Movie #229 - Gladiator

Gladiator
2000 - Rated R - 2 hr 35 min
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tommy Flanagan

Obviously, with a Latin teacher in the house, this is a favorite around here.  What I like most about this movie -- aside from the realistic interpretation of the time period -- is its ability to appeal to different tastes.  It's not just an action film, or a historical film, or a drama film.  It has a unique blend of elements that allow you to get pulled into the story line, root for the main character, and escape to another world for a couple of hours.

It's long, for sure, but it doesn't drag.  That's another bonus in my book.  You really don't mind sitting through two and a half hours, because that's what you need for a thorough telling of this story. 

One critique is the clear-cut bad guy vs. good guy.  No one roots for Commodus.  Maybe you shouldn't, but I always like a movie with a multi-dimensional rivalry and a little bit of gray area.  But I guess there's something to be told for this movie's traditional standpoint.  Stories from that time were indeed clear-cut, so it makes sense this one would be too.

A favorite, since my very first watch. A+

Movie #215 - The Four Feathers

The Four Feathers
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 11 min
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Starring: Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley, Kate Hudson, Djimon Hounsou

Here's another movie I want to love.  Everything about it says, "Steph will love this movie!" The cast, the setting, the epic tale... but everytime I watch it, I fall asleep.  I stayed awake this time (finally) and it was not easy at all.

Why do I struggle with this one?

Heath Ledger plays a British officer who resigns instead of going into battle and then gets shunned by his friends and fiancee.  They send him white feathers as a sign of his cowardice.  After that, his life slowly falls apart and he takes extreme measures to try to redeem himself.  His ending isn't a happy one, after all of that, and it's kinda sad really. 

Other people love this movie, but I find it kind of "Meh" and I don't have a good reason for that at all.

Movie #130 - Constantine

Constantine
Warner Bros
2005 - Rated R - 2 hr 1 min
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LeBeouf, Djimon Hounson, Gavin Rossdale, Tilda Swinton

Here's a creepy movie for you!  Religious thrillers scare the bejeebers out of me, usually, but Keanu Reeves seems to neutralize the scary parts of this movie.  That's actually a good thing, not me making fun of him, because it allows me to really enjoy watching this from beginning to end.

What a twisted premise. What an interesting cast.  I don't know what it is that I like so much about Constantine, but I could watch this almost anytime.  Maybe it's Rachel Weisz. Maybe it's Tilda Swinton's amazing, androgynous Angel Gabriel. But this heaven vs. hell, with humans caught in the middle, movie is dark, dreary, and awesome.

Movie #84 - Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond
Warner Bros Pictures
2006 - Rated R - 2 hr 23 min
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

 Watching this movie again was a real treat.  It's one of those movies that simultaneously feels really long but not really that long at all, considering all that takes place.  Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in this is one of my favorite's of his. And his South African accent doesn't really bother me that much, so cheers, Leo.

I don't know much about blood diamonds or illegal mining/trading in South Africa, but after watching this, it's hard not to wonder how true it is. And if so, do I have any diamonds that people were killed over?  Hope not.

All in all, this is a really great movie... but one that you have to be in the mood to sit down and watch.  It's not funny or witting, just very moving.  The journey that Leonardo DiCaprio's character takes is impressive, the story of Djimon Hounson's family quite poignant.  If you have the time to sit and think, and want to appreciate the little luxuries we have in this part of the world, take a peek at this one.