Gladiator is absolutely one of the best big budget movies ever. I know indie film snobs turn up their noses at this sort of content but I think Russell Crowe does a simply superb job of portraying a military commander who possesses both great charisma and great competence.

While the battle scenes are, of course, incredibly well done, it is really the Crowe's character study of a Maximus, the Roman general and Joaquin Phoenix's sniveling emperor that makes the movie gripping.

I also loved watching how Maximus gets psyched up to go into battle and into the gladiator's arena: the mental psych, the rubbing the hands w/sand ritual, the no fear/plunge right in approach. Stud. Great to think about before doing a big business pitch, getting ready to pull down on a hard pitch, or take off on a big bomb of a wave.

This is an fabulous epic historical drama which stars the talented Russell Crowe as Maximus, one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor.

This movie has everything you can think of: love, hate,intensity, drama, courage, honor and incredible battle scenes.