Taxi driver
Name me a better film!
Snatch and either one of the Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey J.
Forest Gump
That is hard. I would have to say either Papillon or godfather 2.
Casablanca.
Gladiator
Jaws.
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.
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.
???!!! 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
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.
Joe Dirt.
"A man of little significance"
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.
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.
True Romance.
Brilliant from start to finish (story line and acting wise), littered with memorable scenes, and certainly one of the best ever endings.
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.
I think The Shawshank Redemption is schmaltzy and over-sentimental. I also have deep suspicions about films that have voice-overs.
The Usual Suspects.
LA Confidential.
True Romance is a very good shout.
Frozen.
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.
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.
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"
And I forgot Downfall. If it was an English spoken movie, it would have cleaned up at the Oscars.
Megashark vs. Giant Octopus
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
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'.
Shawshank is one of my favourites, but would also offer up Fight Club and American Beauty and Gladiator as well