Movie #362 - The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
1988 - Rated PG - 2 hr 6 min
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed, Jonathan Pryce, Bill Paterson, Uma Thurman, Robin Williams

From the weird, imaginative mind of Terry Gilliam.... Even though it's based on a book.  This is very much up the same alley as Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, just 20 or so years earlier and with less sophisticated effects.

Visually, for its time, this movie is over the top, but really well done. Elaborate sets and costumes, eccentric characters, loud makeup, and lots of action... it's a well-rounded movie.  It also boasts an excellent cast as well.  But basically, the plot is just a bunch of nonsense strung together... some scenes more realistic than others, some more firmly rooted in myths, and some just more ridiculous.  Like floating head people. Trippy, isn't it?

But I think it was meant for kids, so then I guess that's okay.  I remember enjoying this one way back when and now it's with fond nostalgia that I watch it.  Mike loves this one too, but I credit that love to his own nostalgia too.  If you were to watch this one for the first time as an adult now, I can't say that you'd like it that much.

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+