I have to disagree with the post above concerning The Shining. The book was far better than the movie, IMHO. Of course I read the book just before I saw the movie, so that could have something to do with it.
The Shining is kind of tough to call. The reason why is, the book and the movie are two completely different animals.
Bear with me, it's been many years since I read the book. Hopefully I won't foul this up too bad.
They're both set at the Overlook, they get snowed in, Jack Torrence goes off the deep end, and but for a few other things, that's pretty much where the similarities end.
The movie has ghosts wandering the hotel, but in the book, the hotel is actually the ghost.
In the movie, there's a maze. In the book, it's a botanical garden in which the animal shaped bushes and whatnot seemingly move towards the hotel.
Also, there's no swarm of bees in the movie, like thee is in the book.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the movie. It's one of Jack's best performances. He just makes you feel uneasy from the first time you see him.
The
true horror of the movie was watching Shelley Duvall *ahem* act. Man, she was just soooo bad in that.
The best part of her performance is the last 30 minutes when literally she runs around with that huge knife and trembles and looks horrified. That all she does.