Gladiator

Star Trek (Three-Disc +Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]
$39.99
I am just enough of a nerd to get red shirt jokes. So I went in to my first viewing of this movie with a decent knowledge of the universe and an open mind- and was handsomely rewarded.

This movie has it all, emotion (I teared up in the first 5 minutes), action, humor, hot men (and ladies, if you swing that way). The casting is brilliant, and the actors do an excellent job of interpreting the character rather than parroting the already iconic performances of their predecessors. No one wants to see a 90 minutes long Shatner impression, and Chris Pine doesn't torture us with one. Instead he embodies the bravado, humor and charm of Kirk in his own way and does a charming job. Quinto goes a little further in adopting Nimoy's mannerisms, but just enough to make the character feel right.

I know several of my more hard core trekkie friends take issue with parts of this story. To them I say, with love: Get over it. Its a movie, and a good one at that.

The blueray has nice special features- the gag reel is funny. I'm not big on those things, but they are there for those who are. The sound and picture quality were good (probably even excellent, once again not really my thing). The menus on the DVD seemed a little boring and a little light on content, but who the hell buys a DVD for the menus. The packaging leaves me a little bored, but once again I bought it for the movie not the box. I appreciate the inclusion of a digital copy.

Gladiator (Sapphire Series) [Blu-ray]
$39.99
Yes, Im crazy about this movie also for reasons too numerous to mention. So I'll summarize;
a) Russell Crowe (wonderfully sympathetic), Joachin Phoenix (skillfully descends into insanity), Connie Nielsen ( yum, yum)
b) Big budget has allowed Scott to film a grand Roman epic.
1) Terrific opening battle scene with the Roman war machine launching a 2nd century AD blitzkrieg on the barbarians.
2) Excellent computer created spectacle of Roman grandeur.
3) Great sets of the emperors palace, senate, and lavish costumes.
c) Ridley Scotts directing trademarks;
1) Staging of intimate scenes filled with personal tension. The eerie candlelit scenes between Phoenix and Nielsen, with Zimmers haunting music in the background, make the movie for me; "Busy little bee!". Scott does this same kind of staging in Bladerunner and Empire Of The Sun and it is hypnotic.
2) His love of historical subject matter.

This and Ben Hur are the greatest Roman Empire movies ever made.

Gladiator - Extended Edition (Three-Disc Extended Edition)
$35.98
Yes, Im crazy about this movie also for reasons too numerous to mention. So I'll summarize;
a) Russell Crowe (wonderfully sympathetic), Joachin Phoenix (skillfully descends into insanity), Connie Nielsen ( yum, yum)
b) Big budget has allowed Scott to film a grand Roman epic.
1) Terrific opening battle scene with the Roman war machine launching a 2nd century AD blitzkrieg on the barbarians.
2) Excellent computer created spectacle of Roman grandeur.
3) Great sets of the emperors palace, senate, and lavish costumes.
c) Ridley Scotts directing trademarks;
1) Staging of intimate scenes filled with personal tension. The eerie candlelit scenes between Phoenix and Nielsen, with Zimmers haunting music in the background, make the movie for me; "Busy little bee!". Scott does this same kind of staging in Bladerunner and Empire Of The Sun and it is hypnotic.
2) His love of historical subject matter.

This and Ben Hur are the greatest Roman Empire movies ever made.

Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
$29.99
Yes, Im crazy about this movie also for reasons too numerous to mention. So I'll summarize;
a) Russell Crowe (wonderfully sympathetic), Joachin Phoenix (skillfully descends into insanity), Connie Nielsen ( yum, yum)
b) Big budget has allowed Scott to film a grand Roman epic.
1) Terrific opening battle scene with the Roman war machine launching a 2nd century AD blitzkrieg on the barbarians.
2) Excellent computer created spectacle of Roman grandeur.
3) Great sets of the emperors palace, senate, and lavish costumes.
c) Ridley Scotts directing trademarks;
1) Staging of intimate scenes filled with personal tension. The eerie candlelit scenes between Phoenix and Nielsen, with Zimmers haunting music in the background, make the movie for me; "Busy little bee!". Scott does this same kind of staging in Bladerunner and Empire Of The Sun and it is hypnotic.
2) His love of historical subject matter.

This and Ben Hur are the greatest Roman Empire movies ever made.