#240 - Spartacus

Breakdown: Spartacus (1960). Novel written by Howard Fast. Screenplay written by Dalton Trumbo. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Starring Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons.

Synopsis: The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.

Review: The first Kubrick film on the list (oh yes, there will be many more), Spartacus is a 184-minute, highly influential, epic historical drama. It's so epic, in fact, that midway through the film, a blank screen is displayed and you are presented with a short intermission. This would have been great to experience in a theater, as it presents the viewer with two options: get up for another bag of Milk Duds and commit to the rest of the movie, or get up and leave. If nothing else, we suggest you stick around for the famous and often spoofed "I am Spartacus!" scene. Spartacus is a great start if you're looking to catch up on the classics. Just don't expect three hours of edge-of-your-seat action.

Favorite Quote: "Death is the only freedom a slave knows. That's why he's not afraid of it. That's why we'll win."

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#249 - Hauru no ugoku shiro (Howl's Moving Castle)

Breakdown: Howl's Moving Castle (2004, Japan). Novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. Screenplay written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. English version voiced by Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Billy Crystal, Lauren Bacall, Emily Mortimer, John Hutcherson.

Synopsis: When a shy young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.

Review: Walking castles? Check. Labyrinth-era David Bowie-esque flying wizards? Check. Evil spirits with barbershop quartet hats? Check. On a weirdness scale, this movie makes Alice in Wonderland look like Wheel of Fortune, but its respectable story line and surprisingly good visuals save it from complete obscurity.

Favorite Quote: "They say that the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst."

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