Rating: 
Summary: Although not a special edition, still a fine DVD
Review: The Movie:Every so often in everyone's life, they walk out of a movie that they consider perfect. A movie where you don't sit through it and think to yourself how you might have done it all differently had you been the director. I have a couple of movies like that, and "The Shawshank Redemption" is one of them. I still remember clearly walking out of the theater in 1994 and thinking that I've just seen one of the best movies that I'll ever have the pleasure of sitting through. A movie so elegant and emotional that is perfect in its way of storytelling. A movie that is about how hope can never die. The movie earned several Academy Award nominations that were certainly well-deserved, but it left theaters all too quickly. Over the years though, it has gained a strong cult following. The movie stars Tim Robbins in one of his very best performances as Andrew Dufresne, a quiet man who is convicted of the murder of his wife and is sent to Shawshank prison. It's there he meets "Red", a convict played by Morgan Freeman who gets things from the outside for a price. He first sees Andy as he's lead into the prison and predicts that he won't last long inside the prison walls. Over time though, he's suprised that the young man is able to survive and soon, the two become friends with respect for each other. Andy is not a man who "fights the system". He spends his days in his own quiet world, a courage that the other prisoners don't quite understand at first. Robbins has built this character in a way that we the performance is not showy, but subtle. The result is that we want to know more and when we do begin to understand his ways, that only makes us want him to succeed that much more. I won't go into much more in the way of detail about the movie; if you haven't seen it, I don't want to ruin any of the enjoyment of the movie; if you have, I'm sure you already have your feelings about the movie. This is a movie that's not depressing; it has a lot of life to it and I think that when they look back at the 90's, they will see that this is one of the best pictures that was released during this time. Yes, Warner Brothers has proven to made an error in judgement about their way of going about putting this DVD out. There was an announcement over a year ago, I believe; then previous announcements came later after the first delay promising a director's commentary, then a Morgan Freeman commentary, then, in the final moments before the DVD is released this week...nothing. It's a shame, as "Shawshank" is a film deserving of much more. I suppose part of me is happy with the fact that this film is finally on DVD, although if this is the final product, there is no reason in my mind that this couldn't have been released a long, is an excellent looking image. One of the best cinematographers in the business (Roger Deakins- "Fargo") did the filming on this picture and the pale colors are represented well throughout the picture, mainly browns and greys. Like the movie, there is an elegance to the visual style on this picture that is apparent in every movie that Deakins has worked on. Images are clear and crisp throughout; sharp, but not overly sharp for a "smooth" feeling that looks very film-like. There are few problems, and none of them are terribly distracting at all. There is a slight shimmering in a scene or two and some very small instances of grain. Other than that, this is an excellent looking image that will certainly beautiful sound mix. It's also a newly remastered 5.1 mix. It's not flashy or showy, nor does it need to be. It does however, do what it needs to do best very well. The score by Thomas Newman is absolutely wonderful and it sounds clear and crisp throughout the picture. Surrounds are put into use occasionally, but always in a subtle way that is right for the picture. What I was pleased about most though, was how rich and clean the score sounded on this DVD. Dialogue is clear and without problems as well. Again, Non-animated main menus that have the score playing in the dissapointment of this DVD; all that's included is the trailer and some production stills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Thoughts Although it's unfortunate that this isn't the special edition that it should have been it is a must for any collection. I'm happy the film is finally being realized by more and more people as a classic piece of filmmaking, which I've always considered it to be.
Rating:
Summary: The Shawshank Redemption Is Moving and Brilliant
Review: What is it that we love about movies? To me, it is their ability to evoke certain emotions that remind us what life is all about. In my opinion, The Shawshank Redemption epitomizes this more than any other movie that I have ever seen. It is gripping throughout, powerfull, and ultimately a touching tribute to the human spirit and the bonds of love and friendship. The picture is intriguing from the start and never drags despite it's length. Tim Robbins plays the character of Andy wonderfully. Andy is a reserved and distant man that struggles to express his emotions, but is a genuinely kind and good-hearted man with simple dreams of happiness. Morgan Freeman, one of the truly great actors of our time, is superb in playing Red, an aging convict who regrets his crime commited years ago who comes to appreciate the importance of friendship and human connection in one's life. The grind of 9 to 5, or the hardships that most everyone is presented with in everyday life is a reality. A movie like the Shawshank Redemption has the ability to remind us that friendships and love are what life is all about, and that hope is perhaps the most powerfull and resiliant of all human emotions. Each time I watch this movie, I walk away with a renewed perspective on the world, and a feeling that the goodness of the human spirit is alive and well.
Rating:
Summary: Without Words
Review: This movie makes me want to cry with happiness. I feel so happy to be alive after watching it. It is an uplifting experience not to be missed. The best film I've ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless Acting From Everyone Involved
Review: For such a long time, friends have been telling me how wonderful THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is, but, for one reason or another, I simply never saw the film. Recently, however, I was in a video store and I saw THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION in a display and I bought the DVD. I loved it. It's hard, in some ways, to believe that Stephen King wrote the novella on which this film is based. There is not one thing in the film that even borders on the supernatural or the horror genre. On the other hand, King is a master writer; he can probably write comedy if he wanted to. The plot of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION isn't really convoluted and I would call this a character driven movie as opposed to a plot driven one, though, as in the very best films (and books) plot and character work together to produce something seamless and superb. The thing that really sets THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION head and shoulders above most other films is the extremely high caliber of action from virtually everyone in the cast. Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne was superb and very understated. In the hands of a lesser actor, his role could have been too melodramatic, too overdone. Robbins, however, was wonderfully controlled. Another fine performance was turned in by Morgan Freeman, the man I personally consider America's premier actor. Freeman is wonderful in everything he's in, and he can turn a bad role into a good one. In THE SHAWSHANK REDEMOTION, however, he had great material to work with and played his part perfectly. Bob Gunton who played the warden was also especially good as was the young man who played the "rock and roll" prisoner. The supporting cast was perfect. I think it amazing that absolutely no one in this film, at any time, overacted. The plot of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION was a little hard to follow if you weren't paying close attention, but with a film this good, I can't imagine who wouldn't have been paying attention. I surely was. People who complained about the film being "too long" must have been watching something different from the version I saw. Although it was a little longer than most films, it was so good the time simply flew by. I didn't feel as uplifted by the ending as some people obviously did, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it as much. I did. I thought it was perfect and I thought it "fit" the film perfectly, which is really the most important thing. So, is this the best movie ever made? The answer depends on what you're looking for. It is certainly one of the most perfect films ever made. It's not my alltime favorite, though, but that's just a matter of personal preference. I'm a woman; a prison film with an all male cast isn't likely to be on my list of alltime favorites. The very fact that I think it's perfect ought to tell you just how good it is. Believe me, prison films are not my cup of tea.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION tells a gritty story without gratuitous violence or an excess of foul language, yet it manages to be more believable than most films that do. That just adds more points in its favor. If you've never seen THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, I would certainly recommend that you either rent or buy the DVD and watch it as soon as you can. If prison films aren't to your taste, be assured, this one is different. And, if you still aren't convinced, then see THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION for the marvelous performances turned in by Robbins, Freeman and Gunton. Those three performances alone cause the film to merit five stars. It's hard for me to believe FORREST GUMP "stole" the Best Picture Oscar from this superlative film. Recommended without hesitation.
Rating:
Summary: Twelve stars. One of the 10 all-time best ever movies
Review: This movie, adapted from a novella by Stephen King, crosses and defies the conventions of prison genre tales. Yes, there's violence, rioting, brutality, graft, dishonesty among officials, power politics - but it's really a story about faith in friendship and the raw skills of survival in an alien place.
Tim Robbins plays the role of Andy, a banker who is sent to Shawshank Prison for murder. There he meets Red (Morgan Freeman in one of his very best roles), a lifer whose regular appeals for parole are just as regularly turned down. Andy, with his banking and organizational skills, becomes indespensible to the crooked warden, who is skimming money and taking payoffs. Then Andy escapes through a hole he's dug over the passage of several decades, a hole in his cell covered by a big poster of Raquel Welch - and in the process...well, I'll say no more, in case you haven't yet seen this superb film.
... Shawshank Redemption is undoubtedly one of the best - and the closing 5-6 minutes are watchable over and over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Prison Escape Involving R.Hayworth, M. Monroe, & R. Welch!!
Review: =====> This 2 hour and 20 minute movie (theatrical release 1994), adapted from Stephen King's short novel "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" can be summarized easily. It tells the story of quiet banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) who has been unjustly sent to Shawshank Prison to serve a double life sentence. In prison, he forms a strong friendship with long-time inmate Ellis "Red" Redding (played exquisitely by Morgan Freeman) who, though he doesn't realize it, helps Andy escape after 19 years in prison. Also, help for this escape is provided by Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Rachel Welch, and geology!! But there is more to this movie--much more. Even a wrongful imprisionment, a corrupt warden and a ruthless prison guard captain (played superbly by Bob Gunton and Clancy Brown respectively), and enemies within the prison (such as Bogs and his "sisters") cannot get the best of Andy. Why? His hope never dies. This is the art of this movie: it perfectly paints a picture of a man who will not give up the only thing that can't be taken away from him--hope. This is also a magical movie since you are completely enveloped in Shawshank from the very first movie shot. You experience a prison life composed of routine, after routine, after routine. This is one reason the movie is relatively long: to get the viewer involved in this routine. Also, the long length of this movie gets across the passage of time which is crucial to this story about patience, the squeaky wheels of justice, and the growth of a long-term friendship. All actors in their supporting roles do a fantastic job and some of these roles have been mentioned above. Also, look for James Whitmore's heart-wrenching portrayal of Brooks, a very long-term inmate. Something else that should be mentioned is Freeman's narration as Red. His voice when he is narrating seems to add to the movie. In fact, I can't imagine the movie without his narration! Here's other things that you'll find in this movie: contrasts, opposites, unpredictability, humor, persistence, justice and redemption, renewal, and the importance of freedom. At the end of the movie, there is a double surprise ending. These endings answer two questions: (1) How did Andy escape? (2) How does Red benefit from Andy's escape? Since this is an all-male prison movie, there is some violence and foul language. But these are not gratuitous and add realism to the movie. This movie has many memorable lines. My two favorites are as follows: (1) "Get busy living or get busy dieing" (2) "Hope is a good thing--maybe the best of things." This is one of the few movies where subsequent viewings actually enhances its impact. Why is this? Because there are so many wonderful things on-screen that are presented to the viewer. The only minor complaint I have with the movie is that it sometimes can be unrealistic. But this can be forgiven since the story is so engrossing. In conclusion, as mentioned Andy escapes Shawshank prison. The viewer, however, will find the she/he cannot escape watching this powerful movie! <=====>
Rating:
Summary: A movie about freeing the captive spirit...
Review: Once upon a time I lived in an old crappy two bedroom apartment in one of the most rundown areas in San Diego with two roomates...They didn't pay rent and they never made me pay either. One of my roomates, Andrew, said that this was his favorite movie of all time. i had never seen it so we rented it and then I understood why...He wanted to get a little pickhammer and chisle his way out of the ghetto...He would've had to go through about two feet of concrete and then he would end up in the garage...if he was lucky, it would be unlocked. If not...well, I'm sure ol' Andy would figure somethin' out.
Rating:
Summary: "Slowness is beauty." Who said that?!!
Review: It deserves ten stars. Its beauty lies in its slow, sublime, style- that thing that usually turns off so many moviegoers. But the whole premise of life inside a prison cell (especially when one is innocent) makes better sense when told in a calm, emotion-building, pace such as this. Otherwise, one would never get to know Tim Robbins's quiet banker-accountant (and what makes him appear alternately shy, snooty, and suicidal all at the same time); or Morgan Freeman's equally quiet, cynical, and genial lifer- not to mention how he's "a man who knows how to get things." I love what the film *doesn't* do: it doesn't make an issue of its two leads being different races (although one could claim that factor makes their friendship all the more marvelous to watch), it doesn't pull any sensational, far-out, action punches (as films with an all-male cast often do), and it dosen't freeze its characters into 'types.' Everyone is real, and everyone is flawed- from James Whitmore's 'Birdman-like' veteran to Bob Gunton's pretentious, icy, warden. But the finish (which really starts around the film's last twenty minutes) is one of the most powerful, sublime, and moving things ever committed to celluloid. Get it in either format.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Story-Telling Through Film
Review: A young banker (Tim Robbins) with a family is accused of murder, convicted, and sent to prison. He faces all the usual dangers of prison, deals with a corrupt and tyrannical warden, befriends a "lifer" (Morgan Freeman), and eventually . . . I won't give that away. This is really about how to survive adversity and maintain hope and your values no matter what happens to you from the outside. No matter who does what to him, Tim Robbins' character never lets go of who he is and what he believes in. His fellow inmates recognize his strength and patience, and admire him for those qualities, which they see seldom around them (and probably did not see enough of before prison). Some viewers and reviewers complain about the length of this film. This is rich, deep, complex story-telling with many subtleties, and it cannot be rushed. If it had been edited down to the standard 100 minutes of most movies these days, it would have been gutted and left hollow. Viewers need the same patience that was required for "The Green Mile", although "Shawshank Redemption" is not THAT long. Stephen King and Movies: When a Stephen King horror film comes out, it often flops or fizzles. "The Shawshank Redemption" fits in with "The Green Mile", "The Stand", and "Stand By Me" as a non-horror story where the supernatural has no part or is just one lesser aspect of the film. These four films represent masterful story-telling that focuses on Good Versus Evil and human character. Warning: This is much more than a prison film, but it is also a prison film, and there is violence and a lot of rough language.
Rating:
Summary: Healing, Loving, Moving, Stunning
Review: What a movie. I have seen it dozens of times. I have the DVD. But even when it pops up on cable (like F/X), I cannot not watch it. This film has that truly exceptional touch of magic, that very few motion pictures have. An absolute gem of a film, that has taken its rightful place alongside classics, in my mind, such as Casablanca. The performances--all of them--are magnificent. The cinematography is rich, life affirming, encompassing, and colorful. The screenplay is in parts positively sublime; Red's (Morgan Freeman) dialogue in the last five minutes of this film reduces me to tears and fills me with such a well of emotion that I have to go outside for a walk and hug the first stranger I meet. An absolute clinic in non-simplistic and direct screenwriting that keeps it simple and truthful. And the direction of this film is fantastic. This is not just a truly great film, it is also a necessary one. The values it discusses and the emotions it conveys are in short supply in today's world: love, patience, perserverence, trust, loyalty, sensitivity, truth, and compassion.
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