Released on this day in 1984 in the United States cinemas, the James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd (Roger Corman’s assistant) production starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, and conceived from the former screen-writer’s credit in a fever dream (a metallic torso wielding kitchen knives and made of liquid metal and impervious to conventional weapons but deciding that special effects were not that advanced, deferred the T-1000 to a later instalment) experienced with the release of Cameron’s first movie, Piranha II: The Spawning two years prior. The film franchise is premised on the idea that a cyborg assassin is sent back from 2029 to prevent the birth of John Connor, who in the Terminator’s time-line saves humanity from destruction by Skynet, an out of control and hostile artificial intelligence bent on self-preservation at all costs. Shooting scenes was delayed due to the principle’s commitment to Conan the Destroyer (OJ Simpson was also in consideration but the director thought he wasn’t a convincing killer), affording Cameron a chance to work on the script for Rambo: First Blood Part II and Aliens, and when filming finally began, it was mainly on location in Los Angeles and without permits—leading to low expectations (coupled with the low budget and other problems)—but was received as a cult classic and launched a franchise and multiple careers.
synchronoptica
one year ago: a rare Japanese-made electronic synthesiser (with synchronoptica) plus AI-generated Halloween candy
seven years ago: sonic sands, plates for classic cars, an infernal dictionary plus the royal we
eight years ago: hoop earrings plus some notes
nine years ago: Adam’s first wife
eleven years ago: kettling, Art as Therapy plus precarious jobs
