Flick Pick: Gladiator

Gladiator
(Universal, 2000)

A 21st century update to the swords-and-sandals epics, and like all of Ridley's Scott's works, an entirely watchable spectacle. Driven largely by Russell Crowe's force of will, and populated by star actors like Derek Jacobi, Richard Harris, and Oliver Reed in his last role on screen, it manages to span the Roman Empire at its height and still capture it in close-ups. Largely cobbled together on the day, it's one of those films where the cast and crew managed to hammer out an epic day by day until the sum exceeds the parts.
Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing