack Nicholson is so great in this film - this is the only film that makes me feel like I’m watching an actual madman On a more technical note, the score for this film is so brilliant and expertly scary - the high pitched ringing is so effective and the rest of the score is so formal and foreboding especially during the shots of the Rocky Mountains, there’s such class and decadence in the opening theme despite its imposing nature Some of the best camera work directing and production design - the gold standard especially as this was one of the inaugural class of films that used steadicam technology and perhaps the most iconic of that list of films A must watch for anyone and everyone.