MSU Red Cedar Message Board

I would not call the Shawshank Redemption a cult classic. It's a pretty standard drama. Is there a cult of die hard Shawshank Redemption people who get together, dress up and act out scenes, endlessly quote it, and go to midnight screenings of it in character?

I don't think that box office success/popularity has anything to do with cult status either. Cult status has more to do with the cult that rises up around the movie than the movie itself.

Can you think of a reason why someone might consider Shawshank a cult flim? Honest question. I see listed several times on the lists I've found.

The Thing, Gorgo, The day the earth stood still and most of the 50's atomic distaster movies.

2 movies I love that should be considered:

PCU and Empire Records

They deserve some consideration

Unscientific definitions are largely created by a society, and society defines "cult classics" as popular films amongst a small, specific group of fans. The academics may not like it, but that's the way it is.

The real question is, at what point does a movie go from cult classic to commercial classic? Some movies become huge BECAUSE they were cult classics. In the television arena, this is exactly what happened to Family Guy.

Trainspotting.

How does, "A Clockwork Orange" not make it?

Rushmore
Caligula
Moonrise Kingdom
Royal Tennebaums
Juno
Hard Candy
Hollywood Knights
Porkys

Honestly they are popular among gays which I think in part is why they may be on that list. Parts of the gay sub culture is very similar to hipster culture

Strange Brew and Slap Shot have to be there. This list is seriously lacking to cult classics.

I guess they think if it's dramatic and sucks it's better for the list than great comedies.

Did you go? I wanted to but couldn't make it. I was wondering if they would be doing all of the same jokes from the video version or possibly a bunch of new riffs. Regardless it seemed pretty sweet.

All new stuff is pretty sweet. It's mind-blowing to me how good they are at riffing movies that they can do the same movie twice with all new material and still be hilarious. Hopefully the new version becomes available. No shame in the poster snag. Very cool piece of memorabilia. I'll have to check out the short later.