I suppose one of the most brilliant movies I've watched is Shawshank Redemption. There's something in the way Morgan Freeman narrates the story, the simplicity that Tim Robbins seems to polish, and a plot that turns Stephen King truly a genius in front of my eyes. I've watched the movie several time, read the story as well -- and all thanks to the Dude, who eventually got me into watching flicks a whole deal, introduced it first to me.
It's the beauty of the end. The sheer perfectness, the simple accomplishment -- where nothing but a good story can find good rest.
I mentioned it to Dead Flowers once, some while ago, and he told me to follow Prison Break and Oz. Somehow being a hack, I've never able to follow TV like that. But the movie: I mean there's somethings to that film, something really wonderful.
I've passed on this film to a whole lot of people, everyone seems to enjoy it. Some of them aren't great movie watchers. I agree that the movie is actually better than the novella. I even agree with why it's touted as one of the 100 best films of all time.
I'm not very good with tragedy. There's nothing like watching Barry Lyndon, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, or even Chinatown. But the end just doesn't do me right. I'm not saying that I want perfect endings, but A Clockwork Orange works fine in the end (although I never liked the original Burgess' ending), doesn't it? I just don't see any catharsis, it only makes me grieve for the character, sometimes loathe it for it's flaw.
If you've watched Allen's Melinda and Melinda, you would know what I mean. The two famous playwrights are questioning the traditional argument: is it tragedy or comedy? Which art is more superior?