The Thing's cultural metamorphosis is similar to the Shining's. When it came out, it did very little at the box office and the critics didn't seem to like it. Today, they are two of the greatest horror films ever made.
My friend, who's also into horror movies, and I were going to the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood. We parked and went to get on the elevator. When the door opened, John Carpenter was inside. We both just stood there frozen in excitement.
no they are not. subjective opinions are not fact. the thing flopped for a reason. its tedious for the most part. as is The Shining & theres tons of threads on reddit about how overrated it is. Google The shining overrated. Many hate it. But whatever my point is you dont get to declare them the two greatest. Especially as both are polarizing. At least the shining has certain iconic images & scenes that have stuck in film culture. Thats why its remembered. But the film is a long slow slog to watch. I dont see the thing ever referenced in any way. Its a cult thing.
That Summer in 82, my parents took me to the multiplex knowing full well that all I wanted to see was the Thing, but they ended up making me sit through freaking Firefox instead. The Thing was playing in literally the next auditorium. Granted, I was 11 at the time, but I had read the novelization already for crying out loud! I still remember my dad going out for smokes during Firefox a lot, only to find out after the movie that he had spent that time watching the Thing through the little window they had on the auditorium doors. I have never forgiven him. Never.
I was 11 too. What a great time to be a kid. We didn't go to the movies much so I always had to wait until a movie came out on cable. We did see Poltergeist at the drive-in. I would always watch the R rated movie playing on the other screen.
You are right to hold that grudge. My mom took me to the drive-in to see The Thing and it was life changing. I caught Firefox in the theater with a buddy and seem to recall the movie being very deceptively advertised as a non stop action movie and it was actually pretty damn boring. But I haven't seen it for over 40 years so maybe I'm a bit fuzzy.
1982 was a great year for science fiction, horror and fantasy with movies like Poltergeist, The Thing, Blade Runner, E.T., Tron, The Dark Crystal and Conan The Barbarian. That's pretty impressive for a single year.
@@BennyLlama39 Star Trek 2 was also released in 1982, just like Cat People, one of my favorite horror movies. Like I said, it was a great year for fantastic cinema.
The Thing is one of those movies I wish I'd been old enough to see at cinemas when it came out, oh man that must have been something, such a shame it took so long to be seen as the amazing movie it is.
There are quite a few of these gems you've covered since you started the project I actually saw on the shelves during my 80's video store wanderings. Do any of you remember video stores? Christ, I'm old. And, even rented quite a few. There are also movies you've covered that I've never seen or heard of before, so, any time I watch an 80's PROECT video, I have a pocket notebook on hand so that I can write down the names of these gems that I've never heard of so that I can try to find them. Thank you for this list. When you're done with it, I'll so be looking forward to the 60'S PROJECT, THE 70'S PROECT, and THE 90'S PROJECT, and, if you're really up to it, THE 00'S PROJECT & THE 10'S PROJECT.
It's a shame that The Thing was panned when it came out. I first saw this on TV late at night in black and white on a tiny TV and loved it ever since and is in my top ten greatest films. I was so happy when I got to see it in the cinema when it got rereleased a while back. A classic. They were the good old days catching films on UK tv when I should have been sleeping and having to use a dial style tuner.
Ah man exactly the same way I saw it on my hoop aerial, dial tuner black and white probably around 1988 as I must've been 9 or 10 at the time , I'm also from the UK and I can't think what channel it was on, I wanna say channel 4 but part of me thinks it was BBC2 maybe the cult classic programme with Alex Cox on Sunday nights that's where I saw alot of great films like Shivers, videodrome, Scanners, Trancers, Repo man the list I great films shown is endless
@@krs4976 yeah similar here. I cannot remember what channel it was on. I remember watching those Alex cox presented films and I don't think it was one of those. You have reminded me of that though with shivers, videodrome and scanners. I think it was on itv (htv for me back then ) but memories are vague.
@@BillsOldandNewGaming it might well have been ITV TVS for me. They used to knock out some great genre fare after 11 on late night late. I saw many a film on there and some really great US TV series like Twilight Zone, Friday the 13th the series , Nick Knight, the Hitchhiker, V, Werewolf and many many more. Good times I used to love waiting to see what wonders I could find. I looked up the Alex Cox show it was called Moviedrome the second I saw the name I could hear his voice intro in my head 😂 I dont know how I can remember that from 35years ago but what I watched last week no chance 🤷
Mick Garris himself, who was friends with both Spielberg and Hooper, has said multiple times that it's a Tobey Hooper movie.... And I tend to look at it as such as well.... These are always a joy to watch. It's like Chrontendo for Horror!
I love what you are doing. I respectfully disagree with your statement that Poltergeist did not become a cultural zeitgeist one would expect. Of course, it did not have the cultural influence of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, but it taught most of us the word "poltergeist." Most of us couldn't pronounce it until the movie came out. Curiously, it was released locally for a few weeks, disappeared from our theatre, and then came back to play for about two months at the same theater. "They're Here," became a catchphrase in everybody's lexicon. We learned ghosts haunt places and poltergeists haunt people. This movie introduced most of us to the concept of "going to the light," and the idea of, "crossing over." Moviegoers were informed by this movie as much as we were informed about sharks in Jaws, or UFO's in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." I was in fourth grade when I saw this in the theaters, and learned to regard graveyards with an entirely new reverence. Never a place of fear, but ever after a place to be respected. P.S. you never forget the face-pealing scene, but that raw steak totally grossed me out.
I was 12 when it came out, it was the 1st horror film I saw in the theater. It was nearly sold out and the audience response was amazing! POLTERGEIST has a special place in my heart (I saw it twice that year😁).
@@joshuah9109 same! I was 12 but it still scared the piss outta me. Wasn't the first horror movie I saw in theaters either, but probably the first one that really got me.
"The Forest" is one of those movies that stood out to me as a kid, but no one talks about. I thought the main killer was an effective backwoods hobo, and was shocked to find out he was once a scientist who'd lost his mind. The scene where he says "Crazy? Of course, I am!" was gold! The dialogue was mostly improvised and for the most part believable, so I liked all the characters. The scene where the guy eats a piece of his own wife, that the killer says was a young doe, still gives me the creeps. Cheesy good forgotten slasher!
25:51 Man....that brings back so many memories! I was never really a horror fan but would cruise the section to see what was going on. I loved some lurid cover boxes.
Love these reviews, the 1980's had that wonderful grainy look. I also always felt Humongous looked wrong as a word too. Gotta point out now in case it is correctable, the Honeymoon Horror review has The Forest listed at the end. Amazing the movie made that much money straight to video.
I remember seeing “the forest” vhs cover every time I would go to the video store back in the late 80s. I would just look at all the horror movies, but I was like 10 so I wasn’t able to rent any of them. When I was older and eventually seeing “the forest” I was so disappointed cuz the cover looked so scary, all those early 80s slashers had a cool “look” to me, they still do. It was def cornier than I anticipated. Now it’s like watching a comedy lol
I was there and what people dont mention is HBO and Cinemax played The Thing on regular rotation back in the early 80s and thats where it picked up its heavy fan base..Not to mention it got the cover of Fangoria and Cinefantastique Magazines for added promotional value..Just because it didnt do well in the theatre doesn't mean it was a failure back then. Beverly Hills Cop and E.T. and Ghostbusters were the current madness at the time but the horror fans were off to the side in great amounts too trust me.
The number of classic films that were released in 1982 is INSANE!! Not only did THE THING have to compete with E.T. and BLADE RUNNER: POLTERGEIST was still going strong. ROCKY 3 was in theaters and it would go on to make $270million worldwide. Sci-Fi fans had: BLADE RUNNER, STAR TREK 2 and E.T. to choose from. As if that wasn't enough competition, CONAN THE BARBARIAN was also in theaters. Two weeks later, Disney studios released TRON. They had a massive campaign that focused on TRON'S groundbreaking CGI effects. With so much competition, THE THING, BLADE RUNNER and TRON (sadly) underperformed.
Humongous 💙 a theory that has stuck with me about the thing is that at the end MacCready has replaced the whiskey with fuel or something so when Childs takes a drink and doesn't react and McCready smiles because that tells him he knows that Childs is a thing
You brought up the non-existing PG-13 rating when reviewing Poltergeist. That would come out two years later with Red Dawn in 1984 (movie buffs prob already knew that). What you didn't know is yours truly turned thirteen in 1984. So, even though you may not have known, the MPAA knew.
Back then when I was a kid, the movies the critics loved or the ones winning best picture were usually the ones that I would avoid at all costs. The Thing is a masterpiece and The French Lieutenant's Woman is so boring I could die.
another great video, I was lucky enough to be 17 when The Thing came out in 1982 and went to see it twice in the cinema, as it was simply amazing and it is still my favourite movie of all!
I have an original of the rare soundtrack LP of Midnight. If you like really dark horror synth scores, it's one of the best 1980s horror soundtracks there is. The synth work appears to be done by a local Pittsburgh-area band that consisted of members of the same family.
the Thing gets a phantom 5 rating for HCS -- it's cumulative effect over time dwarfs the rest; that flick has moved the needle of multiple genres ever since
I remember going to see Poltergeist on opening night. There hadn't been a whole lot of buzz about it, so it's pretty much an unknown quantity at this point. Stuff happens....the psychic cleans the house...they get Carol Anne back...things settle down..jo Beth is relaxing in the bath and I'm thinking , "OK..it's pretty much over..here comes the denouement". Oh HELL NO! That's when Spielberg cranks it up to 11. Will always be one of my favorite movies..
Seventeen at this point. At college doing what I loved, first proper relationship underway, surrounded by best friends I ever had and new, great movies seemingly on tap. Wish I'd appreciated it more.
I just rewatched The Forest yesterday and I thought it was pretty fun. Some of the acting isn't great but it never got boring, I loved the forest surroundings and I loved the crazy addition of ghosts in a slasher film. I'd say, if you have seen most of the wooded slasher movies I'd say, check this out. It's pretty damn entertaining
Dude, The Thing is a masterpiece of cinema. I don't think that another film on this can come close to even touching its greatness. Sadly, I 200% agree about the 4 on significance. It took a while to get that snowball started. So 4 is the right call. Doesn't make it any less great. Btw, did you see what I did on a list on YT about CGI that doesn't stand the test of time? They included the 88 Blob. They don't get it. That's part of its charm.
I haven't seen Midnight in almost thirty years. Strangely, I've always remembered the main character as being played by Karen Young. Memories can be so unreliable.
Poltergeist The Thing I have to agree these are the top two everything else is uncivilized. And yes I was one of those that loved John Carpenter's The Thing from the beginning.
Wow you actually remembered HUMONGOUS! Not many people have heard of it.. When I was younger I used to watch it in my room where I wasn't supposed to have HBO.. But... I did 😂
In re-watching _Poltergeist_ I noticed how clever it actually is, how it subverts and avoids the tropes and cliches the films that inspired it, its imitators and even its own sequels fall into. A common complaint about "haunted house" movies is "Why don't they just move out?" This is a floored argument from the offset. People in a ghost story din't realise they are in one. What, you hear an odd noise in the middle of the night and go "G-g-g-ghosts! Let's get out of here!"? When things start going a bit weird, the family initially are spooked, but also treat it with facination. There is precident for this, plenty of places have supposed supernatural phenomenon, pubs in which a walking stick with move when asked questions, hotels with a mysterious stain that never washes out. These places are usually treated as a novelty and tourist attraction. Also people for economic, social or sentimental reasons become attached to their homes. They live in bad neighbourhoods, on fault lines, in houses with mold, but still persist because they put a lot of time, money and/or heart into their home. Obviously, the family _can't_ leave as their daughter is trapped in the house! The family are imperfect. The parents are shown smoking weed in bed and it is implied that the elder daughter is sexually permiscuous (there's even a theory that she may be pregnant, due to her eating icecream with pickles- women having odd cravings when they are expecting) In some films, these "sins" may be used as a catalyst for the demonic possesion. I have vague memories of a rather evangelical film in which the demons wanted to split the family up, with the parents talking about divorce was the catalyst. In Poltergeist 3, a young girl seems to spend a lot of time cheching her reflection and ends up getting caught in a mirror. However, in this film, nothing is made of the family's trivual transgressions and they merely serve to show them as normal human beings. The paranormal experts. In most of these kinds of films, when the family call in a team of paranormal investigators, they're usually show as professional and competant. Treating the supernatural occurance with the same "professional wonder" as a botanist would have upon finding a rare flower or else having "another day in the office" mindset. However when the "experts" turn up, it is quickly shown that they are out of their depth. When they are introduced, one of the boasts that he was present when a toy car was moved (over a few inches, over several hours) To which the mother goes "Yeah, sure" then shows them stuff flying around Carol-Anne's room. Cut to a shot of the lead investigator hilding a teacup with shaking hands, her expression saying "Holy shit! This stuff is actually real?!" Even Tangina is actually a fraud. Yes, she "reads" the Dad's mind when he's skeptical about her psycic powers, but we've all seen cold reading before. When she does help, it's clear that she's making this up as she goes along, The Dad calls her out on this when they go into the portal with the rope- "You've never done this before!" says Tangina "Well, neither have you!" he replies, to which Tangina concedes. After they rescue Carol-Anne and all appears to be well, Tangina address the investigators' camera and says "This house is clean" Only it isn't. The copses are still buired beneath its foundations and the entities return in a few days. Surely any genuine psychic would pick up on that! To their credit, even though they _are_ frauds the investigators and Tangina _do_ whatever they can to help the family, which in itself another trope subverted. Sorry for such a long post.
Thanks for another great one, Josh. I’m most interested in Der Fan, which sounds up my alley for the slow-burn style. And of course, I’ve seen and also respect The Thing (which I saw in 84 on HBO the first time).
JOSH: "... facts, facts, facts, facts, to be fair it was up against E.T., which was #1 for I don't know, like 6 years *, facts, facts, facts..." * I was actually attempting to take a drink from a bottle of water, and had a real-life spit-take!
In perfect agreement with your take on The Things ending. The whole movie is about paranoia. What's more paranoid than two men freezing to death because they don't trust each other.
If I recall E.T. and Poltergeist were filming at the same time only a few blocks from each other so Spielberg would come by the set of Poltergeist often. I also heard he original wanted to direct both films simultaneously but the directors guild said nope. And of course the tales that Hooper was so coked up during this time that he wasn't up to the task of being on set every day so Spielberg kind of took over. Anyhoo, summer of 1982 greatest ever for fans of the sci-fi/horror/fantasy genre.
The Thing is one of my all time favorites. I seen it the first weekend it was out. I went to the local multiplex. It played in one of the bigger screens and I was the only one there. My 16 year old mind was blown away by Rob Bottin's effects. Shocked that it didn't do well at the time as I followed such things. Of course, summer of E.T. This is one of John Carpenter's home runs. After repeat viewings over the years. The themes of isolation and paranoia resonated for me. As for the prequel film, there really was no need for it. I watched it and it was meh to me. I felt bad for the filmmakers who went with practical effects only to have Universal in their infinite wisdom to scotch them for digital. Would've liked to have seen what the effects guys done.
I remember going to the Weekend of Horrors in LA (in the early 2010's, I believe) and Carpenter was a guest...man, dude was BITTER about The Thing. After the third or fourth person told him how much they loved The Thing, he got this look on his face and in a weary voice said "Where were you motherfuckers back in 1982?"...have to say I can't blame him.
you can never really guarantee/guest how will a film will do in its own time. so many become cult classics to just true classics after some time, even decade or so later, while hits from a time get locked into being popular only in their own, and don't stand up years later.
No one will ever convince me otherwise that Steven Spielberg directed Poltergeist. Everything about the film screams Spielberg. You only have to watch any of Tobe Hoopers movies to know that he had little, if any influence over Poltergeist. His style of directing, tone and look are all completely different where as most Spielberg movies have that same look, feel and polish to them. The thing, man I never got all the hate for it as a kid, it was one of, if not my all time favourite movie, I adored the hell out of it and yet all I ever saw were bad reviews and nasty words said about it. It fab that it's gained the significance it deserves over time to now be regarded as one of the all time greats. The word 'Classic' gets thrown around a lot but in the case of The Thing, it truly deserves it. Humongous is another I really enjoyed, obviously a lot more than you did lol I think it's one of those films that could really benefit from a decent remake.
I'm absolutely loving the extensive nature of this series. I do want to mention one I want to make sure you don't miss when you get into 1984 (April 16th, 1984 release) The Jar, Bruce Toscano. Some may consider this one of the worst ever. But for oddballs like me, it keeps drawing one back in. Somehow I've watched it 10 to 20 times. Very strange, rough, vaguely pretensous and b-movie all at once. It's cult is small but enough it's getting an all the bells and whistles Blu Ray release from Terror Vision in January. Note: I have no connection to Terror Vision or this production. I just love this one of a kind mess
11:04. I love reaction videos. I saw one where a young lady watched POLTERGEIST. When the T.V. started playing the National Anthem she was puzzled and said: "these ghosts are REALLY patriotic!"😆😆
I was too young when the thing came out and had to see ET a family member recorded the thing and told my parents they should have taken me to see the Thing
Der Fan didn't receive great reviews at the time of it's release but was mostly slammed. and it's (mild) success is considered to be mostly based on the overrated nude scenes "scandal". One of the reasons her lawsuit of stopping the movie's release because of those images being used in marketing wasn't successful is, because it was her manager (and much older boyfriend at the time) who sold some those photos to a magazine prior. Like many of Carpenter's works, The Thing was a bit more successful overseas (not with the critics though). and grew it's cult following faster. Here in Germany, even the novelization did sell pretty well, it was constantly in print from the release in 1982 till 1988 and got reissued a few times since.
The horror movies I watched from 1982: Beast within(3), Amityville 2 Possesson(3), Basketcase(3), Blood Tide(2), Cat People(4), Creepshow(5), The Entity(4), The Incubus(3), Manhatan Baby(3), New YOrk Ripper(4), Parasite(3), Poltergeist(4), Q(5), Superstition(3), The Thing(5, Id give it a 6), Xtro(3).
Lucky for me, my family has always been a fan of The Thing. My Mom liked horror, my Dad likes sci-fi, and my aunt & uncle like sci-fi horror, 😂. Not so lucky for me, I saw a wee bit too young, and it scared the crap outta me and grossed me out. Gave me nightmares. And I loved it. Us horror fans are something else, eh? 😂
You are correct. Humongous just is a word that you look at. you know what it says. But it seems wrong. Say the word 10 or 20 times out loud and it just sounds weird. It looses meaning. Many words are like that if you say them out loud many times.
On the subject of THE THING. I watch it, and the 2011 prequel back to back twice a year. Yes, I know that the prequel is a far inferior film, with bad CGI, and poorly written characters that you really never get a chance to know, or even care about, but, it's still a bit of a fun watch, and it is in continuity with the 1982 film classic.
This series and channel is quickly becoming one of my faves josh is an incredibly likeable hard working guy, been following a long rime, if I evse get enough budget I'll deffo sub to the channel or patreon, keep up the good work man
Would the Thing in human form absorb a facehugger or would the facehugger implant a xenomorph? Who's juju is stronger? And what would be the end result? Thrill me...
Love your work, but I gotta disagree with the cultural significance for The Thing. Absolutely agree that it didn’t do well at the box office, but I’m a gen Xer, and although I didn’t see it at the cinema, I watched it on video and instantly fell in love with it. And pretty much everyone of my generation in my world, did as well. My only disagreement is it that I don’t think it took over 25 to 30 years for people to realise The Thing’s magnificence, by the 90’s I remember it was being voted as one of the greatest sci-fi/horror movies. It was a slow burn to success, but not that slow is all I’m saying. So I’d say it’s worthy of a five star horror culture significance. Other than the trivial gripe, loving your videos. ❤
Because The Thing was culturally disregarded it should continue to be culturally disregarded? Easy 5 in cultural significance. It's a Wonderful Life was also a bust on release and it's still a 5 in cultural significance. Anyway, love your channel, your insight, and your spotlighting films that shouldn't be forgotten.
38:47 I looked up Mega Force, the film which The Thing barely out-performed. It was nominated for Razzies in the Worst Picture, Worst Director and Worst Supporting Actor categories.
There was a remake of Poltergeist,, But it was really unmemorable. I saw it and I cant even tell you who was in it. It was truly trash. Much like the remake of Its Alive..
The only reason I saw the remake is that it was a double feature with the original and a Q&A with Oliver Robins who played Robbie. Yeah I agree. I can't really tell you what happened. I know it was a bit different than the original but not for the better.
So if younger people don't understand things like the fuzziness on the tv after a certain time or phone books or pay phones or cassette tapes...they can easily look it up. These are movies from the 1980's and if they don't understand this going in, they are too stupid to enjoy these great films. I mean, I watched movies from the 1950's and I understood most of it and when I didn't, I asked my parents or grandparents. These younger people will be fine. If not, they can stick to the crappy new movies that come out today and when they get older they can explain to their kids what Netflix is
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The Thing's cultural metamorphosis is similar to the Shining's. When it came out, it did very little at the box office and the critics didn't seem to like it. Today, they are two of the greatest horror films ever made.
My friend, who's also into horror movies, and I were going to the Virgin Megastore in Hollywood. We parked and went to get on the elevator. When the door opened, John Carpenter was inside. We both just stood there frozen in excitement.
I really appreciate how you managed to use "metamorphosis" while discussing The Thing. I hope it was intentional. 😂
no they are not. subjective opinions are not fact. the thing flopped for a reason. its tedious for the most part. as is The Shining & theres tons of threads on reddit about how overrated it is. Google The shining overrated. Many hate it. But whatever my point is you dont get to declare them the two greatest. Especially as both are polarizing. At least the shining has certain iconic images & scenes that have stuck in film culture. Thats why its remembered. But the film is a long slow slog to watch. I dont see the thing ever referenced in any way. Its a cult thing.
Should still get atleast ATLEAST a 4.5 or 4.75 Russels career didn't get hurt by the film.
That Summer in 82, my parents took me to the multiplex knowing full well that all I wanted to see was the Thing, but they ended up making me sit through freaking Firefox instead. The Thing was playing in literally the next auditorium. Granted, I was 11 at the time, but I had read the novelization already for crying out loud! I still remember my dad going out for smokes during Firefox a lot, only to find out after the movie that he had spent that time watching the Thing through the little window they had on the auditorium doors. I have never forgiven him. Never.
I was 11 too. What a great time to be a kid. We didn't go to the movies much so I always had to wait until a movie came out on cable. We did see Poltergeist at the drive-in. I would always watch the R rated movie playing on the other screen.
You are right to hold that grudge. My mom took me to the drive-in to see The Thing and it was life changing. I caught Firefox in the theater with a buddy and seem to recall the movie being very deceptively advertised as a non stop action movie and it was actually pretty damn boring. But I haven't seen it for over 40 years so maybe I'm a bit fuzzy.
I always loved the scene in Poltergeist where the Mom has her daughter in a football helmet sliding across the kitchen.
1982 was a great year for science fiction, horror and fantasy with movies like Poltergeist, The Thing, Blade Runner, E.T., Tron, The Dark Crystal and Conan The Barbarian. That's pretty impressive for a single year.
If memory serves, wasn't Star Trek 2 in there, someplace? 🤔
@@BennyLlama39 Star Trek 2 was also released in 1982, just like Cat People, one of my favorite horror movies. Like I said, it was a great year for fantastic cinema.
we'll find out about the Sci-Fi of '82 in just one short week!
The Thing is one of those movies I wish I'd been old enough to see at cinemas when it came out, oh man that must have been something, such a shame it took so long to be seen as the amazing movie it is.
My dad outright said no. He saw part of a preview on hbo or something. I was 6 I think.
I saw this at the movies when I was 8.Loved horror ever since@@akildukes7499
There are quite a few of these gems you've covered since you started the project I actually saw on the shelves during my 80's video store wanderings. Do any of you remember video stores? Christ, I'm old. And, even rented quite a few. There are also movies you've covered that I've never seen or heard of before, so, any time I watch an 80's PROECT video, I have a pocket notebook on hand so that I can write down the names of these gems that I've never heard of so that I can try to find them. Thank you for this list. When you're done with it, I'll so be looking forward to the 60'S PROJECT, THE 70'S PROECT, and THE 90'S PROJECT, and, if you're really up to it, THE 00'S PROJECT & THE 10'S PROJECT.
It's a shame that The Thing was panned when it came out. I first saw this on TV late at night in black and white on a tiny TV and loved it ever since and is in my top ten greatest films. I was so happy when I got to see it in the cinema when it got rereleased a while back. A classic. They were the good old days catching films on UK tv when I should have been sleeping and having to use a dial style tuner.
Ah man exactly the same way I saw it on my hoop aerial, dial tuner black and white probably around 1988 as I must've been 9 or 10 at the time , I'm also from the UK and I can't think what channel it was on, I wanna say channel 4 but part of me thinks it was BBC2 maybe the cult classic programme with Alex Cox on Sunday nights that's where I saw alot of great films like Shivers, videodrome, Scanners, Trancers, Repo man the list I great films shown is endless
@@krs4976 yeah similar here. I cannot remember what channel it was on. I remember watching those Alex cox presented films and I don't think it was one of those. You have reminded me of that though with shivers, videodrome and scanners. I think it was on itv (htv for me back then ) but memories are vague.
@@BillsOldandNewGaming it might well have been ITV TVS for me. They used to knock out some great genre fare after 11 on late night late. I saw many a film on there and some really great US TV series like Twilight Zone, Friday the 13th the series , Nick Knight, the Hitchhiker, V, Werewolf and many many more. Good times I used to love waiting to see what wonders I could find.
I looked up the Alex Cox show it was called Moviedrome the second I saw the name I could hear his voice intro in my head 😂
I dont know how I can remember that from 35years ago but what I watched last week no chance 🤷
Mick Garris himself, who was friends with both Spielberg and Hooper, has said multiple times that it's a Tobey Hooper movie.... And I tend to look at it as such as well....
These are always a joy to watch. It's like Chrontendo for Horror!
Yeah, Mick said he was there on set doing work for the film. He confirmed that Tobe directed the movie.
The Thing is my all time fav's Horror Movie of all times
Best 80s horror series on YT
I love what you are doing. I respectfully disagree with your statement that Poltergeist did not become a cultural zeitgeist one would expect. Of course, it did not have the cultural influence of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, but it taught most of us the word "poltergeist." Most of us couldn't pronounce it until the movie came out. Curiously, it was released locally for a few weeks, disappeared from our theatre, and then came back to play for about two months at the same theater. "They're Here," became a catchphrase in everybody's lexicon. We learned ghosts haunt places and poltergeists haunt people. This movie introduced most of us to the concept of "going to the light," and the idea of, "crossing over." Moviegoers were informed by this movie as much as we were informed about sharks in Jaws, or UFO's in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." I was in fourth grade when I saw this in the theaters, and learned to regard graveyards with an entirely new reverence. Never a place of fear, but ever after a place to be respected.
P.S. you never forget the face-pealing scene, but that raw steak totally grossed me out.
You truly are a madman for setting out to watch every 80s horror movie. And by madman, I mean hero!
I still remember I first watched the thing in 2005 on DVD and to this day it is my favourite horror film of all time..
POLTERGEIST is easily my favorite of this block. The scene at the end when the house emplodes into another dimension just gives me a cold chill.
I was 12 when it came out, it was the 1st horror film I saw in the theater. It was nearly sold out and the audience response was amazing!
POLTERGEIST has a special place in my heart (I saw it twice that year😁).
Its easily the best in the pack. Its beloved by everybody. whereas the Thing is more of a typical horror fanboy thing. I bet no females like it.
@@joshuah9109 same! I was 12 but it still scared the piss outta me. Wasn't the first horror movie I saw in theaters either, but probably the first one that really got me.
"The Forest" is one of those movies that stood out to me as a kid, but no one talks about. I thought the main killer was an effective backwoods hobo, and was shocked to find out he was once a scientist who'd lost his mind. The scene where he says "Crazy? Of course, I am!" was gold! The dialogue was mostly improvised and for the most part believable, so I liked all the characters. The scene where the guy eats a piece of his own wife, that the killer says was a young doe, still gives me the creeps. Cheesy good forgotten slasher!
25:51 Man....that brings back so many memories!
I was never really a horror fan but would cruise the section to see what was going on. I loved some lurid cover boxes.
Love these reviews, the 1980's had that wonderful grainy look. I also always felt Humongous looked wrong as a word too. Gotta point out now in case it is correctable, the Honeymoon Horror review has The Forest listed at the end. Amazing the movie made that much money straight to video.
It's crazy the Thing got no traction when it was released. I saw it opening weekend and loved it. Still love it.
What a great Christmas gift to us all! Thanks for this. Love these.
I remember seeing “the forest” vhs cover every time I would go to the video store back in the late 80s. I would just look at all the horror movies, but I was like 10 so I wasn’t able to rent any of them. When I was older and eventually seeing “the forest” I was so disappointed cuz the cover looked so scary, all those early 80s slashers had a cool “look” to me, they still do. It was def cornier than I anticipated. Now it’s like watching a comedy lol
I was there and what people dont mention is HBO and Cinemax played The Thing on regular rotation back in the early 80s and thats where it picked up its heavy fan base..Not to mention it got the cover of Fangoria and Cinefantastique Magazines for added promotional value..Just because it didnt do well in the theatre doesn't mean it was a failure back then.
Beverly Hills Cop and E.T. and Ghostbusters were the current madness at the time but the horror fans were off to the side in great amounts too trust me.
Poltergeist was my favorite movie from that year along with the thing as well
The number of classic films that were released in 1982 is INSANE!!
Not only did THE THING have to compete with E.T. and BLADE RUNNER: POLTERGEIST was still going strong. ROCKY 3 was in theaters and it would go on to make $270million worldwide. Sci-Fi fans had: BLADE RUNNER, STAR TREK 2 and E.T. to choose from. As if that wasn't enough competition, CONAN THE BARBARIAN was also in theaters. Two weeks later, Disney studios released TRON. They had a massive campaign that focused on TRON'S groundbreaking CGI effects.
With so much competition, THE THING, BLADE RUNNER and TRON (sadly) underperformed.
Humongous 💙 a theory that has stuck with me about the thing is that at the end MacCready has replaced the whiskey with fuel or something so when Childs takes a drink and doesn't react and McCready smiles because that tells him he knows that Childs is a thing
You brought up the non-existing PG-13 rating when reviewing Poltergeist. That would come out two years later with Red Dawn in 1984 (movie buffs prob already knew that). What you didn't know is yours truly turned thirteen in 1984. So, even though you may not have known, the MPAA knew.
I still lose sleep about critics giving The Thing bad reviews back in the day. It's just crazy.
Back then when I was a kid, the movies the critics loved or the ones winning best picture were usually the ones that I would avoid at all costs. The Thing is a masterpiece and The French Lieutenant's Woman is so boring I could die.
100% in agreement about The Thing. Thanks for another great installment of the 80's Project!
another great video, I was lucky enough to be 17 when The Thing came out in 1982 and went to see it twice in the cinema, as it was simply amazing and it is still my favourite movie of all!
I have an original of the rare soundtrack LP of Midnight. If you like really dark horror synth scores, it's one of the best 1980s horror soundtracks there is. The synth work appears to be done by a local Pittsburgh-area band that consisted of members of the same family.
GREAT Shirt, I have the Marvel Treasury Edition.
Thanks for the List and Video 😀
Happy New Year !!!
the Thing gets a phantom 5 rating for HCS -- it's cumulative effect over time dwarfs the rest; that flick has moved the needle of multiple genres ever since
Thanks for another great one and happy new year!
"Thanks to some car trouble" the car is an RX7, couldn't have found a better candidate for that lol
I remember going to see Poltergeist on opening night. There hadn't been a whole lot of buzz about it, so it's pretty much an unknown quantity at this point.
Stuff happens....the psychic cleans the house...they get Carol Anne back...things settle down..jo Beth is relaxing in the bath and I'm thinking , "OK..it's pretty much over..here comes the denouement".
Oh HELL NO! That's when Spielberg cranks it up to 11.
Will always be one of my favorite movies..
I was 12 and I saw it twice in theaters. It was the 1st horror movie I saw in the theater. I LOVE that movie!!
Love this series a lot Josh. Happy Early New Years and wishing the best for you and your family including the putty tats!
Seventeen at this point. At college doing what I loved, first proper relationship underway, surrounded by best friends I ever had and new, great movies seemingly on tap. Wish I'd appreciated it more.
Blows my mind that The Thing remake was a box office failure.
Love when these drop! Thank you!
I just rewatched The Forest yesterday and I thought it was pretty fun. Some of the acting isn't great but it never got boring, I loved the forest surroundings and I loved the crazy addition of ghosts in a slasher film. I'd say, if you have seen most of the wooded slasher movies I'd say, check this out. It's pretty damn entertaining
Dude, The Thing is a masterpiece of cinema. I don't think that another film on this can come close to even touching its greatness. Sadly, I 200% agree about the 4 on significance. It took a while to get that snowball started. So 4 is the right call. Doesn't make it any less great. Btw, did you see what I did on a list on YT about CGI that doesn't stand the test of time? They included the 88 Blob. They don't get it. That's part of its charm.
I haven't seen Midnight in almost thirty years. Strangely, I've always remembered the main character as being played by Karen Young. Memories can be so unreliable.
29:01 you left the Forest title up for Honeymoon Horror. But that’s okay as I love the Forest 👍👍
Poltergeist
The Thing
I have to agree these are the top two everything else is uncivilized. And yes I was one of those that loved John Carpenter's The Thing from the beginning.
You just made my Friday night, bro!
Wow you actually remembered HUMONGOUS!
Not many people have heard of it..
When I was younger I used to watch it in my room where I wasn't supposed to have HBO.. But... I did 😂
Man, what a time for sci-fi. You could choose between The Thing, Blade Runner, AND E.T. in a single weekend.
In re-watching _Poltergeist_ I noticed how clever it actually is, how it subverts and avoids the tropes and cliches the films that inspired it, its imitators and even its own sequels fall into.
A common complaint about "haunted house" movies is "Why don't they just move out?" This is a floored argument from the offset. People in a ghost story din't realise they are in one. What, you hear an odd noise in the middle of the night and go "G-g-g-ghosts! Let's get out of here!"?
When things start going a bit weird, the family initially are spooked, but also treat it with facination. There is precident for this, plenty of places have supposed supernatural phenomenon, pubs in which a walking stick with move when asked questions, hotels with a mysterious stain that never washes out. These places are usually treated as a novelty and tourist attraction. Also people for economic, social or sentimental reasons become attached to their homes. They live in bad neighbourhoods, on fault lines, in houses with mold, but still persist because they put a lot of time, money and/or heart into their home.
Obviously, the family _can't_ leave as their daughter is trapped in the house!
The family are imperfect. The parents are shown smoking weed in bed and it is implied that the elder daughter is sexually permiscuous (there's even a theory that she may be pregnant, due to her eating icecream with pickles- women having odd cravings when they are expecting) In some films, these "sins" may be used as a catalyst for the demonic possesion. I have vague memories of a rather evangelical film in which the demons wanted to split the family up, with the parents talking about divorce was the catalyst. In Poltergeist 3, a young girl seems to spend a lot of time cheching her reflection and ends up getting caught in a mirror. However, in this film, nothing is made of the family's trivual transgressions and they merely serve to show them as normal human beings.
The paranormal experts.
In most of these kinds of films, when the family call in a team of paranormal investigators, they're usually show as professional and competant. Treating the supernatural occurance with the same "professional wonder" as a botanist would have upon finding a rare flower or else having "another day in the office" mindset. However when the "experts" turn up, it is quickly shown that they are out of their depth.
When they are introduced, one of the boasts that he was present when a toy car was moved (over a few inches, over several hours) To which the mother goes "Yeah, sure" then shows them stuff flying around Carol-Anne's room. Cut to a shot of the lead investigator hilding a teacup with shaking hands, her expression saying "Holy shit! This stuff is actually real?!"
Even Tangina is actually a fraud. Yes, she "reads" the Dad's mind when he's skeptical about her psycic powers, but we've all seen cold reading before. When she does help, it's clear that she's making this up as she goes along, The Dad calls her out on this when they go into the portal with the rope- "You've never done this before!" says Tangina "Well, neither have you!" he replies, to which Tangina concedes.
After they rescue Carol-Anne and all appears to be well, Tangina address the investigators' camera and says "This house is clean" Only it isn't. The copses are still buired beneath its foundations and the entities return in a few days. Surely any genuine psychic would pick up on that!
To their credit, even though they _are_ frauds the investigators and Tangina _do_ whatever they can to help the family, which in itself another trope subverted.
Sorry for such a long post.
"Midnight" one of the first films on your channel rather I've not heard of.
Thanks for another great one, Josh. I’m most interested in Der Fan, which sounds up my alley for the slow-burn style. And of course, I’ve seen and also respect The Thing (which I saw in 84 on HBO the first time).
Just when I thought my Friday night would be boring. Love these videos!
Back To The Future quote applies to The Thing "your kids are gonna love it"
JOSH: "... facts, facts, facts, facts, to be fair it was up against E.T., which was #1 for I don't know, like 6 years *, facts, facts, facts..."
* I was actually attempting to take a drink from a bottle of water, and had a real-life spit-take!
The thing is the best movie of all time ❤❤❤❤
In perfect agreement with your take on The Things ending.
The whole movie is about paranoia. What's more paranoid than two men freezing to death because they don't trust each other.
If I recall E.T. and Poltergeist were filming at the same time only a few blocks from each other so Spielberg would come by the set of Poltergeist often. I also heard he original wanted to direct both films simultaneously but the directors guild said nope. And of course the tales that Hooper was so coked up during this time that he wasn't up to the task of being on set every day so Spielberg kind of took over. Anyhoo, summer of 1982 greatest ever for fans of the sci-fi/horror/fantasy genre.
The Thing is one of my all time favorites. I seen it the first weekend it was out. I went to the local multiplex. It played in one of the bigger screens and I was the only one there. My 16 year old mind was blown away by Rob Bottin's effects. Shocked that it didn't do well at the time as I followed such things. Of course, summer of E.T. This is one of John Carpenter's home runs. After repeat viewings over the years. The themes of isolation and paranoia resonated for me.
As for the prequel film, there really was no need for it. I watched it and it was meh to me. I felt bad for the filmmakers who went with practical effects only to have Universal in their infinite wisdom to scotch them for digital. Would've liked to have seen what the effects guys done.
@25:48 Unintentional comedy gold 😂😂😂😂
The Thing is #5 in my John Carpenter list and is my second favorite movie on this list behind Poltergeist.
A buddy of mine loaned me dark eyes on VHS
Nice work Dude..Have a great scary new Year..:)
Fury of the Succubus, aka Demon Seed, aka Demon Rage, aka Satans Mistress, aka Dark Eyes always had me more confused than the Zombi franchise.
I remember going to the Weekend of Horrors in LA (in the early 2010's, I believe) and Carpenter was a guest...man, dude was BITTER about The Thing. After the third or fourth person told him how much they loved The Thing, he got this look on his face and in a weary voice said "Where were you motherfuckers back in 1982?"...have to say I can't blame him.
I wish to god I had seen the Thing in the theater as like a 10 year old kid. It would have traumatized me in the best way possible!
you can never really guarantee/guest how will a film will do in its own time. so many become cult classics to just true classics after some time, even decade or so later, while hits from a time get locked into being popular only in their own, and don't stand up years later.
That's a really nice Fantastic Four t-shirt!!! 4️⃣
No one will ever convince me otherwise that Steven Spielberg directed Poltergeist. Everything about the film screams Spielberg. You only have to watch any of Tobe Hoopers movies to know that he had little, if any influence over Poltergeist. His style of directing, tone and look are all completely different where as most Spielberg movies have that same look, feel and polish to them.
The thing, man I never got all the hate for it as a kid, it was one of, if not my all time favourite movie, I adored the hell out of it and yet all I ever saw were bad reviews and nasty words said about it. It fab that it's gained the significance it deserves over time to now be regarded as one of the all time greats. The word 'Classic' gets thrown around a lot but in the case of The Thing, it truly deserves it.
Humongous is another I really enjoyed, obviously a lot more than you did lol I think it's one of those films that could really benefit from a decent remake.
Poltergeist... That horror film all fans of the genre appreciate, except me 🤔
Writer Bill Lancaster should get more props for The Thing. Carpenter is a genius, but the script is lean, suspenseful and smart.
I'm absolutely loving the extensive nature of this series.
I do want to mention one I want to make sure you don't miss when you get into 1984 (April 16th, 1984 release)
The Jar, Bruce Toscano.
Some may consider this one of the worst ever. But for oddballs like me, it keeps drawing one back in. Somehow I've watched it 10 to 20 times. Very strange, rough, vaguely pretensous and b-movie all at once.
It's cult is small but enough it's getting an all the bells and whistles Blu Ray release from Terror Vision in January.
Note: I have no connection to Terror Vision or this production. I just love this one of a kind mess
11:04. I love reaction videos. I saw one where a young lady watched POLTERGEIST. When the T.V. started playing the National Anthem she was puzzled and said: "these ghosts are REALLY patriotic!"😆😆
Yah also Der Fan(4) watched it a few years ago, good one.
Yeeaaaaaaah-es! Wacko! Thanks for including that!
I agree with practically every opinion here but Poltergeist only 4 video tapes? I don’t agree but still love you man!
I was too young when the thing came out and had to see ET a family member recorded the thing and told my parents they should have taken me to see the Thing
Der Fan didn't receive great reviews at the time of it's release but was mostly slammed. and it's (mild) success is considered to be mostly based on the overrated nude scenes "scandal". One of the reasons her lawsuit of stopping the movie's release because of those images being used in marketing wasn't successful is, because it was her manager (and much older boyfriend at the time) who sold some those photos to a magazine prior.
Like many of Carpenter's works, The Thing was a bit more successful overseas (not with the critics though). and grew it's cult following faster. Here in Germany, even the novelization did sell pretty well, it was constantly in print from the release in 1982 till 1988 and got reissued a few times since.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!! In like a day
The horror movies I watched from 1982: Beast within(3), Amityville 2 Possesson(3), Basketcase(3), Blood Tide(2), Cat People(4), Creepshow(5), The Entity(4), The Incubus(3), Manhatan Baby(3), New YOrk Ripper(4), Parasite(3), Poltergeist(4), Q(5), Superstition(3), The Thing(5, Id give it a 6), Xtro(3).
Lucky for me, my family has always been a fan of The Thing. My Mom liked horror, my Dad likes sci-fi, and my aunt & uncle like sci-fi horror, 😂. Not so lucky for me, I saw a wee bit too young, and it scared the crap outta me and grossed me out. Gave me nightmares. And I loved it. Us horror fans are something else, eh? 😂
You are correct. Humongous just is a word that you look at. you know what it says. But it seems wrong. Say the word 10 or 20 times out loud and it just sounds weird. It looses meaning. Many words are like that if you say them out loud many times.
Friday the 13th Part III
August 13, 1982
The Thing is still the best movie ever ridiculous it got negative reviews
17:49 oi, some of us listen to one artist only and we arent weird.
On the subject of THE THING. I watch it, and the 2011 prequel back to back twice a year. Yes, I know that the prequel is a far inferior film, with bad CGI, and poorly written characters that you really never get a chance to know, or even care about, but, it's still a bit of a fun watch, and it is in continuity with the 1982 film classic.
Is that the Cannon Fodder music playing over the Wacko review?. Sounds awful like it if not.
not sure. it's just stock RUclips music from their available library.
1982 was a good year
This series and channel is quickly becoming one of my faves josh is an incredibly likeable hard working guy, been following a long rime, if I evse get enough budget I'll deffo sub to the channel or patreon, keep up the good work man
Would the Thing in human form absorb a facehugger or would the facehugger implant a xenomorph? Who's juju is stronger? And what would be the end result? Thrill me...
19:58
Good boy
John Carpenter films were usually failures when released! It took time for people to learn that most of his movies were great!
Hope you and your family had a peaceful Christmas Josh best wishes for 2024 🇬🇧 //Darren
Spielberg has some fugery with the films he directed and didn't direct. He directed Poltergeist.
Love your work, but I gotta disagree with the cultural significance for The Thing.
Absolutely agree that it didn’t do well at the box office, but I’m a gen Xer, and although I didn’t see it at the cinema, I watched it on video and instantly fell in love with it. And pretty much everyone of my generation in my world, did as well.
My only disagreement is it that I don’t think it took over 25 to 30 years for people to realise The Thing’s magnificence, by the 90’s I remember it was being voted as one of the greatest sci-fi/horror movies. It was a slow burn to success, but not that slow is all I’m saying.
So I’d say it’s worthy of a five star horror culture significance.
Other than the trivial gripe, loving your videos. ❤
28:55 don't you mean honeymoon horror
Why Humongous doesn’t get more love is beyond me. Likeable leads and a palpable sense of dread.
Because The Thing was culturally disregarded it should continue to be culturally disregarded? Easy 5 in cultural significance. It's a Wonderful Life was also a bust on release and it's still a 5 in cultural significance. Anyway, love your channel, your insight, and your spotlighting films that shouldn't be forgotten.
38:47 I looked up Mega Force, the film which The Thing barely out-performed. It was nominated for Razzies in the Worst Picture, Worst Director and Worst Supporting Actor categories.
humoungous is a rip off of the Italian movie antropophagus from 1980 starring Mia Farrow. the plot is very simliar.
There was a remake of Poltergeist,, But it was really unmemorable. I saw it and I cant even tell you who was in it. It was truly trash. Much like the remake of Its Alive..
The only reason I saw the remake is that it was a double feature with the original and a Q&A with Oliver Robins who played Robbie. Yeah I agree. I can't really tell you what happened. I know it was a bit different than the original but not for the better.
I don't know Josh. It's spelled pretty phonetically. Hu-mon-gous.
So if younger people don't understand things like the fuzziness on the tv after a certain time or phone books or pay phones or cassette tapes...they can easily look it up. These are movies from the 1980's and if they don't understand this going in, they are too stupid to enjoy these great films. I mean, I watched movies from the 1950's and I understood most of it and when I didn't, I asked my parents or grandparents. These younger people will be fine. If not, they can stick to the crappy new movies that come out today and when they get older they can explain to their kids what Netflix is