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Only recently have I stumbled across the Lupin III series, and they have found a way to tag along at the end of my daily routines. Distinct characters, interesting plots, and an unusual sense of anxiety on what could happen next. The first few I had seen were intriguing none the less, but it wasn't until I had seen Farewell to Nostradamus that I had truly been engulfed by this world that Monkey Punch had created.

These movies are usually very fast paced and chaotic. Farewell to Nostradamus handles this well and succeeds where a lot of the Lupin III spawns blunder, at creating a smooth and climactic story line. There is never a point where the viewer is overloaded with plot material, all while building up to a tense and very satisfying ending.

Quick synopsis: Lupin III is a sly, suave, and slick international thief. He is accompanied by; Jigens (a nicotine addicted gun slinger), Goemon (a patient samurai), and Fujiko (a heart and neck breaker).

After a successful diamond theft, the team quickly turns their attention towards a high paying job. To find the lost pages of prophet, Nostradamus. Soon they are stuck in the middle of a presidential election, a kidnapping, and the eerily accurate predictions of a modern day doomsday cult. All while being chased by INTERPOL's leading investigator, Zenigata.

It is a great movie the fact of the matter is, it's not "Stanley Kubricks"'The Shining'. Stephen King thought of an amazing and wonderful tale of the pain of your loved on trying to kill you, in a way Stanley Kubrick stole Stephen King's beloved masterpiece and remade it. People that saw the movie read the book thinking it is the same but they are disappointed because either the book was better but different, or the book was worse and different. Then die hard Stephen King fans are disappointed at this because it is either better then the book or worse.

Personally, I like the book better but I still love the movie. So both S.K. fans can argue of which is better when I'm sorta in between(sorta by the 8). Now just because Stanley did make up an entirely different story doesn't mean you have to hate it. I like it. It's just that Stephen King puts more suspense and chills and complexity then a man going crazy over his family in a secluded hotel in the winter. Another thing that makes Stephen Kings better too is that HE DID NOT GO CRAZY! The hotel ghost possessed him and made him think about how bad his family is and that they should be 'punished'. Also the roque mallet was something I wanted to see Jack use. An ax does fit a psychopath but no one WOULD EVER THINK OF A ROQUE MALLET! That is pure wood and rubber and is much more effective and terrifying then an ax. Also there were no living hedge animal... I WANTED TO SEE HOLORANN FIGHT OFF THE HEDGE ANIMALS! And why in a snow chance in hell would Wendy be Shelly? WENDY WAS TO HAVE BLONDE HAIR! The last thing I would have appreciated seeing would be the man in the dog suit chasing Danny in his dreams. that gave me nightmares and fears of my hall, imagine what seeing it in the movie? I wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom without a flashlight(only 13 here). Finally I liked both endings but the books was better. I mean the hotel blowing up, hedge animals burning, Jack telling off the ghosts when he lets Danny and others go and guards the boiler so it can blow up. Also Jack killing himself by a hard smack with a wooden mallet! Awesome!

Now comes why I liked Stanley's. Though I didn't want it to happen I liked how Holloran died. Also I loved Jack Nicholson. Though Jack Torrance was not to be that evil Jack Nicholson is a terrifying man. He's got the happy/irritated grin yet it contains such evil. Also there is the 'All work and no play' thing. I like the suspense and how he has the talk with Wendy in the lobby. Finally(like i said in previous paragraph)I like this ending just a little less then the books but it's still very Gothic and great.

So in conclusion the two S.K. fighters can have their war over a silly movie and book mis-copyright but I could care less. The movie does act like the book in the beginning to about just before the middle so there isn't much to complain, and there are parts that were in the book it's just Stanley modified them(ex. Book:elevator continuously moving, Movie:elevator full of blood). So enjoy or... don't.

And i do think it deserved it. Now... I am sorry to say but there are people that do dislike the humor... but they are the ones that you see putting down the good and overrating the bad now aren't they(click on their names to see what they hate or like). But I find this humor just right. Not to dry like 'Napolean Dynamite'(which I HATED!), not to dark like 'Beeteljuice', and not to crazy(and it is still crazy)like 'Airplane!'. And the fact that it is a combo of all of these genres of comedy and more is why it deserved to be up here as #49.

Plus taking something as sacred and holy such as the last cup Jesus drank of and spoofing it all as much as all the knights tales made is hilarious. And most the humor is that type of humor that you just can't but at least giggle at. The silliness is amazing.

*Spoilers*

The Knights that say "NI"(pronounced like "knee"). I mean honestly... thats just crazy. Then the most famous part, the black knight battle, in which the black knight continues to fight until he has no more limbs. And yet he still wishes to fight. And then there is my personal favorite, the killer rabbit whoms't rips faces off.

*End of spoilers*

There is so much more to laugh at in this movie that allows it to be on this list. And honestly, I think this deserved an Oscar for its work. This is a better comedy classic then any other.