Utter the phrase "I'll be back" to anyone, and the person will instantly know you're quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger in any number of movies. Arguably the most famous California governor in history (only one jelly-bean-loving former president can compete for the title), Schwarzengger's movies and catchphrases are the stuff of legend. But what about the movies (and roles) you haven't heard about? Let's check out the five best that you haven't seen (and five honorable mentions).

1. Raw Deal (1986)
One might say this film got a raw deal. (Har.) Coming between the double punch of Commando (1985) and Predator (1987), this flick casts Arnold as a small-town sheriff seeking revenge. If the idea of the Governator slaughtering hundreds of mobsters in a gravel pit to the tune of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" doesn't sell you on seeing this, you're not a true fan.

2. Red Sonja (1985)
Most Arnold fans rightly adore Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984), but they've forgotten about his appearance in another Robert E. Howard adaptation, Red Sonja. In it, Arnold plays a sword-wielding barbarian (not unlike Conan) named Lord Kalidor who travels across a barren wasteland fighting evil.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - The Best Schwarzenegger Movies You've Never Seen" »

Last week, movie blogs and fan sites were agog with the news that James Cameron had finally unveiled part of his year-in-the-making 3-D scifi epic, Avatar, at Amsterdam's Cinema Expo. Coming years after his last feature film, Titanic, Avatar has been the subject of serious anticipation owing to its rumored brilliance. Of course, the real test of a director's character isn't in how he succeeds on dream projects with colossal budgets; the true test of his mettle is how he makes medium-scale pictures with modest aims -- like Cameron's True Lies.

Continue reading "Pick of the Week - Got Avatar on the Brain? Take Another Look at True Lies" »

Check out Exorcist: The Beginning, playing tonight on AMC at 8PM | 7C. Click here for the full schedule.

If movie marketing's most outrageous stunts for the much of the twentieth century focused on the salacious (teen nudity, skywritten breasts, and pseudo-sex-education), the gimmicks from the '70s onward tend more toward the experiential, as audience members are provided with various ways of feeling like they're part of the action. Want to experience an earthquake or join the cast? Read on.

Earthquake (1974): Disastrous Rumblings Feel Real With Sensurround
This disaster hit introduced Sensurround, a short-lived gimmick that used high-decibel bass and large speakers to create tactile vibrations in the audience. Accompanied by low-frequency rumblings, the movie's scenes of the destruction of L.A. by earthquake ended up earning it an Oscar for Best Sound. Only three other films went on to employ this technology: the all-star war pic Midway (1976), the summer thriller Rollercoaster (1977), and the feature-length TV pilot for Battlestar Galactica (1978). Three serious detriments to Sensurround's popularity: costly speaker installation, potential structural damage to old theaters, and disruptions in adjoining theaters.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Birth of the Midnight Movie
Writer-director Jim Sharman's movie adaptation of this hit musical bombed when released. Repositioned as an interactive midnight movie (with fans dressed as characters acting out scenes with props), the film achieved cult status and is now considered the longest-running midnight movie of all time. Other off-beat, low-budget flicks from this era to find success via midnight theatrical screenings or late-night television broadcasts include Night of the Living Dead (1968), Targets (1968), El Topo (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Pink Flamingos (1972), and Eraserhead (1977).

Continue reading "The List - Greatest Movie Hoaxes, Gimmicks, and Stunts, Part II" »

When mercury levels soar, the natural impulse is to give the range a rest and make meals outdoors. Throw a couple of burgers and dogs on the grill, crack open a cold one, and it's an instant party. Plenty of movies celebrate this quintessentially American activity, and they offer invaluable reminders that not all cookout guests are created equal. As you mastermind your own grill sessions this season, consult this list of the top-ten worst-ever BBQ guests and plan accordingly.

10. Dustin Hoffman, The Graduate (1967)
There are plenty of badly behaved guests at the graduation party the Braddocks throw in the back of their home. His parents' friends keep offering Ben (Hoffman) unsolicited career advice. Mrs. Robinson asks Ben to drive her home, only to seduce him. But it's the sullen guest of honor himself who's the worst. Escaping the cookout by donning his goggles and fins and slipping into the pool lands Ben in tenth place.

9. Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Poor Peg Boggs. The amiable Avon Lady is trying out some soothing salves on her shy houseguest's many scars when the doorbell rings. The nosy neighbors on the doorstep insist Peg host a backyard barbecue to introduce the newcomer. Peg complies, and the otherwise freakish, pale recluse is withdrawn but well behaved. Alas, his inability to handle finger foods (not to mention that pesky ambrosia salad) with his daggerlike hands renders him unlikely to receive a repeat invitation anytime soon.

8. Greg Pitts, Office Space (1999)
For a guy who'd rather be fishing than at the office, Peter Gibbons sure spends a lot of free time with his Initech buddies, Michael Bolton and Samir. Then there's Drew (Pitts). At a cookout hosted by recently laid-off Tom, Drew tells Peter that his new girlfriend, Joanna, used to sleep with their reviled boss, Lumbergh, and that's after he sees fit to demonstrate his "oh face." Drew's overshare about his plans for the new chick from Logistics scores him an eight.

Continue reading "Classic Ten - Worst BBQ Guests (Or, How Not to Behave While Grilling)" »

To challenge yourself with more movie trivia, try our Super Movie Quiz.

Check out Steven Seagal in Out for Justice, playing tonight on AMC at 8PM | 7C. Click here for the full schedule.

The '80s was a decade so packed with movie gems that it's nearly impossible to narrow down your favorites. Nearly impossible, but not impossible: sure, there are some great movies that didn't make the cut here -- Real Genius! Weird Science! -- but in terms of the side-splitting, quote-generating, general '80s hilarity, this collection is about as good as it gets, from the first real mockumentary to one of the best parodies of all time. Take a look at the ten most hilarious comedies of the decade, and see if you can come up with any that fell through the cracks.

Airplane! (1980)
When Ethel Merman plays a male soldier who thinks he's Ethel Merman and June Cleaver translates jive, you know you've got a winner on your hands. Compared with today's lame attempts at parody (Scary Movie, Disaster Movie), Airplane! was pure genius. Case in point: "There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"

Caddyshack (1980)
Caddyshack had an embarrassing wealth of comedy genius in its cast and crew: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, and director Harold Ramis. In one of the movie's funniest scenes, Chase and Murray bond over a joint made from the groundskeeper's special mix -- of turf. Add to that a character named Lacey Underall and a persistent gopher who dances to Kenny Loggins, and you've got an unbeatable recipe for bizarre-slapstick success.

Continue reading "The Ten, Like, Totally Most Hilarious Films of the '80s" »

If you're any kind of Transformers fan, chances are you've fantasized about which megarobot you'd most want in your corner should all hell break loose on Earth. In this tournament, it's every robot for itself, as Decepticons do battle with Autobots to determine which will reign supreme. Whether you've been obsessed with Transformers ever since you got your first plastic Autobot in the '80s, or you're just into all the screeching metal in Michael Bay's big-screen flicks, now's your moment to cast the vote that could put your favorite Transformer over the top. Choose wisely!

To challenge yourself with more movie trivia, try our Super Movie Quiz.

Check out An Officer and a Gentleman, playing tonight on AMC at 6PM | 5C. Click here for the full schedule.

Check out Pretty in Pink, playing tonight on AMC at 9PM | 8C. Click here for the full schedule.