Cool News
CLASS OF 1982: Nordling Has Some Thing To Say About John Carpenter's THE THING!
Nordling here.
I’m not sure how many people remember those halcyon days of 1982, but when it was reported to genre movie fans that John Carpenter was going to remake THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, at the time, the reaction was more akin to anger than anything. Christian Nyby’s film – although it’s been stated that Howard Hawks actually directed it - was (and still is, in a lot of respects) something of a sacred cow. Now the guy who made HALLOWEEN and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK was going to tackle it. I was young at the time, but I remember a lot of critics gathering their armies against John Carpenter for having dared remake a classic movie like that.
John Carpenter’s THE THING is definitely a movie that didn’t get its respect until much later, because in 1982 it was only a middling success at the box office. Remember, 1982 was the summer of E.T., and no one wanted to see this dark movie about paranoia and distrust, filled with for the time was spectacular gore effects and disturbing imagery. But now, we know THE THING as an utter masterpiece of tension and horror, and it’s a movie that deserves analysis and respect. What Carpenter did was make a film about how the distance between people can be far greater than the interstellar distances that the Thing travels to get to our world, and how people are unwilling or unable to bridge the gulf. It’s a hugely pessimistic movie, but it also relies on how much each audience member personally brings to it. It’s widely open to interpretation and feels tailor-made for each particular viewer’s sensibilities. That’s extremely hard for any movie to do, especially a genre film, and I still don’t think Carpenter is given the respect that he’s due because of it. THE THING is, in its way, even more terrifying in what it has to say about human relationships than in any gore effects, and the gore effects are amazing, and still have yet to be topped today.
That was what was so offensive about the recent remake/prequel: like so many filmmakers just focusing on the “cool” aspects of the original movie, they forgot that THE THING works as well as it does because of the characters and their relationships. There’s a lot of unspoken dialogue in THE THING, and what I mean by that is that the film relies much on what the audience does in their mind to fill the spaces. THE THING doesn’t beat you over the head; it’s not obvious, and it lets the audience play with the film’s dynamic in their head. We always speculate about the nature of the alien, about who could be next, and because the movie wisely never quite lets you in in regards to the characters, we always wonder about each character’s motivations. Even the end has ambiguity and isn’t an easy resolution. THE THING gives you a lot to think about, and it’s a testament to the film’s greatness that this can be debated all these years later.
Carpenter wisely decided not to remake Nyby’s film, but instead directly adapted the novella that the original film was based on, “Who Goes There?” by John W. Campbell Jr. That story has many of the characters that we’ve come to love in Carpenter’s version, and the story is full of the paranoia and darkness that show up in the film. The ending of the story is fairly typical for science fiction pulp stories of the time, but Carpenter wanted to explore those relationships more in the movie. I love how we know next to nothing of the characters’ back-story, but I’ll get to that in a bit. For the purposes of this article, I won’t be writing too much about the original novella, and instead focus on the characters as they are presented in the movie. The movie stands on its own as a complete work and I don’t think it’s even necessary to go back to the source material to understand what makes THE THING as good as it is.
I realize that I may be thinking about this movie, and the ideas that it delivers, more than might be normal. But THE THING is like that – it gives viewers who are willing to pay attention a lot to chew on, and it’s always been one of those movies that I play in my head. I’ve probably seen it over 30 times – not the record, I’m sure, but enough to be pretty familiar with it. And although I’m sure many fans realize it, but the secret weapon of John Carpenter’s THE THING isn’t his direction, which is admittedly great, or the terrific acting, or Rob Bottin and his team’s fantastic make-up effects work. No, it’s the work of one Bill Lancaster, the screenwriter. Sadly, he’s gone now; Lancaster died in 1997 with not very many screen credits to his name, but two in particular stand out – THE THING and the original BAD NEWS BEARS. They are fantastic scripts, with real characters that live and breathe. THE BAD NEWS BEARS is one of the best films to genuinely portray childhood with all its bumps and bruises, and with that script Lancaster knew that childhood, like anything else, wasn’t easy. Lancaster’s characters in THE THING feel the same way.
We know next to nothing about MacReady, or Garry, or Childs, or Clark, or Palmer… and the film works because of that. So many films nowadays need to tell the backstory of every character so as to easily explain every single motivation. THE THING dispenses with all that, and it makes for a much stronger movie. One thing is certain – these men, working at the ass-end of the planet, are already distrustful of people. You don’t work at an Antarctic research facility unless you’re at the beginning of your career or at the end of it, or you’ve pissed off someone sufficiently that it was the only thing you can get. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I’m not sure if this is something that other fans of the film have done, but I’ve come up with pretty extensive backstories for those characters in my head, and the movie wisely lets the audience think for themselves about who these people are and how they came to be in this place and this situation.
Let’s take MacReady, for example. Kurt Russell is very effective as the helicopter pilot who, when not hauling gear and personnel all over Antarctica, drinks himself into a stupor every night and spends time alone. You get the idea that MacReady doesn’t like people. Even in his very first scene, Russell lays out the character for us in broad strokes – playing chess on a gaming computer and quietly getting drunk, and when he loses he simply pours his drink into the computer’s hard drive. This sets the tone for what follows – as Mac plays his own game with the Thing throughout the film, he’s completely willing to rip everything down to its foundations to “win.” “Cheating bitch,” says MacReady, and blows up the whole damn thing. That’s MacReady to a T – if he can’t beat the Thing, he sure as hell won’t let it win on its own terms either. I always imagined Mac as a helicopter pilot in the military who saw some pretty heinous stuff, perhaps in Vietnam or Cambodia, and working in Antarctica was the furthest place he could get away from people without leaving the planet entirely. He’s the ultimate reluctant hero, and if he can’t be a part of the world he sure as hell won’t let some Thing take it over either.
That’s the greatness of Lancaster’s script, and it’s difficult for most screenwriters to pull off; creating characters without so much exposition is a tough gig, but Lancaster does it perfectly. Even more, the script lets the actors play around with it, and bring their own sensibilities to their roles. You get someone like Fuchs, who is a character without much dialogue, and Joel Polis plays him as an eager scientist, probably at the beginning of his career, and although it’s not there in the dialogue it’s very evident in the character. Or Childs (Keith David), who distrusts all authority, unless it’s his own. I always had the idea that working in Antarctica was probably the last job Childs could get – he’d pissed off too many people over the years and the only thing left was working in the cold with these stupid white people.
Blair (Wilford Brimley) is one of the most interesting characters of the movie – at first, he’s the most concerned about the Thing and the potential it has to infect the planet, but once he goes ballistic on the rest of the team, he can’t be trusted and is placed under house arrest. One of my favorite scenes in the film is when Blair begs Mac to be let back in with the rest of the guys, as a noose hangs in the background. When does the Thing take him over? How does it happen? The movie never answers it. Personally, I always think of the scene when he’s examining the Thing-carcass and touches it with his pencil eraser and then brings the eraser by his mouth. That’s just how my mind works. But what kind of a man is Blair? He’s obviously a scientist, but how did he end up in Antarctica? The crucial scene is when Blair runs the computer program that reveals that if unchecked the Thing could literally take over the planet, and how he reacts. Whatever problems Blair had with others, he simply can’t allow the Thing to leave the station.
Or you get Palmer (David Clennon), who gets the film’s best, most memorable line, and the wonderful thing about that line is when Palmer says, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding,” he’s a Thing! The creature so thoroughly takes over its host that it has access to memories and even personality, so short of MacReady’s blood test there’s no way to tell if they’re human or not. Potentially, it could be anyone – you could be having a conversation with the Thing and not even know it. It’s all done through dialogue and acting, and it’s not spelled out for the audience in a stupid, obvious manner. Less ambitious, not-as-skilled screenwriters or directors would have dotted every i and crossed every t to make sure that they explained everything, and THE THING trusts the audience enough to keep up. One of the many problems with the prequel is that it became obvious quickly who was a Thing, but that’s not how the creature is supposed to work. For the most part, no one has any idea who’s who, and that adds to the tension and paranoia.
This rewards multiple viewings like you wouldn’t believe – THE THING is one of the most rewatchable movies ever made because there’s always something new and interesting that comes up, even if it’s through a minor character interaction or turn of phrase. Maybe it’s just me, but I still don’t know who “got to the blood.” I assume it’s Blair, but at that point in the film he hadn’t turned yet, and even then I’m not sure. When did Norris get infected? When does Blair? The movie never lets us in, and THE THING becomes one of those movies that you get to take home with you once it’s over, because it’s set up so well that you speculate on everything. For some people this could be considered a flaw of the film that it doesn’t spell everything out. Not to me. I think the key to the movie’s success as an artistic work is that we get to play with it in our heads.
I’ve barely mentioned Rob Bottin’s make-up work, and it is truly tremendous, and is probably the best reason why the film practically refuses to date itself. The work of Bottin and his team is simply unparalleled. It’s why the prequel’s use of CGI is looked at with such disdain. The Thing can be anything it wants to be, can change shape in any way possible, and Bottin’s work here is one of the few pre-CGI works that seems effortless in how it shows each transformation. Combined with Carpenter’s direction and the work of Dean Cundey, the result is a movie monster that literally can do or be anything. The practical effects work of the Thing still stuns to this day. Look, I don’t hate CGI – it’s just another tool that can be used effectively and well. But there is simply no substitution (at least, not yet) for real, hands-on make-up work. Watch the documentary THE THING: TERROR TAKES SHAPE and you’ll see just how amazing their work was. The 1980s were definitely the heyday of make-up effects work, and honestly they don’t get much better than THE THING.
Ennio Morricone’s work here has to be mentioned as well – his score is spare but unrelenting, and is yet another score in a long line from the master. Dean Cundey’s cinematography is stark and beautiful, and he’s always been Carpenter’s go-to guy with the camerawork, but THE THING may be his most signature work. And then, there is @TheHorrorMaster himself, John Carpenter. THE THING was his seventh feature-length film, and it’s probably his best film. Carpenter knows how to raise the tension so subtly that by the time you realize it, you’re in the movie’s grip. Carpenter’s horror films of that era weren’t great because of the gore, but because Carpenter used every bit of his considerable power to slowly draw you in, so that when the real scares come they’re genuinely frightening. Carpenter also had a real affinity with the actors, allowing them to find their own character in the spaces between the dialogue. These people felt real, as opposed to simple character tropes. And that’s probably the biggest reason why THE THING has stood the test of time – you genuinely like these people, even when they collide, and it hurts when the shit goes down.
And then there is the ending, which boosts the film into classic territory – MacReady, having dispatched the Blairmonster and set the compound ablaze, sits down in the night storm, resigned to his fate. Suddenly, movement – it’s Childs, who managed to get away from the explosion and is seemingly the only other survivor. Together they sit, as the temperature drops, each full of mistrust and doubt, watching each other closely, knowing they will inevitably freeze to death. People have speculated for years about the final scene – is Childs a Thing? My own theory is this – he’s not. He’s human. And as they slowly freeze, they could figure something out together and try to survive what’s coming, but because of their mistrust and suspicion for each other, they simply can’t cross that bridge. It’s a nihilistic ending and the only one that fits the mood of the film. THE THING is full of people who are crippled by their lack of trust in each other, and as the Thing preys on that mistrust, it’s the humans who bring themselves down more thoroughly than the Thing ever could. These are broken people who for whatever reason can’t relate to others and the moral of the film become a cry for unity and solidarity, even among such disparate personalities as these. The real horror, THE THING suggests, is in our failure to relate to one another. Carpenter’s movie is a certified horror classic and still resonates to this day; films that have tried to capture just what Carpenter did with his movie have failed, including the awful prequel, which has a complete misunderstanding of why Carpenter’s film works so well. THE THING isn’t optimistic about our chances, but in its bleak worldview we come to an understanding – people need each other. A simple enough message, but told amazingly well.
-
+ Expand All
-
Everything.
-
I saw it in the theater and I had the Fangoria and Cinefantastic.
-
Went with my dad and his younger brother (who had seen the original as kids together). Quite a bonding moment. Amazing my folks had no filter for R-rated movies: Can remember getting schlepped along for 'American Werewolf', 'Amityville Horror' and many others. I think parents get dragged kicking and screaming to Dr. Phil nowadays when they do this sort of thing.
One other amusing fond memory this conjures: My pediatrician smoked a pipe in the office (usually close up during exams too). Ah, yesterday... -
Nah, just kidding.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:33:47 PM CST
CARPENTER'S THE THING IS A MASTERPIECE OF SCI-FI HORROR ALONG SIDE PHILLIP KAUFMAN'S INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978) AND RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALIEN!!!FACT!!!
by creepythinmanlives
-
I haven't seen it but I just know it will suck fucking balls.
-
The X-Files episode, "Ice," did a wonderful send-up to The Thing. I consider that to be a true, and great remake of the movie.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:36:31 PM CST
Easily one of my top 5 movies and hands down #1 Horror film
by soylentmean
Carpenter's The Thing is the epitome of masterpiece.
-
You are one hell of a writer. Thanks for working for this site, you definately contribute some of the best stuff.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:51:00 PM CST
It's one of the reasons I barely watch horror movies today
by melgibsoncalledmethenword
I have a vast collection of classic horror films, but I can't tell you the last time I watched a NEW horror film. Probably Rec: Which I thought wasn't nearly as good as people said it was. The ending was creepy with The Great Moolah walking around in the dark, though.
There's just something about the 70's and early 80's (which was still more of a 70's film) that makes them creepier than they are. I think it's just tougher to believe, with people being smarter and better connected, that it's tough to believe in modern horror.
Everyone's got cell phones and computers and the internet. There's no isolation anymore. How can you tell a horror story in today's society? Not a super natural one, at least. -
Jan 21, 2012 2:52:10 PM CST
I was head projectionist at a twin theater when this movie came out
by jeflep08
I was head projectionist at a twin theater when this movie came out. Because of the actors and writers strikes of 80 and 81 we played a lot of bottom of the barrel Drive In quality movies. We’re talking movies like The Boogins, Timewalker, etc. So my expectations were low that this movie would be even mediocre. Imagine my surprise when I ran the movie on a Thursday night preview party for me and my friends. My friends had no idea what was about to hit them! The people watching the movie were screaming, jumping in their chair, and I believe we actually had some popcorn flying out of a bucket.
I thought this movie would be a big hit once word of mouth set in. Unfortunately all the patrons wanted to see was the movie on the other screen (ET). It made me so mad that all people wanted to see was ET when this much better movie was playing in the other theatre. Also, our local paper gave it terrible reviews like most critics at the time. If you haven’t seen this movie on the big screen you are defiantly missing out.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:52:58 PM CST
Does the whole working-class-heroes-without-backgrounds bit very well...
by i am_notreal
Much like its most obvious cinematic kin, Alien.
Of course, The Thing is much more than a riff on Alien, but there's no denying the Nostromo's crew as a template of sorts for MacReady and the Antarctica team.
The research station is a similar environment to the Nostromo too...and like Alien, The Thing is really almost timeless. Aside from a few technological touches, you could image that place being almost exactly like that today. There are movies from ten or fewer years ago that seem far more dated; twenty years barely registers on this one.
Where The Thing differs from Alien is in the paranoia and mistrust that underlies every exchange from the moment of the Thing's arrival on. Nordling is right on in how that was skillfully done in the script.
I still have a soft spot in my heart for Hawks' The Thing because it scared the snot out of me as a kid. As we all know Carpenter's version is far closer to the Campbell source material, but the first take is also quite strong, if far more melodramatic and dated.
Great film. Wish the follow-up had been at all worthwhile. But oh well.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:53:18 PM CST
The ONLY horror remakes I've ever seen are JC's The Thing and The Ring
by melgibsoncalledmethenword
I've never seen any of the others. I was a big Elm Street fan growing up, so it's tempting to see it's remake, but I just know it will piss me off.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:54:13 PM CST
Another reason this film succeeded was because of perfect timing
by bodian26
Even though it was 1982, the culture was not yet living in the '80's.
This film has all the markings of a late '70's classic, which it is if you account for when the film was first written.
If it had come out in 1986, 1996, 2006, even with the same cast, director, etc. it would have been a wildly different film.
-
Jan 21, 2012 2:56:28 PM CST
This re-visit format is one of the things that makes Den of Geek so cool...
by fuzzy_dunlop
And Bravo to Nordling for bringing it to AICN. Nice, man. (Reading/writing this at the Whole Foods on Waugh.)
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SppG-I_Dhxw
-
My parents also lacked the "R" filter and took me to everything starting around 6-years old. This movie freaked my brain but I was a huge Carpenter fan. Must have watched every showing of The Thing, The Fog, Precinct 13, and Escape From NY HBO had.
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:03:31 PM CST
It is probably my favourite film of all time, I love it that much
by velvet_sloane
I first saw it on UK tv in 1986 (on TVS I believe), and it really scared the crap out of me!! From then on, for the next two weeks, the word at school was about how 'crapyourpantsscary' the movie was.
I managed to record it from TV in 1989, and watched it again and again. When I moved to the advent of DVD in 2000, I picked up the Alien saga and The Thing in order to test my new setup out.
I have the Blu-Ray now (maybe all of the old extras are there, but the picture and sound are even more beautiful!!), and it gets watched constantly (I always made a point of watching it every Halloween; now I watch the damned film once or twice every month!!).
Nordling, an amazingly well-written piece, you summed-up a lot of what I feel about this film. I must have seen it close to 80, 90 times now. And yes, I still argue about when certain characters were taken-over, and an observation of my own:
When MacCready visits Fuchs, and following Fuch's demise, was that really MacCready, and now the Thing imitating him? Can it do that? Maybe its something always intended for Carpenter's sequel (that he always wanted to do, according to interviews), that he never had the chance to do.
Whatever, damn, think it may be time to watch the film again!!
-
Regardless of what Harlan Ellison and his entire generation say about it.
-
I saw this movie in theater with my two best friends. We grew up Star Trek, became Star Wars and made multiple trips to the cinema to see awesome shit like Aliens, Buckaroo Banzai, Blade Runner. It was a much different environment for movie goers. Multiplexes were in thier infancy. It was not unusual to stand in lines that wrapped around the theatre and get up to the box office just in time to watch the "sold out" go upbin your face.
"The Thing" scared me stupid. Scared like watching the movie in between my trembling fingers fucking scared. Most of you guys have only watched this on video. Watching in a dark theater, surrounded by strangers added immensely to the tension and paranoia.
A TRUE MASTERWORK. Now if Carpenter had'nt royally fucked up Ghosts of Mars he'd be the perfect director imho. -
I've watched this movie a million times, and I'm positive that the silhouette that turns in surprise when the dog-thing enters the room is Norris. The curly hair helps, but also there's the indication in the shadow that the unseen person is wearing a *turtleneck*, which is Norris' "uniform" in the movie.
So that would make Norris the first person turned, in my estimation.
Oh, and Nordling, I think you're right about Blair becoming infected when he touches the pencil to his mouth. That hit me a couple of years ago, and it's the only possible solution.
However, who got to the blood is still a mystery...
-
The studio didn’t advertise this movie very well at all. The standee was one of the worst generic things you have ever seen. The American poster was terrible especially compared to the foreign market posters. The last link is a great article about the awful merchandising of the movie.
http://thething.ca/standee.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awakemax/5688756404/
http://www.kindertrauma.com/?p=334
-
Loved the article. What a great surprise to see this on the site today. This is why I come to AICN everyday... hoping to find a gem like this.
As for the ending, my opinion is: Mac believes Childs to be a Thing. So he offers his drink (the same drink he 'offered' to his computerized chess opponent)... Childs drinks it down, Mac smirks.
Now, I used to believe (and was bummed out by) that Mac was indeed the Thing... and the smirk showed that he had just infected Childs by sharing the bottle of scotch... ensuring that nobody was left to keep him from his hibernation.
... But, there's a video on Youtube from some dude who explains it in a way I prefer... That Mac was smirking because Childs accepted the drink without question... confirming that Childs is the Thing... because he's not worried about getting infected by Mac's bottle.
It also ties in nicely to Mac's 'sharing' the bottle with the computer after being defeated. Mac knew he was going to die, but at least he blow the base to all hell and left no way for the 'cheating bitch' to get away.
I also think he had a good explanation for the blood being taken... I'll have to look it up and see what exactly that was.
-
Thanks for the revelation that Palmer was ALREADY a Thing when he saw the Spider head.
That never registered with me till i read this piece. Now i'll have to go rewatch it. Thanks and A big FUCK YOU for making me feel wretchedly stupid and unobservant. -
They have done articles for a while now on AICN like these that are obvious naked click-grabs........but I cant help it, I had to click on it. This movie, along with the Shining, have far and away the creepiest use of the score/music I've ever heard. My dad also lacked the R-filter and let me see everything from an early age, this and Escape from New York were my video bibles. I think Blair was still human when they visited him, with the noose hanging up, and was visited and turned soon after......which of course is a truly horrifying propect when you think about it, Blairs reaction knowing whats about to happen. Fucking genius movie.
-
I always assumed it was Palmer who turned and saw the dog. But I guess it could be Norris.
-
Actually was lucky enough to get Quint to contribute a couple quotes about it.
The thing about this movie is that every aspect of the film is dedicated to building tension. The set design is vacant and empty. It's also almost timeless (if not for the videotapes and the chess computer). It could happen any time. The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the dialogue...all aspects of this movie work as a clock with all the gears and pieces helping the tension tick on and on, building.
Also, it's just a really fucking awesome movie that I never get tired of. -
the big charade? There is no one left, if Childs is the Thing, WTF is he waiting for? Why not just get MacCready right then and there? I think they were both human.
-
That tracks when and how everyone gets infected....
-
It was meant to be Palmer, but they had to use a stunt double.
http://theoriginalfan.blogspot.com/2011/09/shadow-on-wall.html -
(I think.)
-
From the shape of the head and the hair it was Definately Norris, not Palmer
-
Went to the theater with my brother-in-law to watch The Thing in 1982. After it was over we were both like WTF did we just see. We agreed it was AWESOME. I think it's a classic.
-
The Original Halloween and The 1982 Version of The Thing are The Two Most Critically Acclaimed Motion Pictures of Director John Carpenter's Career. However Which Film is Better?!
-
There were like 10 people in the theater lol. Knew it was a masterpiece even as a young teen. Had never seen anything like it. Still haven't. The FX still look more convincing (except for a shot or two in the final battle) than anything put out since. Oh yeah, did I mention it's actually scary, genuinely funny, and has characters that you give a shit about? Thank god my parents took me to shit like this and Scanners growing up. Might have turned out liking Michael Bay movies if they hadn't.
-
At the risk of tooting my own horn, even as a 13 year old boy watching this in the theatre I knew this movie was incredible! (My mom would get me in all the R rated movies I wanted to see - is she awesome or what!)
When the luke warm reviews came out I was like - are you guys kidding me!!?? Same thing happened with Blade Runner, mediocre reviews only to be recognized as a classic years later. -
Not the actor playing Norris, just looks like it. They went with it because Clennon's profile was too distinctive. Using a non-cast member makes more misleading to the audience.
-
Both masterpieces. I couldn't rate one higher. He didn't have money or much control on Halloween--yet still put his fingerprints all over it. So, it could be argued that because of that--Halloween is the better movie. Look what he did with complete control and a budget though--didn't fuck a frame of The Thing up--so props for that too.
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:40:07 PM CST
It is a great movie. I even loved the ambiguous ending. I just find it hard to understand why The Thing was trying to make another spaceship out of scraps of inferior human technology.
by cureguy
How the hell could it actually fly into outer space using junk lying around an arctic expedition camp?
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:42:23 PM CST
One of my alltime favorite films... And it is NOT A REMAKE! It's the only film adaptation of "Who Goes There?".
by mentaldominance
THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD is not the story "Who Goes There?" . Carpenter's is.
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:45:43 PM CST
I can recite both ALIEN and THE THING verbatim. I know every line in them, they're probebly my two favorite movies of all time.
by mentaldominance
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:46:45 PM CST
Along with the 78' Body Snatchers of course... Yep. ALIEN, Carpenter's THE THING, and the 78' Body Snatchers = The 3 best sci-fi horror/alien films ever made.
by mentaldominance
-
I would love a discussion on that. I know most avoided it but I gave it a chance, just to see what they did. It had some of the pieces right. It's main flaw was in the end they couldn't control themselves and used way too much CGI. I would love to figure out why they did it like this. They should have known the film would only make $50 million or less. Why not just use practical? It was a weird experience because you felt the pieces connecting but then they would make a seriously wrong move. I would love to hear why they made certain decisions while making that movie.
It also had the problem that no matter what they did it couldn't match up to the original... But that's another topic. -
For influence and originality, and because it takes me back to a specific place and time each time I watch it. Although it's long past the point of being scary, it's the cinematic equivalent of comfort food.
The Thing is more deliberate and ambitious, certainly. But Halloween has an enduring underground spirit that I love to this day. -
I saw it in a theatre on Fort Sam Houston when it came out with only three others in the entire place. Awesome movie and I saw it four more times before I was moved back home to finish college. Every time I went back to Fort Sam, I remembered it. Fondly. I too watch it with my kids every Halloween.
-
The prequel had potential and did get some things right, but yes too much cgi towards the end. There seemed to be too much "interference" by too many cooks in that movie.
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:53:47 PM CST
Everything today has that modern "shot on digital looks like a porno" feel. No cinematography. Bare minimal effort. Today's shit sucks.
by mentaldominance
-
Jan 21, 2012 3:59:59 PM CST
myphdisdoom: The 2011 remake (it wasn't really a prequel) failed in far more areas than bad special effects.
by mentaldominance
The creature in TT2011 didn't act how the REAL THING acts even.
It acted like an a.d.d. spazzed out kid. No attention span. Wouldn't even bide it's time and wait...
If it had simply just NOT SHOWN IT'S SELF it could have infected the whole team easilly.
Carpenter's THE THING didn't pop out of the ice... It stayed inside of it... Letting slimy alien cells drain out and slowly infect people...
The REAL THING is intelligent and doesn't want to be discovered.
It will fight if it has to... But it's vulnerable out in the open!
THING 2011 was like a poorly executed boss from the Resident Evil games.
And that fucking split face explanation?!?!
I can not believe they had all the time and THAT is what they came up with?!?!?
Retarded on all fronts. Then they pigeonhole stupid shit like the axe in the wall in and the guy leaving to chase the dog in the end...
So forced and contrived. And what idiot kills a THING with an axe when they know the splatter will infect them anyhow?
THING 2011 was so bad I have thankfully put most of it out of my mind.
-
Jan 21, 2012 4:03:04 PM CST
giggitygoo/nordling - Norris was a slow infection, he didn't get absorbed. His takeover was slow and internal so it couldn't have been him that the dog got...
by mentaldominance
Unless...
Maybe it was...
Maybe it just did a quick squirt of something into him - like a sting - cuz it didn't have time to do a full transformation absorb?
Like how in the dog cage it squirts that liquid... -
Of course you know it's coming. They have the girl who survived in the prequel. You have the 2 guys who survive in the original. It's only 2 days in "movie time". They'll have all three get together, go for help to another country's Antarctic outpost and the Thing will be hitched on for the ride for some more fun and gore.
You just know it. -
Jan 21, 2012 4:07:20 PM CST
Never thought I'd see Ridley and Giger back together... Maybe Carpenter and Bottin is actually a possibility!
by mentaldominance
-
. . . and STILL feel jealous that all your parents let you watch R-Rated stuff. My Mom even refused to let me see PG-13 until I hit that mark. What an idiot. You should have been there when my parents walked in on the babysitter letting me watch Humanoids from the Deep . . . So back to The Thing. Saw it when it first hit HBO and instantly thought I was watching something special. Just notches above the other sci-fi and horror stuff I'd managed to see. But its also one that never disappoints and gets more mediocre like so many others did over the years. I'm watching it tonight . . .
-
Carpenter and his actors and crew play everything like it's real, which is so smart and respectful of the audience and which makes the movie doubly horrifying.
And The Thing (better than most films I can think of) brilliantly uses its environment -- the snow, the icy beards, the visible breath -- as another character in the movie. I think about the film and I shiver.
Saw it as a teen, also, and was a big booster of the film instantly (I'm proud to say). Truly great horror. -
I saw this in the theater, I was 22 years old and an avid reader of Fangoria and the other similar publications popular at the time. Ah, the days of disposable income, but I digress. I had seen the original and knew that it was well regarded, scared the heck out of my Dad. But honestly I wasn't impressed. I guess you had to be there back in '51. This film was an intense experience in the theater the first time. It's great fun to be in an audience full of frightened and astonished people. It was one of the first VHS tapes I had to own. I try not to watch the film too often, but it does seem to get better with repeated viewings. I only recently watched "In The Mouth Of Madness", and for me, that one comes in a close second for my favorite Carpenter film. Of course I saw "Halloween" in the theaters, dozens of times, always with a different date. I agree with those who don't watch modern horror films, I don't see the quality and care in the new films that I do in the 70's or 80's. Violence in and of itself is not scary. It's repulsive, but you don't take it home with you after the movie is over. I did like the recent "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark", more of an old school approach to the genre. Well written article, thanks. Interesting talk back, got me going down memory lane.
-
It is as if up until that point he was unsure about himself, but bound to a couch, facing the point of a flamethrower and giving it a few moments, he realizes things and events don't quite add up in his head, and yeah, is pretty sure he is "one of those things."
-
Jan 21, 2012 4:14:23 PM CST
Love how many people here talk abou seeing R rated films with parents in the 80's and loving it...
by mentaldominance
Today all they want is PG-13 kiddie fare...
LIKE THESE KIDS NEED PROTECTED?!??!
When I was 13, getting a hold of a porn mag was a big deal...
Now kids just Google up full HD pornos.
They Google up real beheadings...
I don't get the need to "protect" kids from decent art that's realistic when they are all
sexting to each other and watching whatever the fuck they want anyhow on the internet...
PG-13 is a cursed rating. When you come to a fork in the road - Should I use CGI or real f/x?
Should violence be depicted cartoonish or realistic and believable?
PG-13 just means they'll make all the bad decisions because PG-13 means IT'S OKAY FOR A 13 YEAR OLD TO SEE! -
really? Did Childs come off as a racist to you? Next time you analyze a film say stupid black people and see how that flies.
No to get off topic but people just saying shit like that piss me off. -
Probably 15. One of the aspects that didn't make sense to me (and I still question it) is Blair's suggestion that in so many months, the entire planet will be taken over. Because at that point, I was under the impression that The Thing was able to imitate organisms, but only one organism at a time. If chased out of that organism into the open, it would be exposed and had to find another organism to imitate. Once the Thing left that organism, it was a dead shell. I was never sure what they were describing was a virus that infected, or a parasite that inhabited. I guess the former, but the latter seems more interesting as a vehicle for tension within the story.
-
When they're doing the blood test and Windows takes the bloody knife and just wipes it on his jeans...seriously? Was he not paying attention earlier in the film?
However. Classic in ever way.
11/10 -
Jan 21, 2012 4:29:43 PM CST
Carpenter's The Thing is the most flawless horror film ever made.
by mr. moe
-
Read this. It's great. From The Thing's perspective.
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/watts_01_10/
It's not really a villain or evil, it just wants to survive. -
Great write up. Can't wait for more..
I can only assume the coup de grace is ET. -
Kaufman's Body Snatchers remake is indeed an overlooked classic. And Spock's in it.
-
Yes, I wish they used more practical F/X, but it was a very enjoyable film overall, just being stuck in the unenviable position of having to follow up a genuine genre classic (see also Jaws 2 and Psycho II...rock-solid sequels that got raked over the coals by critics just for EXISTING, rather than being legitimately bad movies). I saw that last October, then followed it up with the Blu-Ray of the Carpenter film when I got home, and that made it even more enjoyable. It even included some ideas that Carpenter must have overlooked (like how the Thing can't replicate inorganic matter, thus identifying infected victims by the lack of fillings in their teeth). Maybe in a few years, it'll be more readilly accepted as a respectful continuation of the Carpenter film.
-
Blair - You know it was war MacReady. You were just following orders. You're not to blame.
MacReady - That doesn't bring all those dead Vietnamese back that I killed though does it?
Blair -(silence)
Macready - Doest it!
Blair - No I guess it doesn't.
MacReady - By the way, that's where I learned to fly a copter and why i like to be by myself. And it explains my drinking problem.
Blair - Thanks for the back story.
MacReady - No problemo.
Then they hug. -
Theres a peoce of fan fiction called The Things that tells the story from the aliens perspective, it's easily found online, check it out, it's excellent
-
Does Keith David know David Keith?
-
I believe he was human, but I think at that point they're both too tired to care. If they're human they're pretty much dead anyways so it doesn't even matter. I think it fits that this incredible story would occur but no one survives to talk about it. At least that's how I've chosen to see it. A lot of films wouldn't allow that ending because of it's ambiguity, which makes it all the more fascinating even years later.
Interesting thoughts here, but next time don't be afraid to write more! I'm excited for the next time I get to watch it! -
Maybe the Thing was just making a vehicle capable of getting it to more humans.
-
Whatever happened to him? (and don't tell me that CGI put him out of business. Rick Baker and the KNB folks are still plenty active.) His work was a true game-changer in THE HOWLING.
-
And two of those are "remakes" or adaptions of a book/short story.
That's why I, unlike the majority, don't get all pissy when a remake of a movie is announced.
There's always a chance to do it "right" or better. If not, you still have the original. -
Simple idea that conveys the concept of the film and its frigid context. And I like that it's somewhat abstract. There would have been no way to convey the grotesque horror of the film in a poster, so doing that obliquely with an abstract image was IMHO a smart move.
-
As long as we're passing our opinions around as facts, that is.
I don't do the all caps thing, even in homage. -
Jan 21, 2012 5:10:08 PM CST
I remember thinking after the trifecta of Used Cars in 1980, Escape from NY in 1981 and The Thing in 1982
by m6y
that Kurt Russell could just do no wrong.
And I was right. -
One of the best lines from cinema.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SppG-I_Dhxw
it is well done and makes a LOT of sense. Even if you have seen this film hundreds of times, there are some points brought up here that will be fresh. -
Sorry man didn't see your post, didn't mean to cut in on your action
-
I posted The Things link in one of my posts. It's more than internet fan fiction; I believe it even won some awards.
-
Along with Halloween, Escape from new york, The Fog, Assault on precinct Thirteen...So, basically, John carpenter was the master of making movies that, to this day, i can put on, on a weekend (preferably when it's raining outside and the wind is battering the windows) And no matter that i know every line of dialogue, everything that's coming..I can still enjoy and watch, and...fuck it!, I could write about this movie forever if i was articulate enough!
And actually i get angry that it didn't get the credit it deserved at the time! It's not ET's fault, It's just...I think this movie was way ahead of it's time, That's why critics only just, lately decided to jump on the bandwagon and decide that it is, in fact, a masterpiece!
John Carpenter now, just seems like he doesn't give a shit. Happy to Just sit around and smoke and let hacks remake his classics and just accept the Royalties..
But then when you make a movie like this and it flops, both critically and commercially...I dont blame him.
The only thing i remember about the Ward is how much i want to tongue Amber Heards butthole.
And now...that's all i can think about so...goodnight. :)
-
It's cool. The more people that read it the better.
-
Jan 21, 2012 5:24:35 PM CST
One of my fav's of all time, like Alien it's the everyman characters that make it so absorbing. That is the only problem I have with Prometheus, the 'beautiful people' cast as opposed to the weary crew from Alien.....
by drstrangerlove
....The Thing is a film i still like to watch now and then, the dialogue - especially the dark humour - is still top notch.
Watch The Thing, or Alien, and then watch Transformers dark of the Moon, then ask yourself where it all went wrong.
Sure we have the awesome technology of 21st century SFX, but it seems the price of eye candy is the neglect of a decent story. -
this is Second. Granted the Thing is a better film all around.
God, it really is damn near perfect.
The Dark Horse comics were the bomb! there was a 2-issue that followed right after the end of the film.
Both Childs and Mac are alive, and not the thing.
A rescue crew comes and gets infected by the burnt bodies, then they had a 4-issue where they examine what would happen if the thing gets out of a cold environment, and ends up in the hot jungle.
Good stuff! check them out if you haven't.
Really enjoy all of the talkbackers in this one, and their stories.
Except Creepythinman. I fucking hate you, bitch.
Everyone else rocks! -
Yeah those comics are good. Dark Horse really made some great continuing stories out of The Thing/Aliens/Terminator/Predator.
-
Jan 21, 2012 5:34:12 PM CST
Where can I get a decent sized print of the Struzan poster?
by soylentmean
It seems like it's really hard to find. This and Jurassic Park, which just feels weird.
-
Regarding the new "The Thing" and how the creature acts 'differently' than in the 1982 film, I personally looked at it as this (the new film) was the first time the creature ever came across humans. It had never come across anything where simply hiding it's form was not enough, so by the time it deals with the other team at the American facility, it's learned it has to be more careful, devious, & cunning when dealing with man.
By the way, that pic there you have of the "Dog Thing" wasn't by Bottin. It was by Stan Winston. All the rest were done by Rob Bottin.
I still don't know when Blair gets it, but I have always believed that he already was a Thing by the time he's looking at the statistics on the computer and the Blair-Thing is shaking it's head because that's going to take entirely too long. It must get itself isolated so it can work in private on a craft to escape and escalate it's timetable. -
Palmer: You gotta be kidding.
-
love da thing!
-
Jan 21, 2012 5:48:56 PM CST
'I'd rather not spend the rest of the winter TIED TO THIS FUCKING COUCH!'
by drstrangerlove
FUCKING GENIUS DIALOGUE!!
-
Makes you wonder why hollywood, never even blinked in that direction.
All of those comics would have made wonderful films.
It was there for the taking. Oh well, sometimes that is just the way it is.
Sure sparked my imagination, though.
The Terminator and Alien, and predator comics were all Pimp!
-
That was funny.
-
In depth and concise.
-
Jan 21, 2012 5:59:33 PM CST
On the Legend audio commentary Ridley Scott said that Bottin is directing now.
by jackiebissetstshirtfan
He also said that they clashed mightily during the Legend shoot, became great pals after they wrapped production, and remain so to this day.
GREAT artical. The Thing's a damn gem is what it is.
-
...along with Alien and The Evil Dead (not sci-fi, but who cares?). Truly genius movie.
-
Probably the best canine "performances" ever captured on film.
-
11 when I saw The THING and 9 when I saw Alien. Its funny how parental sensibilities have changed!
That being said, these movies in many ways shaped who I am to day. Or in other words; head in the clouds, always dreaming, making great art and wanting the world to be a better place full of potential and possibility.
These films taught me that you can create AMAZING things and not to listen to those who tell you different. -
I don't understand anyone who says it was enjoyable. It was a hollow shell of Carpenter's and was just fucking horrible. The Thing showed up way too much and at pointless times and by the last 15 minutes of the film I'd seen enough and walked out. Pure Hollywood remake trash. Fuck the new one. Having said that, the other films are both masterpieces in their own rights. Great films!
-
It's the only rational way to ensure that the Thing dies with them, since there was no way for either of them to know that the other was NOT the Thing. Their distrust was what saved the rest of humanity. That's what I love about the end.
A VERY well-written article, thank you!! -
i never saw this film,it just kind of alluded me,i mean we all have one of them right?,one of my mates has never seen Jaws for fuck sake!,true story.
Anyway i think its damn time i checked this out! -
I thought it was pretty good for entertainment value. I wasn't looking for the cure to cancer with this movie. It very far from perfect and No, it's not the Classic(s) the previous two THING movies were but I thought it was entertaining and you could tell that the film makers cared. It sure beat seeing another Paranormal Activity or a another Transformers movie.
My 13 year old Stepson LOVED the 2011 movie! As soon as we got home he begged to watch the Carpenter movie. After watching that he said he was blown away. He really loved the intelligent Sci Fi versus the crap he has been subjected too at the theaters.
So before we slag on this remake or other remakes keep in mind these movies interest those who weren't around or don't remember the classics to see those originals.
Now sadly we won't get a sequel to the Carpenter story because people didn't get the same boner with the 2011 movie than they got with the 1982 movie. Shame. :(
-
I guess you've all seen this, but its Pingu's version of The Thing, and it bloody rocks!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPPxI_qEzsI -
Please, get on that, and check it off your list.
But yes, Everyone one has a film they haven't seen.
Don't feel bad, just watch and enjoy.
It's a brilliant film. -
My mom took me to see many R rated movies - The Thing, Blade Runner, etc...and these were the defining cinematic experiences of my childhood. It blows me away that PG-13 has become the movie standard creating so many unrealistic, unscary movies - pale comparisons to the great shit I grew up on.
-
cool parents.
-
I read somewhere online that an earlier draft of the script made explicit that MacReady has the flame thrower strapped on underneath his blanket. I like to think that's why he smiles at the end.
Fits with the theory that Childs is The Thing and MacReady realises so when Childs accepts the whiskey bottle without fear of being infected.
Wish I could find the article again. I'll post a link if I track it down.
-
Jan 21, 2012 7:19:51 PM CST
darkplanet: So true you just described in words wha I wish film makers today understood...
by mentaldominance
There is an underlying power to the period we were born in and being shown
films like ALIEN and THE THING when we were kids. This power infected us
in a positive way - gave us standards. Let us know, as you beautifully put it,
that we can create amazing thigns and to not listen to those who say otherwise.
It seems nothing like this exists anymore. Art that has a positive effect.
You can't quantify it. It's magic. Magic just doesn't happen anymore.
That's my point. All the elements that came together to bring the top artists
in all areas at the times these films were made together... Today there aren't
any top artist to be brought together. The art is lifeless and dea.
No passion is involved and no statement is made. You can SENSE the artistry.
You can FEEL it when you watch these films. It's another world. They take you
to another world. And films today just don't do this. When we life in a world
where some supposed FANS can actually say it doesn't matter if a film is PG-13
then you know the standards are just gone. -
The sickly way he makes that tape recording, essentially citing his eulogy before it claims him fully, though some could say he was drunk. You never hear what else he had to record before his remark on hiding the tape. Maybe he knew. Not surprisingly the next scene involves a shadowy figure taking out the lights, as well as Fuchs, who just happens to find MacReady's shredded cloths, not mere moments after MacReady has a conversation with him. MacReady is the one who got to the blood, and used a small sample he stole to assuage his guilt during the blood test (you never see him cut his finger.) Finally he infects Blair when he leaves his infected booze for him in the shack after his rampage. As to why he kills the other things, maybe their competitive, I don't know. But it makes the supposedly open ending a bit more obvious. The Thing MacReady hands his infected bottle of booze to Childs, and right as Childs drinks it that music kicks in, and the film closes on a Thing MacReady slowly laughing, assured of its possible survival once the rescue team eventually claims both of their frozen bodies. Thats how I always saw it, at least. Either way, a fucking masterpiece.
-
Jan 21, 2012 7:28:37 PM CST
I saw it first advertised in HEAVY METAL magazine with BLADE RUNNER, though my entry point to THE THING was FANGORIA and FAMOUS MONSTERS magazines.
by justmyluck
All I remember was that I originally missed it because we opted to see BLADE RUNNER opening night instead of THE THING, which didn't play for long after release. At that point I was also busy (re)watching E.T. and STII. I did get to see THE THING a few years after release on VHS and, finally, in theaters when it became a midnight/cult movie. While excellent on many levels, Rob Bottin made that movie what it is today.
-
Its a mildly intuitive thing to say i suppose but it doesnt stand up to scrutiny. If a film is popular does that make anything different unpopular? Counter programming has been proven many times to be very effective in the cinema. I remember how it was back then and it was simply the case that people couldnt see past the huge amount of blood and gore effects work because it was shocking and overwhelming at the time. For a long time people refused to accept that there might be a great film lurking among all those effects.
-
I had to watch it tonight. Still great and I like to think Mac and Childs were still human. Great movie. Tops Alien but but just so......
-
Jan 21, 2012 8:04:49 PM CST
I can assue you E.T. played big all summer (and after) while the other movies came and went.
by justmyluck
As validated by E.T.'s no. 1 all-time box office position at year's end.
-
Jan 21, 2012 8:39:52 PM CST
a view of Who is Who in the final scene according to the producer....
by boxwino
Well, enough boilerplate. Most of you want to know who was who in the final scene. Unsurprisingly, there is no definitive answer but I can tell you what Bill Lancaster thought when he wrote it - he believed both men were human. He felt this was the most poetic way to end things - two individuals moved beyond exhaustion, framed in a tableau of fire and ice, having a last drink in the Antartica night before freezing to death. I subscribe to this view. I can not, however with 100% certainty tell you that John agrees with this - what I can say is that given the fact this scene still bears the remnants of this massive re-working with many hands it is counterintuitive for me to think that there exists a hidden level of meaning that offers clues to identity (The J&B bottle being passed back and forth, Childs lack of breath in several cuts, ect. ). Believe me, all we were trying to do was keep the scene in the movie...
-
http://theoriginalfan.blogspot.com/2011/10/ending-you-almost-saw.html
-
I'm a huge Thing fan...love the people still think about it. SHOCKER...I liked the new one, too.
-
It's interesting that both THE THING and BLADE RUNNER, which opened the same day, were both about faux humans and each ended ambivalently about the human-or-not status of the main character(s).
-
As we all agree this film is the most finely crafted horror film ever made, we can't ignore the slow crawl just before the climax that shows the stairs leading UP from the furnace room to the door Childs was guarding, ergo, Blair crept up behind Childs and Thinged him. Then Childs went into the night to safety. Later when he sees the camp go up in flames, he comes back to see what the hell's goin down. This also explains why Blair attacks Macready without being provoked/discovered (unlike the rest of the human/thing encounters in the movie)... Mac's got Blair cornered in the furnace room, therefore Blair thinks, 'fuck it, rook takes queen' attacks in full tentacle mode knowing that either way there's ANOTHER thing out there (Childs) just in case he doesn't survive. Also note the dog thing bursting from Blair's stomach, proving (to me anyway) that Blair was taken by the dog thing's burnt corpse early in the movie. I don't buy the whole virus aspect of the thing mythos, despite it being implicitly stated that a 'single cell is enough to take over a whole organism' i prefer the horrifying notion of being eaten by the fucker, so i surmise that all the others were 'thinged' while Mac and Copper were at the Norwegian camp. But anyway, sorry, drunk, stoned, etc. Good article by the way.
-
Childs/Thing doesn't attack because Mac just aced the massive 'thing' a few moments earlier. In this game of chess, Childs/Thing isn't sure if Mac has one last trick up his sleeve.
I like to think Mac has a flamethrower strapped under his jacket ready to take him out... a few moments after the screen goes black. -
I say so. Giggle
-
Jan 21, 2012 9:34:57 PM CST
=and each ended ambivalently about the human-or-not status of the main character(s). =
by killik
what are you talking about? In BR,at least in the theatrical version,it is pretty clear that Deckard is human,besides this ambiguity was not even one of the movie's themes.Then Ridley tried to retcon it but that's another story.
-
Jan 21, 2012 9:53:55 PM CST
I love the way in the commentary, Carpenter says that Childs is the Thing and the clue is that you can't see his breath in the cold air
by in6087
but when you watch the film, it's the other way round: you can see Childs's breath but not MacReady's.
I heard that commentary quite a while ago, so I may have the two characters the wrong way round, but anyway... -
Nice to see some love for Rob Bottin and
The HOWLING!
-
You must live in the city or are city folk...
Phones do not work everywhere there are tons of place that dont get signals...Much less Internet and cable still today...
VERIZON - SPRINT - AT&T are horrible in the DAKOTAS and SOTA sticks... and most don't work in Towns with 25 - 100K Populations... -
Opened on the same fucking day.
-
Everyone was so shocked by the graphic effects they didn't realize how amazingly subtle, yes subtle!, this movie actually was. I think Siskel actually gave this movie a thumbs up, because he got that aspect of it, but Ebert gave it a thumbs down and said it was the "barf bag movie of the year".
I need to find those old reviews...
Me personally, even as a young boy, I didn't understand why everyone kept talking about ET - sorry but The Thing and Blade Runner blew that corny shit away!! -
This and the Bad News Bears have always been in my top five and the two are rarely mentioned together, nor is the screenwriter given any credit. You can easily see that Lancaster's gift was creating characters out of seemingly cardboard cut-outs. He wasn't one to slight even the most trivial character. You absolutely knew who each member of Outpost #31 was just as easily as you could tell apart Tanner Boyle, Lupus and Ogilvey. Both films instantly quotable and both films the victim of remakes/reimaginings.
-
That's fanboy code for "I have an awesome headcanon for this." In other words, you have nothing to actually back up the supposed notion of the camp's relationships - and you could easily make the same level of assumptions about the prequel. '82's The Thing is great. It's not a miracle.
In other words: In this post, older things are flawless because they're old. -
I find your analysis, quite interesting.
Good job!
You do know that Houston500 is a porno?
I think ya do!
Goood job!
You are my new internet friend. -
I like you too.
-
Best commentary for a dvd ever.
Doesn't matter what you remember, or what they say.
They were drunk as a motherfuck.
Greatest commentary track ever. When the explosion happens, they tell you to look at the icecicles fall off the building.
Never noticed that.
Every thing else is, do you remember that, yeah, that was so fucking awesome to do.
Listen to the commentary track, it is unique. -
Jan 21, 2012 11:07:04 PM CST
Also much props to the late matte artist Albert Whitlock for his contribution to this film
by red_sun
IMDB. Impressive stretch of movies.
-
Jan 21, 2012 11:18:29 PM CST
The 1982 ending of BLADE RUNNER was always ambivalent about Deckard and, in fact, *what is to be human* was the film's main theme, which included Deckard's status as *human with a function*.
by justmyluck
As we know, Ridley Scott always thought Deckard was a Replicant. To the contrary, Ford thought Deckard was human and played him that way. Even making the film, Scott and Ford never agreed on it.
In 1992, Ridley Scott yanked the studio's tagged-on ending & narration, and only added in the *unicorn dream* for LESSEN Deckard's ambivalent status and the ending's overall AMBIGUITY, which was *always there*.
http://www.google.com/search?q=blade+runner+ambiguity
Movie With the Best Ambiguous Ending: #2 BLADE RUNNER.
http://www.rankopedia.com/Movie-With-the-Best-Ambiguous-Ending/Step1/21479/.htm
ETC. -
You Give Creeps, a bad name.
Fuck you, bitch. -
Jan 21, 2012 11:28:06 PM CST
Notice how Whitlock has a cloud shadow roll over the buried UFO hatch.
by justmyluck
Classy.
-
Jan 21, 2012 11:31:49 PM CST
It's funny that while the remake was being discussed in a talkback
by winona_ryders_pussy_juice
that someone came to the conclusion that the movie was going to be a "pre-make." And that's exactly what it is. The story is a prequel, but they also ripped off scenes and ideas from the first film. I found the end interesting though, it was cool to see the inside of the alien ship. I kind of enjoyed watching the movie, it's not really that bad of a film, but I won't argue with anyone that says that it's pure shit. Does that make any sense?
-
A very respectable effort. I look forward to watching them back to back. The 1982 film is a phenomenon. Saw it when it came out and was floored. A true classic in every sense of the word.
-
Jan 21, 2012 11:38:23 PM CST
@iamzardoz: yes, it was BLADE RUNNER or THE THING opening night and, both being R-rated and my needing *accompaniment*, BR was the *adult's choice*.
by justmyluck
Needless to say, neither my parents nor my friends' parents wanted to see THE THING by the time it left theaters, so that had to wait for VHS.
-
Jan 21, 2012 11:42:30 PM CST
I saw the *pre-make* and thought it was pretty forgettable.
by justmyluck
I actually gave it a review of sorts, if you search my handle in here:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/51589 -
Look, anyone who went into the new prequel movie expecting anything even remotely close to the greatness of the original film was seriously delusional. I ended up actually enjoying it simply because I had very low expectations going in. I had just been burned too many times in the last few years by remakes to go into this one all excited and pumped up. Compared to the AVP movies, the Nightmare on Elm Street/Friday the 13th/Halloween redo's, and every other lame, unnecessary remake that's come out lately, The Thing prequel is actually a surprisingly effective movie. Hell, at least the producers had the balls to try the whole "prequel" route at all. I mean, at the end of the day, its still very much your basic remake, but they try very hard to please the die-hard fans of the original by tying many plot points together. I'm not saying this is a great movie. There are some very ridiculous characters, and the Thing just behaves too differently in this film compared to the original. But at the end of the day, the studios that greenlight these types of movies never really give them a fighting chance...they force the directors to make these 90 minute cuts of their movies with these so-called "marketable" young actors, and then we act so surprised that there's no character development. Put it this way...John Carpenter would have never been able to release his vision of The Thing in 2011 with the studios the way they are today. So enjoy The Thing prequel for what it is...pretty much one of the better horror remakes, outside of Let Me In, to come out in the last few years (I know that isn't saying much). And its a movie that has probably caused a lot of people, who'd never seen the original, to go out and rent it just to see what happened to that "Thing" dog they're chasing in the helicopter.
-
What was he thinking?
-
I've been slowly going through the series, and it delivers an excellent slice of 90s notalgia that I oddly missed out on at the time; 'Ice', thus far, has been my favourite. It was both a great homage/rip-off of Carpenter's classic, and a nice viewing experience on its own.
Just about to watch 'Firewalker'. -
Jan 22, 2012 1:20:32 AM CST
Also, the Blu-ray release of this flick was a fucking miracle!
by thefirerises
Wasn't expecting the treatment of it by Universal to be all that stellar when the Blu was announced. Was kind of thinking it'd turn out like all those other DVD-transferred-to-Blu films, like Heat, or American Psycho.
Instead the transfer is fucking incredible, it doesn't seem to have aged a day. It also includes the original commentary, picture-in-picture stuff, and the entire 80 minute documentary that was mentioned above (albeit in standard def, but I don't think a hi def varient exists).
Anyway, for the price, I would recommend the absolute shit out of it. Put your money down if you have yet to. Love that they also retained the original Stuzman poster as the cover; so many other 'classic' 80s horror flicks that receive Blu transfers these days end up with shitty covers. The recent DVD covers of The Fog and Escape from New York come to mind...
When it comes to classic geek flick Blu transfers, The Thing stands right up there, with only Blade Runner and Alien's fucking incredible 4K transfers providing any competition. -
at the Baxter Avenue Theater in Louisville KY
Be there AND be square! -
I ran a screening room back in the day and Carpenter used to come in and look at tapes of various actors for THE THING. I wish my memory was better but the only actor I can specifically recall him looking at was William Daniels. By the way, calling it a 'middling success at the box office' is charitable. At the time it was considered an out and out failure. (Nevertheless, I love the movie. And the original too!)
-
did Kurt Russell model Macready on 'L.A Woman' Jim Morrison?
-
Jan 22, 2012 2:30:13 AM CST
To the sci fi and horror fans who didn't see this in 1982.
by hallmitchell
And were old enougth go.
Fuck You! -
Rob Bottin is became a real estate agent and dropped out of film work by the time that the Legend commentary was made. he is now currently confirmed to be a Real Estate Agent in LA. he has so removed himself from the business that he did not even go to the set or the shop to see the Prequel practicals be made by ADI. And Gillis and Woodruff knew him well back in the day and they did not know how to get ahold of him.
-
Jan 22, 2012 3:15:50 AM CST
@giggitygoo it is my understanding that the person who played the shaddow is not Norris
by kabookieslap
It is my understanding that the person in that scene is someone from the crew whose body resembled a few people in the crew, but was not any of the actors. That way you could not say "Oh that is this person" That way he was still able to kept it ambiguous.
-
Jan 22, 2012 3:20:13 AM CST
My take on the way the ting acted in the prequel as opposed to Carpenters film was
by kabookieslap
In the prequel it was in more of an attack mode as it knew it had a way to get off the planet, which was it's ship. However, when the ship was destroyed, it had to hide it's presence well because it had to bide it's time and take out technology to build another ship. But when Mac and them destroyed that ship, it went back onto attack mode again. by the time there are 3 of them prepping the basement to blow up, Blair -thing is definitely in attack mode again as it just lost it's new way to get out of there again..
-
That was one hell of a summer for movie goers.
-
Jan 22, 2012 3:25:25 AM CST
@ jackiebissetstshirtfan He is in the Legend Documentary but working on his last film
by kabookieslap
by that time, which was makeup EFX for Mr. Deeds. IMDB does not list him in any directing positions. I think by then he was seeing the writing on the wall and wanted nothing to do with CGI. But like I said it is confirmed that he is in Real Estate Now.
-
Jan 22, 2012 3:26:58 AM CST
Oops, no it was Serving Sarah is Bottin's last film in 2002,
by kabookieslap
which was in production in 2001-2002.
-
...just sayin', Brimley Rocks.
-
I realized that the "Legaend"commentary was a bit old but dang, man. Well, if that real estate thing doesn't work out maybe he'll dive back in the game. Thanks for the update.
-
Jan 22, 2012 4:27:57 AM CST
=The 1982 ending of BLADE RUNNER was always ambivalent about Deckard and, in fact, *what is to be human* was the film's main theme, which included Deckard's status as *human with a function*. by justmyluck Ignore Hilite =
by killik
WRONG.FACT.
-
It's kinda clear that one of them is The Thing at the end... Childs is more likely but it could be MacReady...
I think the key is in the "We'll see what happens line" because I think Mac knows they can't just "freeze to death" as if either has been taken over it would be game over once the rescue team come...
I always figured that Mac still had a flare or grenade in his pocket and would end up smashing the whisky and setting he and Child's alight or blowing them both up just to be sure... -
The defibrillator arm amputations/ The blood sensitivity test with the wire/ The spider head/ The dog kennel scene/ just to name a few. On blu ray the film looks spectacular. I absolutely rate this film in my top ten horror films ever. Carpenter's 80s work was some of the most underrated stuff ever to come out of the US. Prince of Darkness still chills me to this day.
-
By a whisker. Simply because it is so damn terrifying whebn you are 12 years old. Other than that, it is hard to seperate them. Carpenter's two best films by plenty.
-
one of the greatest games ever..
http://www.amazon.com/Thing-Xbox/dp/B00006C296 -
Jan 22, 2012 5:33:14 AM CST
Headgeek-you think you know what John Carpenter thinks? Well I just happen to HAVE Mr. Carpenter here...
by randy_of_aftimes
Well, sorta.
Someone asked Mr. Carpenter that question at a carreer retrospective at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood and his answer was "That was a crew member who wasn't actually in the film."
How do I know this?
I was there and I reported on it almost ten years ago to the day... here at AICN!
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/11352
Nordling-the article was great as well as the series. 1982 is arguably the greatest year for genre films. Hell-the greatest SUMMER! Three months saw eight genre classics released. EIGHT!
I was VERY lucky to see it in theater in1982.
I was excited to see the film. I remember reading about it in Starlog, reading the original John W. Campbell Jr.’s story “Who Goes There?” and seeing the trailer before Conan The Barbarian. I still think it’s one of the best trailers out there
Living in Massachusetts at that time, the world of Hollywood and the movies felt oh-so-far-away, existing only in magazines, entertainment shows and “Standby-Lights! Camera! Action!”
So, I was thrilled to see in the paper that there was a sneak preview being done nearby at the (late) Dedham Showcase Theater on the Sunday before release. So I and my friend Michael got dropped off by his dad at the theater and we went in, excited to buy our tickets- and were promptly denied.
Why? Because we were 13-yr olds trying to get into a R-rated movie.
YES, there was a time that theaters actually followed ratings.
Dejected and panicked, we tried to figure another way and actually managed to get someone to buy us tickets. Probably the first and only time I ever did that. Because Michael and I WOULD NOT BE DENIED!
It was the first of MANY times that I would watch John Carpenter’s THE THING.
I usually watch it once a year.
NEVER get tired of watching it.
And, YES, if you can see it on the big screen with an audience. It works soooo well.
RANDY -
The bottle of whiskey.
One of the guys who it turns out is The Thing (sorry, can't remember which) is seen with the bottle.
Later we see that bottle with MacReady, on the desk. The cam stays on it a second too long, letting us know - if we're paying attention... -
Man, I never got over this film. I still watch it at least twice year.
I saw it with a bunch of friends on video tape in 1983 when it was first released (we were all too young to see it in theatres). I still remember their shocked faces as the credits rolled.
It was the first film I ever bought on video, and the first film I ever bought on DVD (it was the reason I bought a DVD player!). Nearly 30 years later it remains my favourite film ever. It hasn't aged a day.
Although I'd be cautious about tampering with the definitive original cut, I'd love to see it re-released to theatres with additional material, Apocalypse Now - Redux style. Any chance, Mr. Carpenter? -
Jan 22, 2012 6:26:00 AM CST
And let's not forget how Bottin's designs/The Thing influenced VGs like Dead Space and RE 4 & 5
by stalkeye
Bottin+Carpenter=Legendary!!
-
Was the reaction to the remake really an angry one? I moved in a lot of movie geek circles back then and I dont recall anyone I spoke to being negative about the idea of remaking the movie. I was an avid Starlog reader back then too (in the pre-internet days it was the best source of info about upcoming genre movies) and again dont recall seeing anyone being negative about it there either.
My recollection is that most people thought the Hawks/Nyby version had actually dated very badly and isnt really the classic it is thought to be. I havent seen it in years so cant comment with authority on this, but certainly I'm sure that was the view back then amongst the majority of movie geeks I knew.
-
I know it wasnt well recieved but I thought it was a pretty decent flick.
Sure it wasn't a patch on Carpenter's film, but on its own merits it was quite a superior horro movie compared with most of the rubbish put out these days and absolutely was NOT the train wreck that idiot Harry Knowles claimed it was. -
Jan 22, 2012 7:00:34 AM CST
I thought it would be worth sharing this for all fans of The Thing
by amazing maurice
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/watts_01_10/
-
Jan 22, 2012 7:41:17 AM CST
=the Hawks/Nyby version had actually dated very badly and isnt really the classic it is thought to be.=
by killik
FACT.
-
... AFTER 'ALIEN' AND 'THE THING', WHY BOTHER WITH ANYTHING ELSE?
-
Jan 22, 2012 9:58:16 AM CST
This movie and Time Bandits. Great movies with sad endings.
by tangcameo
-
Jan 22, 2012 10:40:57 AM CST
ABSOLUTELY correct in terms of its re-watchability. I think I've seen it at LEAST 50 times - at least - I could watch it on a loop.
by dasheight
-
Jan 22, 2012 10:47:31 AM CST
Someone puked in their popcorn in the theater the first time I saw it.
by ultratron
The second time I saw it I was with relatives and had already seen ET so I walked out of ET into Thing. I remember just being amazed by how awesome the gore was. I was only able to stomach it because of Beast Within, AWIL, Howling, Scanners and the nazi face melt and head explode in raiders. I remember being terrified by just the poster for scanners. It was just something from a dark place. I'm certain that the apex of filmmaking was taking place between 77 and 82
-
Jan 22, 2012 10:50:27 AM CST
We still need a thing sequel where Kurt Russell plays the thing.
by ultratron
It's now 2012 and russell's thing is happily married with a thing family that encompasses the entire face of the earth
-
Jan 22, 2012 10:52:20 AM CST
I remember just having the alien described to me before I ever saw the movie.
by ultratron
And the movie described was just- wtf?! Are you kidding me?!
-
to the great era of dark sci-fi cinema.
-
Jan 22, 2012 10:56:36 AM CST
Anyone know who the chick is who does the opening narration of
by ultratron
Escape from New York? And the toy factory voice on the intercom in Halloween 3. I know who it is but I won't tell you.
-
Jan 22, 2012 11:36:39 AM CST
I'd like to see a sequel where the thing takes over the homicide department in The Wire
by in6087
-
... and they looked amazing. you can find videos of them being shot on set and tested if you just google "Thing remake practical effects". It's really a shame that a ton of them were replaced or mapped over with CGI. I'd love to sit down and discuss the reasoning behind this.
Did it start as just "using the CGI to cover the seams" and then get way out of control?
Did the studio not like the look of the practical? Did the creative team not like it? Did it look fake on film?
Because for all the shit that was spewed at the remake, look up those videos and watch them, you'll LOVE some of the gags they cooked up practically. -
http://tinyurl.com/2wynk7s
-
I envy people whose parents took them to R rated movies, but when HBO and The Movie Channel arrived, mine basically threw up their hands and let me watch whatever I wanted at home. I'm sure most teenagers of my generation saw a lot more R rated movies at home on cable when your parents were gone than you did first run in the theaters. Especially all that 80's soft core T&A stuff hahaha.
-
Jan 22, 2012 11:59:39 AM CST
Thoroughly agree. I remember the VHS cover used to scare the heck out of me.
by mr nicholas
-
Jan 22, 2012 12:02:46 PM CST
Another huge difference between 1982 Thing and 2011 Thing
by misterdarcy
Carpenter's movie allows around 40 minutes to elapse before the shit hits the fan. Tension, intrigue and fear are allowed to build.
There are layers to the revelation. The opening scene itself is mysterious and intriguing. We see things that are somewhat disgusting in the form of the Norwegian camp corpses, but they're seemingly dead and not a threat. The first scene of direct Thing contact is with dogs, not humans.
Carpenter understands that the threat of stuff to come can be just as thrilling as the stuff itself. Many directors of that era understood this. It's something that seems to have been forgotten.
The Thing 2011 is ADD horror. The movie tips its hand way too early. The breakout of the creature from the ice comes too soon in the film, and is badly mishandled. We see a human thing not long after. There's no buildup of tension. It's a boring film as a consequence. -
The opening narration in Escape From New York is Debra Hill, I believe.
-
http://tinyurl.com/799n3t4
-
Jan 22, 2012 12:09:00 PM CST
Trying to impose a definitive interpretation on the end of The Thing
by misterdarcy
Pointless, imo. I don't think there is one. I doubt even Carpenter or Bill Lancaster had any one true interpretation in mind. Read into it what you like.
-
'So many films nowadays need to tell the backstory of every character so as to easily explain every single motivation.'
Totally agree. Many great movies tell us almost nothing about the characters' backgrounds other than what we can infer from their decisions, actions and dealings with others.
In addition, many people assume - wrongly - that clear character development is vital in order for any movie to achieve a high level of quality. This is also total bullshit. Movies are the equivalent of novellas, not novels, and novellas frequently do not have the time to include realistic character development. -
Jan 22, 2012 1:00:55 PM CST
Re: WRONG.FACT. You know you're right on the button once met with *official denial*.
by justmyluck
-
Jan 22, 2012 1:26:19 PM CST
IMO, all the creature effects in the film have aged wonderfully, except the final Blair-Thing
by alexdk
It just stands there, flailing very awkwardly. Wonderful monster design, but it just doesn't work as good as the flesh flower or the Norris-Thing. I wonder if they were running out of SFX budget at that point.
-
I am hardly your biggest fan, but that was one damned fine read there, sir!
-
Jan 22, 2012 1:39:28 PM CST
=You know you're right on the button once met with *official denial*.=
by killik
WRONG.FACT.
-
Jan 22, 2012 1:47:31 PM CST
=I wonder if they were running out of SFX budget at that point. =
by killik
They were.Carpenter has confirmed this in his interviews.In fact the whole ending was rushed because they were out of money.Which explains why i find the ending weak.
You have 4 men who are ready to fight the thing,they make a plan and they go for it and in the next 5m of the movie,two of them get assimilated (the one off-screen),the thing makes a big appearance,the whole base gets destroyed and that's it.Everything happens very quickly and with little suspense.
But despite the weak ending,the Thing remains one of the best horror movies ever.Even better than Alien in some cases. -
Here's why. If Macready was a thing, then why would it destroy the Blair thing? Wouldn't it join up with the other creature and finish off Childs and the rest of the team? At no point in the movie do we see a known Thing-infected person attack another thing, so it seems a given that it won't willing destroy itself.
As for Childs, if he were the thing in the end, then he'd have nothing left to lose by assimilating Macready, who was suffering from hypothermia, exhaustion and frostbite at that point. As Macready said, if they had any surprises left, there wasn't much they could do about it. The thing could take Macready, freeze over and wait for the rescue team to arrive or try to head towards the mainland.
As for the film, it is truly great. A shame that almost no one in Hollywood today would have the balls to have a film conclude with such an ambiguous and depressing ending. Can't have the audience leave on a downer note these days. I wonder if The Thing would have done better if ET hadn't come out that summer. Maybe. Or maybe Conan or Blade Runner or another film would've stolen its thunder. -
Jan 22, 2012 3:17:18 PM CST
Don't forget that Stan Winston made the freaky hairless dog thing. Also
by ecto-1
I've always thought that the final Blair monster looked a little clunky. I've not heard about them running out of money for this creation, rather that Carpenter preferred the puppet that Bottin and his crew made to the stop-motion model done by Randy Cooke. There was quite a bit of stop-motion footage shot but only a fraction of it was used. Now, when it comnes to the money running out issue, I did recently read over on the P.E.G. Facebook group that when the dog's head pops out of the Blair-monster, he wanted it stretch right out and chase after MacCreedy, but the money wasn't there to do it. Damn shame.
-
because Childs didn't know what Macready had hidden under his jacket. Couldn't risk finding out the hard way.
-
At least in the short story The Thing is based on, Who Goes There, the humans win.
I recently re-read it and Carpenter kept surprisingly close to that story. The major difference was the aliens ability to read minds. -
In more than one interview given at the time he stated that stop motion "strobes to beat the band".
Even though Phil Tippett's ground breaking go-motion work in Dragonslayer demonstrated you could introduce naturalistic blurring in stop motion. -
Jan 22, 2012 5:49:44 PM CST
People... Even if THE THING 2011 had no CGI it would still suck.
by mentaldominance
There is far more wrong with this shit fest than poor CGI.
The movie fails on all accounts.
The fact there are AMERICANS pigeonholed into it is the first huge fail.
The fact most of the actors were in diapers in the 80's and have no idea what they're doing.
The fact the set design was terrible and fake looking and you never ever feel cold.
The fact they use CGI breath.
The fact THE THING doesn't act like it's supposed to act. Don't give me bullshit about it
not knowing anything about humans yet. It didn't even have time to thaw out yet it's
running around, creating Resident Evil CGI centipede clones, etc. busting out of ice when
it's still frozen - It's not SUPER THING! It's still an organism and even though it can imitate
anything that doesn't give it the ability to disregard physical reality.
The fact there's a CHICK in it from America who really doesn't do anything but play
the character who somehow figures everything out but with zero reason behind WHY
she's able to figure it out... Maybe she watched Carpenter's THE THING?
The absolute failure in creature design and execution.
Even if it was executed properly, the designs were RETARDED for the most part.
The attempts at making it look like a prequel when it's just another poorly done reboot.
The horrifying possibility that they may attempt to make more of the films.
-
Jan 22, 2012 5:54:53 PM CST
ANd come on it was Debra Hill who did those voices, everyone knows that...
by mentaldominance
-
Jan 22, 2012 6:01:09 PM CST
Debra Hill didnt do the narration voice in EFNY.That was Jamie Lee Curtis.
by killik
But Debra Hill and her two puppies was in EFNY.
-
.....to Carpenter's 82 version of The Thing???
Yes, i'd say that is a legitimate question. Especially to all of the haters standing in line to bash the 2011 version!
But wait...what gives you any ground to stand on in this fight Dr.??? Sez you haters! Let me digress only for a moment to say, Wayyyyy back in 1982 when I was a mere lad. In the briefest 7 days in history....I saw The Thing 3 times in the short week it was on. Before the critics and oh yes...the haters....ran it from the theatres. In the 30 years since....(goddamn has it been that long???) Yes, It has! :[ But in the 30 years since I have watched only 2 other films as many times as I have The Thing. (Creature from the Black Lagoon and Patton) I have waited 30 years, that's right 30 years!!! For someone to do something elase with The Thing. Becausde "I love it" that much. So yes, I went to the theatre and watched the 2011 version. Did I enjoy it...."very much so." Was it better than Carpenter's version? No it wasn't. Did I want to see a "remake" of his film? Hell Friggin No! So then Dr. what is it you were hoping to see? Sez you haters! I think I'll let my good friend Macready answer that >>>"Yes, Haters. They dig it up. They cart it back. It gets thawed out, wakes up. Probably not in the best of moods ..."
And that dear movie fans is what I wanted to see. I wanted to see "exactly" what it was that Macready described!!!! An "Angry Thing" that has just awoke from a long winter's sleep. And is surrounded by "things" that it doesn't understand. And so >>>just like any other species that feels threatened or attacked (drillbit to the skull anyone) It lashed out in all of its THINGY GLORY! And guess what? It got it's collective ass kicked by a bunch of Swedes! (They're norwegians Mac) And by the time it had lost......it had...."gotten smarter." And by the time it ran all that 50 miles distance to Outpost 31 in dog form. It had realized that by the time it got there....it would have to be "smarter." And really, fellow narrow minded haters...that is all the setup you need to really enjoy a great effort (2011) to a wonderful film. (1982) Is it perfect, nah. Could it have been worse....(I cringe to think of the piece of warmed over shit we could have gotten from the Sci-Fi Channel. (Pardon me SyFy...Sci-Fi is back when it was actually good.) I can honestly say that as long as i've been coming to this site. I've "never" been more disappointed in Harry and a so called review, than I was in his 2011 Thing barrage. -
Urban myth. It was Debra Hill.
-
Nordling, how young are you? :)
Hardly anybody could afford a computer with a hard drive in 1982. MacReady is playing on an Apple II encased in a fake metallic prop case. The little flap Mac pulls down is where the floppy bays would have been, but they cut to what is obviously a fake prop with random circuitry inside for the drink pour.
Hard drives were EXPENSIVE in 1982. They only started to become standard on home computers or even cheap business PCs at the end of the 1980s. When I bought my first hard drive (for an Amiga) in 1990, it cost around $400 and had a capacity of 20 megabytes. (Yes, MEGABYTES.) -
...so far as I'm aware, that IS Adrienne Barbeau.
-
Internet scuttlebutt suggests it may be 'Kathleen Blanchard'. Whoever that is.
Maybe, like the ending of The Thing, we're not supposed to know the truth. -
I'd always taken the shared-drink ending as "a happy ending" of sorts (even if they were about to freeze to death). After all the mistrust, suspicion and paranoia, it's these two men saying "well, if we are going to die, we're going to do it TOGETHER".
But it's a great ending, however you read it.
-
They had an Apple II in 1982. Blimey, this must have been a very well-funded research base !!! :-). I don't imagine the beer incident went down well.
-
I'm guessing you've all seen this. As a child of the 80's, it melds two of my favs from that time period - Hasbro GI JOEs and JCTT.
http://youtu.be/rT7AH4JyuNs -
Jan 23, 2012 7:10:55 AM CST
dr.zeus - Harry's THING 2011 review was one of the few reviews of his that were spot on
by mentaldominance
The movie was terrible. Give it up.
You're thankful the Sci Fi channel version never got made?!?!?
Huh?! And how is THE THING 2011 any different/better than the average Sci Fi channel movie?
Senseless plot? Check.
Laughable CGI? Check.
Unrealistic environments? Check.
Unrealistic characters? Check.
Jaw droppingly retarded? Check.
Just because you have low standards doesn't mean the rest of us do.
If all you wanted to see was "an angry thing wake up" then be satisfied with the video game.
There was no thematic reason to make the film and the original (Carpenter's) is much more than the sum of it's parts. Can't stand it when people try to debate points - as if it's about any of that. Just grab some emotions and intuition and FEEL the indescribable difference. -
Can't you use GOOGLE?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/trivia -
Jan 23, 2012 11:59:37 AM CST
Nordling, your comment, "Potentially, it could be anyone...It’s all done through dialogue and acting, and it’s not spelled out for the audience...", is illustrated in one of my favorite details of set design/dressing.
by openthepodbaydoorshal
During the blood test scene, there is visible on the wall, in the background, a '50s style poster for VD with an illustration of a nurse and the message-"THEY AREN'T LABELED CHUM"..
...no they are not.
It's funny someone asked which Carpenter does one believe is better, The Thing or Halloween, because I has just rewatched Halloween over the weekend (I've lost count how many viewings). And, I think The Thing shows Carpenter at full control of his powers. Halloween is a grand demonstration of a major talent, but The Thing had Carpenter running on all cylinders. Every aspect of the film came together to serve a single vision. -
And THE THING 2011 never got any near John Carpenter's Version!
I do like it al little bit, most of the first half of the 2011 movie at least worked for me. But then any subtlety went out the window and it just became gory CGI Action... many moments missed the mark. I would have liked to see a Ron Moore 2-parter, too bad it was never realized...
What really was a stinker for me was, that they had all production stills and nevertheless made something different out of almost everything (best example the 2-man-morphing which should at least have resembled the old Norwegian finding...), so you could tell the difference. Too bad...
Likeable, but no real efforts for continuity where strongly needed!
I also love the Howard Hawks' Classic! Marshall Matt Dillon in flames! Sometimes unintendedly funny because of it's age and characters, but had truly scaring moments in it, too! -
Not RB - he was too exhausted and Stan helped out with this one scene. Worth a mention.
-
....If you can't stand it when people try and debate points....then stay out of it! THere was "no debate" just an opinion.
My standards aren't low....i'm just willing to take a film on its own merits. And i'm not willing to bash something just because of the high regard that I hold the original to. If Harry were truly a reviewer, and not just a fan. He would be able to seperate the two as well.
As I said in my statement above....is it a perfect film...nah. Is it better than Carpenter's version....nah. Was it made by people who were "fans" of the 82 version, and just wanted to try and capture a little of that magic? I think so. And like so many other people on here that would rather drag projects down than support them...we "the fans" are the ones that end up paying the price. Because the studios get less and less inclined to put money into genre projects that will one day become the 1982 Thing.
Regardless, I now have one more trip to that world where The Thing exists....and that is the mark of a true fan. -
The dog licks him a bit before he is shot. I don't know if it makes full-on contact with his bodily fluids, but it would appear that he's the guy that gets it first.
-
If he's infected during the shadow scene, Palmer (possibly) tells them everything about aliens. That they're "falling out of the sky every day", or that they "taught the Incas everything they knew". Maybe this is just the Thing imitating Palmer....or maybe it's the Thing telling them something more.
-
Wouldn't have been THAT expensive. Machine was five years old at the time. Still overpriced, though. Commodore's achievements were much more impressive: similar computing power, quarter of the price.
-
I actually liked the prequel. I'll say that out loud.
The interesting thing is, a lot of people were worried that it was going to be too much of a remake. They then criticised it because it wasn't the same as the original - not enough paranoia, wrong type of special effects, too much character back story.
Well, there's actually nothing wrong with that - Carpenter's film was remarkable in that it was totally unlike anything anyone had seen. That the prequel feels like one more Ten Little Indians with one-by-one-they-all-die sensibilities doesn't matter. The prequel is worth it alone for the torch looking for fillings bit and Winstead's performance. The CGI isn't too good, but when they use practical effects (and they used a lot) it's terrifying.
I was thinking that back-to-back, the prequel actually manages to make the original (i.e. the 'sequel') more scary, in a different way. This time _we_ know a lot more than the guys do... and it's terrifying to watch them screw it up little by little. -
It had little atmosphere and didn't take the time to build tension.
-
In Carpenters version, You have the video footage of the first team circling the spacecraft buried in the ice, but in the prequel that wasn't addressed? Granted Orcus only saw the prequel once but still, that bugged Orcus later on
-
If you look at the final scenes, you can clearly see he still has his metal earring. Forget the prequel, even within the rules of the original movie in isolation, we know The Thing can't assimilate non organic material, hence the discarding of synthetic clothing earlier, this would also apply to metal.
Of course there's absolutely *no* chance that it was simply just that at the time of filming the scene, no-one thought about it one way or the other at the time. -
My impression from the original movie is that the Norwegians saw the alien ship through the ice from above and melted their way down from above with thermite while in the prequel, for reasons I can't explain, they chose to completely contradict.
-
Thanks
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Two new Avengers photos for you to ogle! -- 250 total posts 228 posts
- It's A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD If You're Jai Courtney! -- 143 total posts 143 posts
- A New Shot Of Hulk From THE AVENGERS Movie!! -- 128 total posts 128 posts
- Edgar Wright And Johnny Depp Summon KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER To The Big Screen! -- 97 total posts 97 posts
- Behold These Lovely HD Reconstructions Of STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE TV Spots!! -- 296 total posts 87 posts
- This International BATTLESHIP Poster Is Kinda Kitschy!! -- 66 total posts 66 posts
- Darabont Casts L.A. NOIR Pilot!! Spoilers For WALKING DEAD!! -- 88 total posts 64 posts
- A Fan-Made Trailer For JOHN CARTER Sells The Movie Better Than Any Other Trailer So Far... -- 191 total posts 63 posts
- Director Sam Mendes Talks New BOND Movie Via Videoblog!! -- 51 total posts 51 posts
- New AMERICAN REUNION Trailer! -- 49 total posts 47 posts