tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post7285902146801711898..comments2024-03-29T04:57:26.162-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT MOVIE REVIEW: John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-85171989302808620402016-08-27T03:06:50.294-04:002016-08-27T03:06:50.294-04:00The quintessential early Reagan-era "shot off...The quintessential early Reagan-era "shot off the bow" to assimilate and inculcate the end of intra-communal and bonded protest against an authoritarian oppressor, by way of establishing a deep subliminal AIDs connection, which was (in '82) new and terrifying, and end the immediate preceding Carter-era period of disco, casual sex, both hetero and homo, and therefore "normalize" fear, paranoia, mistrust of "the other", and the need to establish an unseen, unknowable enemy: all concomitant ideals of the early Republican 80's, post-Lennon assassination, snuffing out with full hardcore intent any lingering and abberent sentiments for the "Age of Aquarius". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-81880363222686779042013-09-06T13:21:52.827-04:002013-09-06T13:21:52.827-04:00Years behind you here, but great analysis. Have yo...Years behind you here, but great analysis. Have you read Peter Watts' story 'The Things'? It is from The Thing's point of view and hits many of the same points you do, while having its own take on WHY the Thing does what it does:<br /><br />http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/watts_01_10/Tedankhamenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00181643018957592969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-33045192035494347302012-02-05T01:17:54.262-05:002012-02-05T01:17:54.262-05:00JKM, a couple of points I would like to thank you ...JKM, a couple of points I would like to thank you on. There has been a ongoing debate on whether or not the person being taken over knew it was no longer human. Even on the dvd commentary Russell asked Carpenter and he never gave a answer. I think you just answered that question. Furthermore, there was a look between Norris and Palmer, right before Norris's heat attack, that indicated that the things knew who one another were.<br /><br />You also cleared up the passage by Russell "If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won." I always thought that it was.... And it's one. Meaning now it is one entity instead of won meaning victorious. I guess either could work.<br /><br />I too, saw this film in 1982 with my mother, and witnessed people leaving the films in droves. Unless you were there in 1982, you cannot imagine how shocking an assault to the sensibilites this film was. Only Cronenberg's 'body horror' and Alien's chest-burster evoked those same feelings in me.<br /><br />I personally think it is the best pure horror film ever made. Everything that is was meant to do, it accomplished. My question to you is, has there been another film that was so reviled in it's release, only to rebound and enjoy such praise 30 years later??Trenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00419980258148279356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-79669449681046998702010-07-13T18:46:06.047-04:002010-07-13T18:46:06.047-04:00Fantastic review of a truly great (and finally app...Fantastic review of a truly great (and finally appreciated) film, John. Reading it ultimately got me off my butt and I bought your analysis in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786422696/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER" rel="nofollow">paperback</a> of John Carpenter's films. Please let me know (see my contact info on my blog) if there's a way I can get you to autograph it. Thanks, my friend.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-51887958367007347292009-06-17T12:03:10.580-04:002009-06-17T12:03:10.580-04:00"The scene culminates with a slow-motion shot...<i>"The scene culminates with a slow-motion shot of Blair hanging his head in disgust – as though he is suppressing the urge to vomit – before we fade slowly to black."</i><br /><br />I'm glad you brought up this particular moment. For me this is perhaps Carpenter's defining gesture in THE THING. It's the point at which he signals not only that this situation is <i>not going to end well</i> but that what you are in for is going to be utterly <i>bleak</i> indeed. Blair is the only member of the group who intuits immediately that their situation is hopeless. <br /><br />I get chills thinking about that scene even now...Count Zerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15711973144626199945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-58368197096537100452009-06-14T19:21:01.948-04:002009-06-14T19:21:01.948-04:00Chris: I never thought of the October/Outpost 31 c...Chris: I never thought of the October/Outpost 31 connection until you brought it up, but it makes perfect sense.<br /><br />J.D.: I haven't read the comic-book spin-offs or played the game, but I'd be interested in The Thing in both of those venues. I agree with you about Rob Bottin too -- genius!<br /><br />Kernos: Thanks for the comment; it's not every day that my writing is called "inspirational!" Whoo-hoo!<br /><br />All my best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-30908644215249543992009-06-14T17:16:27.418-04:002009-06-14T17:16:27.418-04:00Inspirational commentary. I had never considered B...Inspirational commentary. I had never considered Bladerunner and JC's The Thing having common elements, but it is so obvious when one points it out. <br /><br />I too saw The Thing in 1982 when I was 40 something. I had been a long time fan of the original '50s Thing, but considered the new movie a different movie and not a remake. I still like both. Both hold up to repetitive viewing for me. <br /><br />What I remember of that 1st viewing was that it really scared me. That night I waited in bed for my spouse to <i>change</i>. It was great!<br /><br />Thanks for the memories ...Kernoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13123467974888497110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-85787985352331139532009-06-13T23:12:31.488-04:002009-06-13T23:12:31.488-04:00Great analysis and I really can't add much to ...Great analysis and I really can't add much to your spot-on observations except to say that I think this is Carpenter's masterpiece, even moreso than HALLOWEEN which is a great film as well, but I think that Carpenter really hit it out of the park with this one for all the reasons you stated in your post.<br /><br />I'm glad you pointed out Rob Bottin's staggeringly incredible work on this film. It's a shame that most of the studio films go the CGI route and it seems like he doesn't work much anymore as a result. I wish some indie horror filmmakers would hook up with him. His work has a tangible texture and realism that still outclasses the CGI work out there.<br /><br />Have you read the comic book spin-offs? The first two-issue mini-series is quite good even though they get a few of the rules from the film wrong and Carpenter has said that if he ever did a sequel he's use them as a basis.<br /><br />I also thought that the video game sequel was very well done. They really captured the claustrophobia and paranoia of the film as well the mood and atmosphere to a T.<br /><br />At any rate, as someone who is a HUGE Carpenter fan I really dug your post. Great stuff.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-2167396871401736182009-06-13T03:33:24.107-04:002009-06-13T03:33:24.107-04:00Hey, John, this may be too tangential, but I feel ...Hey, John, this may be too tangential, but I feel that "Outpost 31" was numbered that way to suggest Carpenter's biggest hit, "October 31:" that is, Halloween. What do you think? <br />Now I want to see this film again. . .it's been way too long. <br />Best<br />ChrisLitmus Paperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15256868807297904694noreply@blogger.com