In Reply to: Of course. Tin is simply trolling. (nt) posted by Victor Khomenko on February 3, 2004 at 12:47:17:
has met the criterion, i.e. giving a director's name ain't tellin' me quality and quantity.
You don't appreciate "Lolita," fine. James Mason and Peter Sellers give two of the best performances of their careers, Shelley Winters is over the top fantastic, Ms. Lyons is the hottest film nymph since Martha Vickers...Any man that has ever lusted after a much younger woman will see himself here....frighteningly so.
The list of great epics is a VERY short one because it's difficult to tell a larger than life story in an already oversized format and not have it appear pompous and grandiose.
Kirk Douglas, and who else of his generation had both the acting chops, physique, and intensity to pull that roll off, and Jean Simmons sizzle together on the screen.
A fascinating glimpse of a "sport" which consumed the attentions of Romans for over 500 years.
An epic which is also a scathing indictment of the culture and mores of Rome, as portrayed through the cynical actions of two perfectly cast actors, Peter Ustinov and Lawrence Olivier.
The gladiatorial contests, as well as the larger scale battles, are as exciting as any scenes ever filmed.
The subtext, of course, is that Kirk D showed in Paths of Glory how a courageous, independent man would fight the war machine of his day; in Spartacus, he shows what drives a man to risk all to become a rebel in opposition to an Empire.
The greatest of films, no. But each is GREAT w/in its category, i.e. satirical indictment of "modern" society; historical epic.
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Follow Ups
- Trolling? No, I just expect intelligent conversation. As yet, none - tinear 16:35:47 02/03/04 (11)
- Re: Kubrick and Spartacus - rico 07:25:15 02/04/04 (0)
- Re: Olivier in Spartacus - rico 07:20:02 02/04/04 (1)
- Re: Olivier in Spartacus - patrickU 09:56:44 02/04/04 (0)
- Re: Trolling? No, I just expect intelligent conversation. As yet, none - patrickU 00:58:24 02/04/04 (7)
- I think to have a proper appreciation for its greatness, one must - tinear 04:57:35 02/04/04 (6)
- Re: I think to have a proper appreciation for its greatness, one must - Victor Khomenko 06:31:19 02/04/04 (0)
- Re: I think to have a proper appreciation for its greatness, one must - patrickU 05:07:57 02/04/04 (4)
- "Being there" maybe? (nt) - orejones 09:11:24 02/04/04 (1)
- Re: "Being there" maybe? (nt) - patrickU 09:15:34 02/04/04 (0)
- "Role" in Strangelove? Which ONE!? - tinear 08:17:35 02/04/04 (1)
- Re: He is no Sir Alec Guiness... - patrickU 08:55:54 02/04/04 (0)