The Terminator (1984)

Cameron's sci-fi actioner sits comfortably as the archetype for movies about murderous humanoid machines from the future that travel back in time to kill someone important, thus changing their own present in a favourable way.
Linda Hamilton is the target. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the instrument.
Playing to the big man's strengths (i.e. he hardly speaks), the role is largely responsible for his career taking off as much as it did. It's clear to see why. He's perfect. His natural ability to be indelibly domineering helped the character seem totally inhuman. His physicality was translated successfully into a show of almost unstoppable force - his unwavering attitude arguably even more memorable than his iconic coat and glasses.
It's not a flawless movie, but by 1984 standards it was a damn good one and is still mostly deserving of the accolades it continues to receive.

4 unwritten past tenses out of 5