Oh, and I am so sorry - I missed his 25th birthday (Oct 28th)! But at least you guys all thought about it (on the messageboard).

Darkhorizons postet three test-screening-reviews of "Gladiator". The reactions are quite positiv! see here:

first review:
"I had the privilege of seeing a sneak preview for Ridley Scott’s newest film, Gladiator, here in Southern California. Other than some technical issues and a temporary soundtrack, the film
was in pretty good shape.

The story goes like this Maximus (Crowe) is the General for Rome’s great army around 148 AD. He serves under Marcus (Harris) who loves him like a son. Marcus’ true son Commodus (Joaquin) is set to take his Father’s place as ruler of Rome once Marcus dies. Unfortunately for Commodus, Marcus plans on turning the Empire over to Maximus. This doesn’t sit well with Commodus, so he kills his father and then proceeds to take over his father’s role. One small problem though, Maximus knows that he is to be the next ruler and sees through Commodus’ lies thus realizing Commodus killed his own Father. Maximus’ refusal to accept Commodus as the new ruler is a sign of betrayal to Commodus and Commodus orders him executed. Maximus escapes and finds his family killed by Commodus. He passes out from complete sorrow and wakes to finds himself in the hands of a slave owner where he is trained to fight as a gladiator. Eventually Maximus makes his way back to Rome to fight in the Coliseum and seek revenge on Commodus.

Like I said other than the technical stuff this movie was excellent. The characters are realistic and the acting is believable. There are slow periods in some scenes that seemed to move the drama of the story along. The action, on the other hand, is intense and extremely violent; with many gladiator fight sequences and an opening battle scene reminiscent of Braveheart. The filming style during the battle/fights was very similar to Saving Private Ryan. The time came in around 2 ½ hours and it flew for me. Plus it was an extra thrill to see Ridley was in the audience with us. I give this movie 4.5 out 5."

second review:
"I just got back from a test screening of Ridley Scott's Gladiator. I've got to say- DAMN!!! It was pretty flippin' cool! Scott uses a bit of an art school style on this one, it's not like any of his that I've seen before. I also had the pleasure of meeting the man, who showed up to watch the crowd cheer. I asked him what's next for him, and he kind of looked at me like I was an idiot and said "Hannibal". DUH, right? I already new that. I guess my nerves were just on end. Anyway, Russel Crowe gives an awesome performance (as usual) as Maximus, the General of the Roman Army (even though he is a Spaniard and has never been to Rome). Joaquin Phoenix is also very good in his role as new Emporer Commodus (believe me, you've never seen him like this). Other cast members include Richard Harris, Djimon Hinsou, and the late, great Oliver Reed (who looks suspisciously like an Arab). Some of the later scenes with Oliver Reed are used with a double and his face and lines are superimposed (obvious in the test screening, but should look great in the finished product). None of the computer generated scenes were finished (most of the Coliseum shots), but it didn't affect this crowd. Now, about the battle scenes. If there is any reason in the free world to see this film, IT'S FOR THE BATTLE SCENES!!! My friend cringed as I watched several decapitations, bodies being speared, shot with arrows, stabbed, slashed, sliced, tigers being killed. Someone even gets cut in half by a blade on a chariot wheel. I'm sure the censors will have fun with this one. Overall though, the movie was quite fun. Think of Braveheart meets Spartacus meets Rob Roy. Nothing too original, but a lot of great talent involved."

third review:
"Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" is an extremely violent and realistic action-packed drama set during the later years of the Roman Empire. Russell Crowe plays a Spanish-born Roman General
named Maximus who defeats the German "barbarians for Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Maximus who has never been to Rome wishes to end his military campaign
commanding the Roman Army and return home to his wife and young son that he has not seen for 2 1/2 years. Much like Marcus Aurelius, Maximus believes in the greater glory of Rome, but becomes disillusioned when Marcus tells him that the Roman Senate is corrupt and that he wants Maximus to inherit the throne when he dies instead of his own decadent son, Commodus (Joaquin).

Upon hearing this, Commodus quickly disposes of his father Marcus Aurelius so that he can inherit the throne before Maximus is named as Emperor. The insubordinate Maximus is immediately condemned to die by Commodus, but Maximus makes his escape when Roman Soldiers take him out into the woods to be executed. What follows is the fall of the Roman General Maximus as he watches his friends, family, and homeland taken away from him. Once regaining his will to go on, Maximus by chance falls into the company of Proximo, (Oliver Reed), a slave owner and facilitator of Gladiator tournaments. Working as Proximo's slave Maximus soon becomes undefeated in the arena, realizing that
his only chance for revenge against Commodus is to use his celebrity status as a gladiator to win over the Roman people. With the help of Proximo, fellow Gladiators and Commodus' sister, Lucilla (Connie Nielson), Maximus is able to seek vengeance against Commodus, but at what cost?

Overall, I enjoyed the film for what it was, but having only seen the rough cut, it was kind of hard to really give the picture a fair evaluation.

What I liked:
* Great art direction, beautiful cinematography, realistic ( but very gory) action sequences and great performances by all of the players.

What I disliked:
* Underdeveloped characters. Russell Crowe could have easily been replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although Crowe is a fine actor, he really doesn't have much to work with here. His character at times is very shallow and he does not come across as a victorious Roman General.
* Not really crazy about some of the foreshadowing and dream like sequences that were very similar to what was seen in Blade Runner (Director's Cut) and Braveheart.
* Not enough treachery in the Roman Senate. The audience needs to see 3 dimensional characters playing a game of chess with each other.
* Nice acting by Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, but sometimes he comes across as to much of a buffoon and not the slippery snake that he really is. But, Joaquin does play the role well
and is very convincing as psychotic Nero type of Emperor that you really love to hate.

I was somewhat disappointed with the picture, probably because I was expecting more of an epic. Something right out of Colleen McCullough's Master of Rome book series. The film
will no doubt do very well with a title like "Gladiator", Ridley Scott's reputation as a commercial filmmaker and the gratuitous blood and gore that is often splattered across the screen."

Sorry guys, long post today. Also aint-it-cool-news postet a test-screening-review of the movie:

fourth review:
"Just saw a screening of Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR starring Russell Crowe. The screening was held 30 minutes South of Los
Angeles in a brand new, massive, AMC 30 complex. Scott was there along with a number of executives. My friend told me that Steven Spielberg was escorted, when the lights went dark, to the back of the massive theater.

The film is AWESOME! it is a true epic. The fight sequences are among the most exciting I have ever seen. Russell Crowe will
become a major star after this and Ridley Scott will reclaim his status as one of the most original DIRECTORS working. the Gladiator sequences, although very brutal, are truly jaw dropping (specially one INVOLVING a group of tigers).

The film is also very heartfelt and emotionaly involving. The youg actor playing Caesar is perfect at playing true evil. This movie is going to be huge. The audience cheered at the end."

Sunday, October 24 1999
The announced release date for "Gladiator" is May 5th, 2000.

Thursday, October 21 1999
Look what Annica sent to me: pics of the TV-movie "Secret Witness" from 1988! I didn`t have pics of Joaquin from that movie before. Check it out on this page.

Tuesday, October 12 1999
The first test screening of "Gladiator"!!!!
To read the whole article you have to go to aint it cool news.

" .......WOW! What a RUSH!!! I just got back from I think one of the first screenings for Ridley Scotts Dreamworks Extravaganza
"GLADIATOR" and let me tell you boys and girls out there! It has SUMMER 2000 Box Office Smash written all over it! ....

..... From the opening scene to the ending, the movie is filled with Jaw-Dropping visuals, diffrent film formats, Gorgeous Color, and
BLOOD AND GORE!!! I really hope they don't cut anything out of this film, except for maybe trim the pace because the blood and
gore is not overdone but just perfect! The lucky audience members applauded after several gory battle scenes and I can tell they were really into it!!! This is not your typical mind-numbing sword flick but because of the brutal force of the battles, make sure you don't bring a wimpy date who gets sick at the sight of a wound or blood, because let me tell you, GLADIATOR rocks in that department! ......"

And he also mentions Joaquin:

" ..... Joaquin Phoenix plays the bitter Emperor Commodus with that wicked brattiness that I was completely surprised he pulled it off. At times he was such a cold hearted weasel, He was a bit over the top at times but by the end, He fully redeems himself."

And there is also a "heavy spoiler review" of the movie at aint it cool news. Listen was Harry (the webmaster of aint-it-cool-news says before the article: "Beware. Read only if.... and I really mean this... only if you know NOTHING can spoil a film for you. note: if knowing when some characters die is an issue with you... STAY AWAY!"
So I wont post the article here, you have to decide for yourself if you should go and read it.

Saturday, October 9 1999
BITS AND PIECES...
JOAQUIN PHOENIX won't be happy to hear this, but his former girlfriend LIV TYLER just got a marriage proposal from British musician ROYSTON LANGDON. Liv cooled her romance with Joaquin to keep company with Royston, who happens to be
the lead singer for the alternative group Spacehog. Joaquin wanted to reconcile, but Liv considers him a platonic pal now. Liv loves dating a rock star, but at 22, she's not rushing into marriage. She is showing off a $15,000 ring that Royston gave her, and her dad STEVEN TYLER is so fond of her boyfriend that he may even record a duet with Spacehog.

Saturday, October 2 1999
As you can see on the results of the last poll, many of you aren`t satisfied with his movie-choices. So I thought  that would be a good idea for the new poll.

In what kind of movies or what kind of roles would you prefer to see him more often? As the funny guy who gets all the jokes in an hilarious comedy like f.e. "There is Something about Mary"?
Or as the cool super-hero in an mind-blowing action-thriller like Keanu`s role in "The Matrix"? Or simple as the romantic lead in an very romantic lovestory ala "Romeo and Juliet"? Or would you prefer seeing him in as a mentally ill person in a high recommended drama that gets a lot of recognition like "Breaking the Waves" f.e.?