Absolutely phenomenal mix of action and comedy. The parallel between marriage crisis and terrorist threat is brilliant.

2) Terminator 2

Sci-fi at its best as compelling human storytelling makes you forget about the time travel plot full of logical holes every time you watch it. The T-1000 is not only cool to look at, but he uses his powers in creative ways, leading to some of the most wonderful action scenes ever.

3) T2: 3D – The Ride

It’s only 10 minutes long, but this Universal ride has some of Arnold’s best action, grabbing and swatting mini-HK’s and switching places with Edward Furlong in mid-air. Also some of his best lines. “He was my college roommate.”

4) Total Recall

Another classic sci-fi piece. Here, the plot could be real or imagined, and it’s a great story either way! I vote for imagined, because the Rekall guy says “Blue Sky on Mars” in the beginning. The journey from futuristic Earth to Mars is awesome.

5) The Terminator

Arnold’s evil performance here is now even more powerful in light of his total switcheroo in the sequel. Great chase scenes, and this was Cameron just getting warmed up.

6) Last Action Hero

The first 2/3 of this movie is an amazing spoof of the action genre. When they bring Jack Slater into the real world, the film contradicts itself by allowing some movie cliches. Had they just stuck to the film within the film, they had great cartoonish action scenes and laugh out loud sight gags. I still can’t get over seeing Stallone on the “T2” poster.

7) The Running Man

Pure and simple – Bad guys, meet Arnold. Arnold, kill bad guys. There’s a media satire in here too, but it’s really a lot of cool fights and great lines. “He had to split.”

8) Commando

Another simple one. Arnold goes after the guy who has his kid. This was really the start of it all. Arnold’s first good guy after “Terminator” made him an uberstar, this set up his modern-day hero as opposed to the “Conan” historic fantasy hero.

9) The Sixth Day

This really made me feel like the old late ‘80s/early ‘90s era of action sci-fi, little bit of message, lots of great lines, with a postmodern twist. “I might be back.”

10) Predator/Red Heat

“Predator” is actually kind of slow until the end fight, but it’s a great fight. Since that’s an iffy pick, I’ve got to give props to “Red Heat”. I just always liked this movie. James Belushi makes good fun out of the contrived situations and Arnold as a Russian, naked in the snow, playing chicken with busses… it just kinda works.

Samet Bilir a freelance writer who writes about online shopping products. You can read more about his work at www.azframes.com, a website for digital photo frame reviews.