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This week’s top 10 list is a focus on the top 10 most reflixable Sci-Fi films. Many of these films aren’t considered the best films of the genre – you’ll notice that 2001 and Blade Runner, among others, are left off the top 10 list. But remember, this list is about the top 10 flicks you would watch again and again – every single one gets an infinite rating. Could you really watch Deckard chase after the same androids again and again? Or those chimps jump around the obelisk over and over? I don’t think I could. So here are my top 10 picks for the most reflixable Sci-Fi films.
As the first in the series, The Ultimate Reflix Collection is meant to be a compilation of films which I think are absolutely and undeniably reflixable. Eventually, I hope to have an entire catalog from which the users of this site can check out right off the bat. This week’s entry is Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator.
Rather than talk about the quality of the direction, how great Russel Crowe is as Maximus Decimus, or how good the cinematography is, I think I’m just going to go through the film and outline exactly what keeps drawing me back to this film.
Right off the bat, one of the first sequences which I still get chills over is the first battle in the black forest of Germany. This scene is so well thought out that there are little details which bring you back to the film each time. The lighting of the arrows and their launch into the twilight is a fascinating scene. The huge pots of flaming oil hurled against the trees and the damage that ensues is spellbinding. The battle choreography is extremely well done, especially when the Roman army switches formations. But the one line which still sends chills up my spine is when Maximus declares, “At my command, unleash hell”. Its not only a great line (ad-libbed by Crowe), but it perfectly sums up the battle which occurs. Adding all of this together you have a fantastic sequence which sets up Maximus as a great leader, warrior and strategist.
Although the expository scenes outlining Maximus’ relationship with Marcus Aurelius and the emperor’s subsequent death are well-acted, the most arresting moment is Maximus’ escape from execution and journey home. Read the rest of this entry »
Reflix'd 