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.

‘Frida’ Download and Reviews

December 22, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Biography, Drama, Romance

“Frida” Movie Details

Frida tagline: Prepare to be seduced
Frida - DVD Cover

Frida DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Antonio Banderas
  • Salma Hayek Frida Kahlo
    MГ­a Maestro Cristina Kahlo
    Amelia Zapata Maid
    Alejandro Usigli Professor
    Diego Luna Alejandro ‘Alex’
    Alfred Molina Diego Rivera
    Lucia Bravo Auditorium Model
    Valeria Golino Lupe MarГ­n
    Patricia Reyes SpГ­ndola Matilde Kahlo
    LolГі Navarro Nanny
    Roger Rees Guillermo Kahlo
    FermГ­n MartГ­nez Painter on Bus
    Roberto Medina Dr. Farril
    Ashley Judd Tina Modotti
    David Alfaro Siqueiros
    Directors: Julie Taymor IMDB Rating: 7.4/10 out of 24,752 votes

    “Frida” Movie Review

    “Frida” Plot Summary

    A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work. add synopsis

    Incredible eyebrow woman

    Throughout the entire film I was unable to avert my gaze from the bushy forehead of the amazing ‘woman with one eyebrow’ – and nowhere on the net can I find a photograph of Frida Kahlo with such an impressive hedgerow plastered across her face. Why it was felt necessary to portray her thus, is a mystery to me. It may seem trivial, but it really did detract from what is essentially an immense performance

    Hayek excels, and definitely makes the movie more palatable for mainstream audiences who may not be interested in the social and artistic merits of what is an important historical era. She is ably assisted by the talented Molina, and the beautiful sets and photography are a fitting tribute to the story of one quite amazing woman

    So even if you think art is bunkum and history is naff, I think you will enjoy this sad but uplifting tale of a beautiful, spirited and unforgettable woman. Surely a must-see for any cinema buff.

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    ‘The Invasion’ Download and Reviews

    December 10, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

    “The Invasion” Movie Details

    The Invasion tagline: Do not trust anyone. Do not show emotion. Do not fall asleep.
    The Invasion - DVD Cover

    The Invasion DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Nicole Kidman Carol Bennell
    Daniel Craig Ben Driscoll
    Jeremy Northam Tucker Kaufman
    Jackson Bond Oliver
    Jeffrey Wright Dr. Stephen Galeano
    Veronica Cartwright Wendy Lenk
    Josef Sommer Dr. Henryk Belicec
    Celia Weston Ludmilla Belicec
    Roger Rees Yorish
    Eric Benjamin Gene
    Susan Floyd Pam
    Stephanie Berry Carly
    Alexis Raben Belicec’s Aide
    Adam LeFevre Richard Lenk
    Joanna Merlin Joan Kaufman
    Directors: Oliver Hirschbiegel
    IMDB Rating: 6.0/10 out of 26,570 votes

    “The Invasion” Movie Review

    “The Invasion” Plot Summary

    As a Washington psychiatrist unearths the origin of an alien epidemic, she also discovers her son might be the only way it can be stopped.

    Don’t even bother to find fault with it

    I don’t always listen to film critics but when three reasonably reliable ones all give this movie a 2/4, I should take heed. Why did I watch it then? I am a Nicole Kidman fan. Sure enough, Kidman was in every scene, if not every frame. But that was about it

    I won’t even bother finding fault with this movie because it is so formulaic that it gives you everything you expect, which isn’t much. If you watch close to 200 movies a year (granted not all of them Hollywood), you have seen them all divorced professional mother with young (ten-ish) son and good-guy boyfriend, mass hysteria in which you just don’t know which one is a sinister ‘them’, just to name the two key elements. There is really nothing seriously wrong about this movie that a woman and her son have become the only people among thousands in the city that are unaffected is something that Hollywood expects you to accept without as much as a blink. Nor is the split-personality change (of the movie, I mean) from a dark, sinister suspense into a chaotic havoc of wild chases anything that you should really criticize because you’ve got to have these things in the movie. By the way, this movie is a sort of a partial remake of ‘Invasion of the body snatches’, if you don’t already know and whether it’s the fourth or the fifth depends on who you talk to

    Yes, there are some good, damned good actors in the caliber of Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam and Jeffrey Wright but in this movie they may as well be props. A terrible waste, you say, but these people got to have a paycheck every now and then too. So in the end, there’s just Kidman. This isn’t exactly her bid for another Oscar, but she does a fine job here, limited scope notwithstanding.

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    ‘The Pink Panther’ Download and Reviews

    October 2, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Adventure, Comedy, Crime

    “The Pink Panther” Movie Details

    The Pink Panther tagline: Get a clue!
    The Pink Panther - DVD Cover

    The Pink Panther DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Steve Martin Clouseau
    Kevin Kline Dreyfus
    Jean Reno Ponton
    Emily Mortimer Nicole
    Henry Czerny Yuri
    Kristin Chenoweth Cherie
    Roger Rees Larocque
    BeyoncГ© Knowles Xania
    Phillip Goodwin Deputy Chief Renard
    Henri Garcin President
    William Abadie Bizu
    Daniel Sauli Music Producer
    Jean Dell Justice Minister Clochard
    Anna Katarina Agent Corbeille
    Nick Toren Agent Savard
    Directors: Shawn Levy
    IMDB Rating: 5.1/10 out of 26,589 votes

    “The Pink Panther” Movie Review

    “The Pink Panther” Plot Summary

    Loosely based on the 1964 Peter Sellers original film, where the detective must solve the murder of a famous soccer coach and find out who stole the infamous Pink Panther diamond. add synopsis

    Very Funny

    I found this a very funny movie. My wife and I laughed through most of it and would recommend it to anyone. Yes, I grew up watching Peter Sellers and he was a great comedian but so is Steve and while the names and characters come from the early Panther movies, this one can stand on it’s own merits. Kevin Kline and Jean Reno also play their parts well. Best of all, this is a family movie without graphic violence and sex and is great for the whole family without sacrificing some of the jokes kids might not understand. 8 out of 10 only because I thought the movie could be longer than 90 minutes and wasted some opportunities for more comedy interactions.

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    ‘The Prestige’ Download and Reviews

    September 20, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

    “The Prestige” Movie Details

    The Prestige tagline: A Friendship That Became a Rivalry.
    The Prestige - DVD Cover

    The Prestige DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Hugh Jackman Robert Angier
    Christian Bale Alfred Borden
    Michael Caine Cutter
    Piper Perabo Julia McCullough
    Rebecca Hall Sarah
    Scarlett Johansson Olivia Wenscombe
    Samantha Mahurin Jess
    David Bowie Tesla
    Andy Serkis Alley
    Daniel Davis Judge
    Jim Piddock Prosecutor
    Christopher Neame Defender
    Mark Ryan Captain
    Roger Rees Owens
    Jamie Harris Sullen Warder
    Directors: Christopher Nolan
    IMDB Rating: 8.4/10 out of 183,986 votes

    “The Prestige” Movie Review

    “The Prestige” Plot Summary

    The rivalry between two magicians is exacerbated when one of them performs the ultimate illusion.

    Great, epic film

    This movie is an absolute masterpiece of epic proportions. Director Nolan gives us one of his best directing jobs. This movie contains everything from romance to pity, and power to poverty. Both Jackman and Bale play amazing characters. Bale is power hungry individual who stops at nothing short of owning and controlling everything in the world. This movie portrays the feelings and emotions of guilt and punishment. What is a great story and gripping account of what happens when dreams turn into nightmares

    This is so much better than ‘The Illusionist’I also love the lack of profanity.

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    ‘The Godfather’ Download and Reviews

    September 3, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Crime, Drama, Thriller

    “The Godfather” Movie Details

    The Godfather tagline: An offer you can’t refuse.
    The Godfather - DVD Cover

    The Godfather DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Rudy Bond
  • Marlon Brando Don Vito Corleone
    Al Pacino Michael Corleone
    James Caan Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone
    Richard S. Castellano Pete Clemenza
    Robert Duvall Tom Hagen
    Sterling Hayden Capt. Mark McCluskey
    Richard Conte Emilio Barzini
    Al Lettieri Virgil Sollozzo
    Diane Keaton Kay Adams
    Abe Vigoda Salvadore “Sally” Tessio
    Talia Shire Connie
    Gianni Russo Carlo Rizzi
    John Marley Fredo
    Carmine Cuneo
    Directors: Francis Ford Coppola IMDB Rating: 9.2/10 out of 383,368 votes

    “The Godfather” Movie Review

    “The Godfather” Plot Summary

    The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

    Initially, I wasn’t a fan… but then I realised

    This is a masterpiece. A timeless masterpiece. Initially, I didn’t like this film all that much – I found it rather over-hyped and boring. This was until the advent of DVD, which gave me the feature I needed for this sort of film: subtitles. Once I switched them on and heard (read) every last word of Brando’s ramblings and other characters ramblings, I grew a true appreciation for this epic

    To make a true epic, you need all of three following ingredients working in near perfect harmony. For screenwriters who come across this, take the following pointers on board: 1) Contrasting Characters: Good films have some character distinction, but most fall rather flat because the core of each character is the same

    Of course, there are exceptions to rule (ie… where you want mono-tonal characters… aka matrix; or where you want outlandish contrasts… aka The Fifth Element), but ultimately, this is what makes films deep, meaningful and grand. Consider the contrasts between the Don’s children. Michael is rather cool, rational and collected, whereas Sonny is more hot-headed, spontaneous and simple minded. But simply having these contrasts is not nearly enough. What you really need to do is to develop these characters – place them in situations – and then dwell on how their character impacts on the situation they’re put in. The Godfather is a terrific example of how to pull this off. While many try to do this in screenplays, most lose the plot and create character obscurities that stretch credibility.2) Transformation: The central character(s) must undergo a transformation, resulting in them being almost unrecognizable by the end of the film. By putting them into situations, the character’s character must not only influence the outcome of the situation; it must also have a lasting impact on the character. Consider Michael at the wedding and compare that to the Michael we see at the end of the film. Again, many films try, but most fail because they come up with unreal (literally, not praisingly) or simply moronic transformations (eg, Wall Street).3) Patience: Men in Black 2 was an astounding film for one simple reason – it was an entire film squashed into about 70 minutes. It was not much longer than an episode of ER or Buffy. I certainly hope the new goal of Hollywood isn’t to make films as short as possible

    All the great ones spend time – time developing characters, family life, growth, patience with the story telling in general. This is the key (provided that the story isn’t mind-numbingly boring). Dances with Wolves, Heat.. and so on are very patient but top-class films. While studios may be lukewarm on the idea of longer films, they are worth it if you have a ripper story to base it on

    I feel that this film has not dated all that much and has tremendous re-watch-ability.

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