75. The Shining (1980)

No sir, YOU are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker. I ought to know: I've always been here.

I'm a little embarassed that this is my only Stanley Kubrick film on the 365. Especially since I would list him among the top ten greatest filmmakers ever. I have three excuses. One, I haven't seen any of his older films except Dr. Strangelove (which I liked, but I find a tad overrated). Two, I simply have not been able to make it through "2001". You should get 3 hours of college credit for being able to pay attention for the full running time of that flick. Three, his movies just aren't "my type" of movies. Still, I totally respect his work if for nothing else but it sheer scope from horror (The Shining) to war (Full Metal Jacket) to sci-fi (2001) to historical epic (Spartacus) to erotic drama (Eyes Wide Shut) to dystopian commentary (A Clockwork Orange). I don't know of any other director that can be that awesome in that many genres. I sincerely would have loved to see his vision of "A.I.". Although, you'll see many more Speilberg movies on this list I view Kubrick as the greater visionary.

On to the movie at hand. I have said before I am not the biggest horror fan, but this movie certainly transcends the genre. If this movie doesn't at least freak you out a tad, then you've been playing too much WOW and you are desensitized beyond all possibility. Add all of the components of big empty house to ghosts, blood, mystery, creepy children, and crazy Jack Nicholson and you have probably the most frightening movie of all time. Understand, I mean frightening in an artistic way, not in a "BOO, this movie just made me jump" way (anybody can do that).

In conclusion, sorry Mr. Kubrick, I totally respect your work (and need to see more of it), but this is your token cameo appearance in the 365.