Shawshank Redemption - A Question

[Good_Eye_Sniper]

I just watched The Shawshank Redemption on telly. Believe it or not, it's the first time I've ever seen it.

Now, I have heard many people verbally wanking over this film, and I'd just like to know why.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great film, I liked it, but a classic?

I honestly don't think so

Thoughts?

[Inchpräctice]

I agree, bit overrated.
Perfectly good film but I don't know why it's constantly ranked in the top 10 films of all time I really don't.

[gzagee]

Great film imo. Can't remember if i put it in my top ten but i'd definitely have it in my collection.

[TheMidfieldMaestro]

You will never find a story better told in a film. I think thats why its always in the top 10. I'd probably still put it in my top 10.

[Inchpräctice]

Never? Ever?

That's quite a statement.

[TheMidfieldMaestro]

Never? Ever?

That's quite a statement.

Never ever ever bud. You mark my words .

[Good_Eye_Sniper]

You will never find a story better told in a film. I think thats why its always in the top 10. I'd probably still put it in my top 10.

I dunno, I'd have to disagree with you there.

Just off the top of my head, watch Big Fish for a better story.

Or if you prefer something more realistic, something like Forrest Gump is way better, story wise

[TheMidfieldMaestro]

You will never find a story better told in a film. I think thats why its always in the top 10. I'd probably still put it in my top 10.

I dunno, I'd have to disagree with you there.

Just off the top of my head, watch Big Fish for a better story.

Or if you prefer something more realistic, something like Forrest Gump is way better, story wise

Funnily enough Forrest Gump is in my top 10 aswell. I think they're pretty much on par with each other. I just cant think which one is better.

[Inchpräctice]

Never? Ever?

That's quite a statement.

Never ever ever bud. You mark my words .

Consider them marked.

[Good_Eye_Sniper]

You will never find a story better told in a film. I think thats why its always in the top 10. I'd probably still put it in my top 10.

I dunno, I'd have to disagree with you there.

Just off the top of my head, watch Big Fish for a better story.

Or if you prefer something more realistic, something like Forrest Gump is way better, story wise

Funnily enough Forrest Gump is in my top 10 aswell. I think they're pretty much on par with each other. I just cant think which one is better.

I just don't see what makes Shawshank a classic. I watch a lot of movies, and although I liked it, it didn't blow me away, like films such as The Crow, Donnie Darko, Withnail & I, etc did.

I think the best "realistic" story I can think of is in "As Good As It Gets" - I'd put that higher up on my list, great movie

[Inchpräctice]

As good as it gets is brilliant and you can watch it more than once and it only gets better.
i watched Shawshank again and it was ok but that's about it.
what about true stories like the story of the Guildford Four?
A.k.a. In the name of the Father. Be hard pressed to find a story better told than that imo.

[TheMidfieldMaestro]

You will never find a story better told in a film. I think thats why its always in the top 10. I'd probably still put it in my top 10.

I dunno, I'd have to disagree with you there.

Just off the top of my head, watch Big Fish for a better story.

Or if you prefer something more realistic, something like Forrest Gump is way better, story wise

Funnily enough Forrest Gump is in my top 10 aswell. I think they're pretty much on par with each other. I just cant think which one is better.

I just don't see what makes Shawshank a classic. I watch a lot of movies, and although I liked it, it didn't blow me away, like films such as The Crow, Donnie Darko, Withnail & I, etc did.

I think the best "realistic" story I can think of is in "As Good As It Gets" - I'd put that higher up on my list, great movie

Just a difference in tastes of movies mate. Saying that though I've still never seen Big Fish and I've wanted to for years, just never got round to it.

[gzagee]

As good as it gets is brilliant and you can watch it more than once and it only gets better.
i watched Shawshank again and it was ok but that's about it.
what about true stories like the story of the Guildford Four?
A.k.a. In the name of the Father. Be hard pressed to find a story better told than that imo.

Daniel Day Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite (especially) made that film what it was. They really brought the story to life.
Powerful performances.

[Inchpräctice]

I know I always go on about it but I really think that as a film it's a work of art.
Films just don't get much better than that.
I felt like I was stuck in the film and I couldn't get out it was just horrible.

I can't call it a favourite film because I actually can't bear to watch it, it's too harrowing but it acheived what it set out to do 100 times over.
Genius imo.

[Fabrestuta]

If you think Transformers or Cloverfield are absolutely amazing films, and The Shawshank Redemption isn't all that, then that says it all.
The Shawshank Redemption may have been over hyped, but what great film isn't? Name me one character in the films I mentioned that you actually cared about. We cared about Andy, we cared about Red. Shawshank is a story about people, its brilliantly written and brilliantly acted, at times its slow but thats not the point.
One of the best scenes in The Godfather was when they were all sitting around talking, there was no violence or swearing, but you got drawn in. Maybe if Shawshank had more explosions and shiny things it would be better appreciated.