Cliff Notes Version of "The Terminator" Help Needed?

[Liberalynn]

I am attending the third session tonight of a four week workshop on how to write a mystery novel. It is being conducted by a published author and is part of the local library's celebration of Edgar Allen Poe's anniversary.

Our assignment for the session tonight was to watch "The Terminator." I have no idea why.

I couldn't complete this assignment for a few reasons. One, I couldn't get to a video store this week and second and probably most psychologically key I am repulsed by Arnie on too many levels to count. There is no way I could make myself sit through two hours of him. He just creeps me out. A third reason is I just can't watch films "of this nature." lol Jim Ward. Apoligies to any fans of Arnie or the Terminator.

However, I hate to be a bad "student" and not contribute anything to the group so can anybody give me some key points I need to know about the "Terminator?" Including why it might be considered a "mystery film?"

Thanks in advance. I know I shouldn't be cheating like this but IMHO no one should be forced to watch a Puke like Arnie against their will. Here is hoping my fellow Dems understand and can help me out? :hug:

[NJmaverick]

1. Here this should help

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terminator

[Liberalynn]

2. Thank you so much

:hug:

[Orsino]

7. That's neat, but it doesn't tell us how the film could be considered a mystery.

I guess that the paper-thin portrayal of the police work could count as detective work, but the movie leaves little mystery for us. :shrug:

I'm now curious as to how this will be supported in the OP's class.

[Liberalynn]

18. The author leading the class

ended up not using it as an example of a mystery per se but as an example of how you keep ratcheting up the suspense level of a story.

He said that everytime the audience thinks they can take a breather and that Sarah's going to be okay, the Terminator comes right back to try and do something worse to her.

[crispini]

3. Dang, that was out in 1984? I feel old.

the original movie was pretty good, blockbuster style -- the sequels, not so much.

[Liberalynn]

5. That was the year I graduated college.

Can't believe that was so long ago. :rofl:

[rcrush]

4. He should have recommended Terminator 2

Possibly the best action movie ever made.

[Liberalynn]

6. It will be interesting to see how he ties it in

to mystery novel writing.

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. I agree - the first one was awesome; the second one was uber-awesome!

An amazing film on every level - acting (even Arnie pulls out a pretty good performance, since he's playing a robot), visuals, special effects, story, plotline, characters...

a really, really well done movie.

[rcrush]

11. Yeah its why the following sequels make me weap with disapointment

They are such crap.

[Threedifferentones]

15. I totally agree Rab

You don't need to act when you are perfectly cast, so Arnie is fine. I have enjoyed T2 to the point of wearing it out....

[proteus_lives]

12. One of the best, true.

But the original Terminator is my favorite of the series because it's one of the best dark sci-fi noirish movies ever made.

[PVnRT]

8. Arnie has comparatively (sp?) little screen time, and very few lines

He's mostly a hulking menace going after Sarah Connor.

I'm not sure what it has to do with a mystery, aside from projecting a modern urban "wasteland" in a noire-like style.

[sarge43]

10. Can't help with the mystery either.

Unless it's a mystery why the Term is after Sarah which Kyle explains half way through the story.
That turns the narrative into a dash and slash flick.

If instructor wanted a SciFi mystery film, Blade Runner would have been a much better choice.

[Liberalynn]

20. Turns out the instructor

was using the Terminator of a good example of how a writer can keep the suspense and the thrills going for an audience until the very end and even then forshadow that its still not over. He said the author does that by "the storm is coming" line in the end.

[sarge43]

22. Thanks for the update. n/t

[Capn Sunshine]

13. Just watch the movie

it's one of Arnies acting tour de forces. The mystery aspect must be the nature of whether or not civilization gets destroyed?

[Fire Walk With Me]

14. Since the World's Fair article, "The Virgin and the Dynamo",

technology has been, and has been seen, as being larger than we are, as individuals. It is no longer controllable by a single individual. We have built something larger than ourselves, at least concerning contained power (versus large buildings, etc.). Terminator is another iteration in this philosophy. Note in the film, the number of times humans are slaved to technology, or something as simple as the Walkman utterly removing a human from perceiving survival-level signals from its environment. And how even technology smashes itself.

Scary movies have always been about our most recent gestalt-level fear. This time, it's "Machines: Servants or Master?".

The musical group Kraftwerk ("Power Plant/Station") have long expounded upon these ideas. At what point does technology cease serving and begin demanding? Hint: It already has. Especially if you are on a computer, reading this.

(Cue Terminator =synthesizer= soundtrack...tum tum ta, ta tum...)

Good luck.

[pokerfan]

16. The Terminator in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies.

http://www.angryalien.com/aa/theterminatorbuns.asp

[Liberalynn]

17. That was so funny.

Thank you for sharing that. :headbang:

[Iggo]

19. Yes. Help is needed.

[Liberalynn]

21. LOL

Yes I always need a lot of help. ;) Thanks for helping me out everyone who responded.