I can't believe it...

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2001)

It's unbelievable -- I'm dumbfounded. As of this writing, Shawshank Redemption is #2 in the top 250 films in the IMDB (I'm sure "The Godfather" still holds the #1 spot). That is simply incredible for a film released seven years ago, absolutely mindblowing. This movie captured more than just a generation, it captured the hearts and minds of the global moviegoing public, and apparently will not let go.
Think of the hundreds of films released since 1994... and realize that "Shawshank Redemption" holds the #2 spot... on the world's most popular film site -- truly the worldwide *people's* democratic vote!
If you still haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself. With perhaps the most cathartic, satisfying ending in film history, superb, sharply-defined characters and plot, plot, plot... this is the film to see if you love movies, and even if you hate movies. If you see only one movie in your lifetime, this may be the one to see (you can read 'The Godfather', which in my opinion is much better in book format).
A work of art that is not going to go away, "Shawshank Redemption" is the best prison movie ever released and one of the greatest films of all time.