Top Ten List suggestion...

[LincM]

Top Ten Prison movies:
(*not in order yet*)
Shawshank Redemption (well, except that one)
The Rock
Green Mile
Longest Yard
Count of Monte Cristo

There is a nice list there but sadly I can't remember a lot, kinda preoccupied with White Castles

Even though it'
s not technically a prison movie because of how long they're in prison, Tango & Cash belongs on that list.

[opie301]

Top Ten Prison movies:
(*not in order yet*)
Shawshank Redemption (well, except that one)
The Rock
Green Mile
Longest Yard
Count of Monte Cristo

I knew this topic seemed familiar.

So, returning to the concept, here's what I said way back when...
1. American History X
2. Cool Hand Luke
3. Shawshank Redemption
4. The Great Escape
5. Papillon
6. Midnight Express
7. Dead Man Walking
8. Escape from Alcatraz
9. Cadence
10. Bridge on the River Kwai

Other, honorable mention types...
Clockwork Orange (technically a prison movie, but too far off the theme to fit with the rest)
The Green Mile (what is it with King and prisons)
Longest Yard (original version only)
The Running Man (oh hells yeah!)
No Escape

Though I am concerned with the fact that HtP brought prison movies up... again.

[HeirToPendragon]

It's a good idea

I'm still angry that Rock isn't on that list of yours and that Shawshank isn't first.

[opie301]

You know, when I went back and found that thread, I thought about my reasons for not including The Rock. Previously, I implied that it was a bad movie when compared to the others on my list, but that's not really it. What I discovered, is that I don't really consider The Rock a prison movie. Yes, it takes place primarily in an abandoned prison, but it's not really about being in prison. It's setting only. In that sense, I'm saying that The Rock is not, in fact, a prison movie.

As far as the position of Shawshank, well, it's just opinion my friend. I love Shawshank, but Cool Hand Luke and American History X are more compelling movies, to me, from a psychological stand point. I don't know. It's just that I think of those two movies first when i think of Prison movies.

[HeirToPendragon]

Yeah I think I can agree with you on The Rock.

I think that list would give Joe a chance to do movies that he'd never get a chance to do later. I mean, how many chances would Joe get to write a mini review for Shawshank or American History X

[gerbo321]

I would have to put American History X over Shawshank as well. But it is close.

[LincM]

I would have to put American History X over Shawshank as well. But it is close.

Cool Hand Luke would only just make it into my top ten.

And Shawshank would top my list.

And The Green Mile would possibly come a close second or third along with the Great Escape and American History X.

[gerbo321]

Feel ashamed to admit it but I haven't seen Cool Hand luke, The Green Mile, or the Great Escape. Not really a prision movie kind of guy. Or escape movie.

[LincM]

That's ok. I'm not a war movie buff, so people think it's sacreligious that I haven't seen heaps of war movies (including Saving Private Ryan and Thin Blue Line) but have seen a select few (Platoon, Buffalo Soldiers and Full Metal Jacket). Not everyone can like every time of movie. I don't like every type of music.

[gerbo321]

Its Thin Red Line. And it sucked.

While it is normal for people to like and dislike genres, why is it that everyone in this country is obessed, and for the most part, only sees crappy comedies starring Adam Sandler and Will Farrell. The only reason I ever see this is if they are TV, and then I am not really paying attention.

[opie301]

Cool Hand Luke would only just make it into my top ten.

And Shawshank would top my list.

And The Green Mile would possibly come a close second or third along with the Great Escape and American History X.

The flaw with both of the prison movies based on Stephen King short stories, the reason I can't put Shawshank redemption at the top, is the narration. I mean, I could listen to Morgan Freeman all day long, but the narration takes some of the wonder away.

And the Green Mile, as much as I enjoy the film, is too much a paint-by-numbers when it comes to the characters. But ultimately, it doesn't make my list because it's more about magic than it is about people. And once you introduce that element, well, it just muddies the message.

Cool Hand Luke and Papillon are both these great films about guys in prison who continually get beaten by the system. And yet, past the point where most men would accept their fate, they're never broken, they never give up. And I guess this is just my interpretation of what makes a movie a great Prison Movie.

[HeirToPendragon]

Its Thin Red Line. And it sucked.

While it is normal for people to like and dislike genres, why is it that everyone in this country is obessed, and for the most part, only sees crappy comedies starring Adam Sandler and Will Farrell. The only reason I ever see this is if they are TV, and then I am not really paying attention.

Gerbo, try working at a rental store where Larry the Cable Guy was rented more than any other movie the week of its release. Where we get in over 300 Taladega (I don't care to spell it right) movies and only 100 Thank you for Smoking (luckily we couteracted the Ferrell with about 200 Little Miss Sunshine)

I want to kill half our customers. Not a single one of them has any refinement. I don't mind the people that rent one of those stupid comedies + a good movie. I'm more pissed at the people that rent the stupid comedy and then the incredibly gorey, incredibly plotless C (less than B) horror movies. Like Snakes on a Train!!

Man, today was my off day too, thanks a lot Gerbo

Opie I think you need to watch Shawshank again, I think it's Freeman's narration that makes the movie so good. It's like you're reading a book but really you're watching a movie.

By the way, have you seen this Opie? http://youtube.com/watch?v=i3Gj57b-87Q

[gerbo321]

Pointless horror films can be very fun. I usually get a series drama, foreign film, and horror film each week from netflix. I avoid comedy movies like the plague (if i want to laugh i listen to stand up), but do enjoy dark comedies/dramas like Life Aquatic, Weatherman, Save the Green Planet. To bad you cant refuse to serve Sandler Watchers.

[HeirToPendragon]

Hey there was nothing wrong with Click mind you. I don't mind Sandler as much as Ferrell. Ferrell just can't do comedy without making it grotesque (unless it's Elf)

[gerbo321]

I'll give Sandler Click and Happy Gilmore. Everything else is pretty much the same and crappy.