90s Movie Review - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Science-Fiction
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick

Description: A cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger), identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), must now protect her young son, John Connor (Edward Furlong), from a more advanced cyborg, made out of liquid metal.

Review: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is the proof that sequels can be better than the original. Where “Terminator” was already an amazing movie, this movie manages to top that. Because many sequels have repetition, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is new and original and one of the best movies in the genre.

This is partly because of the script by James Cameron, who also directed the film. He gives enough new insights to keep the movie fresh and spectacular.

Arnold Scharzenegger and Linda Hamilton both return, but their roles are different this time. Arnie plays a good Terminator. He was send back in time to protect John Connor. Sarah Connor is admitted in a mental institution, because she keeps telling everyone that machines will kill everyone. This so called judgment day will wipe out all of humanity. Another, more advanced, Terminator was also send back in time. His task is to kill John Connor.

This is definitely the highlight of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career. This guy breaths action and his one-liners are classic and quotable. Linda Hamilton portrays one of the most memorable female ass-kickers and Robert Patrick as the evil Terminator, does a fantastic job to portray him as cold as steel.

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is the best movie of that year and probably even the best science fiction/ action movie ever made.

Rating: 5/ 5

90s Movie Review - American History X

Director: Tony Kaye
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D’Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Fairuza Balk, Avery Brooks, Stacy Keach, Elliot Gould

Description: Former neo-nazi skinhead Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) tries to prevent his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) from going down the same wrong path that he did.

Review: After skinhead Derek Vinyard kills two black burglars, he goes to prison, with pride. The so called ideals of the ‘third reich’ can’t save him there, so Derek chooses a different path and doesn’t want to have anything to do with it anymore. His younger brother Danny though worships Derek and is about to follow the wrong path.
“American History X” is a powerful film, with some shocking violent scenes. That one scene, involving a curb, makes me cringe every time.  It’s a drama with a clearly present moral.
The story alternates between the past and present. The part that’s set in the present day, is shot in full color. The scenes where we learn about Derek’s early life and his time in jail, was shot in black and white. By using these two different styles, it keeps your attention at all times.
The acting is excellent and especially Edward Norton shines. This is his best performance to date and he shows how varied he can be. We see him as the relentless and proud neo-nazi, that doesn’t even blink to kill a man and has a strong opinion about people that aren’t white. But also the change he goes through, where he finally realizes what he did. He is no longer proud of his actions and wants to walk away from that life. Norton was nominated for an Academy Award and in my opinion he should have gone home with the statue.
“American History X” is one of my favorite films and gets to me every time. A great film with an extraordinary performance by Edward Norton.

Rating: 5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Brainscan

Director: John Flynn
Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 1994
Starring: Edward Furlong, Frank Langella, Amy Hargreaves, T. Ryder Smith, Jamie Marsh

Description: A teenager (Edward Furlong) is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.

Review: Michael is a fanatic gamer who manages to get a copy of the immensely populat video game Brainscan. The creators of the interactive game guarantee a unique experience to everyone who plays it. Michael also ventures into the terrifying game in which he gets the assignment to kill someone. He is extremely excited about the innovative game experience when he has completed the fist mission. But his fun and enthusiasm soon make room for fear and guilt when it turns out that the murder he committed in the game actually took place.
“Brainscan” contains a unique story in which the main character in confronted with a devilish character that comes alive through an interactive CD-ROM. Blood and violence are not shunned as well as the necessary gore. In addition the humor provides the additional entertainment. The film is a bit outdated, when this film was probably very high-tech when it came out in the mid-90s. But still, the concept is a lot of fun. And the film is still entertaining. Maybe even a bit more, since it’s a typical 90s film with all the necessary 90s elements.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Quotables: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

It is my brother’s favorite movie and also one of mine. So, why not share the best quotes from that movie with you. Here we go…

The Terminator: Why do you cry?

John Connor: You mean people?

The Terminator: Yes.

John Connor: I don't know. We just cry. You know, when it hurts.

The Terminator: Pain causes it?

John Connor: No, it's when there's nothing wrong with you, but you hurt anyway. You get it?

The Terminator: No.

The Terminator: I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

Cigar Biker: You forgot to say please...

 

 

Sarah Connor: [voiceover] Watching John with the machine, it was suddenly so clear. The terminator, would never stop. It would never leave him, and it would never hurt him, never shout at him, or get drunk and hit him, or say it was too busy to spend time with him. It would always be there. And it would die, to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers who came and went over the years, this thing, this machine, was the only one who measured up. In an insane world, it was the sanest choice.

Dr. Silberman: You broke my arm!

Sarah Connor: There's 215 bones in the human body. That's one.

The Terminator: [John starts to cry] What's wrong with your eyes?

[the T-1000 has fallen into a vat of molten steel]

John Connor: Is it dead?

The Terminator: Terminated.

John Connor: You just can't go around killing people.

The Terminator: Why?

John Connor: What do you mean why? 'Cause you can't.

The Terminator: Why?

John Connor: Because you just can't, OK? Trust me on this.

[the Terminator has promised not to kill anybody, but to get into the hospital he shoots the guard in the legs]

The Terminator: He'll live.

 

 

John Connor: Jesus, you were gonna kill that guy.

The Terminator: Of course; I'm a terminator.

John Connor: We got Skynet by the balls now, don't we?

Sarah Connor: [to The Terminator] So, what's your story?

John Connor: You're not here to kill me - I figured out that for myself. So what's the deal?

The Terminator: My mission is to protect you.

John Connor: Yeah? Who sent you?

The Terminator: You did. Thirty-five years from now you reprogrammed me to be your protector here - in this time.

John Connor: This is deep...

Movie Battle: American History X Vs. This is England

The two movie I choose this time, both center a pretty strong theme. It’s about a sub culture, the skinheads. There are similar because of the central theme, but they are both very different movies on their own. “American History X” Vs. “This is England”.

 

 

ACTORS

American History X: Edward Norton plays his best role so far, in my opinion. And Edward Furlong plays his little brother, also very solid. Beverly D’Angelo, Elliott Gould and Stacy Keach also portray very solid roles.

This is England: Thomas Turgoose is good as the boy the story centers around. But most impressive is Stephen Graham as Combo. His best role so far.

STORY

American History X: Norton plays former neo-nazi skinhead Derek, trying to prevend his younger brother from going down the same wrong path he did. I can remember that one scene on that curb…. Crinch!

This is England: Shaun is a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school. They become his best friends, even like family. One of Britain’s best movies.

EFFECTS

American History X: What I think is most amazing is the contrast. Present day is filmed in full color and the flashbacks from Derek’s past are in black and white.

This is England: The movie got this typical British 80’s feel to it.

WINNER

Close call, because they are both memorable movies. But it’s “American History X” that will always be on my favourites list.