The Shining (1980)

When thinking about Halloween and the dark, eerie times we live in, it is hard not to search for that perfect supernatural horror flick to make you look over your shoulder. While these are becoming rare, some classics leave a lasting impression.  Being in a Stanley Kubrick mood, I decided to take a trip down memory lane to 1980, and his classic, The Shining.

Plot/ 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 adaptation of the Stephen King classic may be one of the best horror / supernatural movies of the 1980s. While King was not a fan of Kubricks’ vision, it is truly a masterpiece. The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, the acting is outstanding, the cinematography is amazing, and the scripting perfect for the downward spiral into an abyss. Sure, there were some slow moments, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, The Shining is one of the most frightening films from my youth and one that stands-up to the test of time. If you have not ventured into this masterpiece, you are wrong. This is a must see for all horror fans.