Caligola (1979)

The story of Rome's most infamous Caesar, Gaius Germanicus Caligula.

From memory: messy and nasty big-budget exploitation sword-and-sandal epic is quite disagreeable entertainment, but interesting for its audacity and the amount of first-rate stars that risked their reputation by participating.

Halliwell (no star): "What would have been a dull and worthless pseudo-epic has been perked up by violence and hardcore sex. The result is a vile curiosity of interest chiefly to sado-masochists."

Maltin*1/2: "Chutzpah and 6m.of not-bad hard-core footage earn this half a star for the faithful, but most viewers  will be rightfully repelled."

Gattaca (1997)

 

 

A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

 

Atmospheric science fiction drama with excellent cast and settings draws a bleak picture of a genetically controlled future.

 

Halliwell (no star): "Glossy science fiction with a very soft centre under its hard surface."

 

Maltin**: "Bracingly intelligent, wittily ironic, and very well acted. Given the premise, however, the dull, conformist society depicted seems unconvincing."