PUMPING IRON (1977): A Fascinating Snapshot of Arnold’s Early Stardom

By Jakob Montrasio Tuesday, January 18, 1977 Cinema

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…

HERCULES IN NEW YORK (1970): A Legendary Failure in Every Sense

By Jakob Montrasio Wednesday, February 25, 1970 Cinema

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…