#241 Spartacus

This was a movie of epic proportions.

Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), a slave of the Roman Republic, leads a rebellion against Rome and builds a massive army of other slaves. As he leads the rebellion he falls in love with another slave, Varinia (Jean Simmons). Of course, there is much bickering and plotting of how to stop the army in the Roman senate.

This movie was a bit long winded, but really an excellent film. The struggle of love between Spartacus and Verinia is believable and the intricacies of the Roman politics trying to bring them down are very well written. The huge battle scenes are amazing to see. The plot really grabbed me more than some other movies have.

I give Spartacus a 7/10. It was a great movie, but be ready to sit down for more than 3 hours.

Up next: Mulholland Drive

#242 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I certainly was afraid after this movie, just not of Virginia Woolf.

When an argumentative couple, George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) have company over late at night, things quickly go south. As everyone gets drunker and drunker, George and Martha continue to tear each other apart psychologically at the expense of each other and their young guests, revealing a deep secret by the end.

I really did not like this movie until about the last 15 min when the characters drop a bombshell plot twist. The entire movie is one large, well scripted and wonderfully acted drunken argument. There were times when it got old, but the end made it worth it.

I give Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? a 6.5/10. It could have been much better with some more variety.