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.

‘Top Gun’ Download and Reviews

October 20, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Drama, Romance

“Top Gun” Movie Details

Top Gun tagline: From the Producers of Beverly Hills Cop and Flashdance [UK Theatrical]
Top Gun - DVD Cover

Top Gun DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Adrian Pasdar
  • Tom Cruise Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell
    Kelly McGillis Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood
    Val Kilmer Lt. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazanski
    Anthony Edwards Lt. (j.g.) Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw
    Tom Skerritt Cmdr. Mike ‘Viper’ Metcalf
    Michael Ironside Lt. Cmdr. Rick ‘Jester’ Heatherly
    John Stockwell Cougar
    Barry Tubb Wolfman
    Rick Rossovich Lt. (j.g.) Ron ‘Slider’ Kerner
    Tim Robbins Lt. (j.g.) Sam ‘Merlin’ Wells
    Clarence Gilyard Jr. Sundown
    Whip Hubley Lt. Rick ‘Hollywood’ Neven
    James Tolkan Stinger
    Meg Ryan Carole Bradshaw
    Chipper
    Directors: Tony Scott IMDB Rating: 6.5/10 out of 75,722 votes

    “Top Gun” Movie Review

    “Top Gun” Plot Summary

    The macho students of an elite US Flying school for advanced fighter pilots compete to be best in the class, and one romances the teacher.

    Fun, entertaining and unbelievable!

    Most of the comments about this movie are more unbelievable than the picture itself. Some are saying it’s the greatest movie which is far from true. On the other side are the cinema snobs who won’t let themselves enjoy this motion picture. This movie may require much more ’suspension of disbelief ‘ than most but the fact that many are still enjoying it says plenty about its entertainment value.

    Top Gun - Movie Still 1 Top Gun Movie Still 2 Top Gun Movie Image 3 Top Gun Screen Image
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    ‘Roxanne’ Download and Reviews

    August 24, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Comedy, Drama, Romance

    “Roxanne” Movie Details

    Roxanne tagline: Roxanne dreamed of a handsome, intelligent, romantic man. C.D. Bales is two out of three… but looks aren’t everything!
    Roxanne - DVD Cover

    Roxanne DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Steve Martin C.D. ‘Charlie’ Bales
    Daryl Hannah Roxanne Kowalski
    Rick Rossovich Chris McConnell
    Shelley Duvall Dixie
    John Kapelos Chuck
    Fred Willard Mayor Deebs
    Max Alexander Dean
    Michael J. Pollard Andy
    Steve Mittleman Ralston
    Damon Wayans Jerry
    Matt Lattanzi Trent
    Shandra Beri Sandy the Barmaid
    Blanche Rubin Sophie
    Jane Campbell Dottie
    Jean Sincere Nina
    Directors: Fred Schepisi
    IMDB Rating: 6.6/10 out of 14,642 votes

    “Roxanne” Movie Review

    “Roxanne” Plot Summary

    Based on the play “Cyrano de Bergerac”, large nosed C.D. Bales falls for the beautiful Roxanne while she falls for his personality but another man’s looks. add synopsis

    Best romantic comedy ever…

    This is the sweetest intelligent romantic comedy ever made. It is a brilliant reworking of the classic play on which it is based. Steve Martin has demonstrated in movie after movie his ability to make people laugh, and with Roxanne he has shown his ability to create comedy, in addition to spouting the creation of others. There is no downside to this movie. By far the greatest romantic comedy of the last 25 years. Potentially the greatest romantic comedy ever made.

    Roxanne - Movie Still 1 Roxanne Movie Still 2 Roxanne Movie Image 3 Roxanne Screen Image
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