The Thing (1982) with Trailer

A delightful and charming story about a visitor from another world who lands on Earth and comes in contact with several humans whilst trying to find a way home....And this, is another film where an alien being, comes down and takes the form of several humans (and dogs) trying to disguise itself and avoid being found to then return home. How similar are ET and The Thing? Both are made in 1982, both are about alien visitors and both films show the obstacles faced in their plight to return home. Well, I suppose one film is more sickening than the other (I mean how much mush, sentimentality and sweetly sick story can one person take?) But enough about E.T, The Thing has become something of an underground classic during the heydays of VCR rentals, where it's outstanding scenes can be paused and rewound to be watched over and over again. Some of the scenes within the film are jaw-dropping and it's all done pre-CGI. It's amazing what could be done in those early days of creature animatronics.

The Thing is directed by John Carpenter and is probably one of his best, but unfortunately it was not a hit. A remake of sorts (John Carpenter was hugely influenced by Howard Hawks) however this is an altogether different beast. Set in Antartica, an American expedition group are interrupted one day by gunshots from a far. A couple of Norwegians are firing at a husky from a helicopter. With sporadic gunfire, one of the American scientists takes a shot in the leg. Shots are fired in response and as a result the Norwegians are killed. The dog is taken in and held with the other dogs in the camp. Unbeknown to the American group, the Husky is not what he seems. Eventually the team set out to discover why the pair of Norwegian were shooting at the dog and what they find out is beyond their darkest nightmares.

The plot isn't anything original as the group is picked off one by one until there is one man standing (or in this case two), with it's remote location it's very similar to another classic sci-fi horror that is Alien....but where Alien only really has one complete genuine gross out moment, The Thing has so many that it's a wonder when you see the first gruesome transformation how they can top it... but they do. The whizkid at the time (Rob Bottin) deserves so much praise as his effects beat anything that modern special effects can bring to our screens. He was also only 21!

The central themes on what makes us human and the loss of identity is dealt with in vivid detail. As men in joining the tribe we gain a sense of belonging but as a result we lose personal identity. Paranoia and trust are tested to the limit. Characters start turning on each other, they begin shooting and eventually resort to tying up one another. In one of the films more lighter moments, they devise a test to see who is human and who is not, from this comes one of the most memorable and perfectly delivered lines. There is relief amongst all the bodily gore.

The technical achievements in this film is what makes it so watchable. The score by Ennio Morricone is a haunting yet deliberate heartbeat which is minimalistic yet menacing. One of the only films where Carpenter hasn't had an input on the scoring, but nevertheless Morricone's approach is very suited and matches and enhances the films eerie atmosphere.

There is a lack of character development within the film (that is the only flaw I can say), and it seems that Kurt Russell's character (MacReady) is the only one who is given enough personality for us to root for. The majority are unfortunately given the basic stock character traits, though the acting by all is well above average, there isn't enough depth to them.

With a tight a script, direction and amazing effects work by Rob Bottin's crew (never has intestinal and flesh mesh been so beautifully realised), it has still stood the test of time and is always a joy to watch. One of my all time favourite films. 

5/5 Technical Merit

4/5 Narrative

4/5 Acting

5/5 Entertainment

18/20

In The Mouth of Madness (1994) with trailer

The last great John Carpenter film before he started to regurgitate and recycle his own movies. This is the final part of his apocalypse trilogy which started off with "The Thing" (1982), then following on with "The Prince Of Darkness"(1987) and ending with this Lovecraftian influenced story.

The story involves an author aptly named Stutter Cane (sounds remarkably similiar to Stephen King) who has disappeared on the eve of the launch of his latest masterpiece. Enter our "hero", John Trent (Sam Neill), an insurance fraud investigator hired by the publisher to locate the author and the unreleased novel. Rumblings through the press and media describe how some fans of the books become crazed and deranged by the effects the books have on them and become hysterical, eagerly awaiting the release of the forthcoming book.

Sceptical over the whole media circus revolving over the disappearance and believing it all to be a ploy to drum up more frenzy and interest for the new novel , Trent sets out to prove it as just a marketing strategy to increase sales. Accompanying Trent is Cane's editor Linda Styles (Julie Carmen), who tags along to make sure the novel is found and delivered on time for publication

Sam Neill as Trent

Over the course of the film Trent discovers not all what it seems. He tracks Cane down through his book covers which lead him a town written in his books called Hobb's End which doesn't appear on any maps and finds them driving on a freeway for hours and hours aimlessly before they suddenly stumble upon this eerie and dis-quietening town. Of course Trent still thinks that all of this is some sort of gimmick and a trick where the town and it's townsfolk are played by actors to represent the fictional characters along with the buildings and locations written in the novels by Cane. As the unexpected start to happen, Trent realises that the towns folk and the town isn't a theme park based on the books but in actual fact, reality and fiction mixing and merging where the words of the author becoming a deadly reality and leaving is not so easy.

That's the main arc of the narrative and Carpenter manages to weave the complex and interesting ideas which not all come off but manages to combine suspense with a few jumpy moments (some which are cheap and expected) but a John Carpenter film is always watchable. It's only let down by the sheer weight of the story, it doesn't finish as strongly as it starts. But that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable film. The direction by Carpenter is by far the strongest element though soundtrack isn't one of the more memorable Carpenter compositions. The acting on the whole is good, though some actors do look a little out of place (Charlton Heston as the publisher being one) not saying the performances were bad, they just felt odd.

Jurgen Prochnow as Cane

There are some great set pieces and great build ups to some of the scenes that it makes me sad to think Carpenter hasn't had a hit or made a good film in such a long time. Like I stated at the beginning, this is the last great John Carpenter film which is cruelly unavailable in the UK (you can import the French DVD which is compatible in the UK but has French subs if you can stand it). I luckily have a copy as I was sick and tired of waiting for UK release. If you can find a copy on VHS or it scheduled to show on TV give it a go. The last great, master of suspense horror film that isn't all blood, guts and gore but a great showmanship of skill and talent from what was once a brilliant director who seems intent on tarnishing the memories of what was once a glittering career. I am holding my breath for his new film "The Ward" which is due to be released this year. Lets keep those fingers crossed....

16/20

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) with Trailer

A modern interpretation of an old western classic (Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo), it is a tense and tightly movie directed by the master of horror John Carpenter. It uses the old classic formula of a siege film done with a really small budget and shot in a relatively small amount of time (20 days I believe).


This re-make is relocated to modern 1970s LA and the action is set primarily in a soon to be abandoned police precinct. The narrative is very simplistic but very effective. The screenplay is so efficient no action is played out without pushing the narrative further. Every little detail placed within the film allows the film to flow without any unnecessary dialogue.

Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston)

The film starts off with the mysterious and menacing street gang wandering through an alleyway where they are ambushed by the police and are shot and killed. The remaining gang members forge a blood pact and aim to take no prisoners for the consequences of the slaying of their fellow gang members. The whole set up is done very quickly thereafter. We are introduced to the hero, Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker) and the archetypal anti-hero Napoleon Wilson (played with glee by the late Darwin Joston) in the first 10 minutes. Other characters come on screen and within minutes we can follow their preordain destiny. The father and daughter's path is on a collision course with the gang and the near abandoned police station is the setting for the unrelenting siege by the gang ready to kill any and all who get in their way.

The build up to it, is very expertly handled and the emotionless and remorseless gang move with such determination and purpose they become almost inhuman in their actions. Almost zombie like. There is hardly any dialogue and when they are shot and killed they barely make a sound and die lifelessly. It bears a remarkable similarity to The Night Of The Living Dead, what with both having black actors as their main leads and both being about the struggle and their ability to handle the unrelenting siege from the masses..

Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker)

It is without a doubt a remarkable achievement from John Carpenter and his gift as a composer is apparent (as with majority of his features) and is very effective at conveying a sense of dread and suspense. You can always tell if it's a John Carpenter movie just by listening to the atmospheric ambiance and his adept nature in efficient story telling. The acting isn't always great but what the film lacks in dramatic acting it makes up for suspenseful action. Always enjoyable to watch and one of Quentin Taratino's favourite films (but that shouldn't be the only reason to watch it). Search it out and you will not be disappointed. Oh and please try not to confuse this with the recent re-make starring Ethan Hunt and Laurence Fishburne, even though its has a bigger budget and bigger stars doesn't make it a better film... I'll just leave you this comment....Got a smoke...?

17/20