The Shining is definitely one of the best horror films out there. It came out in 1980, and with the first screening itself, many people were scared. There are very long shots, that are effectively used to create the feeling of isolation, and the director Stanley Kubrick uses convex lens to enhance the surrealism. The soundtrack is pretty great too, and matches the mood of the film perfectly.

Right from the beginning of the film, you know that something, somewhere, is going to go terribly wrong. When Jack Torrance (Nicholson) takes his wife and son along with him on getting the job of caretaker of Overlook Hotel, strange things begin to occur – there are some pretty gruesome forces and this affects the whole family. Jack has a mental breakdown, and what happens next is pretty sinister.

There’s not much violence in the film, but the terror is definitely more psychological than physical. It’s a film that works on many levels – look at the symbolism behind it, and you’ll see how human shortcomings can be exploited by unconscious and unexplained forces, that work against the human will. It’s a cinematic achievement and Jack Nicholson’s acting is sheer brilliance. It’s one of the best examples of horror cinema, and it has not lost its appeal even today. Plus, as an adaptation of Stephen King’s book, it works well enough. With great cinematography and mood-capturing music, this is one horror film you should watch, plus Nicholson gives a power-packed performance.