Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is more than just a horror film. The Shining is a psychological case study on the effects of isolation on the human mind. Kubrick and Jack Nicholson show on screen as the main character slowly descends into madness and soon sees ghosts, particularly a Mr Grady a former caretaker at the hotel, who presents with grotesque ideas of what to do with the family. Jack's son, Danny, also has an imaginary friend, who warns him of impending danger, unlike Grady who leads Jack into creating danger. In this, Kubrick provides an interest contrast: the innocence of childhood and the need to protect it and the madness of adulthood. It is quite possible that Danny could be very traumatised by the events at the Overlook Hotel and could one day end up like his father.

The creepy atmosphere that Kubrick brings to the set, adds to the film's scariness and watching the film again, we instantly recognise (in one scene where Jack and his wife are shown the hotel) locations that we will play a major role later on in the transition Jack goes through. The film's score, with it's twanging violins and eerie notes also make the film all the more creepy. If there's a sour note in the film, it's Shelley Duvall, playing Jack's wife. Throughout the whole film, it's obvious she's "acting" and not doing a good job at it either. This is made even more obvious in "bash your brains in" scene where she confronts Jack. On one end, we get an excellent performance from Nicholson, on the other is Duvall's embarrassing work. Yet, the suspense of the scene is still managed to be saved thanks to Kubrick's direction.

The Shining is a film that much like Kubrick's other works, is a fascinating study on human behavior, while also being a visual splendor and incredibly entertaining.