Russ Q

DC finally got a movie right! Wonder Woman is a masterpiece. Superhero movies are following a similar formula but this movie uses that formula in the best way possible. Without this movie, there wouldn’t be much DC has to offer. Wonder Woman is an instant classic not only for superhero movies but for cinema in general. The perfect choice was getting Gal Gadot as Diana. She’s beautiful, strong and fierce in the role. I can’t imagine anyone else playing Wonder Woman. The action scenes are top notch and bring similarities to scenes in The Dark Knight and Spider-Man 2 and all the Avengers movies. Wonder Woman is a film that isn’t trying to be good, it just naturally is. I never get over Wonder Woman. This is a movie that needs to be seen by everyone.

What a movie! Gladiator is a film that has it all! Stellar acting, top notch writing, incredible directing, exceptional costume designs, perfect art direction, gorgeous cinematography, and unique visual effects. I fell in love with this film the first time I watched it! The plot follows General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe in his amazing Oscar winning performance), who has been betrayed by Commodus (a wonderful Joaquin Phoenix giving evil vibes), and is stripped of his ranking, loses his wife and son, and is sold to slavery to Proximo (The late Oliver Reed). Proximo has Maximus and a group of slaves turn into gladiators to fight to the death, in hope to make a profit. Maximus however proves himself to be victorious and rises through the ranks of each gladiator fight until he gets his revenge against Commodus. Gladiator is one of those rare epic films you will want to watch over and over again. The visuals look so realistic I felt like I was going to be in Ancient Rome. Every actor gives it all. Crowe delivers a very emotional and strong performance. Connie Nielsen, who plays Commodus’ sister Lucilla, gives a lot of depth to the character. Phoenix gives off creepy vibes like he did in Joker. This movie shows why Phoenix is one of the greatest actors living today. Reed is impactful in his final film role as Proximo. The art direction and costumes are unlike anything I have seen before. It made me wish to go to a Halloween party dressing up as a gladiator. Gladiator is a movie you’ll never forget. I love this movie so much with all my heart. I actually plan on watching the extended version soon and I’ll watch the theatrical version again after that. I just really love this movie!! Go Maximus!!

Corpse Bride is an animated delight! It's a film packed with gorgeous animation, terrific storytelling, incredible music, and the weird but lovable style of director Tim Burton. I thought I would like this movie as a kid but I ended up loving it! Every voice actor in the movies gives it their all (particularly Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter). As a fan of Burton's other animated classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, I found Corpse Bride to be a delightful successor to that.