Swords & Sandals on 'Roids

A pop cultural genre which refuses to die is what in Hollywood is labeled as "Swords & Sandals" movies and series. Gladiator from 2000 by Ridley Scott breathed new life into the genre which has been around since Michael Douglas' dad made movies. It also meant there were plenty of new scripts popping up for guys like Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe to appear in. Also the rise of cheaper and better 3D programs meant the mass battle scenes could be made with computers instead of bringing in tens of thousands of robe clad extras.

300 from 2006 by Zack Snyder tweaked up the genre even more, and supersized everything. More blood, super-choreographed slo-mo fight scenes and more pumped up bicepses and sixpacks than in a Stallone flick.

Well, you ain't seen nothing yet. TV network Starz, competing with HBO introduced series "Spartacus" this year. They proclaim it is the boldest show on TV, and they might just be right. Spartacus is just a piece of art. The script could be considered a bit banal, but it works fine, and keeps suspense and interest on top through the five episodes I've seen so far. I can summarize the series to these words, to give you an idea:
NUDITY. EXTREME VIOLENCE. SEX. SO MUCH BLOOD METAL BAND SLAYER WOULD FAINT. SEXY PUMPED DUDES. SEXY PUMPED CHICKS. BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES. AMAZING STUNTS IN SLO-MO. STATE-OF-THE-ART 3D AND AFTER EFFECTS WORK.
Okay, what else can you ask for?
(Do I want my kids to see it? HELL NO!)