The Daily Critic

[todd philip]

Okay this thread is a little mish mash of other threads, but it's simple to follow.

Once a day i will post ONE film, and then YOU will write a review of the film, and ALSO include a star rating, 1 star* meaning awful, 5 stars***** means great.Oh and please have your review be atleast a paragraph. And then at the end of each day i will pick who has written the best review, Although it would be nice if everyone could post who their fav review is, But I and I alone pick the winner each day, I WILL BE FAIR.

As the reward of writeing the best review, you will be able to pick the next days film (which everyone including you will review) and so on....

The first film....

GLADIATOR

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003CXE7.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[The Moose]

a great film by Ridley Scott. russel crowe shines as the Genaral Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is deposed from his rank in the army, and made a slave. having to fight for his life in the arena, maximus excels, and wins favour. however, not all favour maximus, and senators and even the emperor plot against him. having won favour in the regions, and with Commodus, the emperor, ordering a series of 100 days of games in remembrance of the late emperor, Marcus Areilus, the gladiators of the roman empire converge on the Colosseum.

splendid visual effects, great acting and a moving story combine to make Galdiator a moving film

[Lachesis]

A good, uncomplicated adventure film the first time through, but loses its impact with repeated viewing. Despite the historical trappings, the mindset of the film is certainly in that of Ridley Scott's other action blockbusters. Fortunately, sterling performances by Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, maintain the illusion of more depth to the story than there really is. A nice piece of work, but not what it could have been.

Four stars

[Mat]

Ridley Scott's overblown historic action epic is entertaining enough, but didn't deserve all of the Oscars it got. With the typical revenge plot, Russell Crowe is adequate as the brooding General Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix seems to enjoy playing the part of the bratty emperor. The climax (the final battle) is laughably rediculous, but it's all good enough for escapist fare.

***

[ILOVEKATIE]

As one of my favorite films of all-time, Gladiator is a great movie. From the poetic-like first shot of the film to the spectacular battle scene in the beginning, the film is a great escapism. The film transports you to what was Rome. Russell is simply amazing as Maximus, you feel what he's going through. Phoenix is also very effective in his role. The score is amazing, it fits the film perfectly.
The film also has a great ending, IMO.

5 stars

[Gandollum]

Ah man, i thought of this idea a few weeks ago and i was thinking of doing it but i forgot too, oh well. On to my review of Gladiator, i saw this film on opening weekend with some of my friends, i didnt really want to see it but they dragged me along to watch it. When the movie was finally over, i felt like an idiot and i was glad they brought me to see this great film. Not only is it one of the best films of 2000 but its in my list of the best films ever made. The story may be simple and the political scenes are bit boring, but the action scenes are awesome, visual effects stunning, acting superb and Ridley Scotts directing to be brilliant. Even though i still think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon should have got the oscar for best pic, Gladiator is still a wonderful and brilliant film. I give it a 9 out of 10.

[clrb15]

Gladiator is a film that shines from the first frame to the last, with it's amazing performances, breathtaking cinematography and outstanding direction.

The film is about a Roman General, named Maximus (played wondefully by Russell Crowe) who is betrayed by a corrupt prince, who murdered his family; and comes to Rome as a Gladiator to seek revenge.

Russell Crowe is brilliant in this film. He wraps himself in this character and makes it his own, which gives the viewers a sense of compassion towards this being and understands the pain and anger that he has. Joaquin Phoenix is great in being the villian of the film; this is a role that I haven't seen him in before and his acting capabilities just shine and proves that he's an actor that has many tricks up his sleeve.

Director Ridley Scott, is fantastic in showing us the grand scale of The Roman Empire, with his glorious battle scenes and the magnificent scale of the Art Direction that is found with the Roman Statues and Architecture. Scott establishes that he's a director with incredible vision and oustanding declaration for what he wants to present.

Everything in this film is presented on a grand scale, which makes it's Oscar win for Best Picture the more deserving, since, it's a film that shows the true meaning of human emotion and a cinematic experience that can only be expressed in one word: Epic

Stars: 4.5/5

(i know it was supposed to be a pargraph)

[Seraph333]

Gladiator was amazing, by far one of my favourite films of all time maybe even in my top 3. Russel Crowe gave a excellent performance which gave him a Oscar. The storyline did'int completely portray what really happened but was decent enough.

Stars:5/5

[Barrett]

this is another of Ridley Scotts awesome flicks. Russel Crowe plays his role to a tee and Joaquin Phoenix is just plain creepy in his performance. although this is a great movie i found it was a bit over rated. oh well

[JohnnyBgood]

This movie can be described in one word, and also, with two syllables: Boring.

However, an interesting battle at the beginning and the battles found scattered gave this viewer some relief from the drawn out scenes of political intrique that dragged...and dragged, and forever it would seem. Another arc of the story also involved a incestrial affair between a brother and a sister, which felt inappropriate and also felt gratuitously tacked on. Why? Was it really necessary?

2/5, some very impressive art direction, a rousing score and decent battle scenes don't make up for dull exposition.

[Citizen Kane]

Gladitaor is....overrated. Sure, it may have been fun, but the best picture of the year? You've got to be kidding me. It was just a a summer action fiklm, and not a great one at that.

**1/2 out of ****

[JimmyDean]

Overblown, cliched, dull, overrated action film with a boring performance from the usually great Crowe, too much talking, lame story, some nice direction and a great over-the-top showing from Phoenix. Just doesn't do much for me.

**1/2 out of *****

[todd philip]

Originally posted by clrb15
Gladiator is a film that shines from the first frame to the last, with it's amazing performances, breathtaking cinematography and outstanding direction.

The film is about a Roman General, named Maximus (played wondefully by Russell Crowe) who is betrayed by a corrupt prince, who murdered his family; and comes to Rome as a Gladiator to seek revenge.

Russell Crowe is brilliant in this film. He wraps himself in this character and makes it his own, which gives the viewers a sense of compassion towards this being and understands the pain and anger that he has. Joaquin Phoenix is great in being the villian of the film; this is a role that I haven't seen him in before and his acting capabilities just shine and proves that he's an actor that has many tricks up his sleeve.

Director Ridley Scott, is fantastic in showing us the grand scale of The Roman Empire, with his glorious battle scenes and the magnificent scale of the Art Direction that is found with the Roman Statues and Architecture. Scott establishes that he's a director with incredible vision and oustanding declaration for what he wants to present.

Everything in this film is presented on a grand scale, which makes it's Oscar win for Best Picture the more deserving, since, it's a film that shows the true meaning of human emotion and a cinematic experience that can only be expressed in one word: Epic

Stars: 4.5/5

(i know it was supposed to be a pargraph) clrb15 IS THE WINNER! VER NICE!

now clrb15 if you like pic the next film that everyone shall review!

[necronon99]

fudge cakes im late

[clrb15]

Alright! OK, so the next film is another one of my favorites, 5/5 for me. Brilliant Acting, Great Score and Amazing Directing! This film is AMERICAN BEAUTY. Please review with at least a paragraph with a good explanation why you like/dislike this film. After that, I'll pick out which one is the best. (review away:))
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003CWL6.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Warren]

Amazing movie.
The acting,plot and overall mood was terrific.

***** out of *****

[SQueek]

Gladiator was long, boring, and over rated. 5/10 tops.

[SQueek]

but American Beauty on the other hand, 10/10!

[equipe]

Gladiator, Long winded epic 3.5/5

American Beauty, priceless and shocking view into lives of a perfect american family. Great acting, directing, script and casting. 5/5

[The Moose]

american beauty is a film which emulates its own special light.

Lester Burnham (played magnificently by Kevin Spacey) starts out at the typical middle aged man, but then, his mid life crisis comes along. his daughter, Jane (played by Thora Birch) introduces Lester to her beautiful friend played by Mena Suvari.

Lesters becomes obsessed with Jane's friend, and has dreams, andforgets totally about his wife, Caroyln, who has an affair with Buddy King, the local real estate "king". buddy encourages Carolyn to change as a person as she becomes more involved with him.

New neighbours spell trouble for Lester, as he becomes a frequent visitor the neighbour's son, who is a drug dealer. jane becomes involved with the neighbours son, whihc leads to catastrophe. Pot and working out become lester's other 2 obsessions

An awesome script, which was conceived, and shot magnificantly. Director Sam Mendes deservedly on the Best Film Oscar for his achievement in film, which brings realisation to all that we all change.

i liked this as it shows how people act and react, and how we all have a mid life crisis and we all snap

[KellyM]

i liked the pace of american beauty, really languid, by the end of the movie, i knew each character pretty well, i enjoy films that have in depth characters that the director lets you see every aspect of them. spacey was brilliant.

***** stars.

[necronon99]

American Beauty is quite real
all the characters are well in tune with their discomforts
Cooper once again proves he's the character actor of champs
Spacey takes the role and runs with it, go for broke, f. uck this life,
"Falling Down" without the destruction, etc. it works all too well
the blackmail, the job with the least amount of responsibility, and of course the bad ass car you wanted in high school.
wonderful twist at the end
and the ladies hold it down- Annette Benning breaks down twice in this film- one oddly funny the other heart breaking
very lyrical
american Beauty indeed from a British Director
5/5

[Lachesis]

Not really a review, but more like a ramble.

"American Beauty" has so many themes and issues that people would automatically assume are negative. You'd never think a man who fantasizes about a teenaged girl and a young drug dealer could possibly be inspirational or courageous by simply being what they are. Stick them in suburbia, though, amidst the countless empty, shallow lives, and their sins are something touchingly genuine.

Much has been made of Kevin Spacey's iconic Lester, but the supporting characters make the movie for me. Annette Benning does more with Carolyn than most people realize, and Chris Cooper as the homophobic neighbor is uncanny. The trio of teenaged actors really knocked me for a loop. After so many terrible teen movies over the past few years, I'd forgotten anyone under twenty could actually *act.* My favorite scene in the movie is still the quiet, telling shot from Ricky's video camera, that ignores Angela's obnoxious sexual posturing in the bedroom window to catch a glimpse of Jane's smile in the mirror behind her.

I love it when movies say things we need to be reminded of.

5/5

[sunflower03]

i am sure i will get yield at on here for saying this but i thought american beauty was a terrible movie. i thought they were saying that the suburbs happen to be a bad place to be. infact i never see them ever potrayed as a positive place to live in movies or in tv shows. i thought him fantasizing about the teenage girl was just creepy.

[The Moose]

but it shows what can happen to people when they have a midlife crisis

[clrb15]

Originally posted by The Moose
american beauty is a film which emulates its own special light.

Lester Burnham (played magnificently by Kevin Spacey) starts out at the typical middle aged man, but then, his mid life crisis comes along. his daughter, Jane (played by Thora Birch) introduces Lester to her beautiful friend played by Mena Suvari.

Lesters becomes obsessed with Jane's friend, and has dreams, andforgets totally about his wife, Caroyln, who has an affair with Buddy King, the local real estate "king". buddy encourages Carolyn to change as a person as she becomes more involved with him.

New neighbours spell trouble for Lester, as he becomes a frequent visitor the neighbour's son, who is a drug dealer. jane becomes involved with the neighbours son, whihc leads to catastrophe. Pot and working out become lester's other 2 obsessions

An awesome script, which was conceived, and shot magnificantly. Director Sam Mendes deservedly on the Best Film Oscar for his achievement in film, which brings realisation to all that we all change.

i liked this as it shows how people act and react, and how we all have a mid life crisis and we all snap
WOW!! OK, lot's of good reviews here (both positive and negative) Therefore, I'll announce the next reviewer (??) and that is........THE MOOSE!!! Very good in explaining your points of views...so now it's your turn for the next movie. :)

[todd philip]

MOOSE POST A NEW MOVIE!

[The Moose]

woowoo! weehee!

the movie i chose is: Road To Perdition

http://members.optushome.com.au/thesquiz/perdition.jpg

sprry it took so long to put it up. people needed to use the phone, and i am in NZ, 12 hours ahead of all you people

[Film Elemental]

Originally posted by The Moose
12 hours ahead of all you people

So, what is the future like?

[The Moose]

it's fine, but are you going to put up a review or not?

[Dracula]

Road to Perdition: I Love it

The cinemotogrophy is awsome, the acting is top notch, directed well, I love how any one shot from the movie could easily be a painting, good action, I love how the story is like a greek tragedy. The only problem is that at times it seems to be tailer made to win awards, like it is scientificly mixed to be a well made film rather then a well told story, it almost seems like they looked at the plot as a given, a secondary oblective. still, I have to give the film a ****1/2 rating because it's ****in' *****in

[Dracula]

damn double post

[The Moose]

any other reviews? closing in 3 hours

[The Moose]

ok, since there has been only 1 review, reviews for Road To Perdition has been extended for 21 hours, meaning that all you had 48 hours from when the movie was chosen. we need more. are you all going to let Dracula win????