I am a hands-up guy. The best ability is accountability, in my humble opinion, so I want to get in front of this right now. I was wrong. When I heard they were making a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 epic "Gladiator," I thought it was a dumb cash grab. Even reading that the sequel had long been in development (dating back to 2001), I still questioned the validity of returning to Rome without Maximus. The Russell Crowe-led "Gladiator" wrapped up perfectly as he freed the gladiators and Rome before dying and joining his family. I felt there was simply no need to take a second shot at a gladiator story in the interest of making a period piece. After watching the trailer, I would like to enact "takebacksies".

The battles within the Colosseum look spectacular, the new emperor looks like a hateable weasel, and Denzel's dynamic smile lights up the screen. Plus, you throw in everyone's favorite zaddy Pedro Pascal doing some gladiatorial combat and a Jay-Z verse, and you've got a "shut up and take my money" situation. Looking forward to being at the big screen on November 22nd to enjoy Ridley Scott's follow-up to a favorite.