Ridley Scott employed the perfect balance of narrative, cinematic imagery and adventure to build the timeless tale of a once great empire beginning its fall into the moral decay that was Rome.
Where do you stand on the Transgender Issue now that the issue has gotten to the overt point of the open celebration of this lifestyle choice, dictated by certain direct and explicit actions.
84.13% I do not approve of behavior that has within its expressed tenants policies that harm children.
14.29% I do support the Trans Community in all its many facets because diversity is at a premium in today's society.
1.59% What is a "Children's Drag Queen Story Hour?"
Gladiator is a classic story of good v. evil, with the prize being Rome itself. Russell Crowe plays the loyal and heroic General who knows that his leader Marcus Aurelius is honorable in intention. His masterful performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001. Marcus Aurelius, played by the late actor Richard Harris, is frail yet devoted to the ideals of Rome. Commodus, played diabolically by Joaquin Phoenix, is an ill-tempered, spoiled, self-indulgent, and immoral son and then ruler. History records Commodus as slightly worse. Connie Nielson plays Lucilla with icy-cold perfection. She handles her depraved brother well, even as he makes it clear he intends to become her lover. She once loved Maximus but that love she still holds inside is surpassed only by her respect for him and his devotion to Rome and her late father. And the late great Oliver Reed entertains audiences for the last time as the greedy and irritable Proximo. Reed passed away before filming was complete. The story is so inspiring and moving because of the love Maximus carries inside for his wife and young son and the devotion he continues to show to his Emperor. We all want to root for such heroes.
The scenery is breathtaking, as Scott re-creates Rome and the magnificent Colosseum. It is spectacular. The fight scenes are choreographed perfectly and blended with a perfect score. The end theme is a perfect tribute to Maximus. It is a haunting yet majestic theme that easily takes the audience from the death of a hero amid the grandeur of the Colosseum to the personal journey to the afterlife. A perfect movie, from start to finish, and for all of one’s senses.
Diane Rufino once told me that "Gladiator" was her favorite film of all time, but Diane said that about other films at other times, which revealed to me that Diane loved many things at many different times; however, was never distracted from she knew to be real, and what she knew to be real ... was legendary.
I agreed often with Diane about she knew to be so real; that was incredibly important not only to her, but should be to others.
After watching "Gladiator," yet again, this time with my dear wife of 46.6 years, I must agree with Diane that this film, with its fabulous soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard running almost constantly in the background, is one of the greatest films ever made, and will forever withstand the test of time to remain so.
I agreed often with Diane about she knew to be so real; that was incredibly important not only to her, but should be to others.
After watching "Gladiator," yet again, this time with my dear wife of 46.6 years, I must agree with Diane that this film, with its fabulous soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard running almost constantly in the background, is one of the greatest films ever made, and will forever withstand the test of time to remain so.