The Shawshank Redemption

        - Fear can hold your prisoner. Hope can set you free.

Over the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.

Actors:

Tim Robbins

Morgan Freeman

Bob Gunton

William Sadler

Clancy Brown

Other info:

Director:         Frank Darabont

Producer: Niki Marvin

Running time: 142 minutes

Age rating: R

Genre:                           Drama

Release date: 23 September 1994

Budget:         $25 million

Box Office: $28,906,619

IMDb rating: 9.3 / 10

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

Our Experience

Rating:        9,8/10

Before I knew that the rest of the world also see this movie as one of the best movies of all time, I have loved this movie already. It's slow enough to make sure you get the story and have time to put the pieces together, before revealing an ending you still didn't see coming. It's raw, but filled with hope.

And for me, hope - no matter how small - has the power to dispel the darkest darkness.

Although there are some disturbing scenes, and it is rated R, I have shown this movie to my kids since they were small. There's worse stuff on TikTok or YouTube or even on the news. But this one has hope.

Audience Suggestion & Guidance

Age: All, but with guidance

Swearing:   2/10

Profanity:   Yes

Violence:   4/10

Thinking/Twist factor: 4/10

Blood & Gore:   N/A

Scary factor:   3/10

Nudity:   N/A

Sex:   Implied sexual violence

Synopsis:

In early 1947, Portland, Maine, banker Andy Dufresne arrives at Shawshank State Prison to serve two consecutive life sentences for murdering his wife and her lover. He is befriended by Ellis "Red" Redding, a contraband smuggler serving a life sentence, who procures a rock hammer and a large poster of Rita Hayworth for Andy. Assigned to work in the prison laundry, Andy is frequently raped by "the Sisters" prison gang and their leader, Bogs Diamond.

Read the full synopsis here: The Shawshank Redemption

Law Abiding Citizen

      - Justice at any cost

A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free.

Actors:

Jamie Foxx

Gerard Butler

Bruce McGill

Colm Meaney

Leslie Bibb

Michael Irby

Regina Hall

Other info:

Director:         F. Gary Gray

Producer: Lucas Foster                                         Gerard Butler

Running time: 118 minutes

Age rating: R

Genre:                           Action, Crime, Drama

Release date: 16 October 2009

Budget:         $53 million

Box Office: $127,944,208

IMDb rating: 7.4 / 10

Rotten Tomatoes: 26%

Our Experience

Rating:        8/10

This is an excellent movie, however not one to watch everyday or over and over again. It is very heavy and very graphic, not for the weak in the stomach. But it is a movie with a solid story, about something we've all wondered about, and one that questions your morals and your convictions.

Not for kids under 16, and even then I would suggest parental guidance.

Audience Suggestion & Guidance

Age: 16+

Swearing:   7/10

Profanity:   Yes

Violence:   8/10

Blood & Gore:   8/10

Scary factor:   3/10

Nudity:   1/10

Sex:   Implied rape scenes

Synopsis:

During a home invasion, Clarence Darby rapes & murders the wife and daughter of engineer Clyde Shelton, who is forced to watch. Prosecuting attorney Nick Rice is unable to convict Darby due to mishandled evidence. Unwilling to risk lowering his high conviction rate, he makes a deal with Darby; he testifies against his accomplice Rupert Ames (who only intended to steal from Clyde) so he is convicted and sentenced to death, while Darby pleads guilty to third degree murder and receives a lighter sentence. Clyde feels betrayed by Nick and the justice system.

Read the full synopsis here: Law Abiding Citizen