Gladiator

Gladiator is nothing short of epic. "What we do in life echoes in eternity," and this film echoes through cinema history like a war cry. Russell Crowe’s Maximus is the embodiment of strength and sorrow — "a general who became a slave, a slave who became a gladiator, a gladiator who defied an emperor." Joaquin Phoenix is terrifyingly brilliant as Commodus — "Am I not merciful?" chills every time. Every frame is filled with honor, vengeance, and breathtaking spectacle. A masterpiece.