Was it the best? Refer to your worksheet for my detailed question.
Remember to bring your HD camera to class on February 23rd for a bit of practice, some instructional video and more discussion on film making possibilities. See you then!
“The Shawshank Redemption” is near the top of my personal list. Not quite the very top, however, since I had the pleasure of seeing Terence Malick’s “Tree of Life” last summer.
Frank Darabonte’s film tells a story that resonates with all kinds of people. The setting is uniformly harsh and the film maker wastes no time getting that idea across with the inmate beaten to death the very first night of Andy’s incarceration. The attacks by the prison “queens” are disturbing, but shot in a way that mostly suggests rather than shows. It’s bad enough.
Each scene seems right in the film; nothing is a throw away and the running time is fully justified. The film does much with small details. The little bird in Cookie’s pocket, the humilitating bag boy employment for the convicts who are set free, the hypocrisy of the the warden’s “rule” against swearing.
As always, I was mesmerized by the film and found myself enjoying each little detail even more than before. And, given that I had seen the film many times, I could enjoy the little scene when Andy’s cell is searched and the warden comes so close to discovering his secret tunnel under the poster. The updates on the pinup girls is one of the film’s little joys: from Ava Gardner through to Raquel Welch!
When Andy holds up his arms in triumph after crawling half a mile through a sewer pipe I always want to stand there with him—truly he redeems himself and finds his way to happiness in Mexico.
A stunning film. Thanks to Yumin for suggesting it.
This is one of my favorite movies. I have seen it a bunch of times, and loved it each and everytime I watched it. Powerful story, that was so well acted through each and every scene. I love the ending. The way Andy set up his escape was fabulous, how he out smarts the warden and sets himself up for freedom in Mexico. And he actually gets away, leaving behind him justice served.
I also loved that he included Red in his plans. I think he saved him, and gave him a reason to live in the unknown world outside the prison. I also liked that Andy had a positive attitude about life outside the prison. He had HOPE, when Red did not, believing that because someone who has lived in prison for so long would not be able to handle what life had to offer in the outside world. Andy had a dream and he included a friend in it. You can believe in something. And that believing enough makes it happen.
I have to say that I felt like I was standing with Andy when he fell out of that sewer pipe to claim his freedom. That was so awsome. I think that is another reason why the movie was so good. I could feel each moment, like I was actually in the film.
Thanks for sharing this movie, I'm glad we had time to watch it.
It was 8 years after its first release when I picked up Shawshank Redemption from piled DVD movies in the street market. The word “redemption” caught my eyes and I thought there might be something different in this movie. It was. After watching, I said to myself: “how could you not know this great movie?” It is really good! I believe this movie was not made for fun, but for raising spirit—at least, I felt that way. That might be the reason why it wasn’t so popular at the time.
There are two scenes in the movie that triggered my tears. One is when Brooks fed that little bird in his pocket. I see love and hope among those who were supposed to be heartless prisoners. The other scene is in the apartment room where Brooks and Red both stayed after parole. This scene occurred twice. First time it showed carving scrawl on the beam: “Brooks was here.” The second time I see more scrawl after that: “So was Red.” These two guys got similar justice but ended up their life differently. I am happy for Red finding the way to start his new life with Andy. Perhaps we should all keep it in mind: for what ever we did wrong in the past, there is always a way to be good again.
I still don’t know what to say about this movie because I’m still shocked by the horrible justice system in the US back in 1940s. How could they shoot Tommy for simply telling the truth, how could they? It’s just unjust!
I mean sure, they COULD put an innocent person to a prison, and sure they COULD sentence him for a life. But, when they found out he didn’t kill those people for the first place at least they could do is retrial, isn’t it the right thing to do as a human being?
But in the end, when Andy holds up his hand in triumph in the middle of the rain despite of crawling through the sewer pipes, just as Brad said, he surely redeems himself and finds his way to happiness in Mexico.
This film reminds me of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo.The main character also got unjustly tricked and locked in the jail. During the time in the jail, he also met a best friend and then eventually escaped and became a rich man.
The use of music in this film is something that I am quite impressed about. It magically used "Canzonetta sull'aria" from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" in the jail scene, to constitute a kind of interesting contrast and dynamic, in terms of how the music is usually used and the context of scene. It has also brought a flip-side of the perspective in characters, in order to incite and evoke what could be possible in beneath everyone's heart.
Another thing that I find interesting in this film is that, the meaning of hope is conditional, it depends on each situation. In jail, Red said, hope is dangerous, but in the end, we heard this meaningful quote "hope is good thing, maybe a better thing, no good thing ever dies".
In the end, they've arrived to a small port by the Pacific Ocean coast in Mexico. To me, this is also quite profound as well. It almost entails that everyone eventually just long for a place that doesn't need to be fancy or famous, just a place as a port where they can be surrounded by serenity.
I like the irony that's used in the film. For example, Warden seems to be a sadist but a very religious person and the same time. Andy seems to use this irony very well, even using it as a tool for his escape. He hides an axe in the bible, knowing that it's a place that will never get questioned. He even hides it in the chapter Exodus. The script is very well written and thoughtful even in the props that's in the film.
I find it was sad that Brook eventually was sent free and got a job in our normal society, but he's not used to it anymore, and decided to end his life. I feel deeply about this and also questions what is the meaning of freedom? The true meaning and value of freedom is different for everyone.
I find it interesting that there isn't much score in this film, especially melodic music. Because of this, when Mozart's music comes up in the film, it was very strong and even more effective. It almost symbolizes the happiness and freedom that is still embedded inside everyone's restrained bodies. They were silent, but when the music comes up, they emanate like the melody of the music.
When Andy finally escapes out of the jail, the shot of him lifting his arms in the air, as victory as well as marking the end of his sorrows. It's very relieving yet sad to me. A very classic and strong shot.
Additionally, I think what makes this film so strong is it's script. It is very well thought out and very sophisticatedly written. It's one of my favorite films of all time, especially for film scripts.
“The Shawshank Redemption” is near the top of my personal list. Not quite the very top, however, since I had the pleasure of seeing Terence Malick’s “Tree of Life” last summer.
ReplyDeleteFrank Darabonte’s film tells a story that resonates with all kinds of people. The setting is uniformly harsh and the film maker wastes no time getting that idea across with the inmate beaten to death the very first night of Andy’s incarceration. The attacks by the prison “queens” are disturbing, but shot in a way that mostly suggests rather than shows. It’s bad enough.
Each scene seems right in the film; nothing is a throw away and the running time is fully justified. The film does much with small details. The little bird in Cookie’s pocket, the humilitating bag boy employment for the convicts who are set free, the hypocrisy of the the warden’s “rule” against swearing.
As always, I was mesmerized by the film and found myself enjoying each little detail even more than before. And, given that I had seen the film many times, I could enjoy the little scene when Andy’s cell is searched and the warden comes so close to discovering his secret tunnel under the poster. The updates on the pinup girls is one of the film’s little joys: from Ava Gardner through to Raquel Welch!
When Andy holds up his arms in triumph after crawling half a mile through a sewer pipe I always want to stand there with him—truly he redeems himself and finds his way to happiness in Mexico.
A stunning film. Thanks to Yumin for suggesting it.
Thank you, too, Brad. I really appreciate it. You've provided us many nice movies and guided us to immerse into the wonderful world of film.
DeleteThis is one of my favorite movies. I have seen it a bunch of times, and loved it each and everytime I watched it. Powerful story, that was so well acted through each and every scene. I love the ending. The way Andy set up his escape was fabulous, how he out smarts the warden and sets himself up for freedom in Mexico. And he actually gets away, leaving behind him justice served.
ReplyDeleteI also loved that he included Red in his plans. I think he saved him, and gave him a reason to live in the unknown world outside the prison. I also liked that Andy had a positive attitude about life outside the prison. He had HOPE, when Red did not, believing that because someone who has lived in prison for so long would not be able to handle what life had to offer in the outside world. Andy had a dream and he included a friend in it. You can believe in something. And that believing enough makes it happen.
I have to say that I felt like I was standing with Andy when he fell out of that sewer pipe to claim his freedom. That was so awsome. I think that is another reason why the movie was so good. I could feel each moment, like I was actually in the film.
Thanks for sharing this movie, I'm glad we had time to watch it.
It was 8 years after its first release when I picked up Shawshank Redemption from piled DVD movies in the street market. The word “redemption” caught my eyes and I thought there might be something different in this movie. It was. After watching, I said to myself: “how could you not know this great movie?” It is really good! I believe this movie was not made for fun, but for raising spirit—at least, I felt that way. That might be the reason why it wasn’t so popular at the time.
ReplyDeleteThere are two scenes in the movie that triggered my tears. One is when Brooks fed that little bird in his pocket. I see love and hope among those who were supposed to be heartless prisoners. The other scene is in the apartment room where Brooks and Red both stayed after parole. This scene occurred twice. First time it showed carving scrawl on the beam: “Brooks was here.” The second time I see more scrawl after that: “So was Red.” These two guys got similar justice but ended up their life differently. I am happy for Red finding the way to start his new life with Andy. Perhaps we should all keep it in mind: for what ever we did wrong in the past, there is always a way to be good again.
I still don’t know what to say about this movie because I’m still shocked by the horrible justice system in the US back in 1940s. How could they shoot Tommy for simply telling the truth, how could they? It’s just unjust!
ReplyDeleteI mean sure, they COULD put an innocent person to a prison, and sure they COULD sentence him for a life. But, when they found out he didn’t kill those people for the first place at least they could do is retrial, isn’t it the right thing to do as a human being?
But in the end, when Andy holds up his hand in triumph in the middle of the rain despite of crawling through the sewer pipes, just as Brad said, he surely redeems himself and finds his way to happiness in Mexico.
Thanks to Yumin for suggesting it! :)
You're welcome. This is a really nice movie.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis film reminds me of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo.The main character also got unjustly tricked and locked in the jail. During the time in the jail, he also met a best friend and then eventually escaped and became a rich man.
ReplyDeleteThe use of music in this film is something that I am quite impressed about. It magically used "Canzonetta sull'aria" from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" in the jail scene, to constitute a kind of interesting contrast and dynamic, in terms of how the music is usually used and the context of scene. It has also brought a flip-side of the perspective in characters, in order to incite and evoke what could be possible in beneath everyone's heart.
Another thing that I find interesting in this film is that, the meaning of hope is conditional, it depends on each situation. In jail, Red said, hope is dangerous, but in the end, we heard this meaningful quote "hope is good thing, maybe a better thing, no good thing ever dies".
In the end, they've arrived to a small port by the Pacific Ocean coast in Mexico. To me, this is also quite profound as well. It almost entails that everyone eventually just long for a place that doesn't need to be fancy or famous, just a place as a port where they can be surrounded by serenity.
I like the irony that's used in the film. For example, Warden seems to be a sadist but a very religious person and the same time. Andy seems to use this irony very well, even using it as a tool for his escape. He hides an axe in the bible, knowing that it's a place that will never get questioned. He even hides it in the chapter Exodus. The script is very well written and thoughtful even in the props that's in the film.
ReplyDeleteI find it was sad that Brook eventually was sent free and got a job in our normal society, but he's not used to it anymore, and decided to end his life. I feel deeply about this and also questions what is the meaning of freedom? The true meaning and value of freedom is different for everyone.
I find it interesting that there isn't much score in this film, especially melodic music. Because of this, when Mozart's music comes up in the film, it was very strong and even more effective. It almost symbolizes the happiness and freedom that is still embedded inside everyone's restrained bodies. They were silent, but when the music comes up, they emanate like the melody of the music.
When Andy finally escapes out of the jail, the shot of him lifting his arms in the air, as victory as well as marking the end of his sorrows. It's very relieving yet sad to me. A very classic and strong shot.
Additionally, I think what makes this film so strong is it's script. It is very well thought out and very sophisticatedly written. It's one of my favorite films of all time, especially for film scripts.