I'm not entirely sold on the plot, but the filmmaking techniques demonstrated here are undeniable. It goes without saying that the production values on a Kubrick film are exceptional, but the amount of effort that went into some of these shots is ridiculous. The fact that the performances are great (if not career-defining in the case of Nicholson) elevate it well above most of the rest of the iconic horror films to come out of the 80s.

A masterpiece. Kubrick's direction is flawless (the scenes following Danny around on his big wheel are amazingly shot), Nicholson turns in one of his best performances, and the sense of dread that builds all through the movie is fantastic. The only drawback to me is Shelley Duvall's performance.

blood flood

Never really found this all that scary. Shelley Duvall is fucking annoying, the story doesn't make all that much sense, and I got tired of Nicholson smirking his way through the entire movie.

This is a hell of a good movie with Nicholson giving one of the best performances ever, but Shelley Duvall ruined everything. I could not believe what polar opposites Kubrick was able to produce with the quality of acting here. In the "Here's Johnny" scene I was seriously rooting for Nicholson to bash that cunt's brains right out of her skull. Fuck you Shelley Duvall. Fuck you.