Hayao Miyazakis Chihiros Reise ins Zauberland (Spirited Away, 2001) ist kein gewöhnlicher Animationsfilm – er ist ein Portal in eine Welt, die von grenzenloser Fantasie, emotionaler Tiefe und künstlerischer Perfektion lebt. Mit seiner vielschichtigen Geschichte, seinen magischen Charakteren und der atemberaubenden Animation hat Miyazaki nicht nur einen modernen Klassiker geschaffen, sondern auch einen Film, der Zuschauer jeden Alters verzaubert und zum Nachdenken anregt. Eine Reise ins…
Mike Myers setzt mit Austin Powers in Goldständer (2002) seine absurde Agentenparodie fort – und wie! Der dritte Teil der Kultreihe ist eine glitzernde, überdrehte Hommage an die 70er Jahre, die Spionagefilm-Klischees und natürlich den berüchtigten Austin Powers selbst. Mit prominenten Cameos, abgedrehten Charakteren und einem Humor, der sich selbst nie zu ernst nimmt, ist Goldständer eine würdige Fortsetzung, auch wenn die Formel langsam Abnutzungserscheinungen zeigt.
Nach dem kontrovers aufgenommenen Episode I – Die dunkle Bedrohung waren die Erwartungen an Star Wars: Episode II – Angriff der Klonkrieger (2002) hoch – und die Skepsis groß. Doch George Lucas schaffte mit diesem zweiten Teil der Prequel-Trilogie etwas, das viele Fans nicht erwartet hatten: Er brachte einen Hauch der „Star Wars Magie“ zurück, die die ursprüngliche Trilogie so legendär gemacht hat. Mit spektakulären Schlachten,…
Sam Raimis Spider-Man ist nicht nur ein Film – es ist ein kulturelles Phänomen. Als er 2002 die Kinos eroberte, setzte er neue Maßstäbe für Comicverfilmungen und bewies, dass Superheldengeschichten nicht nur Action und Spezialeffekte, sondern auch echte Charakterentwicklung und emotionale Tiefe bieten können. Mit Tobey Maguire als ideal besetztem Peter Parker und Willem Dafoe als unvergesslichem Green Goblin gelingt Raimi eine perfekte Balance zwischen bombastischem…
Sam Mendes liefert mit Road to Perdition (2002) einen zutiefst bewegenden und stilistisch herausragenden Film ab, der sich zwar nicht an der Experimentierfreude von American Beauty orientiert, dafür aber eine perfekt inszenierte Gangster-Ballade bietet. Basierend auf der gleichnamigen Graphic Novel erzählt der Film eine Geschichte von Verrat, Rache und familiären Bindungen, eingebettet in die düstere Atmosphäre der 1930er Jahre. Mit Tom Hanks in einer ungewöhnlich dunklen…
Erkan & Stefan gegen die Mächte der Finsternis (2002) versucht, an den Erfolg des ersten Films anzuknüpfen, doch der Funke will nicht so recht überspringen. Diesmal steht die Welt auf dem Spiel – zumindest auf dem Papier. In der Praxis bleibt es bei den bekannten Albernheiten des chaotischen Duos, verpackt in eine Handlung, die mehr wie eine verlängerte TV-Episode wirkt als wie ein echter Kinofilm. Die…
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an actor synonymous with larger-than-life heroes who defy impossible odds. Whether it’s battling a relentless alien in Predator (1987), taking on killer machines in The Terminator series, or delivering grenade-launcher justice in Commando (1985), Schwarzenegger built his career on movies that combined explosive action with an undeniable sense of fun. Collateral Damage, however, is a somber, sluggish attempt at a political thriller that…
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s filmography is packed with unforgettable moments: the raw, primal power of Conan the Barbarian, the relentless terror of The Terminator, the groundbreaking spectacle of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and the thought-provoking sci-fi of Total Recall. With The 6th Day, you can tell Schwarzenegger is trying to recapture the magic of his earlier science-fiction hits. Unfortunately, this clone-centric thriller feels more like a cheap knockoff…
By the late 1990s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at an interesting crossroads in his career. After dominating the action genre with films like The Terminator (1984), Predator (1987), and True Lies (1994), audiences had come to expect a certain type of role from him: the invincible action hero, larger-than-life, unstoppable, and morally unshakable. But with End of Days (1999), Arnold took a bold turn, portraying a deeply…
In the summer of 1999, I embarked on a journey that would shape the rest of my life. After studying Japanese for a year at Hölderlin-Gymnasium Heidelberg, I had the incredible opportunity to spend three weeks in Kumamoto, Japan, as part of an exchange program between Heidelberg and its sister city. It wasn’t just my first time in Japan—it was my first trip to Asia. Looking…
If you grew up in the ‘90s, Batman & Robin is likely burned into your memory—and not just because of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s endless barrage of ice puns. Joel Schumacher’s infamous sequel to Batman Forever (1995) is widely regarded as one of the worst superhero movies ever made, a neon-lit fever dream that took the campiness of Adam West’s Batman TV series, cranked it to 11, and…
Arnold Schwarzenegger might not be the first actor you’d think of for a holiday comedy, but Jingle All the Way proves he can do more than fight aliens and crush robots. Coming off his action-packed career highs in True Lies (1994) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Schwarzenegger trades guns for gifts in this family-friendly romp. The result is a movie that’s undeniably goofy, occasionally charming,…
By 1996, Arnold Schwarzenegger was firmly established as one of the greatest action stars of all time. With films like The Terminator (1984), Predator (1987), and True Lies (1994), Arnold had set the standard for larger-than-life action heroes who delivered thrills, explosions, and unforgettable one-liners. Eraser, directed by Chuck Russell (The Mask, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3), attempts to continue that legacy with a high-concept…
When it comes to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, “unexpected” is a word that pops up more often than you’d think. From action-packed juggernauts like The Terminator (1984) to family-friendly comedies like Kindergarten Cop (1990), Arnold has always been willing to take risks, and nowhere is that more evident than in Junior (1994). Directed by Ivan Reitman, who helmed Arnold’s earlier comedies Twins (1988) and Kindergarten Cop, Junior…
Es ist 1994 – oder war es doch 1995? Manchmal verschwimmen die Erinnerungen, aber das Gefühl, das bleibt, ist klar und lebendig. Es war der Anfang einer Zeit, die so prägend, so intensiv und voller unvergesslicher Momente war, dass ich sie noch heute vermisse: meine Jahre an der Odenwaldschule. Damals war ich der einzige Siebtklässler im Pestalozzi-Haus. Warum genau? Das weiß ich heute nicht mehr so…
When it comes to ranking Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best movies, True Lies (1994) rightfully earns its place as the fourth-best of all time, just behind Predator (1987), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Total Recall (1990), and slightly ahead of the action extravaganza Commando (1985). Directed by James Cameron, the same visionary filmmaker behind T2, True Lies is a thrilling, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt action-comedy that feels…
When Last Action Hero hit theaters in 1993, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the height of his stardom. Coming off massive hits like Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Total Recall (1990), he was Hollywood’s most bankable star, synonymous with over-the-top action, larger-than-life heroes, and unforgettable one-liners. Naturally, a movie that satirized those very tropes, starring Arnold himself, seemed like a recipe for success. But when Last…
When it comes to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s illustrious filmography, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) isn’t just a highlight—it’s a cinematic milestone. Sitting proudly as the second-best Arnold movie of all time, behind only the primal brilliance of Predator (1987) and edging out the mind-bending Total Recall (1990), T2 is a rare sequel that doesn’t just surpass its predecessor—it redefines an entire genre. Directed by James Cameron, T2…
By 1990, Arnold Schwarzenegger was synonymous with action cinema. From The Terminator (1984) to Predator (1987) and Total Recall (1990), he was Hollywood’s unstoppable force—a muscle-bound hero who could singlehandedly take on aliens, robots, and entire armies. So when Kindergarten Cop came along, audiences were understandably intrigued: Could the man who coined the phrase “I’ll be back” really pull off a family-friendly comedy about wrangling a…
There are action movies, and then there are Arnold Schwarzenegger movies—a category all their own, where larger-than-life action meets unforgettable characters and groundbreaking storytelling. At the very top of that list are undisputed classics like Predator (1987), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Total Recall (1990), which rightfully earns its place as the third-best Schwarzenegger film of all time. Directed by visionary filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, who…
In 1988, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the height of his action-hero dominance, having crushed box offices with The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), and Predator (1987). So when Twins came along, audiences were surprised—and a little skeptical—to see the muscle-bound Austrian trade machine guns for punchlines. Directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), Twins paired Schwarzenegger with Danny DeVito in a heartwarming and hilarious comedy that proved Arnold could…
By the time The Running Man hit theaters in 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger was riding an unstoppable wave of stardom. Coming off iconic films like Conan the Barbarian (1982), The Terminator (1984), and Predator (1987), Arnold had cemented himself as the ultimate action star of the ‘80s, blending muscle-bound physicality with undeniable charisma. The Running Man doesn’t reach the groundbreaking brilliance of The Terminator or the primal…
By 1988, Arnold Schwarzenegger was Hollywood’s biggest action star, having dominated the decade with iconic hits like The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), and Predator (1987). So, when Red Heat came along, it was an exciting opportunity for Schwarzenegger to show his range, combining his no-nonsense action chops with deadpan humor in a buddy-cop setting. Directed by the legendary Walter Hill (48 Hrs., The Warriors), Red Heat…
When it comes to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s illustrious filmography, one movie stands above all others as the pinnacle of his career: Predator (1987). Directed by John McTiernan, who would later helm Die Hard (1988), this sci-fi action thriller is a pure adrenaline rush, combining brutal combat, iconic one-liners, and a relentless alien hunter in a jungle setting that feels like a crucible of survival. Sure, Terminator 2:…
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career in the 1980s was defined by big, bold roles that cemented him as one of the greatest action stars of all time. From the primal intensity of Conan the Barbarian (1982) to the sci-fi brilliance of The Terminator (1984), and even the ensemble survival horror of Predator (1987), Schwarzenegger’s star power elevated him above the standard action hero. That’s why Raw Deal is…
When it comes to the pantheon of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, Commando (1985) proudly holds its place as one of the ultimate action flicks of all time. This is the film where Arnold became the action genre, delivering a performance so over-the-top, so relentlessly entertaining, that it cemented his status as the reigning king of cinematic badassery. While Predator (1987), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Total Recall…
Released in 1985, Red Sonja feels like the forgotten cousin in the Conan the Barbarian family—set in the same universe of swords, magic, and muscle-bound heroes, yet lacking the grit, depth, and energy that made Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984) staples of the fantasy genre. While Arnold Schwarzenegger’s presence as the warrior Kalidor adds some much-needed muscle to the film, Red Sonja…
There are movies that define a decade, movies that change the trajectory of careers, and movies that leave a permanent mark on pop culture. The Terminator (1984) is all of the above. Directed by James Cameron on a shoestring budget, this sci-fi thriller not only launched Cameron’s illustrious career but also cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger as one of the biggest action stars of all time. What started…
After the success of Conan the Barbarian (1982), it was only a matter of time before Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to swing his massive sword as the titular Cimmerian warrior. With Conan the Destroyer, the filmmakers delivered a sequel that takes the original’s dark, mythic tone and injects it with a dose of campy fun and broader appeal. While The Destroyer isn’t as raw or brutal as…
Before Conan the Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a world-famous bodybuilder but hardly a household name in Hollywood. Sure, he had a few roles under his belt, most notably in Pumping Iron (1977) and Hercules in New York (1970), but he was far from the global action icon he would become. Enter Conan the Barbarian, the sword-and-sorcery epic that transformed Schwarzenegger from a niche athlete into a…
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career is filled with iconic roles that showcase his charisma, physicality, and screen presence. Whether he’s a relentless killing machine in The Terminator, a battle-hardened warrior in Conan the Barbarian, or even a fish-out-of-water dad in Kindergarten Cop, Schwarzenegger has proven time and again that he can dominate the screen. Unfortunately, 1979’s The Villain—an early misfire in his filmography—is one of those rare cases…
Before Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the biggest action stars in the world, before he defined the genre with iconic roles in The Terminator (1984) and Predator (1987), there was Stay Hungry—a peculiar indie dramedy that feels like an odd footnote in his illustrious career. Directed by Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces), Stay Hungry is a strange mix of offbeat comedy, Southern Gothic weirdness, and low-stakes…
Before Arnold Schwarzenegger became the face of blockbuster action cinema with The Terminator (1984) or flexed his comedic chops in Twins (1988), he was simply “Arnold the Bodybuilder.” And Pumping Iron—a half-documentary, half-drama chronicling the world of professional bodybuilding—captures Schwarzenegger on the cusp of superstardom. While the film doesn’t have the pulse-pounding action of Predator (1987) or the high-concept brilliance of Total Recall (1990), it’s a…
Every great star has to start somewhere. For Arnold Schwarzenegger, that “somewhere” is Hercules in New York, a film so gloriously bad that it has achieved a kind of infamous cult status. Released in 1970, this was Arnold’s first film role, back when he was still known as Arnold Strong (the producers didn’t think audiences could handle “Schwarzenegger”) and just beginning to transition from his Mr.
