The Shining (1980)

USA 146m, Colour
Director: Stanley Kubrick; Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers

Adapted from a Stephen King novel of the same name, The Shining is an iconic horror film that is now ingrained in popular culture. In playing the axe-wielding hotel caretaker who descends into madness, Jack Nicholson’s splendid over-the-top performance sets the standard for possessed-madman in the horror genre. Kubrick’s slow, but steadily increased pacing throughout the film, along with his extensive use of the steady-cam, which fluidly follows the actors as they move throughout the spacious hotel are very effective means in building suspense and terror. As with his other films, Kubrick leaves many events and images unexplained – leaving the viewer to fill in the gaps with their own imagination, and to discuss possible meanings well after the film is over (Klaus Ming May 2010).