Movie Review--Shawshank Redemption

SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

The character which I considered the leader or lead in this movie was Mr. Andy Dufresne, portrayed by Mr. Tim Robbins. The other characters - Red (Morgan Freeman), Warden Norton (Bob Gunton), Heywood (Bill Sadler), Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown), and - others are considered followers.

I believe the leadership situation in this movie was successfully and effectively portrayed. Mr. Andy Dufresne actually captured my attention in the movie with his ability to demonstrate leadership with the other characters. With his communication and leadership skills, Andy was able to gain the friendship and protection, although not at first, of the other key characters in the movies. He was befriended by Red and other inmates, protected by the guards, and from the warden. One would almost say that he was able to manipulate some of the characters in the movie. Mr. Dufresne used his abilities and skills from the outside world to his advantage inside of the prison. Andy used to improve the library, to escape, and, most importantly, to survive. With his leadership role at his job in the outside world, it was understandable that he would use this characteristic inside of the prison.

Another thing that impressed me in the movie was Mr. Dufresne's leadership ability to inspire and give hope to the other inmates that came in contact with him. This was truly evident in his ability to get inmates to read and work toward their GEDs while in prison. This was especially true with Tommy Williams (Gil Bellows), a young inmate who did not believe he had the ability to obtain his GED.

This was truly a wonderful movie to watch, and I would recommend its viewing to each and every one of my classmates.

Book Review, Peaks and Valleys

Dr. Spencer Johnson’s Peaks and Valleys is a book that gives one insight into his or her self. This book focus on ways to help people overcome the “Valleys” (trouble) in their lives and ways to increase the “Peaks” (happiness) in their lives. These situations can occur in your personal life and your work life. This book also helps people to understand themselves better, because you must understand yourself to be able to understand the effect these “Peaks and Valleys” have on your life.

I truly can understand and really appreciate some of the insightful information that the book gave in dealing with the trouble or hard-times in your life, whether that be your personal life or professional life. I could have used this insightful information and knowledge last semester when I was having a hard time dealing with a decision that affected my graduation last semester. I had anticipated graduating last semester and, because of a teacher's decision regarding a class that I needed, I was not able to. I really let this situation bother me all semester long, but when I finished reading this book, I looked back and asked myself, “What good could have possibly come out of that bad situation?” I realize that this gave me more time to concentration on other aspects of my, like becoming pregnant and having my first child. It also gave me time to concentrate on the changes that were occurring at work.

This book can really help people if they are willing to think and, as the book says, truly look at oneself and be honest.