Synopsis:

A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.

The Freak's Rating: A : How often have you heard the line, "the book was better" when referring to one who had been adapted for film?  Most recently I saw another failure, My Sister's Keeper.  The Shining is an exception to the rule, one of the only exceptions in the history of film.  Recently released on Blu Ray, The Shining was set to receive a new showing in my theater, one my wife took in for the first time.

From the opening credit sequence, The Shining grabs you.  Music plays an integral part in the film and instantly you are locked into what you're seeing.  Sporting one of the first uses of the steadicam by its inventor (director of photography for the film), The Shining showcases amazing pans and following shots never before seen in film.  Sweeping shots of the drive to The Overlook hotel in the opening sequence are masterfully constructed, enveloping the audience immediately into the world of the film's primary character, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson).

Photography is sweet, but the acting is much sweeter here.  Nicholson was in the beginning of his celebrity status in Hollywood at the time The Shining was cast.  Having a few films released and coming off the success of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Nicholson was in prime shape for getting a lead, but reportedly nearly lost the role of Jack Torrance to Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams and Harrison Ford.  Thank the Lord that he won it, as his performance steals every scene he is in.  Shelly Duvall is surprisingly solid as Wendy and even little Danny Lloyd is decent as Danny Torrance.

The Shining was one of my favorite books growing up, scaring the crap out of me each and every time I read it.  The film is an amazing achievement in that it varies incredibly from the book at times, but is still as effective at scaring me nearly 30 years after its release as it was the first time I saw it.  For those who haven't seen it, pick it up immediately and for those who adore it, rediscover it on Blu Ray.  The sound adds an incredible level of creepiness to an already amazing film.

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