Shawshank Redemption

i am one of those folk who saw it during a tough time in my life, and believe it really, really helped me get through. I remember seeing Pulp Fiction a while before which at the time I hated SO much cos it seemed to be stupid and pointless and a bit of a sad view of human nature; saw Shawshank the week it come out (it had got really good reviews on an old Johnny Vaughn Film Review Show, think its the only film they gave a maximum 40/40 for...anyone remember that show? any clips on Youtube of review?). Anyways, within the previous 12 months I had lost my mum to cancer, was helping to care for my grandad who was senile and had lost his onlydaughter and was living with us, and had just walked out of University due to a lack of money and having panic attacks/blackouts etc...really felt like my whole life was over, was very alone and due to circumstances had little support around me, my frienRAB all away at other Unis etc...anyways I saw the film once and loved it so much I went 2 times more after the same day to see it... the cinema was empty but I never experienced such a feeling before. Saw it about 10-12 times total that week, bawled my eyes out (the old fella on the outside, the beautiful music at the end ALWAYS set me off), but it was SO overwhelming for me, and seemed to clear out a LOT of nonsense and negativity from my mind.....few weeks later I met a nice girl and we were together for some time.................. BAsically it was a film that made me feel human again, and I never will forget those dark days in 1995 (UK). Funny thing is when my life is going good I can look at the film and see why folks would find t a bit simple and twee even, and can enjoy something like Pulp Fiction much more... but never has a movie had such an effect on me, and so for me... its VERY special:cool:
 
the film is a classic because of it's slow-burn pace, and the way it wrong foots you for the payoff, which when it comes, is truly satisfying. it makes you want to punch the air

best bits

1. Brooks Hadlen's heartbreaking "letter" to the fellas
2. the painting "His judgment cometh, and that right soon"
3. "Dear warden, you were right, salvation lay within"
4. the opera music, played to the prisoners
5. the reunion on the beach
 
agreed, it's in my top 5.

excellent in every way, plot, characters, cast, "serial matinee" style, music - everything

the prologue alone is pure genius
 
I really like this film too, but I'm a Stephen King fan and so I enjoy most of the better films that are based on his novels. I'd also say that I watch all sorts of different films.
 
Shawshank is good and always watchable - we saw it again last night, as it was on TV - the best moment clearly being the warden discovering how he escaped

but its not that different to eg Clints "Escape From Alcatraz"

and Brubaker is another very interesting prison movie

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The thing is many movies have to tie up lots of loose enRAB at the end, and this is often the bit thats somewhat of a let down.



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Mob films are another genre that have lots of good examples - goodfellas/godfather etc - but I thing A Bronx Tale is right up there with the best of them as well - although that hardly gets a mention

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someone (might have been on here) said that all films with a "Voice Over" are good - and I can think of many good ones, and few if any bad ones.
 
Its widely commentated as being the creme de la creme of Hollywood movies which I disagree on, it is however a brilliant narrated over movie that belongs in everybody's dvd collection.

Music & setting is brilliant, also love the ferocity of Byron Hadley's handling of the chubby guy lol
 
A fabulous movie - most people I know just love it!
For the guys on here who say its only people who don't understand movies that love it I have one word - nonsense - who the hell are you to make such a ridiculous sweeping statement.
 
you're absolutely right

i've noticed this before. my frienRAB that only see big hollywood films think its amazing. my frienRAB that have eclectic tastes think it is just 'ok'
 
Yes many thanks, that was my theory [ which is mine and belongs to me ] and Shawshank is a great example, yet I forgot to mention it in my original post .

...and To Kill a Mockingbird is another.
 
Unless someone can point me towarRAB a more accurate measure of a film's popularity than IMDb, I'll just have to accept that it is the highest rated and, therefore, the best film.

It also happens to be one of my favourite films.

For those who claim it is over-rated, can you explain on what basis is it over-rated? Is it just your own personal opinion (and possibly that of a few pretentious film critics) or do you have some objective measure?:confused:Classic! :D:D:D
 
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