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Arena  (1989)
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Steel Arena
Tagline(s):The challenge is on...
 For a thousand years no human has been the champion. He wants to be the first.
 Tonight. Championship Grudge Match. Man Vs. Monster.
 At the edge of our Galaxy there is a battleground where no human has won in fifty years...
 A battleground where no human has ever won...
Nomination Year: 2021
SYNOPSIS: Steve Armstrong is a human short-order cook in a fast food restaurant on a "starstation" where the most popular arena fighting tournament in the whole galaxy is held. Members of various alien species fight one on one, often dirty, to become the ruling champions of the galaxy. The restaurant's sole waiter and Steve's boss is Shorty, a short four-armed scheming humanoid alien. When Steve saves Shorty from a particularly unpleasant and violent alien guest, they're both fired by the restaurant's automated A.I. for brawling. Shorty shows gratitude and they become friends. However, without jobs, they'll both be kicked off the space station. Thankfully, Quinn, a human female no-nonsense fighting promoter, who's in quick need of new fighters, hears about Steve's fight with the alien guest and offers him sponsorship. Human fighters have traditionally been defeated easily by naturally tougher alien fighters in previous tournaments and Steve would be a real underdog. Shorty manages to convince Steve to take the offer and after some initial difficulties, Steve proves to be a really tough fighter with an actual tiny chance of success. In the eyes of humans all across the galaxy, who feel inferior to the various alien races, Steve becomes their idol and champion of humanity. Steve doesn't really want all this attention, but he understands the hope people put in him. Rogor is the tournament's crooked organizer, who's complete control over the competition and the players is shaken by Steve's surprising success. He offers one of his deals to Steve as well, but he refuses. Rogor then comes up with a plan to get rid of Steve for good, if he gets to the finals. Rogor's rat-faced yesman Weezil is eager to help. Meanwhile, beautiful Jade attracts Steve's attention.
IMDb.com
Smithee Award Nominations
"Cutting Butter With A Chainsaw"
Sucks To Be Steve Armstrong
There's a ring at the door. "Are you Steve Armstrong?" "Yeah." BOOM! FIGHT!
Acting Appropriately Stupid
A Toast to the Champion
The bad guy's hot girl hands him a glass. "A toast." He even says "You know I'm not supposed to drink." Guess what he does? He drinks. He gets drugged. Stupid.
Directors
Director Claim to Fame
Peter Manoogian AD or 2nd unit director on such Smithee "classics" as Fear City, Metalstorm: the Destruction of Jared Syn, Parasite, and Galaxy of Terror
Cast
Actor Character Claim to Fame
Paul Satterfield Steve Armstrong Spencer Truman on "One Life to Live" and Dr. Pierce Peterson on "The Bold and the Beautiful." Was also the guy in Creepshow 2 who was on the raft... 
Hamilton Camp Shorty  
Claudia Christian Quinn Susan Ivanova on "Babylon 5." Does a lot of voice work for TV and video games. 
Marc Alaimo Rogor Was Gul Dukat on "Deep Space Nine" and Frank Barton on "The Doctors." Played Everett in Total Recall
Shari Shattuck Jade Was Ashley Abbott Howard on "The Young and the Restless." Played Liles in Steven Seagal's On Deadly Ground
Armin Shimerman Weezil Famed for his portrayal of Quark on "Deep Space Nine" and Principal Snyder on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Does a lot of voice work as well, like General Skarr on "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy." 
Michael Deak Horn Mainly an effects guy, if there's a rubbery, fakey-looking monster in it, Deak was likely involved, including Braxus (as in Beastmaster III), werewolves, sasquatches, zombies, mummies, and a Cellar Dweller
Jack Carter Announcer Sort of the poor-man's, small screen Robert Preston, his gruff voice can be heard in several cartoons, like Wibur Cobb on "The Ren & Stimpy Show." 
David L. Thompson Doctor Pops up in surprisingly good and Bad movies in strange places... Terminator II, Arena, The Godfather Part III... 
Brett Porter Wayne General Stex in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Did a bunch of TV, like playing Brett Hamilton III on "Search for Tomorrow." 
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