Gladiator

Gladiator

"Are you entertained!?"

-Maximus Decimus Meridus 

Movie Medal: Gold

Aprox. Time : 3 hours.

Cast: Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, 

Director: Ridley Scott

Release Year: 2000

"300, I am your father." are the very words that I imagine that Ridley Scott's Gladiator would say to Zack Snyder's 300 if they were human beings; 300 inherited several elements of Gladiator and simply added impressive visuals to the mix, but failed to adopt a screenplay as captivating as Gladiator.

Okay, almost perfect. In particular, I felt the ending was too cliche. Nonetheless, when placed in context, this film is bursting forth with quotations that give one food for thought. Among these is the ever-so-famous quote (SPOILER ALERT):

"I am Maximus Decimus Meridas,commander of the armies of the north,general of the Felix Legions

loyal servant to the true empereor Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I will have my vengence in this life or the next.

This film was responsible for typecasting Crowe as some medival-shakespearian-tounged actor in a contemporary film (Master & Commander, Noah, Man of Steel). But you cannot blame him nor the directors, his performance in this movie was just amazing. We had the benefit of experiencing the character of a very down to earth gladiator. 

There's much more that can be said in this movie, especially the character development that many of the major characters undergo (and there is a lot) as well as several common elements that are common with life as we know today: entertainment, power and politics are just a few to mention.

As usual, I will let the movie speak for itself.

Schindler's List

Schindler's List

"Whoever saves one life saves the world entire"

-Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) in Schindler's List

Movie Medal: Gold

Aprox. Time : 3 hours.

Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes

Director: Steven Spielberg

Release Year: 1993

I came close to tears after my third complete viewing of Schindler’s List. This my most favourite movie of all time.

The beauty of this film arises from the unique and memorable characters that we are exposed to. We become acquainted with most of them for a very brief period of time but the complex nature of their
interactions and humanity under dire circumstances resonates with our own humanity.

Steven Spielberg retells this tale of the holocaust without relying too much on shock value; he strikes a fine balance between humanity and tragedy in such a time. This delicate balance (with respect to the subject matter) is achieved so well, that one is rewarded with a well deserved catharsis at the end of three hours.a. 

I could go on for hours about Schindler’s list, but I think I would rather let the film speak for itself.

I recommend this film to anyone who has even a tinkling of an interest in the holocaust. I consider it valuable historical material (albeit not entirely accurate) alongside books like Man’s Search for Meaning-by Viktor Frankl.