Gen X more or less rescuing this movie from obscurity thanks to tech really resonates today; it's always interesting to see bloggers today attempt to do the same for their own lost gems
I first experienced this timeless classic, in the long-gone, ABC Cinema, Turnpike Lane, North London; I was eighteen at the time: fifty-six now. I exited the cinema completely numb, knowing I had just viewed an all-time classic movie. However, the media and critical hate of The Thing at the time was truly astonishingly vicious, and to me, utterly baffling. Had these people actually seen the same film I had? Anyhow, I simply waited for the critics, professional and otherwise, to come to their senses, and ... the rest is history.
Seen it in theaters 3 times now (Pre-pandemic). Seen EFNY, BTiLC, and They Live in theaters twice each as well. Even seen Halloween last October (Yeah, Florida theaters are open).
Sheesh, Morgan, spoiler alert whydoncha.... :) I saw this movie the first time when my best friend and I snuck out of my room in the middle of the night and watched it premiere on HBO. We were 11 and it scared us beyond the capacity for rational thought. I think it's why I still don't trust anyone, to this day, without a blood test first.
Another postscript to the failure of The Thing at the box office is that it pushed Carpenter to in turn do Starman, a very different, but also excellent, kind of alien movie. Interesting that you note how isolating this film is, compared to ET and such, but Starman manages the common humanity element of the movies of ‘82 that you mention, while maintaining the tones of isolation. Bridges and Allen do work for a common cause but each is lonely and isolated. Cable and home video was a godsend to overlooked films. As you brush on, not just the movies themselves but the mere act of discovering films after first run is a bonding point for Xers. As I was far too young to be attuned to popular culture, esp in the early 80s, my introduction to 80s culture was delayed a few years until I was old enough to process it. Still in the 80s, but after the fact.
Screenwriter Bill Lancaster also wrote the original "Bad News Bears" and was the son of Oscar winning legend Burt Lancaster ("Brute Force", "Elmer Gantry", produced "Marty").
Your carpenter review makes me think you should review Halloween 3, the only good one in the series. I am born in 1980. Always felt like I was in between two periods.
I was just thinking about Carpenter the other day. He's 73 years old now. I hope you have Band of the Hand on your list. Thanks Morgan. 👾
When MacReady breaths out at the end, you can see the condensation. When Childs breaths out, there isn't any. Childs is one of those things.
Gen X more or less rescuing this movie from obscurity thanks to tech really resonates today; it's always interesting to see bloggers today attempt to do the same for their own lost gems
Everyone I know who’s really into this movie is a boomer. I don’t say that with negative meaning. Just an observation.
I first experienced this timeless classic, in the long-gone, ABC Cinema, Turnpike Lane, North London; I was eighteen at the time: fifty-six now. I exited the cinema completely numb, knowing I had just viewed an all-time classic movie. However, the media and critical hate of The Thing at the time was truly astonishingly vicious, and to me, utterly baffling. Had these people actually seen the same film I had? Anyhow, I simply waited for the critics, professional and otherwise, to come to their senses, and ... the rest is history.
Ace review as always of another masterpiece, Morgan. Congrats on 1k subs!
Saw this originally in the theater '82. Helps to watch the '50s original. Both excellent
June 25th should be celebrated as some sort of holiday for films ahead of their time. Great analysis as always Morgan!
Seen it in theaters 3 times now (Pre-pandemic). Seen EFNY, BTiLC, and They Live in theaters twice each as well. Even seen Halloween last October (Yeah, Florida theaters are open).
The computer that MacReady shorts out cheated at chess. He wasn’t drunk and angry... more than usual.
No, I’m not kidding.
This movie is a masterpiece.
Sheesh, Morgan, spoiler alert whydoncha.... :)
I saw this movie the first time when my best friend and I snuck out of my room in the middle of the night and watched it premiere on HBO. We were 11 and it scared us beyond the capacity for rational thought. I think it's why I still don't trust anyone, to this day, without a blood test first.
Great review!
Another postscript to the failure of The Thing at the box office is that it pushed Carpenter to in turn do Starman, a very different, but also excellent, kind of alien movie. Interesting that you note how isolating this film is, compared to ET and such, but Starman manages the common humanity element of the movies of ‘82 that you mention, while maintaining the tones of isolation. Bridges and Allen do work for a common cause but each is lonely and isolated.
Cable and home video was a godsend to overlooked films. As you brush on, not just the movies themselves but the mere act of discovering films after first run is a bonding point for Xers. As I was far too young to be attuned to popular culture, esp in the early 80s, my introduction to 80s culture was delayed a few years until I was old enough to process it. Still in the 80s, but after the fact.
John Carpenter Just Keeept em comin'
Screenwriter Bill Lancaster also wrote the original "Bad News Bears" and was the son of Oscar winning legend Burt Lancaster ("Brute Force", "Elmer Gantry", produced "Marty").
Your carpenter review makes me think you should review Halloween 3, the only good one in the series. I am born in 1980. Always felt like I was in between two periods.
GREAT name. You should be solving crimes in the 19th century.