The Shawshank Redemption

Obviously if you haven't seen The Shawshank Redemption you need to rent it right now. Or buy it be because you'll love it. I've never met anyone that didn't feel this way. The Shawshank Redemption is such a stunningly inspirational movie that it begs repeated viewings. Tim Robbins does such an excellent job as Andy Dufresne that he almost becomes Dufresne. It's an incredible performance that really needs to be seen. Any movie fan that calls himself a movie fan must see this movie. It becomes obvious why this is number one on IMDB's top 100 list. Morgan Freeman also does an excellent job (as always) as Red, the guy who can get anything in prison.

This is one of the very, very few movies that gets everything right. The acting, the directing, the pacing, the message behind the story, lighting, costumes, sets, music; literally everything works perfectly together - and that cohesion draws you into the story like few other films can. The Shawshank Redemption is modern film making at it's finest. This is a movie that will be talked about for years now. Most likely the Citizen Cane of our time.

I could go on and on (like I have) about everything The Shawshank Redemption stands for but I believe (like most) that it's a movie about hope. Hope is essential to the human race to survive. Andy endures some of the harshest punishments society has devised. He is framed for a murder he didn't commit, he is continually raped by "The Sisters" in prison, the guards beat him if he steps one toe out of line, he is locked in solitary confinement for weeks at a time.... more than most of us could bear. But Andy does. All because of the hope that one day he will be free on a beach with friends without a care in the world.

This movie will, without a doubt, go down in history as one of the greatest films of all time. You are really doing a disservice to yourself if you have not seen this movie.

IMDB here.