MIDDLE-AGED MATINEE! #1 - 'The Terminator'

'The Terminator' (1984)

Welcome to my new article, “MIDDLE-AGE MATINEE”! In this article, I’m taking a look at films that came out during the year of my birth, 1984! I’m turning 40 this year and I’m deciding to celebrate some films that are also hitting the big four-oh.

I’m beginning this article with a film that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger into superstardom and made director James Cameron a household name. Of course, I’m talking about “The Terminator”!

The origins for “The Terminator” began when Cameron was sick in Rome during the release of his feature-film debut, “Piranha II: The Spawning”. He had a terrible fever dream and in the nightmare, he was being stalked by a terrible killing machine with a knife. When he woke up, he sketched it down and it looked not too dissimilar from the titular character.

The screenplay was done in collaboration with William Wisher Jr., though producer Gale Ann Hurd got a co-writer credit while Wisher only got an “additional dialogue” credit. In reality, Hurd only made suggestions for the script and according to Cameron, she didn’t write a single word of the finished screenplay.

Originally, Cameron wanted Schwarzenegger to play the role of Kyle Reese, the film’s hero. However, after reading the script, Schwarzenegger wanted to play the Terminator as he thought he was better suited for the role. Cameron originally envisioned an actor that looked like an average person that you would never assume would be a killing machine.

Kyle Reese must protect Sarah Connor from the Terminator!

Cameron even wanted his friend Lance Henrickson to play the part originally. However, after having a meeting with Schwarzenegger and befriending him, Cameron understood how he could make the concept work with someone the size of Schwarzenegger. Henrickson was given a smaller role in the film and eventually Michael Biehn was cast as Reese.

While several actresses were considered for the role of the movie’s heroine, Sarah Connor, Cameron chose Linda Hamilton after she had finished filming “Children of the Corn”. He liked that she had a more “girl next door” look rather than that of a glamorous star. Cameron also thought she could believably turn Sarah from a helpless victim to someone who could actually face off against the Terminator by the film’s climax.

The movie, for anyone who has lived under a rock these past 40 years, follows Sarah Connor, a young waitress without a care in the world beyond the usual mundane problems everyone else faces such as balancing her own checkbook. One night, though, she learns that two other women also named Sarah Connor have been murdered and that she’s being followed.

She ducks away into a club when another, bigger man comes in and tries to kill her. The man following her fends off the other person and tells her that she had better come with him if she wanted to live. While being chased by the seemingly unstoppable menace, the man who saves Sarah lets her in on a terrible truth.

In the future, there is a nuclear war where humans face off against deadly machines. One of these machines is a Terminator, made to look like a human and infiltrate human bases. However, the central AI system known as Skynet has lost the war thanks to the leadership of a man who united everyone together to fight the machines.

The Terminator coldly sets his sights on Sarah Connor.

That man’s name is John Connor, Sarah’s future son. As a last ditch effort to win the war, Skynet sends a Terminator back in time to kill Sarah before John is born. The man who saved Sarah is Kyle Reese, a member of the Resistance who volunteered to travel back in time and protect Sarah.

From there on, it’s a non-stop chase as the Terminator doesn’t stop hunting Sarah. Even in a police station full of cops, Sarah learns that the Terminator cannot seemingly be stopped by conventional means. Eventually, both Kyle and Sarah will have to find a way to confront the deadly killing machine.

This movie is a bang-for-your-buck thrill ride. It’s a chase movie that, once started, never lets up until the end. Even Kyle’s exposition about the future and why Sarah is important is told while they are on the run. The chemistry between the two leads, Biehn and Hamilton, is definitely there and they are a part of why the movie works.

Another part that makes the movie work is that Cameron took what should have essentially been a low budget B sci-fi movie and made it look like a million bucks. This is only Cameron’s second film and his talents are already on full display. He has an eye that knows how to make any scene work no matter the budgetary constraints.

The music is also another piece of the puzzle that makes this movie’s success. Brad Fiedel’s synthesizer infused score adds to the mechanical tone of the movie and its titular character. The main theme is one of those classic themes that you recognize no matter where you hear it after you’ve seen the movie.

Of course, the biggest (and I do mean biggest) reason that this movie works is due to Arnold Schwarzenegger. This was the role that he was born to play. He also does a great job in the role, giving the Terminator unique and mechanical-like movements. 

For example, when he turns his head while looking for his target, he moves his eyes first before the head follows. When using weapons, he makes sure to have precise movements without using any excessive energy because a machine would want to be as precise as possible. Watching the movie time and time again, I can see why this was the film that solidified his status as a leading man, especially in action films.

“The Terminator” is a haunting sci-fi movie with plenty of fun action and a great villain at the center of it. Even after 40 years, the special-effects still hold up for the most part despite some unavoidable aging. The acting is solid and Cameron’s skill as a director are on full display here. If you haven’t seen it before, you need to rectify that and if you haven’t seen it in awhile, it’s time for a revisit!

I think this goes without saying, but 'The Terminator' is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made!

FROM THE PHYSICAL COLLECTION - 'The Man in the Iron Mask' (1998)

When I bought “The Man in the Iron Mask”, I had to admit to myself that I had not actually remembered much about the movie. Before watching it for this review, I only remembered a few things such as this being one of the several films that dad and I rented when I was growing up, that it was Leonardo DiCaprio’s next major film after the hugely successful “Titanic” in 1997, and that dad and I had really enjoyed the movie.

For those who haven’t seen it before, the movie follows the aging Musketeers Athos, Porthos, Aremis, and D’Artagnan. Athos is dedicated to his son who is about to become engaged, Porthos is a retired wino who loves his drink and women, Aremis has become a priest, and D’Artagnan is the only one still serving as the Captain of the king’s guard. Unfortunately, the king is Louis XIV, a tyrannical shithead who feeds his people with rotten food while saving the best for his soldiers who are fighting an unnecessary war.

One day, Louis XIV becomes infatuated with Christine, the fiance of Athos’ son Raoul. The king sends Raoul to the frontlines of the war in order to get him out of the way so that the king can seduce Christine. Raoul is soon killed which sends Athos on a revenge course towards the king.

John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, and Jeremy Irons as the original Three Musketeers in 'The Man in the Iron Mask'.

However, Aremis has a secret involving a mysterious and imprisoned man whose identity is hidden behind an iron mask. The man is eventually revealed to be the long lost identical twin to Louis XIV and the question remains as to whether or not he will be willing to take the throne from Louis XIV and whether or not he would be a better king.

I’ll refrain from spoiling any more of the plot than I already have. Rewatching the movie today, I can say that while I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, it does have some balancing issues. The movie is at one point a farcical comedy before it suddenly shifts into scenes of extreme romantic melodrama. The inconsistent tone doesn’t ruin the film by any measure, but it is there and worth noting.

Beyond the wibbly wobbly tone of the picture, there is a lot to like here if you’re a fan of romantic adventure films. Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, and Gerard Depardieu are great as the aging musketeers. Not only that, but they all have more complicated lives… except, maybe, for Depardieu’s Porthos who is mostly upset just because he doesn’t have enough adventure in his life anymore.

Malkovich’s Arthos is dealing with his son’s death while trying to raise Louise’s brother Phlippe to become the king and Irons’ Aremis is seeking forgiveness for a deep sin he committed in the past. Meanwhile, Byrne’s D’Artagnan is feeling conflicted about serving a king that has not lived up to his expectations.

A great performance, though, is by DiCaprio as Louis XIV and as his twin brother, Philippe. The actor knows how to play both roles perfectly. You hate Louis XIV almost immediately while you have nothing but sympathy for Philippe. DiCaprio managed to create two different people that I believed in and gave them their best and worst qualities as well.

The action in the movie is pretty good as well, though it is a bit of a slow burn as we reach our way to the film’s most climactic and best action sequences. Let me just say that there is nothing better than watching legendary Musketeers charge into battle!

There’s not really much more that I can say beyond that. The movie is not the best action adventure film, but it is also far from the worst. The performances and the action more than make up for slower pacing. If you’re a fan of swashbuckling adventure movies, then “The Man in the Iron Mask” may be right up your alley!

An unbalanced yet still fun swashbuckling affair!

REVIEW! - 'The Creator' (2023)

'The Creator' (2023)

In an alternate history future, AI robots were developed to help mankind through the decades. Unfortunately, the AI robots seemingly destroyed Los Angeles in a nuclear blast. Years later, the U.S. has been at war with AI “Simulants” that are still being developed in New Asia. They are on the hunt for “Nirmata”, aka the Creator of these new AI robots. The US uses a devastating ship known as the U.S.S. Nomad to carry out devastating strikes against supposed AI bases.

Undercover operative Joshua Taylor (John David Washington) has been undercover and married to Maya who does not know his true allegiances. One day, there is a strike and his wife is seemingly killed after she flees with other Simulants during one of Nomad’s strikes. Five years later, Joshua is recruited to carry on his search for the elusive Nirmata and to take out a terrible weapon that Nirmata has supposedly created and the U.S. has used evidence that Maya may still be alive in order to entice Joshua to take the mission.

When Joshua finds out that the “weapon” is a Simulant child named Alpha O (Madeline Yuna Voyles), he decides to keep her alive so that he can try and find Nirmata. Over time, he inevitably begins to grow closer to the child and he begins to understand the world of Simulants and that they might not be so bad after all.

If you’re worried that I spoiled too much there, don’t worry. That’s just the tip of the iceberg from director Gareth Edwards who developed the story for this movie and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Chris Weitz. So, to the biggest flaw of the movie first.

If you’re looking for wholly original sci-fi content here, you need not apply. At various points in the movie, I felt the echoes of “Star Wars”, “District 9”, “The Terminator”, “Blade Runner”, and even “Avatar” running through this film’s veins. However, I don’t care if I recognize formula within a movie, the only true detriment would be in the execution if not handled correctly.

In this regard, Edwards mostly succeeds in giving us a pretty good sci-fi action experience. Yes, there are times where I feel this movie takes itself a little too seriously, but that’s okay. Afterall, its timely commentary on AI is a welcome one. I’m actually surprised that with the rise of recent AI technology that more films haven’t commented on it already.

The movie is also bolstered by the performances. Washington is a lead that I don’t mind following and he gives a pretty good performance here. Voyles as the innocent Simulant that Joshua eventually names Alphie is also great. Finally, Allison Janney, an actress I almost always love to see, is a great villain in this piece as the dastardly Colonel Howell, the person behind the hunt for Joshua that definitely gives off the same vibes as Stephen Lang as Miles Quaritch from the “Avatar” films.

Another thing that succeeds in this film’s favor are the special-effects. Even if someone happens to not like this movie, you’ll definitely like the movie’s effects because throughout the whole affair, I was never distracted by bad effects because they were so well done. Sitting here writing this review, I can’t think of a single scene where I sat there and thought, “That doesn’t look right.”

At the end of the day, the movie is not that original. It doesn’t set out to change the sci-fi formula and it even embraces plenty of its tropes, but again it’s not about recognizing the formula. It’s about seeing if the formula is executed well and for the most part, “The Creator” is a fun sci-fi film that I can ultimately recommend due to strong performances, astounding special-effects, and good direction from Edwards. I say check it out!

'The Creator' may not be the most original sci-fi film, but it is still an entertaining ride nonetheless.

THE SUNDAY MOVIE REVIEW! - 'Godzilla Minus One'

'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)

When I finally watched “Shin Godzilla” from 2016, I have to say that I was pretty disappointed in Toho’s film, especially since it had been over a decade since they had released their own Godzilla movie. I was disappointed due to dodgy visual effects, a weirdly evolving Godzilla whose earlier forms turned me off almost right away, and for having a bunch of characters that I really didn’t care about.

Now, Takashi Yamazaki has written and directed a film that makes up for all of that film’s shortcomings with the 33rd Toho produced Godzilla movie entitled “Godzilla Minus One”.

The new movie is set in post-war Japan and they are still reeling economically, physically, and psychologically from the war. The movie primarily follows Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōici Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot that abandoned his mission during the last days of the war. At a small airfield, he and a group of engineers have a run-in with Godzilla but Shikishima is too scared to do anything. Most of the engineers are killed and this leads to even greater shame for Shikishima who had already abandoned his mission.

When he returns home to Tokyo, Shikishima finds that his family has been killed by the Tokyo bombings. As he and others try to rebuild, a woman named Noriko (Minami Hamabe) shows up with a baby Akiko and soon they become an adopted family. The only problem is that Shikishima has trouble getting too close to either Noriko or Akiko due to his extreme survivor’s guilt and shame from the war.

Godzilla is back in full force in 'Godzilla Minus One'!

Soon enough, though, Godzilla returns after nuclear testing awakens him and gives him even more strength and power. Godzilla has marked Tokyo as his territory and now it is up to Shikishima and others to try and stop this powerful beast once and for all. Part of that team is Shikishima’s minesweeping crew which includes Dr. Kenji Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka), Captain Yōji Akitsu (Kuranosuke Sasaki), and the young trainee Shirō Mizushima (Yuki Yamada).

The reason that I want to mention all of these characters was that I was surprised by how much I truly cared for these people. They were not just fodder for Godzilla or thinly developed. Let’s just face the facts and acknowledge that in most of these films, the human characters are secondary to the monsters. That’s especially true of the MonsterVerse films from Legendary Pictures here in America even though I like those movies as well.

In between all the action, we find ourselves caring for Shikishima and his struggling with PTSD and we end up loving the crew of the minesweeping boat that Shikishima eventually joins. Back on the homefront, we also care for the story of his unintended family that not only includes Noriko and Akiko but also their neighbor Sumiko Ōta (Sakura Ando), all of whom try to get Shikishima to see that he does not have to feel guilty for surviving a terrible war that has affected all of them deeply for different reasons.

Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as the emotionally scarred Shikishima in 'Godzilla Minus One'!

Of course, you come to a Godzilla movie to see the big boy in action. Keep one thing in mind, though, this is not the loveable antihero that pops up in some of the other films. This movie takes its cues from the original “Godzilla” in 1954 and this Godzilla is a lethal and devastating force of nature that you don’t want to be around and he can be genuinely scary as well.

The visual effects from writer and director Yamazaki are top-notch and I found myself watching the movie while being astounded by the fact that this movie only cost $15 million to make. Take note, Hollywood, you don’t have to spend $300 million a pop to make a movie look this good! When Godzilla attacks, you feel the weight of the creature and the devastation that he leaves in his wake and this movie shows a huge leap forward with special-effects in Japan.

The effects are, of course, enhanced by the incredibly human story that is told, but there is also something else that brings this movie home. Naoki Satō is the film’s composer and he has created a truly haunting score for the movie that just helps enhance the action and the emotional depth contained within the movie. In fact, I’m sitting here listening to the score while I’m writing this review and I’m almost tearing up just listening to it.

If you had told me at the beginning of the year that the new Toho Godzilla movie would be one of the best films of the year, I might not have believed you. I probably would have thought that the movie would be good, but this is more than good. This is one of the best Godzilla films ever made!

So, here I am telling you one undeniable fact: “Godzilla Minus One” is one of the best films of 2023!

Toho's latest Godzilla film is one of their best and one of the best films of the year!

REVIEW! - 'BLUE BEETLE' (2023)

'Blue Beetle' (2023)

The reason that this review of “Blue Beetle” is coming so late after the movie’s release is due to the fact that I wasn’t originally going to see it in theaters. Not only am I suffering from superhero fatigue to a certain degree these days, I’m not really interested in films from DC due to how hit-or-miss their films have been in the past. Then, National Cinema Day came around and I figured that for a $4 ticket, this movie would be worth my time.

Then, I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this movie! DC, why couldn’t you have been making films like this from the beginning!? “Blue Beetle” is an entertaining, action-packed, humorous movie that also happens to have a lot of heart.

The movie tells the story of Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), a young man who has just graduated college and has returned home to find that his parents are about to lose their house. He gets a low paying job in order to try and make things right, but after a run in with Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) from Kord Industries, he is given the mysterious and alien Scarab. The device quickly merges with Jaime and the Blue Beetle is born!

Now, Jaime must figure out how to harness the power before Jenny’s evil aunt Victoria (Susan Sarandon can get to him first. She wants the Scarab to power her new OMAC suits at Kord Industries. Jaime must figure out a way to keep his family protected as well once they get into Victoria’s crosshairs.

Xolo Maridueña stars as Jaime Reyes, a.k.a. the Blue Beetle!

Okay, so first thing’s first just to get it out of the way. The movie does NOT break the superhero formula and it even takes more than a few narrative cues from 2015’s “Ant-Man”. Both have characters that once utilized their superhero mantles, a love interest that has a lost parent, and a villain that wants to acquire the superhero’s tech in order to make lots of money. However, the movie utilizes the tried-and-true superhero formula to great effect.

First, it has plenty of action scenes that are fun to watch. With the Blue Beetle suit, Jaime can fly and he can manipulate it to make anything he wants from swords and shields to non-lethal weapons. That is, if he can ever learn to properly communicate with the Scarab in order to control said power.

The second thing this film has going for it is that it has a great sense of humor. More often than not, the jokes land and they usually revolve around Jaime and his family’s reaction to the Blue Beetle powers. I even enjoyed George Lopez as Jaime’s uncle Rudy and that’s saying something as Lopez has never exactly been one of my favorite actors or comedians.

What was surprising about the movie is how much heart the movie has. The DC films have usually ranged from bitchy and moody to downright dumb in the emotional department. Watching how much Jaime cares about his family and the few emotional moments that arrive in the movie’s second half, I’m a little angry that DC wasn’t making more movies like this earlier in the franchise’s history.

At the end of the day, I almost avoided this movie due to DC’s track record. I’m thankful that I ended up watching the movie on the big screen. It is a fun-filled movie that shows DC Films is capable of making fun superhero films. I’m just sad it came so late in the game during a time where most audience members may have already lost interest in the DC film franchise.

'Blue Beetle' is a fun and worthy ride that may be
a little too late for most people to care.

REVIEW! - 'OPPENHEIMER' (2023)

'Oppenheimer' (2023)

“Oppenheimer” is the biopic to end all biopics from Christopher Nolan, the man that not only directed the movie but also wrote the screenplay based on the book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer”. Nolan tells the story through two perspectives. In the color segments of the movie, we are seeing the movie through the eyes of our titular character, Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) while the black and white segments are through the eyes of the man that would be Oppenheimer’s greatest villain, Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.).

The movie moves backwards and forwards through the narrative’s timeline. Some of it takes place during Oppenheimer’s rise through the Manhattan project while another thread follows Oppenheimer’s security hearing after the war and during the Red Scare. A third thread follows Strauss as he is trying to get confirmed to a cabinet position in President Eisenhower’s administration.

This movie brings the full weight of Nolan’s talents as a filmmaker to the forefront. The movie is shot on film with no extensive CGI shots, including a practical recreation of the Trinity Test, the first time we detonated an atomic bomb. The effect is astounding and great to watch yet while it does capture the full power of what we unleashed, it is also not the highlight of the movie.

The highlight of the movie are the amazing performances throughout. Murphy is on the fast track to win the Academy Award next year for Best Actor. Unless some surprising performance appears over the next four months, I feel like Murphy has this one in the bag as he completely falls into the role of this historical and, at times, controversial character.

Cillian Murphy is the tragic hero of Christopher Nolan's latest epic.

Another Academy Award that may be in the bag is a Best Supporting Actor statue for Robert Downey Jr. This movie proves once again why the actor is one of the best of his generation even before he donned a metal suit for Marvel Studios. Downey Jr. is at the top of his game here as he brings to life the cold, spiteful, grudge-holding Strauss and he truly disappears into the role.

Beyond both Murphy and Downey Jr., all of the actors in the movie give great performances as well. Matt Damon is dependable as ever as General Leslie Groves, the military director of the Manhattan Project. Emily Blunt is also in the running for Best Actress for her performance as Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, and Florence Pugh may be in for a nomination for Best Supporting Actress as Oppenheimer’s tortured mistress, Jean Tatlock.

Then, there is Nolan’s storytelling along with the editing skills of Jennifer Lame. Yes, the movie is three hours long but they tell the story at such a brisk and nonlinear pace that I never once felt that the movie was too long or that there were things that the movie didn’t necessarily need. Not only do I think that Nolan will win his first Best Director Oscar, Lame will win for editing and Hoyte van Hoytema will win for his stunning cinematography.

I have yet to find a Nolan film that I didn’t like. I keep waiting for the director to make a movie that doesn’t work for me, but so far he’s on a winning streak that hasn’t stopped yet. “Oppenheimer” may very well be another masterpiece from one of the best directors working in the business today.

Not only is it one of Christopher Nolan's best films,
it is the film to beat for Best Film of 2023!

RETRO REVIEW! - 'HACKERS' (1995)

Hackers (1995)

The computer lingo and imagery in 1995’s “Hackers” admittedly shows us just how much we didn’t know about computers or the internet at the time. Still, as Roger Ebert said in his own review when the film came out, I take the computer stuff in this movie about as seriously as I take the archeology in an Indiana Jones movie. What the film gets right is the cyberpunk hacker culture of the day and it includes likable characters, a delightfully over-the-top villain, and a fun action thriller story.

The movie’s main protagonist is Jonny Lee Miller as Dade Murphy, a.k.a. “Crash Override”, a character that was sentenced to never using a computer until he was 18. That’s because he crashed over 1500 computer systems. Now, he’s been forced to move to New York and soon finds fellow hackers including Jesse Bradford’s Joey, Matthew Lillard’s “Cereal Killer”, Laurence Mason’s “Lord Nikon”, and Renoly Santiago’s “Phantom Phreak”.

He also gets into a rivalry with Angelina Jolie’s Kate Libby, a.k.a. Acid Burn. Soon, though, all the hackers become a target of “The Plague” (Fisher Stevens), a hacker that works for cyber security for a mineral company. He created a worm in order to extort money from the company, but after Joey discovers the “garbage” file that the worm is in, he decides to pin the blame for the worm on Joey and his fellow hackers while Plague eventually escapes with the money along with his accomplice, Margo Wallace (Lorraine Bracco).

Crash Override and his fellow hackers
prepare to take down the Plague in 'Hackers'!

The first thing to note are the likable characters. Miller is great as Crash Override while Jolie shows off her early yet still formidable acting talents as Acid Burn. These two are obvious love interests for each other, but their rivalry also feels real. There is a secret service character named Richard Gil (Wendell Pierce) that gives our hackers some trouble in addition to the Plague. One of the best sequences in the movie is when Crash Override and Acid Burn enter into a competition to see which one can cause more grief for Agent Gil.

Not only are the characters likable, the world they live in is fun to visit as well. Whether they’re at school or at a place where hackers go to hang out and talk shop, you feel like this world is real even though it is over-the-top.

The movie’s music is also worth noting. It is a techno fueled soundtrack and, along with the first “Mortal Kombat” film, it helped raise techno music’s popularity at the time. The music helps sell this crazy techno world that our characters reside in.

Visually speaking, the special-effects featured on the computers are complete nonsense. They’re just made to make you feel like the hackers are diving deep into a computer to retrieve data and information. Surprisingly, these visual effects still work to help sell the story as well even though we now live in a world where people are far more literate when it comes to computers.

The movie didn’t do well when it was released in theaters. It only made $7 million against a $20 million budget and seemed destined to be forgotten. Thankfully, “Hackers” went on to become the cult classic that it deserves to be. The computer lingo and effects may be nothing more than eye candy, but the fun story, interesting world, and great characters keep you engaged in what turns out to be a fun ride straight out of the ‘90s!

A blast from the 1990s that holds up surprisingly well!