Gladiator

Are you not entertained!?! Yes, yes I am.  What a film. This is what I like to call peak cinema. From the opening battle sequences to the emotional final duel, this movie was everything. Every action sequence felt like I was there, the intensity, the beauty of fighting, it was just so beautiful. Obviously the film wasn’t just fighting, in the calmer scenes the film focused on the corruption of the empire, family struggles, and impending need for success. It was nothing short of a masterclass. Russell Crowe might have played the best character in cinema history, the raw emotion he conveyed as his character went from the depths of sorrow to the hunt for revenge, he was perfect. Now if you ask the name of each character I couldn’t tell you, all these Roman names are confusing, but historically confusing. The flamboyant lifestyle of nobility, the pounding on the less-acclaimed, all of this was shown throughout the film during Maximus’ retaliation to restore the empire to its former glory led by a non-corrupt king. The script-writing was nothing short of legendary and the soundtrack was loud and meaningful. This really is one of those movies I’m never going to be able to witness for the first time again, and I’m pissed. 9/10 wow absolute cinema