 "Greatest Movie Ever" | 2009-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2M11ZUOD1ZLDT |
This is my favorite film, and over the years I have watched it grow from a near box office flop to one of the most beloved films. This is the tale of Andy Dufrense convicted of murdering his wife "and the fella she was banging." Andy is then sent to Shawshank prison to server back to back life sentences. While there he meets Red, the only guilty man in Shawshank, and his group of friends that make the time easier. He also meets Boggs and the bull queers who make his life a living hell. Through the course of actions, Andy begins to accept he is in prison and makes the best of it. He uses his skills as a banker to do favors for the warden and the guards, and in return he tries to make Shawshank more tolerable for all, by building a library and helping to educate the inmates. Andy seems content to remain in prison, he has found his niche, then he gets word that there may be evidence that could set him free, when the warden disregards the information, Andy generally goes insane and makes a last ditch effort to get out. The film is a roller coaster of emotions, some comical, some tragic, and in the end total redemption. I have seen it many times and still come close to tears at points. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman create wonderful characters and should have both won Oscars. Since this films release it has moved to number 2 on the [...] list, just behind the Godfather.
About the DVD: It is sparse, which is to say that it does not have the toys that we have come to know and love from our discs (Behind the scenes, trailers, deleted scenes, directors/actors commentary) this one only has the Theatrical trailer. Hopefully with this being the 10 year anniversary of The Shawshank Redemption, Warner Brothers will capitalize on the occasion and release a collectors edition rife with all the requisite goodies.
T
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| "Blu-ray 'book' edition - a must have" | 2009-10-16 |
| - Reviewed By avrwc |
I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered the Shawshank Redemption on Blu. It was my third, having already enjoyed the VHS and the DVD. It's one of my favorite movies, the all-time 'guy movie' (but all genders should love it), a show of friendship, loyalty, love of freedom and, above all, love of life in freedom. And who could tell a story better than Stephen King, the number one story-teller in residence? And who else practically exhales humanity if not Morgan Freedman as Red Redding? Add Tim Robins as the mysterious and never tired of living Andy Dufresne and it's a movie that at least I keep watching over and over again. I've already watched the Blu edition twice after having watched the DVD and the VHS who knows how many more times.
But I won't be reviewing the movie or the script - it's been done thousands of times already by others, much better qualified. I only want to discuss this most impressive Blu-ray rendition. So, here it comes.
THE BINDING
Physically, it comes in what I see it's called a 'book' binding. I have one other edition of 'The Matrix' put together in the same fashion. It is literally a book. Hard-cover style, the disk attached to the inner side of the back cover. If you open the book, carefully, you will find glossy, beautifully illustrated pages dedicated to the many great actors that played in Shawshank, to Stephen King, of course, the director, the writer. Being a book, it doesn't lock. It also doesn't open very well so, like I said, open it carefully.
I am not going to say that "this book binding alone should be reason enough to get yourself the Blu edition" because it would be silly but the pretty package shows that some TLC was invested when putting this together this release, unlike some other do-it-quick-and-cheap DVD-to-Blu translations - and they know who they are.
PICTURE AND SOUND
The quality is dramatically better when compared to the previous DVD edition. And, no, it does not compare with an upscaled DVD. I watched the first few minutes on the DVD and on the Blu on a PS3 that upscales DVDs and there is no comparison. There is some graininess in scenes shot in semi-dark surroundings but I would call the overall quality of the picture as somewhere between 'excellent' and 'spectacular'.
Almost the same to be said about the sound. The TrueHD makes a significant difference on a 7.1 surround system. I know it because the Dolby 5.1 track is also included and even my untrained ears can tell the difference.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Sadly, there's nothing new here. Three LENGTHY features (40-plus minutes each), including a full Charley Rose episode discussing the movie with all the two main actors and the director. The other two extras feature Stephen King, the script writer, the director, the actors, the town where the movie was shot, the 'Shawshank Prison' building (a former real prison in real life), even former 'true' prisoners, talking about how it really was. All three features are worth watching but, sadly, they are in the old 'narrow screen', low-res TV format with 2-channel stereo sound.
An alternative sound track with director's commentary is also available.
RATING THIS EDITION
With all the little shortcomings noted, it HAS to be a 5-star because I'm comparing it with any of the prior editions. There are very few movies I have on DVD that I would buy again on Blu but, this would be the one I'd get even if I could only afford buying one.
If you have a Blu player and you love The Shawshank Redemption you owe yourself getting this. |
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| "Fear can hold you prisoner...Hope can set you free" | 2009-10-09 |
| - Reviewed By jc4166050 |
I'm ashamed to say I didn't see this movie until 2000, but when I did I was utterly blown away by the power of it. While movies are supposed to be an escape from reality, Shawshank does the opposite by putting the viewer in a harsh reality with seemingly no escape from it...yet Andy Dufresne manages to find a way.
While both Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins had some memorable roles before and after this movie, their roles as Red and Andy, respectively, are career-defining roles. In any time period, one can see those who have thrown in the towel after life has dealt them a harsh hand, while others hold onto boundless optimism in spit of the bad hand life has given them so far. The dual story arcs of the prison break, combined with Red's conversion and redemption is a remarkable storytelling achievement.
This movie has personally resonated with me ever since I first saw it nine years ago. Any time I'm down, I'm able to remember and watch Shawshank and ultimately become inspired and full of hope again. I'm grateful that this movie was made, and it's easily my favorite movie. |
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 "Modern 'Count of Monte Cristo'" | 2009-09-23 |
| - Reviewed By lenedwin |
| I agree with most of the other reviewers. This is a great movie in all respects. But I must point out its similarity to the classic 'Count of Monte Cristo'. An innocent man wrongly convicted and incarcerated in a hellish prison who finds wealth and then has revenge on his accusers. The director presents a subtle hint at this in the scene where the inmates are stocking the library. One of the books being shelved was 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Nothing more to add except it deserves it's place as one of the all time greats. |
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| "A great story ever time it is told" | 2009-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By rlaurel@lycos-inc.com |
Story telling just does not get any better. Steven King's short story was terrific and yet Frank Duramont (director), Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, James Whitmore, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, Mark Ralston put capture on film the telling of a tale you will want to hear again and again.
It just do not get any better than this. |
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| "Good Movie" | 2009-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGGCFIGZIMNXF |
| The movie is excellent as with any version you purchase but blu-ray really adds a new level. The only problem with the dvd is that the highlights are hard to see in some of the menus so navigation of special features can be difficult but once you realize what to look for its not so bad. |
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