John McTiernan

A dumber version of the Alien franchise, but this initial picture works anyway, as an atmospheric exercise in pure, primal action with a science-fiction-y twist.

As for the film's suspense credentials, you know it's time to get tense when James Earl Jones intones, 'Mother of God.'

Considered a dunderheaded big-budget flop in its day, Last Action Hero looks considerably better now in its creative self-parody.