Now that it's come up, I must mention several great scenes from
Conan: the Barbarian -- a movie that is surprisingly (?) well-made movie:
* The "reveal" at the Wheel of Pain, when the musical score swells and we see Ahhhnuld for the first time. Nicely done camera work. Good use of the wheel and the circular movement as an anology for time passing.
* Of course, the "What is best in life?" scene is highly quotable.
* The little look Conan gives the wolves after he retrieves the Atlantean sword, as if to say, "Now the hunted has become the hunter!" Immediately after this, we see him decked out in wolf pelts. It's subtle, and most people miss this on first viewing.
* Another look that Conan gives Subotai when the latter makes fun of Crom as a god. People rip on Arnold's acting chops, but not everyone can pull of
indignant quite the way he can in this movie.
* Yet another look that Conan has on his face while sharpening his sword in preparation for the rescue. Subotai: "We kill Thulsa Doom another day. Eh, Conan?" Conan: [silence] [looks very, very angry] [scraaaaaaaaape of whetstone on sword]
* As they flee from the Mountain of Power, Valeria is confronted by two mooks. She stops and taps her sword on her off hand, as if to say, "Come get some!"
That is an iconic scene for any sword-and-sorcery fan.
* The Battle of the Mounds. In my opinion, one of the best set-piece battle scenes in any movie, from any genre. Simply outstanding. The music is fantastic as well. And, of course, another quotable line: "Grant me one thing: revenge!"
Gads. Now I want to leave work early so I can watch this movie before my wife gets home.
