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Thread: The Shawshank Redemption

  1. #1
    Craftsman
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    The Shawshank Redemption

    Name me a better film!

  2. #2
    Master Marios's Avatar
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    Taxi driver

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    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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  4. #4
    Snatch and either one of the Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey J.

  5. #5
    Master
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    Forest Gump

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    Craftsman Dan88's Avatar
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    That is hard. I would have to say either Papillon or godfather 2.

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    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Franky Four Fingers View Post
    Snatch and either one of the Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey J.
    Off course, with your forum name it's obvious that you pointed towards Snatch!

    Pulp Fiction for me, but Snatch comes close.

    Menno

  8. #8
    Grand Master
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    Casablanca.

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    Quote Originally Posted by thieuster View Post
    Off course, with your forum name it's obvious that you pointed towards Snatch!

    Pulp Fiction for me, but Snatch comes close.

    Menno
    It's not just me...we all point towards snatch.

  10. #10
    Master tiny73's Avatar
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  11. #11
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    Gladiator

  12. #12
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    Jaws.

  13. #13
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    To a number of those listed below, I'd add Witness, Our Man in Havana, Lawrence of Arabia, The Great Escape, Jaws, Duel, The Lacemaker, The Prestige, Memento, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Dirty Harry, Layer Cake...

    Honestly, I didn't hate The Shawshank Redemption, but the reverence that leads to threads with comments like that in the OP always baffle me, it's a pretty ordinary film that, for some reason, has been raised to deity status by internet reviews.

    I've seen it once, but I wouldn't bother again...

    To the OP, I'd ask, WHY do you think it's so good?

    M.
    Last edited by snowman; 16th December 2015 at 10:03.

  14. #14
    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    It's not my favourite film but it is probably the best film I've ever seen.


    I think it's the human triumph over huge adversity that makes it so good.

  15. #15
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by hilly10 View Post
    Gladiator
    ???!!! haha very good.

    I was going to say "The Artist" but then the OP is asking for the "best" film, not ones favourite film.

    By those criteria, Shawshank is up there, but isnt Citizen Kane #1? It's a Wonderful Life would be top 5 too, I guess. Perhaps along with Sex and the City 2? ;-p

  17. #17
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Goodfellas


    shawshank is a great story ( and I think the secret of its success is that is a tale of redemption ) but goodfellas is a better film in that it is a more skilful exposition and creative use of the medium.
    Last edited by seikopath; 16th December 2015 at 09:28.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tone View Post
    Name me a better film!
    I can't say these are better, but they are just as good : The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, Se7en, The Prestige

  19. #19
    Craftsman SSTEEL's Avatar
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    It's a Wonderful Life!

  20. #20
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Joe Dirt.
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  21. #21
    Master Gavbaz's Avatar
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    Life of Brian

  22. #22
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    I found it a rather simplistic story (hardly surprising as, as I recall, it's based on a short story) and his escape was, frankly, incredible (In the sense of impossible to believe!).

    As I say, I didn't think it a BAD film, but no way is it even in my top 50 BEST films... I still don't see anyone justifying their claim for it to be the 'best film', except a couple of comments about the story being strong.

    Somehow an urban myth has developed that this is "the best film" and people buy into it.

    A couple of people have said it's not their favourite film, but it is 'the best', but again with little or no justification...

    Doing a bit of a Googling for "Why is Shawshank the best film" revealed this, which I suspect is a big part in it's rating

    It never really broke through in the theaters and didn't end up winning in the Oscars which mean that a lot of people felt like they discovered it on their own or through their friends. That gives the kind of ownership that elevates a move beyond merely "excellent" to "favorite".

    I also read that it 'brings tears to your eyes" and certainly a few scenes do

    There's a theory that the homosexual rape scenes play on a deep seated fear in men, especially, and that's part of its strong impact on people. It certainly put me off a life of crime!

    M
    Last edited by snowman; 16th December 2015 at 10:00.

  23. #23
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    I enjoyed Shawshank but I wouldn't say it featured in my top films while there is stuff like:

    The third man

    The Big sleep

    The postman always rings twice (1946)

    Sullivan's travels



    I enjoy film noir.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

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    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  24. #24
    Master hhhh's Avatar
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    True Romance.

    Brilliant from start to finish (story line and acting wise), littered with memorable scenes, and certainly one of the best ever endings.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post

    To the OP, I'd ask, WHY do you think it's so good?

    M.
    Having been incarcerated in a high security prison myself for a crime I did not commit and have regular evening visits from 'the sisters' I feel a strong closeness to the main character.


    And, In my opinion, it's a bloody good film!

  26. #26
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post

    Somehow an urban myth has developed that this is "the best film" and people buy into it.


    M
    i think the secret is that it is an exceptionally well made piece of story telling.

    it appears simple, in terms of how the story is told, but that is because it is so well crafted in terms of the production and writing.

    it is told in straightforward, simplistic terms, and the themes are also universal - i think these features contribute to its populist mythology as ' the best film ever made'
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  27. #27
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hhhh View Post
    True Romance.

    Brilliant from start to finish (story line and acting wise), littered with memorable scenes, and certainly one of the best ever endings.
    very under rated film . great performance by gary oldman of drexel. hoppers performance in contrast i find very underwhelming.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  28. #28
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    I think The Shawshank Redemption is schmaltzy and over-sentimental. I also have deep suspicions about films that have voice-overs.

  29. #29
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tone View Post
    Having been incarcerated in a high security prison myself for a crime I did not commit and have regular evening visits from 'the sisters' I feel a strong closeness to the main character.

    And, In my opinion, it's a bloody good film!
    Fair enough!

    M

  30. #30
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    schmaltzy and over-sentimental.
    exactly what I though about that one where de caprio drapes himself over the front of an aircraft carrier. But everyone else seemed to love it.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  31. #31
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    exactly what I though about that one where de caprio drapes himself over the front of an aircraft carrier. But everyone else seemed to love it.
    Top Gun?

    M

  32. #32
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post
    Top Gun?

    M
    I thought of that one as well, but I meant the ocean going liner one when he boffs his Mrs in the sweaty carriage
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  33. #33
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    I thought of that one as well, but I meant the ocean going liner one when he boffs his Mrs in the sweaty carriage
    What's that film called? It's on the tip of my iceberg tongue.

  34. #34
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    What's that film called? It's on the tip of my iceberg tongue.
    Something to do with big , big budget , big production, big load of borelocks
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  35. #35
    Master Geralt's Avatar
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    Deliverance
    Lawrence of Arabia

  36. #36
    The Usual Suspects.

    LA Confidential.

    True Romance is a very good shout.

    Frozen.

  37. #37
    Master 50kopek's Avatar
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    Good call. Great story, great cast and like you said, a host of great scenes ('It isn't white boy day, is it?' being one of my favourites).

    It seems James Gandolfini's role is what led to him being cast as Tony Soprano, for which I'm also eternally grateful.

    Quote Originally Posted by hhhh View Post
    True Romance.

    Brilliant from start to finish (story line and acting wise), littered with memorable scenes, and certainly one of the best ever endings.

  38. #38
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    I like Shawshank because it's probably the only really good attempt at adapting a Stephen King book (or novella).
    But as for naming a better film, I'd have to offer up The Exorcist. The first few times you watch it, it's just too alarming/terrifying to take in. But once you get over the fear you start to notice how well crafted it is: the use of sound and light, the slow build-up, the dialogue, the performances, the special effects, the cinematography... every time I watch it (at least once a year) I get something new from it.

  39. #39
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    I have to agree with other posters it is a good film but no more than that and there are so many films I would put miles ahead of that one, it's ok and that's it.

  40. #40
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lomax99 View Post
    Forest Gump
    Aha, I see what you did there.

  41. #41
    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    I think The Shawshank Redemption is schmaltzy and over-sentimental. I also have deep suspicions about films that have voice-overs.
    Agreed. While it's good by middlebrow Hollywood-fare standards, it's still pretty far from being the greatest film ever made.

  42. #42
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    Shawshank is undoubtedly a great film, but how 're-watchable' is it?

    For rewatchability, I'd say......

    Zulu

    Where Eagles Dare

    The Great Escape

    Aliens


    ......as for films that provoke an emotional reaction......."The Champ"

  43. #43
    Craftsman Dan88's Avatar
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    And I forgot Downfall. If it was an English spoken movie, it would have cleaned up at the Oscars.

  44. #44
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    Megashark vs. Giant Octopus

  45. #45
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    I'm a big fan of the Shawshank and certainly rate it up there with one of my all time favourite films. I have rewatched it many times and have shed a tear on many of those occasions but then I'm a big softy with films so it doesn't take too much.

    But to claim its the best film is sadly a pointless exercise. Too many films, too many genres, too many styles and as we have on the forum, too many personal interests.

    But ........over analysing a story for plot holes and the odd inconsistency misses the point for me.

    For me a great film has to jolt your emotions one way or another. I want to be thrilled, scared, appalled or made to feel sad. I want to laugh, love, get annnoyed and I want to be enthralled.

    I'm sure the list goes on but you get the point.

    But just in case anyone is interested the 10 films that have lodged most deeply into my consciousness over the years are quire varied and for different reasons. Ask me again tomorrow I could probably add another 10 which come very close.

    - Rear Window
    - The Apartment
    - Some Like it Hot
    - 12 Angry Men
    - Jaws
    - Star Wars
    - Shawshank
    - Dead Mans Shoes
    - Raiders of the Lost Ark
    - Goodfellas

  46. #46
    Master brigant's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seadog1408 View Post
    Casablanca.
    +1 and Usual Suspects

  47. #47
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    I love 'Being There'. Never fails to stir so much emotion for a couple of parts, but the ending is just amazing with Erik Satie's piano playing over the top as Sellers finishes the final scene.

    'Life is a state of mind'.

  48. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan88 View Post
    That is hard. I would have to say either Papillon or godfather 2.
    I read the book first (both of them) and consequently thought the film was crap.

  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by vRSG60 View Post
    I read the book first (both of them) and consequently thought the film was crap.
    Me too (Papillon). Loved the book.

  50. #50
    Craftsman maxwellwd's Avatar
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    Shawshank is one of my favourites, but would also offer up Fight Club and American Beauty and Gladiator as well

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