''The Shining'' (1980)

By Crusader1307

 Perhaps no more Classic ''Modern'' Horror can be offered than American Horror Writer Stephen King's Novel ''The Shining''. Written in 1977, it became an overnight success with the 1980 Stanley Kubrick Movie of the same Title. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, the film was somewhat of a departure from the book. So much so, that it angered King (who although gained fame as the Writer of the now classic terror), would outright discredit the film as ''too far of a departure''. Remade as an American Television Mini-Series/Movie in 1997, King took a more direct role in that Production's filming (which was much more closer to The Book). A 2019 sequel ''Doctor Sleep'' is related to the original happening's of the Book (set 20 years afterwards).

The 1980 Film features a down on His luck School Teacher turned Writer who takes a job as a Winter Caretaker (with Wife and young Son in tow) at a Colorado Luxury Hotel. Closed for 6-months of Winter due to severe snow conditions, The Caretaker is tasked with keeping The Hotel upkept during this time (with no other Guests or Staff present until Winter thaws). We soon learn that The Hotel's previous Caretaker went insane and killed His Wife and Twin Daughters (then blowing His own Head off with a shotgun). Further, it appears The Hotel has had a checkered past, with suicides and related horrors happening over it's close to 100 year existence. The Couple's Son is apparently a ''gifted'' Child (who has a type of psychic gift known as a ''Shine''). This is picked up on by The Hotel's Main Chef (who also has a ''Shining'') but much more developed. Before He leaves, He warns The Child to not ''believe'' anything He ''may see'' in the course of His stay.

Everything is fine at first, as Jack Torrance (Husband) goes about His duties as well as devoting time to His book writing. But slowly, The Hotel exerts it's influence over Him. An alcoholic in recovery, Jack is ''tempted'' by the evil spirits of The Hotel with booze and sex. Of course this is ''all in His Mind'' (one supposes!) Jack slowly descends into madness, as The Hotel completely take Him over. The ''Spirits'' order Him to murder His Family (just as it had before). After a a heart pounding, Axe welding fight with His Wife, an escape into a frozen snow filled Lawn Maze and Jack freezing to death, His Wife and Child escape the clutches of the cursed Hotel. The final scene is a photograph from the 1920s, with ''Jack'' pictured enjoying His new found ''friends'' the Spirits of The Hotel. Exceptionally long at almost 3-Hours, ''The Shining'' is still worth a good old fashioned scare or two, especially if watched in a dark room!