shempinhollywood Reviews

Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator rules!

[10/10 · 6 July 2000]

Yeah, so it's not the most historically accurate document on Roman times. Gladiator rules anyway! Ridley finally hits one out of the park, succeding in delivering not only a very good movie, but one that crosses over to mainstream success... all without compromising his artistic vision, and giving us fans of his work everything we've come to expect from each of his works.

Crowe is awesome, Phoenix enjoyably campy... and Oliver Reed, well, this final performance is just a sad reminder of what an amazing performer we have lost.

Ten out of ten!

The Shadow Men (1997)

ok, not great, sci-fi

[7/10 · 6 July 2000]

Interesting idea, along the lines of the "real" men in black, turns into a conventional potboiler about halfway through. Ok action, some good acting, ultimately stock directing... but a good overall attempt by the filmmakers to personalize the characters and give them some depth... out of character for this type of low budget production. Roberts is pretty good, so is Sherilyn Fenn. The stand out for me? It's got to be cult actor Andrew Prine as the main MIB. Above Average, I give it 7 out of ten.