Once again, it's a weekend battle of head-to-head stars. In this corner, we have the Gladiator himself, Academy Award winner Russell Crowe. And in this corner we have the current king of cool, slick, sly BMW Driver, Clive Owen. You know the rules. Let's drop the cage. Two men enter! One man leaves!

In the box office this weekend: Winner = Crowe
This one is kind of tough at first glance, but 3:10 to Yuma draws from a much wider audience than Shoot 'Em Up. Besides, I think the critical buzz is going to help push 3:10 to Yuma ahead.

In the critical arena: Winner = Crowe
As much as I love both of these films, I love them for very different reasons. Critics are almost universally glowing for 3:10 to Yuma, which is easily the best Western since Unforgiven. Shoot 'Em Up, on the other hand, will have a niche audience of action nuts and internet movie fanboys (to which I proudly belong). It's a film that is what it proudly is and has zero pretension, which means the mainstream and more effete critics are either not going to get it or are going to hate it for what it is trying to do. 3:10 to Yuma will have no such resistance and will most likely be on a large number of "Best Of" lists this December.

In their careers: Winner = Crowe
Clive Owen is now what Russell Crowe was about eight or ten years ago. He's been in some very cool things ranging from the great Driver commercial/short film series up to last year's brilliant Children of Men. But being what Russell Crowe was doesn't mean that he'll be able to accomplish what Crowe has. The guy won an Oscar and has been nominated more than once. He's starred in a number of box office blockbusters and has worked with some of the greatest directors of all time. If Owen stays the course, he can achieve as much, if not more. But for now I've got to give this one to Crowe.

In a fight: Winner = Owen
Now, this is assuming that Australian rules are not in effect and that phones will not be allowed in the fight. If they are, I'd say the odds even up. Crowe's ability to wield a telephone is legendary to hotel clerks of the world. But despite Crowe's makin' movies, makin' songs, fightin' round the world lifestyle, I gotta give Owen his due. He's in shape, knows how to throw a punch and could probably take Crowe down four times out of five. Besides, he should win something. He really is pretty freaking cool.

Winner = Crowe
He's one of the top five stars in the world. And his new movie kicks the crap out of most everything that came out this summer. Anyone who thinks he's on his way out hasn't seen this. Against any other mortal man, Owen would have fared better. But Crowe? The man ain't mortal.

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