The Shining

Who wants a Hotel?

Could horror be done any better? Probably, but not by much, the main benefit modern horror may have is the special effects that could be used these days. Either way a good movies needs a good script, and an excellent cast. Jack Nicholson brings Jack Torrance to life.



What to do when your a writer, need somewhere to write, and some money? Easy, accept a job at a Hotel as a caretaker during the quiet/winter season. Would you still accept the job if you found out the hotel was built on an American Indian burial site? Add to that, the previous caretaker murdered his family and himself, hmm. Sounds to me like it's time go somewhere warm instead.

Jack's son has a premonition about the hotel, not a good one, once again, maybe time to go somewhere else. Guess if they did that we wouldn't have a movie. One their first day at the hotel, it is revealed that Danny has psychic abilities. The chef also has psychic abilities and reveals the hotel has many memories, not all good. It is also revealed that room 237 is best left alone.

Some time passes, Jack isn't writing, Danny is exploring the hotel, and having more visions. The hotel also seems to be affecting Jack, he is acting violently, and had dreamed that he has killed his son and wife. Jack goes to the bar and has a drink, probably not the smartest thing for a recovering alcoholic.

We find Danny, whom has entered room 237 as any little boy would if they were told stay away from it, he starts calling out "redrum" and goes into a trance, referring to himself as "Tony". Jack's wife Wendy finds Jack's manuscript and all it says is that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". She begs for them to leave the hotel, he gets violent and is knocked out by her.

Danny writes "REDRUM" on the outside a bathroom door in the family's living quarters. Wendy sees the word reversed in the bedroom mirror, the word is revealed to be "MURDER". OK, so now it is time to leave, only hiccup is that Jack has disabled the only means of escape along with the two way radio. Jack is on the hunt for them with the intent to do harm. In the end Wendy and Danny do escape, Jack not quite.

Jack's performance is one of his best, and delivers it in a creepy manner, which fits in with the scenery. It may not stick to the novel and some people will not be a fan because of this. I'll let you make up your own mind.