Lima

It’s a simple equation, Professor Nash. Great Russell Crowe + great Jennifer Connelly + great script + wonderful music by Horner + decent direction by Howard = excellent film. Like I said, Professor Nash, it's simple math.

John McTiernan brilliantly portrays the fear of unknown danger. Even the scene of the massacre of the camp, although I'm not too keen on it, has its place. The viewer is surprised that this bunch of supermen who can easily dispatch an overwhelming number of mercenaries, have to bow down to a mysterious evil. And the ending, Arnold with the resources of a Stone Age hunter fighting a stronger predator, is a treat. Together with Conan the Barbarian, this is Arnold’s best movie.

Having recently watched Blade 2, I can't resist the comparison. While the sequel is mainly non-stop carnage, this one offers more: an interesting story, a strong atmosphere, a charismatic villain and moments that stick in the memory. For example, the opening dance party scene with the blood shower to the sounds of New Order is unforgettable. And a clear standout is the intriguing character of Blade's main antagonist. Stephen Dorff is so subtle that he looks like a ten-year-old girl could beat him up, but he commands such respect that it is clear he is not to be trifled with. Compared to the second one, there is less carnage, but as the famous saying goes, sometimes less is more.

Sam Raimi shows that what makes a film good is not an orgy of visual effects, but an interesting story. Tobey Maguire is perfect, he’s incredible, there is currently no one more suited to the role of Peter Parker and who could play it so well. I applaud Sam Raimi for sticking it to the film company. Kirsten Dunst is also alright, she’s no fragile beauty, but there is something to her, and she can act. My favourite Willem Dafoe was a bit of a disappointment, though, he plays naturally, but when Mr. Hyde awakens in him, his grins are rather laughable. But that's a small blemish on an otherwise excellent film.

Brigite Nielsen could be good as a dominatrix in an S&M club, as an actress she’s awful, but she’s fits perfectly into this crap. Whether it's the production design or the plot, Red Sonja is even worse than Conan the Destroyer (if that's even possible). This movie is a mockery to fans of Howard's novels and those who loved Conan the Barbarian (like me).

A horrifying parade of disgusting special effects with bodies disintegrating and mutating into hideous slimy creatures, the human head with spider legs is very cool. The chilling atmosphere of hopelessness and isolation perfectly underscores everything. We can only thank Carpenter for his bold directorial concept and the distribution company for having the courage to put this into wide distribution in its time.

It may not have much to do with the source material (May is probably spinning in his grave), but it's true that this film is the best of all May’s adaptations, maybe because it was the first. The others, which were made in the following years as if on a treadmill, in an attempt to monetize as much as possible the awakened interest in May, have a strongly declining level (except perhaps for the first two episodes of Vinetou).

I would love to have Blade’s glasses. They never all off, they withstand every hit and never get dusty. And by the way, the first one was better.

A story built on the hypothesis of what would happen if the Russians invaded the US and occupied part of the territory. The film shows how a bunch of American kids from a small town become guerrilla fighters against the Russian occupiers. Yeah, it sounds crazy, and it is crazy; or rather, it is ridiculous, but if you turn off your brain, it is watchable.

A remake of the namesake horror film from the 1950s. It doesn't quite match the original classic, but it is also a really good, dark, depressing affair. The dark conclusion, free from the classic happy ending, is also a pleasure. Beware, the body snatchers are still among us, waiting for their opportunity!