The Saw franchise has had a nice run. The original Saw film was one that broke some new ground, albeit also helped to further our generation of torture porn. But, it's twisty ending and inventive torture sequences surprised many and kept the film on its feet, at least a little. Now, four more films down the road, we come to Saw V, and likely next year, number six. Of all the horror film franchises such as Halloween and Friday the 13th, Saw V is certainly not the worst fifth installment we've seen. Halloween was an inventive classic that pioneered the slasher genre. But, then again, it had a strong element of suspense that few films have managed to replicate. It's fifth film, however, had lost steam entirely. At least the fifth installment of the Saw franchise makes it into theatres, for better or worse.

The main problem that we see across all areas of the Saw installments is that each film thinks it is more clever than it is. Each film undoubtedly prides itself on its torture scenes and its twist ending. It has come to the point that the audience searches for the twist, only to be surprised by something ridiculous out of nowhere. At least in the first Saw we didn't expect it. Now, we not only expect it, but it's unfortunately the highlight of the film.

Saw V essentially contains the same problems that plagued II, III, and IV, with each one getting considerably worse. But, unlike those films, five fails to surprise us in the end. It has gotten to the point that it has literally run out of steam, and they are trying to keep the films running on whatever they can salvage. If it weren't for the unrelenting nature of the protagonists dying, the poor acting, the excessive flashbacks, and the less-than-satisfying ending, Saw V may have been a film worthy of second in weekend box office gross.

Definitive horror?

The Exorcist is often mentioned in the same sentence with all the horror classics such as Psycho, Rosemary's Baby, and The Shining. It also holds the record for a horror film's Academy Award nominations, and to date is the only horror film to have won Best Screenplay (original or adapted). It is also one of only three horror films to have been nominated for Best Picture. Arguably, it is one of the greatest horror films of all time.

The classic and most touted performance of the film is that of the young Linda Blair, who performs the 360 degree head spin and the projectile vomiting. One of the strongest aspects of the film is the atmosphere that it creates. This is likely one of the most atmospheric of all horror films, which sets a dark tone for its viewing. Unfortunately, as we sit down in anticipation of a great horror flick, we are shown a vast amount of images that don't frighten us. The drama in the film is overdone, much like a roast that has baked twenty minutes longer than it should have. Furthermore, the possessed Linda Blair does not make for the demonic, terrifying figure that she should. She is actually not a very menacing character, other than looking incredibly frightening. Despite these factors, the film remains a great cinematic accomplishment, and for its time, was one of the best examples of its genre.

Terrified... mortified... petrified... stupefied

The year 2000 was a winner for the Russell Crowe vehicle Gladiator, which took home more Oscars than it rightfully deserved. This year, A Beautiful Mind has taken home one less Oscar than it deserved. It rightfully earned awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress, but failed to earn a Best Actor award for Russell Crowe. Perhaps the award would have been too generous, repeating a feat accomplished previously by Tom Hanks. The award instead went to Denzel Washington for his role in Training Day, which, while very respectful, does not measure up to the level of performance Crowe gives in this film.

The film revolves around brilliant mathematician John Nash, who searches for his original idea as a graduate student at Princeton University. He thens goes on to work at Wheeler Labs, where it is discovered, eventually, that he suffers from schizophrenia. But, the film is not about his schizophrenia. It is about a man who wanders through life searching for that original idea -- searching for a larger meaning and trying to find his place in society. Though it takes many years, Nash eventually finds his place in society.

Nash is portrayed by Russell Crowe. Crowe is an actor so stupendous that he absolutely immerses himself in his roles almost to the point of completely disappearing as an actor and becoming the person. His highly overlooked role in The Insider was one of the greatest performances of the past twenty years, which he followed up with an Oscar winning role in Gladiator, and then this gem.

The film, while taking many liberties with the factual nature of Nash's life, is an absolutely superb example of its genre -- the biopic. It spreads itself out over many years without seeming noticeable. It moves at a quick pace, without seeming rushed. And the performances culiminate in one of the most well-acted films of the year.

What we do in life... echoes in eternity

Gladiator is one of those films that comes around every once in a while that is beautiful to look at it, and stunning to watch, but when you think about it more fully, falls a little short. It's unfortunate that a film such as this requires you to think about it. Some films are created to be fun and exhilarating, but never thought about or analyzed. Unfortunately, Gladiator makes so many statements about its world that we need to think about it, and when we do we're less than satisfied.

Maximus is a Roman General. He is betrayed when Commodus murders the Emperor and sentences Maximus to death (along with his entire family). This is following one of the most breathtakingly filmed fight sequences I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the film itself grounds its nature in impressive visuals rather than character development. Maximus is a one man army. He has a mission and will go to no end to fulfill that mission. Unfortunately, in his quest for his result, he doesn't learn anything. He doesn't grow or change in any substantial way.

Russell Crowe adequately portrays the enraged General, but he's more of a statue wandering through intense battle sequences to the ultimate showdown with the man who betrayed him. Joaquin Phoenix is quite good as the confused, conflicted, and mean-spirited Emperor of Rome. But, even the performances are not enough to keep this film on its feet.

Gladiator took home seven Oscars. It deserved several of them, including the award to Crowe, but I think the Best Picture Oscar would have better been served to Traffic. There is a film that is capable of handling what it gives to its audience, and what it gives is nothing short of intense.