The Thing

Still an absolute masterpiece. I resisted this movie for a very long time because I grew up watching the 1951 movie with the same name and I resented most remakes. Boy was I wrong, it's one of the best films ever made for several genres: science fiction, horror, and suspense. It has several classic movie archetypes too like being sort of a "who-dun-it." Carpenter kind of toes the line between this being a B movie and it absolutely works. The actors are all really well cast, with Kurt Russell, Keith David, and Wilford Brimley really standing out, with the only exception being Brimley's line delivery of "I'll keeeel you" like it's a silly old movie of cops and robbers. Otherwise they all feel like real people confused and trapped knowing that anyone could be a Thing. John Carpenter has to be one of the most underappreciated directors in Hollywood history. He's beloved now, but his films never made a ton of at the box office and critics never really took him seriously at the time. He deserved more recognition, especially from the Academy, but at least he's helped pave the way for genre films to get a toehold at the Oscars. Without Carpenter you wouldn't have Best Picture nominees like District 9, Get Out, Django Unchained, or Mad Max: Fury Road. Genre flicks even got wins with The Shape of Water and Everything Everywhere All at Once. There are a few silly moments in this film, but Carpenter makes it all fit and work perfectly. I was still riveted by the story and I haven't even mentioned the practical effects, which I think are permanently cemented as some of the best ever put on film. If those were CGI like they would be today, this movie would not be nearly as well regarded. This movie is a masterpiece and deserves a watch from everyone.