Predator (1987)

We were big fans of Arnie by the time "Predator" was made, although given our ages, we'd viewed most of his prior films on VHS.  Naturally, I loved "The Terminator" (1984) although never saw "Commando" (1985) or "Raw Deal" (1986).

Movie poster for "Predator" (1987)

By the summer of 1987, my brother, my cousin, and I were hanging out with a bunch of Greek friends with whom we regularly saw movies.  Most of us would grab seats while a few others would line up at the concession stand for everybody else.

I can still hear my cousin's exclamation of frustration when he entered the darkened theatre with bags of popcorn and drinks, only to realize that the movie had already begun!  (He didn't miss very much, only Jesse Ventura spitting onto Carl Weathers' shoe.)

Back in those days, suspension of disbelief was easier for me.  I quickly lost the impression that I was watching a movie, and got totally swept into the action.  The cinematography and musical score were immersive.  (The lack of CGI probably helped.)

It's interesting to realize that two of the movie's stars were later elected to political office.  Jesse Ventura as governor of Minnesota in 1999, serving one term, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California in 2003, serving two consecutive terms.

I don't think I saw any of the subsequent Predator movies, although Dark Horse Comics released a four-issue limited series in 1996 called "Tarzan vs. Predator: At the Earth's Core".  If there's ever another Tarzan movie, that should be it.

Aliens (1986)

I can't recall if I saw the original "Alien" (1979) before I saw the sequel.  I know that we rented it on VHS, several times afterwards.  It was one of those movie-going experiences where I'm not sure I knew what to expect.

Movie poster for "Aliens" (1986)

I remember that my cousin Eva had just come up for a visit from the United States, and that we headed out to see the movie at Square One Cinemas shortly after she and her mother pulled up into our driveway.

This might have been the first "restricted" movie that I saw in theatre (although my 18th birthday was still a few months away).  The action was pulse-pounding and intense.  The emotions were so raw.  I loved it.

Bill Paxton's portrayal of Private First Class Hudson is the perfect breaker of dramatic tension for the audience, giving us such iconic lines as "Game over, man! Game over!" and "Why don't you put her in charge?"

Both this film and the later "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" (1991) impressed me for their use of strong, female protagonists, which was ground-breaking for the time, and led the way for later films.

I haven't followed the franchise closely, but did see "Prometheus" (2012) when it came out.  (I didn't realize until afterwards, however, that it was in any way connected to the "Aliens" cinematic universe.)

Red Sonja (1985)

We were too young to see "Conan the Barbarian" in theatres when it was released in 1982, but rented it when it came out on VHS, and saw "Conan the Destroyer" in theatres, so naturally we were pretty excited to hear about "Red Sonja".

Movie poster for "Red Sonja" (1985)

My first exposure to the Hyborian Age of Robert E. Howard was through the Bantam paperbacks, starting with "Conan the Swordsman" (1981).  My brother and I soon began collecting the Marvel comic adaptions, as well.

Red Sonja herself is actually based on a different (and more compelling) heroine created by Robert E. Howard, but was adapted by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith into the version notorious for her chain-mail bikini.

I remember that my brother and I accompanied our father to the family restaurant one Saturday afternoon, before walking over to the Westwood Theatre to see the film.  We had such high hopes, which were very quickly dashed.

For starters, Brigitte Nielson was terrible (the actress who played Red Sonja's sister would have made a better Red Sonja).  Secondly, Arnie wasn't Conan, and finally, the beautiful Sandahl Bergman was cast as the evil queen!

Years later, I was surprised to learn that the fabulous and talented Wendy Pini, co-creator of Elfquest, got her very first opportunity to script a comic book after portraying Red Sonja at comic conventions.

Greystoke (1984)

I discovered the Tarzan novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs when I was in Grade 7.  By the time "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" was released, I had read the first 10 of them (there were 24 novels published).

Movie poster for "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984)

I also read Philip Jose Farmer's fictional biography of the ape man "Tarzan Alive!" (which I discovered in the actual biography section of our public library, not the fiction section, leading to confusion on my part...)

I remember how excited I was to see this movie on opening night, taping the full-page newspaper advertisement to the back of my bedroom door.  My father was supposed to take me, but something came up, and we couldn't go.

Since my father had to work the next day, "Greystoke" became the first movie that I saw on my own.  I purchased a popcorn and a large Sprite (almost choking on it during the scene in which one of the African explorers gets shot in the chest with an arrow).

Even though the second half of the movie wasn't faithful to Burroughs' original story, it was still the best Tarzan movie I had ever seen.  The versions starring Johnny Weissmuller depict a totally different character from the one in the novels.

Years later, I learned that Andie McDowell's voice was dubbed by Glen Close, and screenwriter Robert Towne, dissatisfied with the movie, insisted that his dog "P.H. Vazak" be credited with the screenplay (which earned an Oscar nomination).