Favorite Movies Countdown — No. 23

23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton, and Clancy Brown

About: Every year there is an exception movie nominated for a ton of Academy Awards that wins nothing. In 1994, that movie was "The Shawshank Redemption." Today, it sits as the No. 1 rated movie in a vote of film fans on the Internet Movie Database. That is a testament to the power of the story and the film craft on display.

When you think about it, now 17 years later, it's hard to believe that "Shawshank" didn't win the Best Picture prize. The nominees that year were "Shawshank," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Quiz Show," "Pulp Fiction," and winner "Forrest Gump." "Gump" still ranks as a solid film, but it's hard not to feel like "Shawshank" was the best film in that group. I certainly think that if we were voting over today, it would win.

What appeals to people about the film are its themes. You wouldn't think that friendship and hope would be the overarching themes of a film set over a 20-year period in a maximum security prison, but that's a testament to the story. The acting is also marvelous. Gunton is great as the corrupt warden, with Brown filling the shoes of the violent and imposing captain of the guard well. But it's really the two leads that make the film what it is.

Robbins has an elegant, quiet approach to Andy. And Freeman — who finally won an Academy Award in 2004 — is great as Red, the narrator and focal piece in the film. I find it amazing that Robbins wasn't even nominated for his work in the film.

I think what also makes "Shawshank" unique is the origin of the story. The film is based on a short story from Stephen King — yes the same author famed for his horror stories, such as "Misery" and "Carrie." King is, at heart, an incredible writer. His non-horror stories, I think, are even more powerful than his genre work, with "The Shawshank Redemption" standing out as the class of the group.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Romans 5:3-5, which says, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." I think the story of "The Shawshank Redemption," particularly that of Andy (Robbins), embodies the ideals of that verse.

It is a beautiful and inspiring story set in a dark, lonely, and often violent place. What a perfect metaphor for our lives in this broken world.

Other Films based on A-Typical Stephen King stories:

Stand By Me (1986)

A tale of young boys coming of age. This isn't typically what you'd think of when you hear the name Stephen King, but it's based on his short story "The Body."

The Stand (1994)

This mini-series is about the apocalypse, but it presents the story in the ultimate good versus evil way. The mini-series — which famously aired on ABC — is based on one of King's novels. The work has some fascinating religious themes as well.

The Green Mile (1999)

Back in prison, this film from the same director as "Shawshank" is another fascinating story of friendship and hope in the desolation of incarceration. This time it takes place on death row. Another fascinating story — this time with Tom Hanks in the leading role.