What is your favorite movie?

After reviewing the AFI poll, I believe that the amazon.com People’s Poll is a better reflection of what is ‘best’. How does Gladiator, this multi-academy award winner not place? It’s Hollywood politics. Scott and Crowe are just to good compared to their peers.

It’s no surprise and understandable that The Godfather remains at the top of the AFI and the People’s polls. What is surprising is that Godfather: Part II (my opinion the better of the two films) is 32th. Look at the films ranked better; it doesn’t make sense. Shawshank Redemption at 72? Come on! Explain why Vertigo, City Lights and the Searchers had big jumps? What warranted this significant change from ten years ago? Are the AFI voters attempting to balance the old and the new? Maybe. If so, this list isn’t the “best” films, they are the best representation of the the past and present ranked by throwing darts at a pre-qualified list.

My vote: Gladiator 10.0 and Godfather: Part II 9.998

Like The Godfather and the Godfather: Part II the Gladiator has become part of our culture. They are so believable people think Maximus and the Corleone family existed! Directors Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola bring out the very best of everyone that walks onto their set. Time will continue to honor them among the greatest masters in film history.

That aside, Gladiator, has spectacular visuals and dialog that can be heard and understood and isn’t drowned out by background ‘noise’. Crowe’s award winning performance has us believing Maximus lives. And like the Godfathers, Gladiator is a great epic story; with great direction and acting bathed in breathtaking visuals and sound. This timeless epic can be watched over and over and each time the viewer will see and hear things for the first time. One day the AFI voters will reward The Gladiator its rightful place in film history. Until then, Franzoni and Scott, Crowe and Harris, Phoenix and everyone involved in the production of this great film should take pride that Gladiator already is among the greatest films in the hearts and minds of those that count, the paying public!

A great movie you can watch over and over. Stunning acting. Great directing by a great modern director(Ridley Scott.) But what makes this movie is its great action. Roman battles, gladiator fights and to top it off a fight with the emperor himself.

Great story, great acting, great action, visually stunning.

I’m shocked it wasn’t one the list, I can’t see how they passed that one up…

This movie has it all: victory, betrayal, lost love, friendship, revenge, great acting, fantastic special effects and will last the test of time.

The story of what this roman general from spain went through. Fantastic writing and an excellent script, great action, well directed and great directing. Gladiator was one of those films that really got me.

Never lets up. Keeps moving. There is little or no
suspense just drive. And the audio helps move you
along. But I wonder if 80BCE Rome knew the
existence of the word “hell”.

I believe this is one of the greatest films ever made and that I have seen because of its powerful and sentimental meaning that is portrayed in the film. It has history, great action, great acting, and great music that give the film a wonderful feeling. It was greatly filmed in that it truly depicts the world of the Roman Empire with the wonderful monument of the Coliseum.

This movie is one that gets right down to the root of a broken man. It is one of the best examples of rebellion in order to exact revenge. You can tell by the look on Russel Crowe’s (Maximus) face that he is broken and only lives for revenge. You can also tell by Joaquin Phoenix’s (Commodus) face that he is full of evil and cruelty. This movie was perfectly cast and was an instant classic in my book.

Great movie from start to finish. Had all the elements of a good film. Music, acting and a good ending.

I left the theater feeling like I’d had a life changing experience. It wasn’t just a good movie. I wanted to conquer the world….

This movie expresses the best in acting, directing, writing, cinematography, etc., etc. I have no idea why Citizen Kane keeps winning. It’s a really boring movie…. But, Gladiator reigns supreme.

There are tons of terrific movies out there, but I think Gladiator is my all time favorite. It has a terrific love story, and you feel just about every emotion…happy, sad, angry, sympathy, empathy and I could go on and on with the list. The acting and writing is brilliant,

This movie has it all. Hero, Story, set, costume, score. It is a perfect package. I still get chills watching it. Russell Crowe. (yum-yum)

rocky and titanic, but no gladiator? hard to fathom.

gladiator, a love story about honor…timely now, timely always.

terrific story/screenplay, great acting from entire cast, wonderful cinematography and direction and (here’s the test)…30 yrs fm now it will hold up magnificently.

no offense to titanic fans, but it was old 32 minutes later.

cheers.

* too much to ask for Princess Bride to make the list, huh?

Prince Humperdinck: [sincerely] Tyrone, you know how much I love watching you work, but I’ve got my country’s 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it; I’m swamped.

Count Rugen: Get some rest. If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” What more do you need?

This is the greatest movie ever which has the perfect blend of great acting, directing, storytelling, music, and cinematography. It defines what every human being should strive to achieve, highlighting good ultimately winning over evil. Russel Crowe, Djimon Hounsou, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nelson, Oliver Reed and Richard Harris give the performance of a lifetime. No movie from the early 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century can compare.

This was my favorite movie the moment Maximus took off his helmet. This movie has it all: great acting (particularly Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix), great action, great music, and above all a great story behind it. Historical fiction is kind of my thing and this movie basically defines it. I was horrified that AFI had this on its Top 100 and had movies like The Manchurian Candidate and Braveheart. They are both good but Gladiator is way better! Strength and honor!

Drama, passion, love, hate, loyalty, betrayal — it has it all. This is one movie that I can literally watch over and over again.

Patricia

This movie represents everything great in a movie.

This movie represents everything great in a movie, drama, action, visual effects, music, everything comes together to make a great movie.
By: Lee Myers-White