3:10 to Yuma: I actually really enjoyed this movie. I don't normally get into westerns, but I must say, 3:10 to Yuma was way different than I expected. I love the Russell Crowe/Christian Bale combination, and I love how I hated the ruthless ginger killer (who we're pretty sure is secretly in love with his boss, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe)). The movie takes a slow start, but I love how insane Russell Crowe is the entire movie.
Gladiator: Okay, this movie is definitely not for the light-of-hearted. The fight scenes were insanely epic, and I loved the storyline. Russell Crowe's character, Maximus, is the general of the Roman Army. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius states his dying wish that his son, Commodus, does not become Emperor and that Rome shall become a republic again. Maximus is betrayed by Commodus, who orders Maximus' execution. Maximus escapes and flees back home, only to find that his family was murdered by Commodus' command. He is picked up by the slave trade and sold to be a gladiator. Since he's skilled in combat, he works his way up the gladiator latter in order to free himself and fulfill the dying wish of Marcus Aurelius. Eventually he challenges Commodus to battle in the Coliseum...
The Last Samurai: Possibly Tom Cruise's only good movie. Oh how I dislike that man... but this movie was probably his crowning jewel. I loved the deep philosophy and calmness of nature coupled with the intense battles of war. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and it definitely had some beautiful visual moments, as well as good acting from Tom Cruise (surprising, huh?)
Also among the mix...
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: If you've even seen the movie "Hero," this movie reminds me a lot of it. The fighting is the type of martial arts that only exists in movies- you know, the kind where they can fly over trees and catch 50 stun darts coming at them with a pair of chopsticks. But it's absolutely stunning with cinematography, the fight scenes are stupendously ridiculous, and not to mention two of the main characters are girls that can kick some serious butt.
Fearless: Another martial arts epic, but this time the fighting is almost all realistic. Jet Li's moves are swift and fierce, but after his family is murdered, he travels away to escape the pain. After a year or more, he comes to the realization of what a good fighter really is. It isn't just beating everyone up every time, it's about knowing when to stop and to respect and cooperate with your opponent. Most memorable quote: "My dad's wushu can kick your dad's wushu."
The Matrix: Definitely one of the strangest movies I've ever seen. This movie is extreme to the max, in the idea that we are not living in the world that we see. Humans are used as batteries to power horrible machine/robots that took over the world in the early 21st century. The matrix is actually a computer program that makes us believe "reality" is real, when it is in fact all in our minds. I can't really explain it, but wow, this movie is so extreme. I watch it when I need me a good Sci-Fi fix.
