tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post4038332014135316848..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Top 10 Movies Set in PrisonAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90901441849333571522016-01-05T14:52:56.513-05:002016-01-05T14:52:56.513-05:00SO glad you like Fanny and Alexander. One of my al...SO glad you like Fanny and Alexander. One of my all-time favorites. I will certainly add AME to my list!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-85491980372812835022015-12-28T17:30:37.535-05:002015-12-28T17:30:37.535-05:00I just saw AME and its RIGHT up your street. Get t...I just saw AME and its RIGHT up your street. Get to it right away man- after you're done with The Ascent, and The Leopard, and Inside Out (if you haven't already)...<br /><br />So many films, so little time :P Happy Holidays. <br /><br />Oh and I'm not sure if I mentioned it but I finally got around to Fanny & Alexander- and I'm so glad that everything you said about it was true. Divine movie :DMark Woollonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072777957640381767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56778232642432834292015-08-25T14:26:08.959-04:002015-08-25T14:26:08.959-04:00Haven't seen that one. But I really need to.Haven't seen that one. But I really need to.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-6530848683169306482015-08-25T14:15:31.433-04:002015-08-25T14:15:31.433-04:00Did you consider A Man Escaped? I've yet to se...Did you consider A Man Escaped? I've yet to see a Bresson film, but I wondered if you had- and what you thought.Mark Woollonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072777957640381767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79490852474205077982012-12-17T16:48:20.080-05:002012-12-17T16:48:20.080-05:00Thanks Dan! Whew, I'm so happy to hear that so...Thanks Dan! Whew, I'm so happy to hear that someone else has not only seen Slam, but enjoyed it as well. Dan to the rescue, ha.<br /><br />In the Name of the Father is just... it's just perfect, isn't it? Thanks so much for reading!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-92047060773599386742012-12-17T15:57:14.173-05:002012-12-17T15:57:14.173-05:00Alex, it's very cool to see Slam on your list....Alex, it's very cool to see Slam on your list. It's a surprisingly powerful movie that stands out because the lead performance is so good. I just caught up with A Prophet this year, and it's an excellent top choice. I'd probably put In the Name of the Father even higher. That's such a great movie. Nice job!Danhttp://ptsnob.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-67084919184204769222012-12-17T14:09:52.522-05:002012-12-17T14:09:52.522-05:00Glad you dig the list! Le Trou was really engaging...Glad you dig the list! Le Trou was really engaging. Many extended sequences of no dialogue, just the action of escaping. Very good stuff.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-44951601817046119562012-12-17T14:09:12.556-05:002012-12-17T14:09:12.556-05:00I am so glad to hear that you're a fan of In t...I am so glad to hear that you're a fan of In the Name of the Father, that's one that continues to be criminally ignored, and that more people most definitely need to see. Such a remarkable achievement. <br /><br />I love Rockwell's work in The Green Mile. Damn near perfect as Wild Bill.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56075926968629109222012-12-17T14:07:20.925-05:002012-12-17T14:07:20.925-05:00Actually, I completely understand where you're...Actually, I completely understand where you're coming from. I've always enjoyed the film, but I've certainly never been as hyped about it as others. So, don't worry, you're safe here haha.<br /><br />Hunger... that one <i>still</i> haunts me. Remarkable film.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-69613091526059150572012-12-17T13:24:16.257-05:002012-12-17T13:24:16.257-05:00Yay! Love seeing A Prophet at #1, and it's gre...Yay! Love seeing A Prophet at #1, and it's great that Midnight Express managed to crack the top 5. Le Trou is going high on my watchlist now.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-17191978576884123192012-12-17T03:13:59.996-05:002012-12-17T03:13:59.996-05:00I am the only person I know who does not like Shaw...I am the only person I know who does not like Shawskank :P I agree with your praise of Darabont's use of music to change tone, and I love Morgan Freeman's acting throughout. But even as I admired the cinematography while watching it, I never felt an emotional connection to the story or characters. I kept trying to like it, since it is such a well-regarded film critically and popularly. However, I could never bring myself to care about or root for anyone in the film. I forgot about it quickly after the credits. Hunger, on the other hand, haunted me for days.<br /><br />.......but I understand I am part of the extreme minority with this opinion.<br /><br /> Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043792961414049211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-38697801498888775982012-12-16T23:23:34.564-05:002012-12-16T23:23:34.564-05:00I have only seen The Hurricane, In The Name of the...I have only seen The Hurricane, In The Name of the Father & The Shawshank Redemption and each of those could easily feature in any top 10 movie list. <br />I saw In the Name of the Father when I was about 13, it was one of the first movies I can remember to genuinely shock and move me. <br />I'm a big fan of The Green Mile, Sam Rockwell was amazing as Wild Bill, still I think his finest performances amongst some brilliant others.<br />Ed Hanaphynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-44422661094240693772012-12-16T17:02:36.152-05:002012-12-16T17:02:36.152-05:00Thanks man. Papillion was legit number 11 on this ...Thanks man. Papillion was legit number 11 on this list. Really solid prison flick right there. Glad you're a fan of Hunger and A Prophet. Bitchin' movies.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-21336018964210594392012-12-16T13:05:24.304-05:002012-12-16T13:05:24.304-05:00Solid list. I would also add Papillon, starring St...Solid list. I would also add Papillon, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. That and your top two would be my top three. Amirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06862108887275338771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48947149570174217002012-12-16T12:55:04.565-05:002012-12-16T12:55:04.565-05:00Thanks so much! I couldn't agree more about yo...Thanks so much! I couldn't agree more about your thoughts on Shawshank and Hunger. I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who DIDN'T like Shawshank, and Hunger is just... wow. So powerful, so intense. I watched it last night after I published this post, and was again completely in awe of its ferocity. <br /><br />Two great, great films there.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-25772108432778881222012-12-16T12:53:10.458-05:002012-12-16T12:53:10.458-05:00The Green Mile is... eh, it just doesn't reall...The Green Mile is... eh, it just doesn't really work for me. I mentioned this in another recent list of mine, about directors whose best films were their first, which I think is true for Darabont. The Green Mile has a huge heart, no doubt, but it's a tad too sentimental for me to love it.<br /><br />A Man Escaped... I'm all over it. Thanks!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40056264542606948892012-12-16T12:50:59.761-05:002012-12-16T12:50:59.761-05:00Thanks! What's the other one you've seen, ...Thanks! What's the other one you've seen, Hunger? Either way, two great flicks there. DEFINITELY check out Cool Hand Luke when you can. It's so iconic.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22980980902874933522012-12-16T12:50:13.735-05:002012-12-16T12:50:13.735-05:00Whoa, what strong similarities we have here. That&...Whoa, what strong similarities we have here. That's awesome man.<br /><br />I need to find Blood In, Blood Out right away, sounds great. Bratt... I always <i>want</i> to like him, but I feel like he often takes such shitty roles. Loved him in Traffic, Trucker and La Mission... hopefully I dig his work in his. Thanks for the reco.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-69707617665116687252012-12-16T11:05:03.642-05:002012-12-16T11:05:03.642-05:00Like Nikhat, I've only seen two of these - but...Like Nikhat, I've only seen two of these - but both of them are exceptionally great movies, and I'm happy to have seen at least these.<br />The Shawshank Redemption was of course an essential for this list, I don't think anybody doesn't like it.<br />Hunger is a more controversial movie, however I liked it even more than The Shawshank Redemption. Films that either focus on images or dialogue instead of trying to hit a balance, are always interesting, but few films manage to make something good out of it. Hunger did - and much more. I really hope we'll see more of Steve McQueen soon.<br />Good list!Mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08094234448852441633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-63181129727532085102012-12-16T04:50:02.033-05:002012-12-16T04:50:02.033-05:00Great list, love films set in prison. Another hono...Great list, love films set in prison. Another honorable mention: Bresson's A Man Escaped (1956). <br /><br />Then there's The Green Mile, but that's a bit iffy, it's in the IMDB top 250, but I don't think quite as good as Shawshank. <br /><br />Le Trou (1960) I will add to my watch list, thanks for this.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-63931827452863879462012-12-16T03:25:47.119-05:002012-12-16T03:25:47.119-05:00Gah 2 out of 10. But Shawshank is one of my favour...Gah 2 out of 10. But Shawshank is one of my favourite films ever, so it's alright. Great post and yaay new additions to me "to watch" list :)Nikhathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379713171889712078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-3998206426657178132012-12-15T19:38:49.350-05:002012-12-15T19:38:49.350-05:00A Prophet and Hunger are my top 2 prison films. I...<i>A Prophet</i> and <i>Hunger</i> are my top 2 prison films. It goes back and forth. Those are what I think are the best.<br /><br />3. <i>Cool Hand Luke</i><br />4. <i>The Shawshank Redemption</i><br />5. <i>Midnight Express</i><br /><br />Here's a honorable mention: <i>Blood In, Blood Out</i> by Taylor Hackford starring Benjamin Bratt. It's sort of a prison film as part of it does take place in a prison where it's about a trio of Chicano relatives (one of which is a mixture of white and Mexican) where one of them goes to prison where he ends up becoming the leader of a Chicano prison gang. It features an early appearance from Billy Bob Thornton as a white Supremist gang leader.thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37608769445787414712012-12-15T19:31:46.176-05:002012-12-15T19:31:46.176-05:00I saw that spelling on a flyer the other day and f...I saw that spelling on a flyer the other day and forgot how much I love that word. But I just referenced Spike Lee's 25th Hour, and they spell it hoosegow... is if it's good enough for Spike, then it's gotta be good enough for me!<br /><br />In the Name of the Father is remarkable. So glad to hear you're a fan of that one. Definitely my second favorite DDL performance behind There Will Be Blood. And I agree, more people need to see it. So so good.<br /><br />You've never seen Cool Hand Luke?! Highly recommend that one. One of my all time faves right there.<br /><br />Glad you liked the list, thanks for reading!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-63171876526133044692012-12-15T19:16:51.105-05:002012-12-15T19:16:51.105-05:00"Whooscow?" Is that really how it's ..."Whooscow?" Is that really how it's spelled? Yup. I'm the kind of nerd who fixates on those things.<br /><br />It's been easily 15 years since I saw In The Name of the Father, and I've forgotten a lot of details, but my feeling for that movie has stuck with me all that time. That's how much I loved that film. I've tried to talk many people into watching it, over the years, so we could discuss it, with zero success.<br /><br />Hunger is magnificent too. I am also a fan of The Shawshank Redemption. I haven't seen the others.<br /><br />Great post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com