Forget the IMDB Top 250 ranking- this is still a great movie.

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 2002)

Is The Shawshank Redemption the second best movie of all time? No, it isn't. However, I contributed to its ranking by giving it a 10/10 vote. Yes, IMDB's Top 250 list is flawed in the sense that some of the greatest films ever made inspire some of the most violently negative reactions in a sizable contingent of the collective movie-viewing public (thereby rendering them ineligible for the highest overall voting average). The Shawshank Redemption, however, clearly did not evoke many negative reactions- should the film be faulted for that?
Absolutely not, I say. This is a grand movie that strikes one fundamentally real and basic existential chord, namely the abstraction of faith and hope within the context of the tremendous pain and frustration humanity inflicts upon itself. Faith does not have to be of a religious nature, and The Shawshank Redemption doesn't go there (this is why I love it, but abhor The Green Mile). Rather, the faith of Shawshank is a stubborn, earthly, human faith, that despite the arbitrary injustice of existence, the individual can persevere and affirm within himself or herself that yes, life is worth living. For my money, that is solid return on two hours of my time.
I am a cynic and a misanthrope, supremely so on both counts. That said, I acknowledge that I have no choice but to accept the context of my existence for what it is, and I can either "get busy living or get busy dying." Apparently, most people agree on some level.