In "Starship Troopers", Paul Verhoeven shows how well it works to just take clichés seriously. Instead of going over the top with the usual high school drama or military action or making fun of it, he plays it completely straight. Cheesy emotions, shallow characters, and overdone heroics - it's all there, presented with total sincerity. But then he slams this fake, feel good world straight into brutal reality. The result? A weird, grotesque mix that ends up being satire precisely because it takes itself so seriously.

He feels nothing.
Not pity.
Not regret.
Not fear.
He is a force that cannot be stopped.
With a single purpose: to kill.
His dead eyes are omens of death.
And he will not rest until his mission is fulfilled.

That grim tone - so raw, so serious - could only have been born in the early-to-mid 80s. The movie's unwavering gravity and relentless momentum feel almost mythical. Sadly, for me, "The Terminator" begins to falter after the police station sequence, reaching a low point with what might be the most unconvincing love scene I've ever witnessed. Still, the final confrontation hits hard again.

Lots of beautiful, nostalgic footage, mostly from the grittier sides of Hamburg in the 70s. Was the movie meant to move me? I'm not sure. Toward the end, the brighter moments come together, but until then, it often felt a bit flat and didn't fully resonate with me.

A Pixar movie designed for an older crowd than we’re used to, with a more nuanced humor that works in most parts. The plot is decent, and the characters are pleasantly subtle.

A never ending headache

If I ignore the cult status of "Die Hard", all that's left is an average action movie. A shallow and boring plot I've seen countless times in other movies. Highly predictable, following the standard Hollywood formula: an arrogant hero with a weakness for one-liners, the ability to dodge bullets, a superficial love story, and, of course, the obligatory happy ending. I guess the appeal of action movies will forever remain a mystery to me.

Running a bit too long and devoid of much momentum or thrill, "Into the Night" is neither an exhilarating action-packed ride nor an intense thriller. Nevertheless, if you've ever fantasized about spending a dreamy night in L.A. with Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer, and you're open to a leisurely, almost trance-like experience, this movie could be a pleasant surprise. Its meandering nature doesn't hinder its charme; instead, it invites you to sink into its drowsy, weightless flow, mirroring the disoriented journey of its protagonist, Ed.

It's only a true 80s action movie if you're trash-talking your wife's cooking skills with your work partner.

"Predator" presents an interesting, otherworldly villain whose true nature is revealed late in the story. The alien demonstrates its abilities through a familiar process of elimination, ultimately facing off against a human final boss. The lack of any backstory for the alien makes its features and powers feel like a random assortment of flashy gimmicks. The rest is filled with macho one-liners, testosterone-fueled showdowns, and a token female character who contributes little, all culminating in an unconvincing ending.

This German gangster comedy from the late 90s shines with its quirky characters and witty situational humor, featuring sharp, memorable dialogue. The humor feels effortless, even if it's just the typical, clichéd Ruhrpott proletarian characters, each of them a bit odd. Beyond that, the plot is surprisingly clever, offering a few unexpected twists along the way. 
If you like movies in the style of "Pulp Fiction", you'll also enjoy "Bang, Boom, Bang"!