The Terminator – He’ll Be Back

January 20, 2010 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

The Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger's best role

The Terminator (1984)

Actors:

Arnold Schwarzenegger The Terminator
Michael Bien Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton Sarah Connor
Paul Winfield Lieutenant Ed Traxler
Lance Henriksen Detective Vukovich
Bess Motta Ginger Ventura
Earl Boen Dr. Peter Silberman
Rick Rossovich Matt Buchanan
Dick Miller Pawnshop Clerk
Shawn Schepps Nancy
Franco Columbu Future Terminator
Bill Paxton Punk Leader
Brad Rearden Punk
Brian Thompson Punk
Directors:
James Cameron
IMDB Rating:
8.1 out of 10 (145,816 votes)

‘The Terminator’ 1984 – Review

It is no exaggeration to say that the Terminator is by all means a unique film. A rare example of the plot, directing, acting and cinematography – all lined up in a perfect harmony. But above all, the uniqueness of the Terminator is in the universality of the main character. Terminator, in fact, is the ideal movie hero. The machine combines all the necessary features for being and ideal action movie character.

Terminator as a real action hero. Moving towards the goal, he does not distract the viewer with such trifles as love scenes, psychological experiences and sufferings, and other nonsense.

Terminator as a dramatic character. His drama is in the hypertrophied sense of duty. And if in the first part of the movie (1984) his self-sacrifice can be attributed to the unreflecting incogitant implementation of the program, in the second movie (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) it is a real moral choice.

Terminator as an intellectual hero . He is laconic. But if he opens his mouth, then rest assured – a phrase articulated is worth to be cut in stone and quoted in ages.

Terminator as a self-ironic character . He is a stranger in this world, so he sometimes gets in ambiguous situations.

Terminator Screen 1 Terminator Screen 2 Terminator Thumb 3 Terminator Thumb 4
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In addition, the Terminator has all the necessary features of a true macho, which contributes to his popularity among female audiences.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator

Add the brutal charm of Arnold Schwarzenegger to all the above-mentioned – and get a character with a unique appeal of chrome metal. Not surprisingly, the audience identifies itself with the grim villain Terminator, and not with the hero played by Michael Biehn. “I think people are sympathetic to him because everyone has a little quivering demon sitting in the subconscious, which you would like to turn into for a minute or two to go to your boss and slap the door open with your foot,” – that’s how Schwarzenegger explained the phenomenon. By the way, the Terminator part is generally considered to be the best role of Arnold. Moreover, today with full confidence we can argue that Schwarzenegger is an actor of one role – the role of the cyber-killer.

Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conor

Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conor

“Terminator” has become a launching pad not only to James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Linda Hamilton, the leading female part, has also been receiving more visible parts since the Terminator movie. Adam Greenberg, who was little known before the “Terminator”, is now one of the most respected (multiple “Oscar” prize-winner) and paid cameramen in the world. Also discovered by the “Terminator” movie became a little-known composer Brad Fiedel, who wrote a truly original, mechanical-futuristic music, which became a fully fledged part of the image of Terminator.

But do not forget that the “Terminator” is first and foremost the child of James Cameron. He wrote the original script. Spent a lot of time and effort to get the project moving, to interest “Hemdale” studio in his story (and it was not easy: many of the major film studios immediately rejected such a crazy project), got the necessary budget, found suitable actors. Cameron, a staunch perfectionist, completely controlled the whole shooting process. That’s why this movie is so integrated and harmonious. Cameron managed to achieve perfect editing, so that the Terminator movie is still quoted as an action movie standard.

Terminator - Cyber-Killer From Future

Terminator - Cyber-Killer From Future

Curiously, the Terminator was a low-budget movie which turned out to be a box-office hit. At roughly $6.5 million, the film went on to gross more than $78 million worldwide. Cameron previously worked in the studio of Roger Corman and learned from the cheap movie guru how to make movies out of nothing. Every cent has been spent wisely. The modest but tastefully done special effects do not dominate the subject, but only slightly back it, which in no way detracts from the movie’s eye-catching entertainment.

Visual sequence of the movie is also perfect. Not trying to shake the viewer with impressive images of future or colorful action scenes (the first part of the “Terminator” in general is strictly minimalist), the director, shot by shot, weaves bleak atmosphere of despair, making the audience forget about the popcorn.

Moreover, Cameron has made the impossible – shot a sequel, which is nothing inferior to the original (and in terms of visual effects, even surpasses the original). Fantastic special effects used by the director in the second part of the “Terminator”, with full confidence can be called revolutionary. Once again, Cameron has proved himself to be the true professional, with a fine sense of proportion and style. He just knew what he (and the spectators) wants to see in the picture. Therefore, despite the huge budget (90 million dollars) and an abundance of special effects intrinsically related to the subject plot, there’s nothing extra or over-the-head in his movie – not a single meaningless frame, not a single unnecessary scene. All the special effects in his film are subject to a plot, rather than vice versa.

Needless to say, with what enthusiasm I was looking forward to get my eyes on the third Terminator movie. But hearing that Cameron has voluntarily left out of the project, that he had not only abandoned the directing chair, but also will not take part in writing the script, I’d prefer that the Terminator was left to be a dilogy. You cannot become a Terminator. You should be born a Terminator.

Terminator (1984) International Release Trailer

1980’s – times of pure action movies and real action heroes.

‘The Rock’ Download and Reviews

December 21, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Adventure, Thriller

“The Rock” Movie Details

The Rock tagline: Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.
The Rock - DVD Cover

The Rock DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Brendan Kelly
  • Sean Connery John Patrick Mason
    Nicolas Cage Dr. Stanley Goodspeed
    Ed Harris General Francis X. Hummel
    John Spencer FBI Director James Womack
    David Morse Major Tom Baxter
    William Forsythe Special Agent Ernest Paxton
    Michael Biehn Commander Anderson
    Vanessa Marcil Carla Pestalozzi
    John C. McGinley Captain Hendrix
    Gregory Sporleder Captain Frye
    Tony Todd Captain Darrow
    Bokeem Woodbine Sergeant Crisp
    Jim Maniaci Private Scarpetti
    Greg Collins Private Gamble
    Private Cox
    Directors: Michael Bay IMDB Rating: 7.2/10 out of 103,318 votes

    “The Rock” Movie Review

    “The Rock” Plot Summary

    A group of U.S. marines, under command of a renegade general, take over Alcatraz and threat San Francisco Bay with biological weapons. A chemical weapons specialist and the only man to have ever escaped from the Rock are the only ones who can prevent chaos. add synopsis

    ‘The Rock’ rocks!

    Every time I see ‘The Rock,’ I’m reminded of why I love action movies. They just can’t seem to get any better than this. I may get slammed by others for proclaiming such strong admirations for such a movie, but it’s squarely my opinion. But to remove myself from opinion and move in the direction toward known fact, ‘The Rock’ is an essential action film for any action-film fan

    Three years ago I bought the last remaining Criterion Collection DVD at my local video store and I can see now beyond the horizon that another edition of this masterpiece probably isn’t coming any time soon. It is squarely the best film ever done by music video champ-turned-big-budget-Hollywood-music-video-director Michael Bay and the last film ever produced by the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer duo (Simpson died shortly before ‘The Rock’ was released and the film is dedicated in his memory).

    But ‘The Rock’ is all about one thing: entertainment, and nothing else. It’s a hell of a ride from start to finish with plenty ‘o explosions, humor, car chases, and one-liners supplied in a dynamite script by Douglas Cook, Mark Rosner, and David Weisberg (that also contains un-credited work from Quentin Tarantino). Even after this praise, you are, naah, you’re not, still interested in seeing why ‘The Rock’ is so essential, are you?To put it like this, the action begins with General Francis ‘Frank’ R. Hummel (Ed Harris) having a vigil at his wife’s grave and tells her that he is about to make a haste decision in the name of the many men who have died under his command and were consequently forgotten by the American government

    So he and his men stage a daring heist at a military depot and make off with 16 rockets loaded with deadly V-X gas, which in the words of one of the film’s characters, ‘Is one of the deadliest substances known to man.’ Their next move is to make a point that they aren’t to be toyed with anymore. So Frank stages a hostage takeover at Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. He tells the kids that are part of a tour group to head back to the boats while the 88 hostages are held in the prison’s cells

    Hummel demands the government make restitutions to the surviving family members of every man who has given his life for this country and if they aren’t met, San Francisco will be reduced to nothing but a giant cloud of poison gas. The Pentagon and assorted officials know the score: they know that Hummel knows he isn’t to be messed with and they take his demands seriously

    A plan is put into effect: a SEAL team is dispatched to try to retake the island, but there is one catch. No one alive knows the inner workings of Alcatraz prison. No one knows, except John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), the only man known to have escaped the infamous island and lived to tell about it. But he’s under maximum security incarceration because in the eyes of one F.B.I. Director John Womack (the late John Spencer), he knows all of America’s most ‘intimate’ secrets (including who really shot JFK) and allowing Mason to be on the loose would be a pretty bad idea

    There is a third prong: an F.B.I. lab rat with no field experience, Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), is also assigned, and with Mason in tow, they’ll accompany the SEALs to Alcatraz to try to dismantle the rockets and Hummel. Of course Goodspeed is reluctant but because a baby is on the way with his longtime girlfriend, he decides he has no choice but to go

    From then on, you know the game since any attempt to further describe the plot would be an exercise in futility: lots of people get shot, firefights, and breakneck pacing that’s trademark of one Mr. Bay and any film produced by a certain Mr. Bruckheimer. What keeps this boat afloat is the dynamic and unlikely partnering of Connery and Cage, who both know their roles well and play off one another, add to the other’s performance like old friends as they navigate through Alcatraz’s labyrinth of dark tunnels and sewers. Ed Harris is even given a third dimension in his villain role that elevates him above the typical action-movie bad guy. He’s a soldier with a chip on his shoulder and his argument is quite convincing (I almost bought into myself). But his true motives later become the subject of a rather colorful and inventive plot twist late in the film.’The Rock’ is why we go to theaters for action in the first place. My view: ‘The Rock’ rocks, big time

    Just check it out to see.10/10

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    ‘Abyss’ Download and Reviews

    December 7, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

    “Abyss” Movie Details

    Abyss tagline: There’s everything you’ve ever known about adventure, and then there’s The Abyss.
    Abyss - DVD Cover

    Abyss DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Ed Harris Virgil “Bud” Brigman
    Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Lindsey Brigman
    Michael Biehn Lt. Coffey
    Leo Burmester Catfish De Vries
    Todd Graff Alan “Hippy” Carnes
    John Bedford Lloyd Jammer Willis
    J.C. Quinn Arliss “Sonny” Dawson
    Kimberly Scott Lisa “One Night” Standing
    Captain Kidd Brewer Jr. Lew Finler
    George Robert Klek Wilhite
    Christopher Murphy Schoenick, SEAL Team Member
    Adam Nelson Ensign Monk, SEAL Team Member
    Dick Warlock Dwight Perry
    Jimmie Ray Weeks Leland McBride
    J. Kenneth Campbell DeMarco
    Directors: James Cameron
    IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 out of 45,908 votes

    “Abyss” Movie Review

    “Abyss” Plot Summary

    A civilian diving team are enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine and face danger while encountering an alien aquatic species.

    Deeply Amazing

    Dear Readers,

    One of my favorite Sci-Fi films is The Abyss, a deep water action/adventure film by the master of Science Fiction, James Cameron. A stunning thriller filmed almost entirely underwater and one of the first films to feature CGI effects. But it’s not the special effects that define this film. It’s the plot, the script, the characters, and the direction.

    The Abyss begins with a US Nuclear Submarine encountering an anomaly in the ocean, causing them to crash into a trench at the bottom of the ocean. The US Navy is powerless to reach them because of an incoming Hurricane. So instead they hire a group of underwater oil miners led by Virgil ‘Bud’ Brigman. Brigman’s soon-to-be-ex-wife, Lindsay, infuriated that her underwater oil rig is being used for a military operation, tags along with a group of Navy SEALS led by the cold Lieutenant Coffey. As they investigate the Sub wreckage, the Divers and the SEALS encounter a power living down in the Abyss…A power with the ability to save the world or destroy it.

    James Cameron outdoes himself with this underwater thriller and so does the cast. You get inside each of the characters heads and see each their points of view. Ed Harris plays his role quietly and coolly, playing a man who’s become bitter from losing his wife and questioning whether there is life at the bottom of the ocean. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is awesome as Lindsay Brigman, a dedicated engineer and scientist determined to prove that the life at the bottom of the Abyss is not a threat to mankind. Michael Biehn steals the show, though, as the slowly-going-insane Lieutenant Coffey. Not since watching Platoon have I seen such insanity in a man. Gone is the cool charming character of Kyle Reese and instead is a man who will kill anything that threatens his mission.

    Point blank: Watch this film.

    Signed, The Constant DVD Collector, Matt Macleod

    Parental Warning: There’s some mild swearing and tense moments, but there’s also a scene of nudity as well. I recommend not letting your kids see this if they’re under teenage years. You be the judge.

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    ‘Aliens’ Download and Reviews

    October 11, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Adventure, Horror

    “Aliens” Movie Details

    Aliens tagline: This time there’s more.
    Aliens - DVD Cover

    Aliens DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Sigourney Weaver Ellen Ripley
    Carrie Henn Rebecca “Newt” Jorden
    Michael Biehn Cpl. Dwayne Hicks
    Lance Henriksen Bishop
    Paul Reiser Carter Burke
    Bill Paxton Pvt. Hudson
    William Hope Lt. Gorman
    Jenette Goldstein Pvt. Vasquez
    Al Matthews Sgt. Apone
    Mark Rolston Pvt. Drake
    Ricco Ross Pvt. Frost
    Colette Hiller Cpl. Ferro
    Daniel Kash Pvt. Spunkmeyer
    Cynthia Dale Scott Cpl. Dietrich
    Tip Tipping Pvt. Crowe
    Directors: James Cameron
    IMDB Rating: 8.5/10 out of 154,052 votes

    “Aliens” Movie Review

    “Aliens” Plot Summary

    The planet from Alien (1979) has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, enough?

    Easily the best of all the aliens

    When I first watched Alien i was really impressed and had to get Aliens. I wasn’t sure if this could be as good because most sequels hardly ever surpass the first. But I thought this was a lot better. Don’t get me wrong the first was brilliant but this was amazing. Everything was right. They had a brilliant cast, brilliant story, brilliant effects and brilliant acting.

    The thing i was most impressed about was the design of it all. It looked amazing. They Made things look realistic and the aliens looked really good as well. The aliens home was put together brilliantly. For a 1986 film they made the effects look really good and the set. The king alien looked very good and the set of it’s home was very good as well. Yet again Sigourney Weaver puts on a brilliant performance as like she did in the first one and Jennette Goldstien as Pvt Vaquez gave a great performance and is one of the best movie heroes ever.

    With the first film it had a lot of parts that made you jump and had you on the edge of your seat. It was exactly the same with this one. There were lots of parts that made you jump and nearly the whole film had you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what was going to happened next and they had a lot more gore in this than the first which was good to see because i thought in the first it would be fairly gory but it weren’t that much.

    If you thought the first was good you must watch this. You will be blown away by the effects and design and the great action sequences they have with the aliens. It is one of the best films made and it will keep you entertained from start to finish.

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    ‘Tombstone’ Download and Reviews

    October 2, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Drama, History

    “Tombstone” Movie Details

    Tombstone tagline: I’m your Huckleberry!
    Tombstone - DVD Cover

    Tombstone DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
  • Kurt Russell Wyatt Earp
    Val Kilmer Doc Holliday
    Sam Elliott Virgil Earp
    Bill Paxton Morgan Earp
    Powers Boothe Curly Bill Brocious
    Michael Biehn Johnny Ringo
    Charlton Heston Henry Hooker
    Jason Priestley Deputy Billy Breckinridge
    Jon Tenney John Behan, Cochise County Sheriff
    Stephen Lang Ike Clanton
    Thomas Haden Church Billy Clanton
    Dana Delany Josephine Marcus
    Paula Malcomson Allie Earp
    Lisa Collins Louisa Earp
    Mattie Blaylock Earp, aka Celia Maddon
    Directors: George P. Cosmatos IMDB Rating: 7.7/10 out of 41,151 votes

    “Tombstone” Movie Review

    “Tombstone” Plot Summary

    A successful lawman’s plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona, are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.

    Easily the best film I’ve seen in a month

    A public service announcement to anyone that hasn’t seen this movie: Watch it now! I just saw it for the first time, and it’s easily the best movie I’ve seen in months

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but, in my opinion, characters are likely the most important aspect of a film. That said, the characters here couldn’t be better, each one has their own distinct personality, they all have moments to shine and, most importantly, they are all superbly acted. Top honours in that category go, of course, to Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday. Simply one of the best characters ever to grace the screen, no more needs to be said. Kurt Russell also did a very good job as celebrated lawman Wyatt Earp. The supporting cast are great as well, but these two certainly stand out…especially Kilmer

    I wont get in to how great the plot is so that I don’t spoil it. I’ll just leave it at this: it’s an enthralling story that will keep you glued from beginning to end, surprise you at times, and even saves time to make you laugh. Very well written, very well played out. Even the music is great, which is something that I often overlook

    In conclusion, I’m a huge western fan. In fact, next to horror, I’d have to say they are my favourite genre of film. Despite being fairly recent, this film ranks among the best and has certainly earned it’s spot as one of my favourite films.9/10

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    ‘Planet Terror’ Download and Reviews

    August 14, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

    “Planet Terror” Movie Details

    Planet Terror tagline: Fully Loaded
    Grindhouse: Planet Terror - DVD Cover

    Planet Terror DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Rose McGowan Cherry Darling
    Freddy Rodriguez El Wray
    Josh Brolin Dr. William Block
    Marley Shelton Dr. Dakota Block
    Jeff Fahey J.T. Hague
    Michael Biehn Sheriff Hague
    Rebel Rodriguez Tony Block
    Bruce Willis Lt. Muldoon
    Naveen Andrews Abby
    Julio Oscar Mechoso Romey
    Stacy Ferguson Tammy
    Nicky Katt Joe
    Hung Nguyen Dr. Crane
    Cecilia Conti Paramedic #1
    Tommy Nix Paramedic #2
    Directors: Robert Rodriguez
    IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 out of 55,949 votes

    “Planet Terror” Movie Review

    “Grindhouse: Planet Terror” Plot Summary

    After an experimental bio-weapon is released, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures, it’s up to a rag-tag group of survivors to stop the infected and those behind its release.

    A brilliant masterpiece

    Normally I never really leave user comments however in the case of this movie I feel compelled to write a small review, so here goes…

    From the first viewing of planet terror I can safely say that I didn’t really get it, I found it OK and I knew enough not to take it too seriously but it still didn’t seem to really convey itself as a movie worth watching again.

    Now, with some relish, I can say that I was wrong. After a second viewing a week ago I found the movie an infinite amount better. It’s full of entertaining slices of comic brilliance as well as vast amounts of action, thrills and spills to keep you glued to the screen.

    It is well worth noting that this film was never meant to be accurate or realistic in any sense, and if you bear that in mind from the start then you’ll love this movie as much as I do.

    Whilst it will not win any Oscars anytime soon, it is well worth seeing if you just want to have a fun and enjoyable movie experience. The director Robert Rodriguez does not take this movie seriously and if you really want to savour this gem of a film then neither should you.

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