It’s here, kiddies. We are 9 days from Halloween 2017! I don’t know about you, but This Guy’s excited. You see, the thing is This Guy has a little ritual for the final days leading of the spooky season.
From here til the 31st, This Guy’s going to be watching some of the best, fun, and entertaining horror films to honour the scariest day of the year. So, if you’re looking for some great horror to watch this year, check in each day for the inaugural installments of This Guy’s Watching, and join the party.
We start today with one of This Guy’s favourite genre-crossover. One of the best sci-fi horrors, and the only film with Kurt Russell in a snow-sombrero. . .
John Carpenter’s The Thing
Man is the warmest place to hide.
This is probably the best example of a remake blowing the original out of the water. John Carpenter’s The Thing is without a doubt one of the best, most effective sci-fi films, and a terrific horror as well. The claustrophobic atmosphere, and tense soundtrack (by Ennio Morricone) create this wonderfully unsettling air of paranoia. The cast is outstanding, led by Kurt Russell and Keith David, two of the coolest dudes you can sign on for an 80s flick.
“I don’t know what the hell’s in there; but it’s weird and pissed off, whatever it is.”
The story deals with a group of men at an Antarctic outpost, suddenly beset by the arrival of an infectious, shape-shifting alien entity. One by one, the crew falls victim to this creature, until no one can be trusted, as anyone can be “the thing.” The film boasts one of the best film endings of all time, until it was semi-cheapened by a just okay video game that’s technically considered canon. But, taken on its own, the film opens brilliantly, and closes even more so.
The scares are real. The tension is unrelenting. The creature effects hold up to this day. It’s absolutely one of Carpenter’s best, and incidentally it kicks off his “Apocalypse Trilogy.” This Guy’s gonna visit the other two films before Halloween as well, so keep an eye out!
But tonight, This Guy’s watching The Thing! And you should too.
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