Sonja Henie - Queen Of The Ice DVD

Advantages: Beautiful settings
Disadvantages: Lots, unfortunately

...1984 was a very good year for Arnold Schwarzenegger. The sequel to Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Deestroyer, did well, and was surpassed by his second film of the year, and one his best ever, The Terminator, which is a cult film. So, in 1985, hot off the back of these two successful films, the director of Destroyer Richard Fleischer reenlisted the talents of Arnie for Red Sonja, in what was to be a huge flop, and an unsuccessful attempt at recreating a similar feel to the Conan films. The Plot Red Sonja witnesses the murders of her parents and brother, and the capture of her sister at the hands of Queen Gedren. Gedren is in the process of harnessing the power of the Talisman, an orb capable of using the sun's power to destructive purposes. Sonja's sister manages to get a message to the musclebound Lord Kalidor to reach Sonja, which he... Read review

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Advantages: A beautifully acted and well constructed film
Disadvantages: Why don't we get to see more of these type of Australian films?

...The film opens with the close up of what can barely be recognised as a foot caught in the thorny fingers of a lantana bush, whose flowers and thorns are carefully scrutinised before the camera slowly moves over the body of the woman who belongs to the foot. She is lying face down in its branches, her foot caught as if she is still falling - Australia's troublesome weed still holding her in its grasp. The film quickly cuts to a man and woman held together in another more vocal and frenetic embrace... Not exactly the typical opening that we have come to expect from Australian films. Think Australian film and Baz Lurhman's films tend to spring to mind - 'Strictly Ballroom', 'Moulin Rouge'- or maybe other films like 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert', or 'Muriel's Wedding'. The one thing all have in common is a quirkiness... Read review

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Advantages: Great scenery, Arnie's English improves slightly
Disadvantages: Lacks the brutal punch of Conan

...Following the success of Conan the Barbarian in 1982, 1984 saw the sequel, Conan the Destroyer, with Arnold Schwarzenegger once again taking the lead role. The film was toned down a little to attract wider and younger audiences than Barbarian did, and it was released in the same year as Terminator, which is perhaps Arnie's most famous role. The Plot Queen taramis summons legendary fighter Conan to her in order to send him to retrieve a special gem and a magic horn that will give life back to the God Dagoth. Conan leads a band of adventurers on the quest, and encounters his old friend Akiro the wizard as well as some other friends and foes. Wondering whether the rebirth of Dagoth is a good idea or not, his troop put their lives ont he line for their quest, for in return, Taramis has promised to resurrect Conan's dead lover, Valeria... Read review

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