The Thing

[Mark Warner]

Who here has seen either the original 1951 film, or the 1982 remake by John Carpenter?

[crazy]

I have. I like carpenters the best.

[Scissorhands]

Its weird.. I'm sure this has happened to other people.. I saw Halloween before I saw the original Thing.. and then when I watched it I could hear some of the background music playing that was on the televsions that Lindsey and Tommy were watching.. the same goes for Forbidden Planet and hearing that weird U.F.O noise and thinking of Michael carrying Annie's dead body up the front porch.

Anyways.. I love the original. Its great that you only catch a few glimpses of the monster for almost the entire movie. The remake is great too and definitely made the monster a bit more interesting than just a big vegetable. I'm anxious to see if they're gonna make a second one. :)

[Ringu]

I have only seen Carpenter's version and think it is great.

[Maxvayne]

John Carpenter's The Thing is a classic by far. It's all dark for most of the film and is a horror classic with that great music by Morricone. The atmosphere bleeds through the film with the great acting by Kurt Russell as a Vietnam vet, stationed in Alaska, Outpost #31.

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by Maxvayne
John Carpenter's The Thing is a classic by far. It's all dark for most of the film's and is a horror classic with that great music by Morricone. The atmosphere bleeds through the film with the great acting by Kurt Russell as a Vietnam vet, stationed in Alaska, Outpost #31.

Actually it was filmed in Alaska. The setting was supposed to be Antarctica.

[Maxvayne]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
Actually it was filmed in Alaska. The setting was supposed to be Antarctica.


Ahhh...shit my memory is slipping these days, and it's up to you guy's to keep it up to speed.

[Mark Warner]

Thought I'd bump this thread.

Does anyone happen to have the main theme to The Thing (The John Carpenter film and the music by Ennio Morricone). I love that music.

[Ravenheart]

I've seen both but Carpenter's version is the one I prefer.

[FranchiseHatesMe]

I know I am bringing back an old thread but I just got the movie of John Carp's remake and God the movie is sweet. I am very glad Sean talked me into buying this classic.

[Franchise]

Originally posted by icparenumber1
I know I am bringing back an old thread but I just got the movie of John Carp's remake and God the movie is sweet. I am very glad Sean talked me into buying this classic.

You got the SE edition then right? That's probably going to be something I'll pick up, but right now, it's out of the question.

[Donnie Darko]

i watched this movie about two hours ago actually. id never seen it before today, i watched the John Carpenter version.

fucking solid movie, i loved everything about it, im sure ill get the dvd soon enough especially since theres a SE dvd as i hear.

its up there already with some of my favorite JC favorites.

[Loomis 91]

I've seen the remake by John Carpenter. It was good but not as good as I had heard.

[Homer]

I thought this wasn't entirely a remake, but another adaptation of the short story "Who Goes There?"

This is probably one of Carpenter's best, since alot of his movies are bombs. Although it isn't an 'A' movie, it is a B+ film. I recommend this to those who haven't seen it.

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Originally posted by Franchise
You got the SE edition then right? That's probably going to be something I'll pick up, but right now, it's out of the question. 14.99 is out of the question?

[Maxvayne]

Originally posted by Homer
I thought this wasn't entirely a remake, but another adaptation of the short story "Who Goes There?"

This is probably one of Carpenter's best, since alot of his movies are bombs. Although it isn't an 'A' movie, it is a B+ film. I recommend this to those who haven't seen it.


Actually it was an A movie, it was done by Universal, with a decent amount of money attached to it, and it was a bomb in theaters. Carpenter is one of the best directors out there. Most of his film's did bomb in theaters, but they are now Cult Classics.

This is even one of the best Horror movies out there....


If you want to go further, John Carpenter has had films bomb, but the man has never lost money for any studio he has worked for. Quite the accomplishment I must say.

[King Sly Joker]

Originally posted by Maxvayne
Actually it was an A movie, it was done by Universal, with a decent amount of money attached to it, and it was a bomb in theaters. Carpenter is one of the best directors out there. Most of his film's did bomb in theaters, but they are now Cult Classics.

This is even one of the best Horror movies out there....


If you want to go further, John Carpenter has had films bomb, but the man has never lost money for any studio he has worked for. Quite the accomplishment I must say.

And thats the name of the game.Even if they did bomb.The man hasnt lost no money.How many can say that today...

[NCamp]

I have the thing on my "to burn" list. So hopefully Ill be seeing it soon enough.

[ten31]

Does anyone know what happened to the tv remake they were talking about a few months back?

[Mark Warner]

As far as I know, Sci Fi is still doing it. I hope they do a good job with this remake of a remake.

[Chomp_on_this]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
As far as I know, Sci Fi is still doing it. I hope they do a good job with this remake of a remake.

Since when has ANYTHING Sci-Fi churned out, ever been even remotely good. LoLz. Do I need to remind you of Pythons 2 and Puppet Master Vs Demonic Toys? HAHA!

I'll give them Dog Soldiers(that film was alright), but that's about it. LoL...everything else is pretty much trash.

Oh yea...by the way JC's The Thing is beyond superb. I remember watching it one New Years Eve late at night and being blown away....so much that I wasn't able to pass out until after it ended. That begining shot with the music was truely creepy..I was hooked right from that point.

[Donnie Darko]

yeah the music is great. it really sets the mood up in showing you how theyre in the middle of nowhere and something is probally going to go wrong. one thing i liked alot about that flick is how help is nowhere to be found, theyre it.

another great part is where he pours his drink into the chess game and says "cheatin bitch" haha. ive laughed about that a few good times since seeing it.

[Mark Warner]

That's what I love about the movie as well. The way it's set up it is very much an apocalyptic film. It seems like the end of the world and the men of Outpost 31 are the lone survivors (of course, this really isn't true of what's going on in the film, but it certainly feels that way). The music by Ennio Morricone really holds up the fear and isolation, along with the slick visuals. Plus, the premise is really good (much better than the original, which made the Thing out as a Frankenstein like monster). You just have to love this movie.

As for the remake, yes, I do agree Sci Fi isn't exactly on top of its game when producing films, but I'm going to give them a chance to prove us wrong and deliver the goods. I don't, however, expect it to be better than John Carpenter's remake. I think that's impossible. His remake was so ahead of its time there's no way it could be beaten out by a made for TV remake of it.

[writer93]

i really liked this movie. i own the collectors edition, and i re watch it all of the time. i thought it was one of Carpenters best, besides Halloween.

[Trickster]

It is one of my favourite Carpenter movies and is always on my "to watch" list on HALLOWEEN night.

[Jenn]

On Halloween night Trickster?? I save my The Thing viewing for a quiet night in, during a snowstorm of course. ;)

I grew up with the original The Thing, it's one of my dad's favorite films. He had a life sized bust, countless models, movie posters and lobby cards, all on display in our living room - and my mom wonders where I get it from...LOL.

JC's remake was brilliant, he really masters atmosphere don't you all agree?? Not to mention an intense level of tension...to this very day I'm on the edge of my seat during the kennel scene and especially the blood test.

[writer93]

Ive never seen the original, lol. Is it worth a view?

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by writer93
Ive never seen the original, lol. Is it worth a view?

Yes.

[writer93]

good, ill check it out! the video store has it for sure, so ill rent it asap.

[DarknessBDJM]

Seen both, but Carpenter's is the best, though both are excellent movies. The original is good in a 50's creature feature way.

[MyersFan927]

The Thing is one of those Carpenter films you should watch if you're a fan of his movies, but I've seen plenty that I feel are above in quality and overall enjoyment - whatever you wanna call it. I saw The Thing at the mall yesterday on VHS for $4.99, and was thinking about picking it up. Maybe next time. It was the only movie of his I saw on VHS beside Halloween.

[xmiserysignalsx]

I've seen both, Carpenter's is great though, I love the depressing atmosphere it gives. The cold place they're in just makes it seem so much more dire.

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by MyersFan927
The Thing is one of those Carpenter films you should watch if you're a fan of his movies, but I've seen plenty that I feel are above in quality and overall enjoyment - whatever you wanna call it. I saw The Thing at the mall yesterday on VHS for $4.99, and was thinking about picking it up. Maybe next time. It was the only movie of his I saw on VHS beside Halloween.

Aren't you glad I showed it to you?

[FunkadelicBeing]

I just bought this movie on DVD, the special edition, yesterday at Wal-Mart for only $14.99. I've heard it was very good, so I'm planning on watching it tonight.

The DVD packaging is very nice, by the way.

[Ringu]

Originally posted by FunkadelicBeing
I just bought this movie on DVD, the special edition, yesterday at Wal-Mart for only $14.99. I've heard it was very good, so I'm planning on watching it tonight.

The DVD packaging is very nice, by the way.

You heard correctly, it is very good. And Welcome To The Board!

[MyersFan927]

Yes, Mark.

[thetodd]

Carpenters version of The Thing was awesome.
The video game that is supposed to be a sequel of sorts is excellent as well.

[Johnathon]

Carpenter's version was one of the best horror movies ever. I love it.

[H-field Hero]

One of my favorite horror films of all time. However, I didn't resurrect this just to say that ;).

I have a question that has to do with the commentary featuring the great duo of Carpenter and Russell. I know many of JC's commentaries that we now listen to on DVD were original recorded 10 or so years ago for the laserdisc format and then ported over to dvd's. This is the case for Halloween and Escape from New York for example. Is the commentary for 'the thing' an older commentary that was used for a laser disc or was it recorded for the thing dvd? I'm pretty sure it was featured on the first 'thing' dvd so I guess if newly recorded it would have been done for that dvd and then ported over to the sweet SE that was released not too long ago.

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by H-field Hero
One of my favorite horror films of all time. However, I didn't resurrect this just to say that ;).

I have a question that has to do with the commentary featuring the great duo of Carpenter and Russell. I know many of JC's commentaries that we now listen to on DVD were original recorded 10 or so years ago for the laserdisc format and then ported over to dvd's. This is the case for Halloween and Escape from New York for example. Is the commentary for 'the thing' an older commentary that was used for a laser disc or was it recorded for the thing dvd? I'm pretty sure it was featured on the first 'thing' dvd so I guess if newly recorded it would have been done for that dvd and then ported over to the sweet SE that was released not too long ago.

Yeah, the commentary on The Thing was done for the original SE release of the film back in 1998, and then ported over to the recent re-release.

[Cruel Intentions]

I need to see both. I wanna see the Carpenter version more simply because I hear it's an excellent movie.

[MyersFan927]

My dad saw the original Thing in the movie theaters as a little boy, and he told me it scared the shit out of him. Made him scream, gave him nightmares, and everything else. It even affects him today, because since then, he sleeps with his head facing the door or something like that.

[zombie commando]

Check out this gorgasmic 'The Thing' shirt.........
http://punkstuff.com/sideNavPages/largeViews/largeViewShirt.php?fileName=%2Fdone%2Fthething2.gi f&back=0&bg_color=000000

[Nightmareman88]

John Carpenter's "The Thing" is one of the most entertaining, excellent paced horror films ever made, fast, clever and purely exciting from start to finish. This is my favourite JC film, right next to Halloween.

[MaskCollector]

Carpenter's remake right here i have seen

[Danyuld]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
Actually it was filmed in Alaska. The setting was supposed to be Antarctica.

Actually it was shot in Stewart, British Columbia, Canada at the foot of a huge glacier.

Theres a great site at www.outpost31.com dedicated to the movie, and a bunch of guys are planning a trip up to the filming site, where apparently a lot of props can still be found to this day.....

http://www.outpost31.com/todd/images/outpost31site.jpg

[Bennett Tramer]

i liked the original the best as my thoughts on John Carpnters verson i didn't like it that well.

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by Bennett Tramer
i liked the original the best as my thoughts on John Carpnters verson i didn't like it that well.

Care to explain why?

[MyersFan927]

My dad prefers the original, but I haven't seen it yet. The 1951 version is a classic in the early alien flick years, and I'm sure it's very good.

Carpenter's version, which often appears on horror and worthy remake lists, is also good. I just don't care for it personally, and it's somewhere below the middle point on my 16-item JC list. That's only because it doesn't appeal to me in a grand way, especially the vile effects. For me it doesn't have a high rewatchability factor, and sometimes I found myself having to struggle through it. So it doesn't make an appearence in my dvd player too often.

I'm hoping to find a liking toward the original, since I appreciate old films and heard so much about it. That's pretty much all I have to say on the matter.

[Nightmareman88]

Eh didn't cared much for the original. Never been to found of the "Guy in a Suit" style.

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by Nightmareman88
Eh never cared much for the original. I have never been much found of the "Guy in a Suit" style.

That's basically my problem with the original. It was very loosely based on the short story, unlike Carpenter's remake.

[Slab]

Carpenter's last great film in my eyes, with Big Trouble In Little China a bit below it. :)

[Nightmareman88]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
That's basically my problem with the original. It was very loosely based on the short story, unlike Carpenter's remake.

Very true, and Carpenter does a fantastic job in capturing the sense of paranoia through his direction and atmosphere.

While the original may be one of those classics, I'm all in for a perfect adaption, especially for one story such as "Who Goes There?"

[Mark Warner]

Originally posted by The Slab
Carpenter's last great film in my eyes, with Big Trouble In Little China a bit below it. :)

I kind of hesitate to say that about The Thing. In The Mouth Of Madness has been increasing in rank for me.

[Slab]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
I kind of hesitate to say that about The Thing. In The Mouth Of Madness has been increasing in rank for me.

I only saw it once, and didn't dig it. I'll likely watch it again, but I already know for me it'll never touch The Thing. To me, nothing he did after it ever has.

[zombie commando]

The Thing is one of the greatest horror films of all time. Period. End of the enchillada.

[Bennett Tramer]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
Care to explain why? i'm a old school kind of guy that's all

[Nightmareman88]

I just cannot believe any of this voodoo bullshit.

[MyersFan927]

Originally posted by Mark Warner
That's basically my problem with the original. It was very loosely based on the short story, unlike Carpenter's remake.

I'm sure Carpenter's rendition is closer to the story than the Howard Hawks one. But that doesn't necessarily mean it is better. The 1931 version of Frankenstein is nothing like Mary Shelley's novel, but it's an excellent horror classic.

Originally posted by The Slab
Carpenter's last great film in my eyes, with Big Trouble In Little China a bit below it. :)

Hmm, perhaps. Big Trouble is definitely in the top five, and I have In the Mouth of Madness as 6th. While ITMOM is loved by most Carpenter fans and definitely in his better half, I might have to say that Big Trouble was his last great film.

[mr32]

The first time i saw this movie talking somebody was scared shitless, this a great great piece of cinema.:bow:

[Darth Tyranus]

Eh didn't cared much for the original. Never been to found of the "Guy in a Suit" style.

The walking carrot in the original was weak.

Carpenter made a movie that was truly scary and not campy.