Film reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep dives into cinema from a filmmaker’s perspective.
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…