Oliver Harper is there any way I could get a link to a full rez image of that title card? It is amazing and I want to make a poster of it. This is by far one of my favorite films and I thank you for making this.
Once, while in the military, I had the honor of spending an entire day with Rowdy Piper. We both sat next to each other on a long flight home. He was not only hilarious, but very down to earth and kept thanking me for my service. I later put his “bubblegum” line on the inside of my Kevlar. I still have the copy of my travel orders he signed the back of.
@@OrlandoShroom When you say thank you for your service what do you actually mean? As far as I am aware the military never "defended" or "protected" us. Only setup puppet regimes and put us where we're at right now. Even though it's not shown in the film that's exactly the kind of thing 'They Live' is about...
this movie is so politically relevant that it will never be forgotten, it really goes to the core of control, human corruption and misery, and i love how it was condensed into a sci fiction story, a great example of smart Cinema
I'll admit that the political commentary has its marit for the time it was made, but I mean, other than that, I was kidnapped by aliens in my sleep, and they implanted a chip in my pinky finger, but I out smarted them, cutting off my pinky with a meat cleaver hahahaha (wheezing laughter)
No fucking shit, and we all know who they are, the Silverblatts and the Nosengolds. There's not even a reason for the triple parentheses anymore, it's all out in the open.
"Nada" also means Nothing. I guess Carpenter was trying to say that the main character was a "Nothing" in society having no job, being homeless and etc.
no. it was not to suggest he was nothing. it was a euphemism for "nobody". it was to suggest he was a faceless, non descript, regular guy. at the time, the name john was also used this way.
@@SovereignStatesman he had stuff, he just didn't want you to know about it, so he kept it in his brother's garage, and told all his friends not to tell you about it. i was going to tell you but he said if i did he wouldn't let me have sex with his sister. sorry man. it feels better now that i got that off my chest after all the se years
Ray Nelson’s short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning,” on which John Carpenter based They Live, was first published in the November 1963 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. But Carpenter first encountered the story 23 years later, in its comic book adaptation, “Nada.”
I don't think we should. The movie is fine by itself. Like The Thing, it leaves us to interpret things ourselves, it leaves us guessing, and more importantly, it leaves you asking "what do we do next?"
Watch "Network" to get a similar vibe and message from an earlier movie. Also, Carpenter was using fiction to tell real life stories, with both this movie, and with "The Thing". There are shapeshifters among us. No, not in the literal sense. They pretend to be one thing, fellow whites, then suddenly they show their true colors, shalom! To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you're not allowed to criticize.
ScoobTube .. a few years back i would have called bullshit on that..but come to think about it, alot of those hardcore globalsits are jewish arent they? Not all Jews are globalsits but alot of those globalsits are jews that went kinda international socialist..aka Communists. .. think about that shit... i just bought this flick on blu ray metalbook... escape from new york metal book is fantastic
Keith David is amazing as Frank, he even does more than Piper does as the lead protagonist. He often is asking the questions that we the audience want to know and it's done well in They Live, it's not just needless exposition to forward the plot along.
Nada: You see, I take these glasses off, she looks like a regular person, doesn't she? Put 'em back on... [puts them back on] Nada: ...formaldehyde-face!
Yep. But the age of the free range slaves is upon us. Now, they will take the malcontents, Low I.Q. knuckle draggers, criminals, clueless academics and ignorant college kids and even children as their useful idiots with their 'talking points media' to misinform and incite, to pit us against each other in a classic divide and conquer strategy instead of turning on the Luciferian elite.
Matthew Ronson You sound like you know your stuff around the current agenda. Here’s something you might not be aware of. Prince - Digital Garden predicted this psychedelic fascism (term coined by Kubrick RE Clockwork Orange) we see today. Prince was an insider & whistle blower from the 80s until the end.
Matthew Ronson Kubrick (1972): “warns against the new psychedelic fascism-the eye‐popping, multimedia, quadrasonic, drug‐oriented conditioning of human beings by other beings-which many believe will usher in the forfeiture of human citizenship and the beginning of zombiedom” www.nytimes.com/1972/02/27/archives/now-kubrick-fights-back-movies-now-kubrick-fights-back.html
The message is clear: "there's too many of you, and too rebellious" They want subservient slaves, like chinese people, or desperate people from Africa... They don't want more westerns... People that think, that see that their game is rigged... Nope, they don't want more of us, thats why groups like BLM exist, not fight against racism (that is pointless, and even more so because the vast majority of the population get along just fine... Nope, is because this type of politics divide us. They keep throwing at us feminism, especially the third wave, because feminism at its core is pro abortion, and hate against men, they write laws to create disparity between mens and womans Laws that are more harmful to mens, than beneficial to womans. They advocate and propagate LGBTism, so sexual relations won't result in pregnancy... All this policies are made, so we, the best and most prosperous civilization on this planet, won't reproduce more of us, all in name of profit, smart averange people, is competition, don't forget that. By the way, internet is our glasses...
I had my 14 year old nephew over last weekend and I tried to get him to watch this. He said he won't watch anything made before 2007, good lord kids just depress the shit out of me.
The shot in the bar at the end is just such a classic! The alien just staring at the tv, oblivious to everyone almost freaking out around him. Just that look on his face! Hahahaaa
Lol He was so confident and comfortable that they would never be revealed and the guy on the tv at the church did say they are safe as long as they are hidden
"They Live" is probably the '80s film that resonates the most with me even though most of it is forgettable. Just the idea of finding out the people you interact with and think are normal are actually out to destroy you - I think we can all relate to that on some level. It's a great concept film, like "Dawn of the Dead." The shaky execution doesn't matter, it's the sinister vibe that works.
That fight scene is the most important aspect of the film. The length, the efforts, and the sheer brutality of it let's the viewer know just how incredibly difficult it is to make the sleeping see things the way you do.
I remember seeing this for the first time on cable TV. I was amazed how well Roddy Piper and Keith David's characters played off each other. The story was simple yet very captivating. Great movie for it's time.
I always figured that the "grain" in the shots of the aliens is intended to combine with the black-and-white to invoke classic 50s alien invasion flicks.
I remember seeing this in the theater and was shocked to find that one of the others I went with said it was 'the worst movie ever' I was in utter disbelief as I was enthralled by it. I'm so glad it has gained in popularity and has resonated on so many levels with people.
6 лет назад+2
paralentor I was fourteen and thought it was epic. Wanted to go back the next weekend to rewatch with friends and ..... gone. Short run on the truth.
Aah, one of my favourite science fiction movies ever!! And this movie stands the test of time, actually it's probably even more relevant now than ever with what we've learned since then. And one of the greatest one on one fight scenes EVER. R.I.P. "ROWDY" RODDY PIPER. You're missed.
Great review about a nearly invisible and quickly forgotten 80s classic. This movie is way better than any credit it was ever given. The really cool thing is the way it delivers some of its underlying messages and how it's woven into the story.
The reviewers that time had a hatred following towards Carpenter because he used to churn out movies that were mostly different and great. 'They Live' bombed because people were too naïve to believe that something like what was shown in the movie can happen in real life. Now we see how relevant this movie is.
This is one of the best sci fi movies ever made! I love it! I wish it was longer though, I could easily watch another hour added, expanding the story and the universe in which the story takes place.
I think Roddy Piper is surprisingly good as an actor, he's really impressive in *Hell comes to Frogtown* - you can tell he's enjoying himself! (also: Frogtown movie is free to watch on YT now - worth a looks see)
@@Extracted74 Being "woke" is neither left nor right. You've been used to the current use of the word to attack certain demographics, but It's simply about realising what is actually happening in the world.
@@Syklonus i.imgur.com/Z0sc2R6.png Yes it is. It literally means someone who acknowledges communist newspeak. "Racist" "Bigot" "Nazi" and all those other words they act like are insults.
Today it's not 'the man's it's the Woke. George Soros, the Great Reset, the debasement of our words and the corruption of our categories. Do women have cervices?
If he ever tours overseas, I highly suggest seeing Carpenter's live performance. Easily one of my favorite composers and having clips of the films play in the background is really epic. I emailed asking if they were going to release a Bluray live performance but the person responding didn't seem prepared for someone actually wanting one.
He played at Day For Night in Houston back in December. Well worth your time and money if you are a fan. The clips that play during the theme songs to his films are very reminiscent of the intro trailers Oliver does. You can find a few bootleg clips on RUclips but it's not the same.
Was not his first movie. Hell comes to Frogtown was released in January and They Live was released in November but he did a movie called Body Slam in 1986
That was a lovely retrospective, thank you. I was one of those lucky American kids who saw They Live in the theater at the ripe old age of 13. Changed my life!
I love this film, great review as always. I think all of your reviews should come packed as bluray extras for their respective releases. You put so much effort and care into your work and it's greatly appreciated.
Easily one of my favorite ever movies. Not only do I strongly agree with it's message but I believe we can all learn from it. Excessive capitalism is strangling us all. Piper and Carpenter absolutely nailed it.
This is about extortion of people. The control of life! I believe in a truly free society you should choose your course of life, not the government.,not special interest.
You may not have noticed, but the name Frank Armitage that John Carpenter used as a pseudonym (mainly because he didn't want his real name used every time as a screenwriting credit) is actually Keith David's full character name in this movie. Nada's original first name was George in the short story and comic, then changed to John Nada in the movie. He also originally had a girlfriend called Lil, this character was changed to Meg Foster's character in the movie.
Fantastic as usual. This was one of the John Carpenter movies I never took the time to sit through. I may have to sometime. Interestingly the whole concept of the sunglasses allowing John Nada to see those aliens (when I first saw clips of this movie, I though they were zombies) was also adapted into video games like "Bart vs. The Space Mutants" and "Saint's Row IV". In fact they actually parodied it in "Saint's Row IV" with the fist fight and the climax. Also they managed to not only get Keith David to voice in the game, but also the late Roddy Piper himself, both playing themselves of course.
Alive films was owned and run by both Alice Cooper and manager, Shep Gordon. Alice and Shep have been longtime friends with John, hence Alice's cameo in Prince of Darkness.
This comes on YT the same day that this solar eclipse is coming out and everyone wearing sunglasses. Hmmmm....... coincidence ? Great job on this, Oliver. You always seem to find info that I wouldn't have even thought of.
I was born in 1995 I just discovered this movie in dec.2021 I didn't get the luxury of seeing it in theaters or growing up in the 80s but I will say it's understandable how it could have went over so many peoples heads back then or made a mockery out of...this was the beginning of an end and people just didn't know how bad things were going to become living now and seeing the effects of how things elevated into a even worse reality of what they predicted scares me because we are living in it now I'm just thankful I've always had my glasses/contact lenses in my lost and mislead generation
They Live, 1984, Robocop, Fahrenheit 451, all these are examples of science fiction that has sadly never been merely fiction. Metaphors that have become reality. Art intimating life.
ksztyrix #Fact Carpenter actually came out and condemned that position. I think he probably had to. But there is no way to see it any other way once you wake up to “who” is behind ever grotesque agenda in society.
"I already am eating from the trash can all the time. The name of this trash can is ideology. The material force of ideology makes me not see what I am effectively eating."
My cousin took me to see this when it came to New Zealand. The usher didn't seem to mind that I was 10 at the time. The movie was on a Sunday night as the second of a double feature. The first movie was called Shocker. One of those spirit jumping from one body to another type movies. I remember it cost $2.50 for the night. I don't remember much of the films, but the black and white shots always seem to have stood out for me.
yes! absolutely. There are other movies that portray the truth of the world too but these are definitely some of the best examples. Eyes Wide Shut is another one, though a little less blatant. Also The Ghost Writer with Ewan McGregor, Chinatown, Capricorn One, and probably the most cryptic but filled with truths, Under The Silver Lake. Most of these are about the underlying evil forces of the earth, but nothing is as simply delivered as Truman Show and They Live. If you havent seen the ones I listed, check em out!
The scene that really trips me out in this film is when they go down to the TV station and see the way they transport across the star systems. Mind bender.
I watched this not long after its release. Few years after when it was on broadcast TV. Usually Saturday afternoon movies. The visuals of this movie and Big Trouble in Little China stuck with me. They Live is on my list of favorite movies. And you called it very very well in this one!
Fantastic. I love this movie. Stumbled upon it by chance and was in awe how weird it was. I loved the bank scene, and I recognized the "I come here to kick ass and chew bubblegum" quote in Duke Nukem 3D - it was so funny to learn when it was from. Nice classic. Thanks.
Saying that They Live is "more relevant now" is like saying water is wet. Governments have always taken advantage of their power of the people & the rich have never cared for those underneath
I remember in 2005 or so this was on HBO or Cinemax. I absolutely love this movie and Roddy Piper as a huge wrestling fan growing up in the late 80s and 90s. The movie and its theme are used by people like Alex Jones as proof the " Illuminati" are the ones ruling the world and Carpenter tried to show them as the bad guys. I believe Carpenter is trying to show the Super Rich and Powerful ran the world in the 80s and they are hidden behind politicians who are scum run by the Super Rich. Anyway I love you Oliver and is at least my second time watching this retrospective, I have watched them all at least once, and you are the best!
@@ripred42 Thankfully you have a clear head here! John himself even said he was tired of all the right wing conspiracies people think is in this movie. One reason he mainly spoke out was because people were making wild theories such as thinking the aliens represent Jewish people controlling the world. Just plain awful reading those types of comments on this great movie. Worst part is people are bringing in left vs right tribalism into this despite the movie pointing out that it is the entire establishment against us. Doesn't matter which side, the rich are only out to benefit themselves. And as you mentioned, he even poked fun at Reagan during the movie. You'd have to be brain-dead to think this movie supports conservative ideals. It literally goes against everything they stand for.
This movie spoke the truth of America's economy when it came out. Unemployment,poverty,grew when this movie came out. It broke box office records for the time of year it came out and continued to do so and it was pulled from the theaters. This makes no sense. I didn't even know about this movie til it came out on video a year later.
Although "They Live" could be seen as an homage to the cinematic experiences of John Carpenter in his childhood - when he was watching those B movies of the 1950's, his SciFi flic is a political statement on the neoliberal economic policy of Ronald Reagan (-> 'Reaganomics'). PS: Studiocanal released the bluray/UHD. The soundtrack is still available via Death Waltz Records.
Yeah we've got a lot to tear down. Tesla stated that all of our nature, our organs, brainwaves etc. are within a certain bandwidth. If you could take control of that bandwidth you could basically control the world. We are now in an ocean of unnatural radiation and a former friend of mine (at least I saw him as a friend at some point in time) laughed at me when we were in our civil protection bunker last year if I am already feeling bad already because they added a 5G permanent line through the whole facility. The joke's on him though and he's the stupid one, every day a bit of rat poison kills you over time, you don't just drop dead....
I had a look at the lyrics for Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" with They Live's Sun Glasses: - "We're no strangers to hate. You know the rules and I don't care. I just want to put a price on your feelings. I Gotta make a quick grand from you. I'm always gonna give you up, gonna let you down. I'm always gonna run around and desert you. I'm always gonna make you cry, always gonna say goodbye. I'm always gonna tell a lie and desert you."
Get They Live on Blu-ray here goo.gl/SrKgcN
Get the They Live Soundtrack here goo.gl/Snw6tt
Oliver Harper is there any way I could get a link to a full rez image of that title card? It is amazing and I want to make a poster of it.
This is by far one of my favorite films and I thank you for making this.
Didn't you in an earlier review of his say you thought "Starman" was Johns best? Eh, tastes change, and the thing is really solid!
A GriffinTV never seen Starman or the review of it.
He hasn't made a review of it's he said it's the best Carpenter film in a diff review, Escape from New York or the Fog maybe?
If you go to my Facebook page you can download the image there.
Once, while in the military, I had the honor of spending an entire day with Rowdy Piper. We both sat next to each other on a long flight home. He was not only hilarious, but very down to earth and kept thanking me for my service. I later put his “bubblegum” line on the inside of my Kevlar. I still have the copy of my travel orders he signed the back of.
Thanks for your service, Sir. Also, I can’t imagine how hilarious of a flight that must have been.
What an honor
@@OrlandoShroom When you say thank you for your service what do you actually mean? As far as I am aware the military never "defended" or "protected" us. Only setup puppet regimes and put us where we're at right now. Even though it's not shown in the film that's exactly the kind of thing 'They Live' is about...
The hat looks to big for your head 😆
@@maxhammer4067 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
"They Live is a documentary!" -Tweet from Roddy Piper
Haha 😂 S’True!
It’s accurate but it’s actually far far worse 😂
That quote was ahead of its time like the movie was pretty scary ain't it.
Yup
this movie is so politically relevant that it will never be forgotten, it really goes to the core of control, human corruption and misery, and i love how it was condensed into a sci fiction story, a great example of smart Cinema
The Wraith since when has revealing the truth been crazy?
The Wraith I’m not here to try and convince anyone , continue living your life.
@Bravo Two Six Romeo How pathetic. Is this your only response? It seems the only thing man is good at, is repeating the mistakes of the past.
I'll admit that the political commentary has its marit for the time it was made, but I mean, other than that, I was kidnapped by aliens in my sleep, and they implanted a chip in my pinky finger, but I out smarted them, cutting off my pinky with a meat cleaver hahahaha (wheezing laughter)
The fact is that there ARE actually creatures behind the scenes that DO work with the government.
Well Carpenter did say, "They Live is still going on".
Name for a Sequel: They Die :)
There was a fan made sequel made in 2017 called they still live, it is free on youtube and lasts about 15 minutes.
trump is a reptile
@@GCAbleism158 was it made by aliens to put you to sleep?
No fucking shit, and we all know who they are, the Silverblatts and the Nosengolds. There's not even a reason for the triple parentheses anymore, it's all out in the open.
Roddy Piper R.I.P 😢
He was a pretty good actor in this. I'm surprised he didn't have more hits but maybe that was just down to Carpenter's direction, as Oliver suggests.
:(
"Nada" also means Nothing. I guess Carpenter was trying to say that the main character was a "Nothing" in society having no job, being homeless and etc.
Joy G
Hmmmmmmmm
no. it was not to suggest he was nothing. it was a euphemism for "nobody". it was to suggest he was a faceless, non descript, regular guy. at the time, the name john was also used this way.
He HAD nothing.
@@SovereignStatesman he had stuff, he just didn't want you to know about it, so he kept it in his brother's garage, and told all his friends not to tell you about it. i was going to tell you but he said if i did he wouldn't let me have sex with his sister. sorry man. it feels better now that i got that off my chest after all the se years
Ray Nelson’s short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning,” on which John Carpenter based They Live, was first published in the November 1963 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. But Carpenter first encountered the story 23 years later, in its comic book adaptation, “Nada.”
This movie should have had a part two. Or are we living in part two right now in America and the world ?
LGBTAmerica and BLM is they live 2
* in the west
So long as Western Society, or any hierarchy exists, we will continue to live in They Live.
I don't think we should. The movie is fine by itself. Like The Thing, it leaves us to interpret things ourselves, it leaves us guessing, and more importantly, it leaves you asking "what do we do next?"
@@andyroobrick-a-brack9355 sure you're right 👍
"There are no countries anymore" - that line alone proves there is an international problem.
Watch "Network" to get a similar vibe and message from an earlier movie. Also, Carpenter was using fiction to tell real life stories, with both this movie, and with "The Thing". There are shapeshifters among us. No, not in the literal sense. They pretend to be one thing, fellow whites, then suddenly they show their true colors, shalom!
To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you're not allowed to criticize.
Beery Fuckin hell man no
Globalism.
It's called Globalism and the leftist politicians have been pushing for it for decades.
Andrew Vincent Not Just leftists. Both parties. Left and right as part of the government (governing/controlling the mind).
ClassicJohn Carpenter. And only 4million dollars! Even for the 80´s that´s low. Fantastic example of creativity in writing and directing.
This movie spoke on a lot of levels, especially In today's world...ahead of it's time.
greg johnson ..yep.. globalism
ScoobTube .. a few years back i would have called bullshit on that..but come to think about it, alot of those hardcore globalsits are jewish arent they? Not all Jews are globalsits but alot of those globalsits are jews that went kinda international socialist..aka Communists. .. think about that shit... i just bought this flick on blu ray metalbook... escape from new york metal book is fantastic
Please go away. We don't want your paranoid delusions on this thoughtful and enjoyable channel.
ScoobTube ..jewish people own youtube? I thought it was muslims... who owns it andmhow do you know they are jewish?
ScoobTube It's up to you to prove your claims that "Omg JEWS ARE CONTROLLING THE WORLD!" The burden of proof is on you.
There's just something about classic Carpenter films that make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Keith David is amazing as Frank, he even does more than Piper does as the lead protagonist. He often is asking the questions that we the audience want to know and it's done well in They Live, it's not just needless exposition to forward the plot along.
Nada: You see, I take these glasses off, she looks like a regular person, doesn't she? Put 'em back on...
[puts them back on]
Nada: ...formaldehyde-face!
Points to guy: You, you're okay. Points to woman: This one? Real fuckin' ugly.
"Marry and Reproduce" meant that they want the slaves to keep breeding more slaves.
Yep. But the age of the free range slaves is upon us. Now, they will take the malcontents, Low I.Q. knuckle draggers, criminals, clueless academics and ignorant college kids and even children as their useful idiots with their 'talking points media' to misinform and incite, to pit us against each other in a classic divide and conquer strategy instead of turning on the Luciferian elite.
@Smash A Commie imported slaves still need to breed to make more.
Matthew Ronson You sound like you know your stuff around the current agenda. Here’s something you might not be aware of. Prince - Digital Garden predicted this psychedelic fascism (term coined by Kubrick RE Clockwork Orange) we see today. Prince was an insider & whistle blower from the 80s until the end.
Matthew Ronson Kubrick (1972): “warns against the new psychedelic fascism-the eye‐popping, multimedia, quadrasonic, drug‐oriented conditioning of human beings by other beings-which many believe will usher in the forfeiture of human citizenship and the beginning of zombiedom” www.nytimes.com/1972/02/27/archives/now-kubrick-fights-back-movies-now-kubrick-fights-back.html
The message is clear: "there's too many of you, and too rebellious"
They want subservient slaves, like chinese people, or desperate people from Africa...
They don't want more westerns...
People that think, that see that their game is rigged...
Nope, they don't want more of us, thats why groups like BLM exist, not fight against racism (that is pointless, and even more so because the vast majority of the population get along just fine...
Nope, is because this type of politics divide us.
They keep throwing at us feminism, especially the third wave, because feminism at its core is pro abortion, and hate against men, they write laws to create disparity between mens and womans
Laws that are more harmful to mens, than beneficial to womans.
They advocate and propagate LGBTism, so sexual relations won't result in pregnancy...
All this policies are made, so we, the best and most prosperous civilization on this planet, won't reproduce more of us, all in name of profit, smart averange people, is competition, don't forget that.
By the way, internet is our glasses...
As usual, the so-called "movie critics" were dead wrong.
And actually dead.
Now most of em are both dead and wrong.
😁👍
Ironically whenever I've seen Meg Foster interviewed she always seems such a nice person but she often plays villains. Stunning eyes.
Those eyes are creepy
She's the perfect Ice Queen....
I would sell my soul for a lifetime of looking deep into those eyes.
She should play Mab "Fairy Queen of Winter" if Dresden Files is ever made into a genuine big budget tv series.
Half bread eyes,,
I had my 14 year old nephew over last weekend and I tried to get him to watch this. He said he won't watch anything made before 2007, good lord kids just depress the shit out of me.
not all kids are like that dude
Poor guy, never seen the best movies...
Tie his ass up and make him watch Back to the Future, Terminator 1 & 2, Lost Boys, Gremlins, etc.
Years and years of them dumbing everyone down has taken its toll...
What?! My son is 13 and loves “old” movies T1,T2. Aliens, Predator. He says the special effects are better and new movies have too mich cgi.
The shot in the bar at the end is just such a classic! The alien just staring at the tv, oblivious to everyone almost freaking out around him. Just that look on his face! Hahahaaa
zew 1 facts. And if you look in the back of that scene. A women is in her alien form too!😂
Lol He was so confident and comfortable that they would never be revealed and the guy on the tv at the church did say they are safe as long as they are hidden
Fun fact, that alien is a mannequin. Watch the scene again, he doesn’t move a muscle.
"They Live" is probably the '80s film that resonates the most with me even though most of it is forgettable. Just the idea of finding out the people you interact with and think are normal are actually out to destroy you - I think we can all relate to that on some level. It's a great concept film, like "Dawn of the Dead." The shaky execution doesn't matter, it's the sinister vibe that works.
That fight scene is the most important aspect of the film. The length, the efforts, and the sheer brutality of it let's the viewer know just how incredibly difficult it is to make the sleeping see things the way you do.
...just how difficult ut is to make the sleeping see. Period.
Greatest line ever spoken in a movie and Duke Nukem agrees.
What line
Put on those sunglasses or start eating that trashcan!
dark Hall “you look as ugly to us as we look to you.”
Greatest fist fight i've ever seen in a movie.
Bonez0r
YUPPERZ!!!
Ken Hudson
Datz ok. I laffed & datz all dat wuz required. Don't need lose of life or limb, 2 b ntertained.
Evabodyz a critic.
SMH
SunBunz
Nobody, can look azz ugly, azz me! ( Missed opportunity. )
Based on a true story
I remember when I was a kid my father would always say that after watching any Sci-Fi movie. Still makes me smile :)
There's always one of you, isn't there? You're like the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses of the internet, intruding where you're unwanted.
Bases on a "current" story.
@@fuzzydunlop7928 Pretty ironic.
Okay tin foil hat man
The film is like the Matrix, except it elaborates on the simulation more so than the real world.
I remember seeing this for the first time on cable TV. I was amazed how well Roddy Piper and Keith David's characters played off each other. The story was simple yet very captivating. Great movie for it's time.
I always figured that the "grain" in the shots of the aliens is intended to combine with the black-and-white to invoke classic 50s alien invasion flicks.
Will Mistretta I always figured it was from the radiation that gives Nada a headache after wearing the glasses
You're correct. LOTS of the 80s films were rooted in 50s nostalgia.
Bingo
And I'm all outa Bubble Gum!
Someone was bound to type it!
I always thought that line was originally from Duke Dukem ;)
I suspect Duke Nukem took the line from the movie.
Duke 3D had many movie references and this line was definitely one of them.
James, which came first? The movie or the game? That'll answer things for you.
The movie. They Live was 1988. Duke Nukem 3D was 1996.
I remember seeing this in the theater and was shocked to find that one of the others I went with said it was 'the worst movie ever' I was in utter disbelief as I was enthralled by it. I'm so glad it has gained in popularity and has resonated on so many levels with people.
paralentor I was fourteen and thought it was epic. Wanted to go back the next weekend to rewatch with friends and ..... gone. Short run on the truth.
People compared this film to V on television aired that time
you found an alien lmao
@@_s_9920
I was gonna say I think that person was one of them.
Greatest ending ever Hey whats wrong baby??? lol
S A
LOL!!!
😂😂😂😂😂
They Live is a masterpiece!! One of my favorites!! Great review Oliver!
Aah, one of my favourite science fiction movies ever!! And this movie stands the test of time, actually it's probably even more relevant now than ever with what we've learned since then. And one of the greatest one on one fight scenes EVER.
R.I.P. "ROWDY" RODDY PIPER. You're missed.
Great review about a nearly invisible and quickly forgotten 80s classic. This movie is way better than any credit it was ever given. The really cool thing is the way it delivers some of its underlying messages and how it's woven into the story.
The reviewers that time had a hatred following towards Carpenter because he used to churn out movies that were mostly different and great. 'They Live' bombed because people were too naïve to believe that something like what was shown in the movie can happen in real life. Now we see how relevant this movie is.
Completely agree
Who’s here in 2020 and sees a true story occurring ...
It's been a true story for a few decades
at this point, it is a Documentary.
I remember thinking at the time that those drones were never going to happen, but here we are with drones.
Question is: Who is “they”?
Why do you ask who is here in 2020? Obviously everyone since you posted in 2020 and it's still 2020 🤦♂️
I love this film so much, so many messages in it that are still relevant today. Way ahead of its time, just like most John Carpenter's art.
This is one of the best sci fi movies ever made! I love it! I wish it was longer though, I could easily watch another hour added, expanding the story and the universe in which the story takes place.
Rest in peace WWE Hall of Famer "Hotrod" Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Oh shut up you died after your third game
@@Himmyjewett No, he didn't.It will always remain as one of the OGs.Not any of the Fortnite shit you young pricks play now...
@@glypharte375 who plays fortnite
@@glypharte375 and plus I'm talking about the fact that his name is Max Payne cuz the third was trash
I came here to do two things; chew bubble gum and watch an oliver harper review and im all out if bubble gum...
Boom
I think Roddy Piper is surprisingly good as an actor, he's really impressive in *Hell comes to Frogtown* - you can tell he's enjoying himself!
(also: Frogtown movie is free to watch on YT now - worth a looks see)
He's really good as Da Maniac in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
This film is non fiction.
Your opening and closing montages have only gotten better and better
Thank you Jon!
Holy shit. Oliver Senpai noticed me. Love your commentaries too by the way.
8:19 It has to be the best fist fight I've ever seen on the screen. Realism, brutality, pacing, editing, framing, everything is perfect.
this masterpiece was ahead of its time
My brother...it's still is
one of the most "woke" movies to ever be released
He got a Rude Awakening
Its not leftist at all? You're reaching
@@Extracted74 Being "woke" is neither left nor right. You've been used to the current use of the word to attack certain demographics, but It's simply about realising what is actually happening in the world.
@@Syklonus i.imgur.com/Z0sc2R6.png
Yes it is. It literally means someone who acknowledges communist newspeak. "Racist" "Bigot" "Nazi" and all those other words they act like are insults.
@@Syklonus thats not true, woke mean virtue signaling left. YES left, everyone who is woke is from the left.
YES Oliver! - What a film! It always makes me end up thinking vage thoughts that involve not submitting to 'the man' ...whoever that might be.
Today it's not 'the man's it's the Woke. George Soros, the Great Reset, the debasement of our words and the corruption of our categories.
Do women have cervices?
If he ever tours overseas, I highly suggest seeing Carpenter's live performance. Easily one of my favorite composers and having clips of the films play in the background is really epic. I emailed asking if they were going to release a Bluray live performance but the person responding didn't seem prepared for someone actually wanting one.
you saw him live? He is touring this fall. I may go see him.
He played at Day For Night in Houston back in December. Well worth your time and money if you are a fan. The clips that play during the theme songs to his films are very reminiscent of the intro trailers Oliver does. You can find a few bootleg clips on RUclips but it's not the same.
I enjoyed this movie as a teenager in the 80's. I understand this movie as a 40 something in the 20's...
The dialogue by the old preacher on the street at the beginning is haunting when taking stock of what is happening currently in 2018
2020 says hi
2021 says fuck you 🤠
For his first ever acting gig, Roddy did one hell of a job!
Was not his first movie. Hell comes to Frogtown was released in January and They Live was released in November but he did a movie called Body Slam in 1986
That was a lovely retrospective, thank you. I was one of those lucky American kids who saw They Live in the theater at the ripe old age of 13. Changed my life!
Saw this in theaters, it still is one of my favs. I love practical effects, let the viewer use their imagination.
I love this film, great review as always. I think all of your reviews should come packed as bluray extras for their respective releases. You put so much effort and care into your work and it's greatly appreciated.
Ah man, I love it when you take a look at these John Carpenter films. I haven't seen it before, but it looks like it's another one I need to buy!
Gameplay and Talk
BUY IT!!!
Reducing this to the Republicans turns this into a partisan thing. American politics is a stitch up between two parties which serve Wall Street.
Anon B I wish more people understood this
And the mega-corporations that forms PACS and contribute to both sides for their own ends.
Well at the Time the Republicans were the problem. Today's world we're open to the fact that BOTH partisans are the problem.
@tad562 So are Democrats.
@tad562 Nah man, Democrats are equally as bad.
The most important "movie" (Roddy: "it´s a documentary") ever
You freaking rock! Thanks so much for another great retrospective, they seriously make my whole week!
Thanks Jesse!
Easily one of my favorite ever movies. Not only do I strongly agree with it's message but I believe we can all learn from it. Excessive capitalism is strangling us all.
Piper and Carpenter absolutely nailed it.
This is about extortion of people. The control of life! I believe in a truly free society you should choose your course of life, not the government.,not special interest.
"Put on the Damn GLASSES!"
You may not have noticed, but the name Frank Armitage that John Carpenter used as a pseudonym (mainly because he didn't want his real name used every time as a screenwriting credit) is actually Keith David's full character name in this movie. Nada's original first name was George in the short story and comic, then changed to John Nada in the movie. He also originally had a girlfriend called Lil, this character was changed to Meg Foster's character in the movie.
Fantastic as usual. This was one of the John Carpenter movies I never took the time to sit through. I may have to sometime. Interestingly the whole concept of the sunglasses allowing John Nada to see those aliens (when I first saw clips of this movie, I though they were zombies) was also adapted into video games like "Bart vs. The Space Mutants" and "Saint's Row IV". In fact they actually parodied it in "Saint's Row IV" with the fist fight and the climax. Also they managed to not only get Keith David to voice in the game, but also the late Roddy Piper himself, both playing themselves of course.
Alive films was owned and run by both Alice Cooper and manager, Shep Gordon. Alice and Shep have been longtime friends with John, hence Alice's cameo in Prince of Darkness.
There is no way Big Trouble in Little China was a box office bomb. The movie is so iconic!
Rather fitting that this review drops on a day where you need special glasses to look at the sun. Was that intentional, or just a happy coincidence?
This comes on YT the same day that this solar eclipse is coming out and everyone wearing sunglasses. Hmmmm....... coincidence ? Great job on this, Oliver. You always seem to find info that I wouldn't have even thought of.
This is clearly one of the best RUclips Channels. Thanks for these reviews. They Live is a classic!
I was born in 1995 I just discovered this movie in dec.2021
I didn't get the luxury of seeing it in theaters or growing up in the 80s but I will say it's understandable how it could have went over so many peoples heads back then or made a mockery out of...this was the beginning of an end and people just didn't know how bad things were going to become living now and seeing the effects of how things elevated into a even worse reality of what they predicted scares me because we are living in it now
I'm just thankful I've always had my glasses/contact lenses in my lost and mislead generation
They Live, 1984, Robocop, Fahrenheit 451, all these are examples of science fiction that has sadly never been merely fiction. Metaphors that have become reality. Art intimating life.
Mr. Harper, it's uncanny how similar our tastes in cinema are. Your retrospectives are nothing short of masterful, bud! Please keep them coming.
Oh my gosh.. This movie has become reality 2020..
I'm surprised how many people are unaware of this movie, especially given how prevalent its been in memes and how timely its become again as of late.
Greed, corruption and encouraged overspending is more rampant than ever in "certain places" :p
Grew up with this masterpiece, and I still am with my old man.
Awesome Oliver, not seen this classic since the 80s Ordered Blu Ray. The Politics of it are so relevant now as you said.
Love this DOCUMENTARY.
Good timing with this Oliver, what with the eclipse and all! "PUT ON THE GLASSES!!!" haha!
John Carpenter movies are a gift to humanity
This movie screwed me up. I watched it when I was way too young and I thought it was real for the longest time!
ksztyrix
#Fact
Carpenter actually came out and condemned that position.
I think he probably had to.
But there is no way to see it any other way once you wake up to “who” is behind ever grotesque agenda in society.
It is real. You where not screwed up you where awake
@@traviscarver4708 the more you look in to it the crazier you sound to those who don't
Travis Carver well yeah you think he was just gonna come out and say “yeah its about how jews infiltrate society and decay it from within?” lol
And now you can't tell if it's not real
I miss Rowdy Piper very much (1954 - 2015)
one of the best movies of the 80's.
"I already am eating from the trash can all the time. The name of this trash can is ideology. The material force of ideology makes me not see what I am effectively eating."
My cousin took me to see this when it came to New Zealand. The usher didn't seem to mind that I was 10 at the time. The movie was on a Sunday night as the second of a double feature. The first movie was called Shocker. One of those spirit jumping from one body to another type movies. I remember it cost $2.50 for the night. I don't remember much of the films, but the black and white shots always seem to have stood out for me.
This and true man show predicted today's culture
And the matrix,,,
yes! absolutely. There are other movies that portray the truth of the world too but these are definitely some of the best examples. Eyes Wide Shut is another one, though a little less blatant. Also The Ghost Writer with Ewan McGregor, Chinatown, Capricorn One, and probably the most cryptic but filled with truths, Under The Silver Lake. Most of these are about the underlying evil forces of the earth, but nothing is as simply delivered as Truman Show and They Live. If you havent seen the ones I listed, check em out!
It depicted the culture of the 80s but that culture never went away
The scene that really trips me out in this film is when they go down to the TV station and see the way they transport across the star systems. Mind bender.
Classic John Carpenter film. Still relevant today!
The moment you turn the conversation to the Soundtrack and that music kicks in-! EPIC!
One of my all time favorite films ever. Creeped me out as a kid. Thank you!
I watched this not long after its release. Few years after when it was on broadcast TV. Usually Saturday afternoon movies. The visuals of this movie and Big Trouble in Little China stuck with me. They Live is on my list of favorite movies. And you called it very very well in this one!
Fantastic. I love this movie. Stumbled upon it by chance and was in awe how weird it was. I loved the bank scene, and I recognized the "I come here to kick ass and chew bubblegum" quote in Duke Nukem 3D - it was so funny to learn when it was from. Nice classic. Thanks.
Do not joke about nuking.
Saying that They Live is "more relevant now" is like saying water is wet. Governments have always taken advantage of their power of the people & the rich have never cared for those underneath
Perfect day for this to be released with people walking around with sunglasses to look at the sun.
LIQUID EAGLE yes that is a highly unusual application for...sunglasses.
I remember in 2005 or so this was on HBO or Cinemax. I absolutely love this movie and Roddy Piper as a huge wrestling fan growing up in the late 80s and 90s. The movie and its theme are used by people like Alex Jones as proof the " Illuminati" are the ones ruling the world and Carpenter tried to show them as the bad guys. I believe Carpenter is trying to show the Super Rich and Powerful ran the world in the 80s and they are hidden behind politicians who are scum run by the Super Rich. Anyway I love you Oliver and is at least my second time watching this retrospective, I have watched them all at least once, and you are the best!
I saw this movie when I was 10 or 11 and it blew me away. My first red pill.
Me 2. What a primer. Salute to carpenter for putting it out there
Clearly you misunderstood. The movie is an indictment of Reagan and capitalism. Carpenter has been explicit on this.
Me too.
@@ripred42 Thankfully you have a clear head here! John himself even said he was tired of all the right wing conspiracies people think is in this movie. One reason he mainly spoke out was because people were making wild theories such as thinking the aliens represent Jewish people controlling the world. Just plain awful reading those types of comments on this great movie. Worst part is people are bringing in left vs right tribalism into this despite the movie pointing out that it is the entire establishment against us. Doesn't matter which side, the rich are only out to benefit themselves. And as you mentioned, he even poked fun at Reagan during the movie. You'd have to be brain-dead to think this movie supports conservative ideals. It literally goes against everything they stand for.
@@MrVuckFiacom Conservatives are not exactly known to be very smart so... Y know...
This movie spoke the truth of America's economy when it came out. Unemployment,poverty,grew when this movie came out. It broke box office records for the time of year it came out and continued to do so and it was pulled from the theaters. This makes no sense. I didn't even know about this movie til it came out on video a year later.
it's funny how the famous critics are always super wrong lol.
The same ones also shit on The Thing. Ebert was a simpleton that only wanted mindless, soulless, saccharine crap like E.T.
Becouse of $$. Propably he dosn't pay :)
Please review The Lost Boys, Apocalypse Now, Trainspotting, Deliverance, ET, Goodfellas, Killing Fields...
Scanners!
I thought The Hitcher (1986, Rutger Hauer) would also be a film that Oliver would really like.
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
I would love to see him review Leon, Heat, L.A. Confidential, Ronin and American Beauty
Philip Nellis he wants the moon on a stick!
This movie is more prevalent now than it was when it came out
Combing true now
Relevant :)
Although "They Live" could be seen as an homage to the cinematic experiences of John Carpenter in his childhood - when he was watching those B movies of the 1950's, his SciFi flic is a political statement on the neoliberal economic policy of Ronald Reagan (-> 'Reaganomics'). PS: Studiocanal released the bluray/UHD. The soundtrack is still available via Death Waltz Records.
There's currently Cell Phone Tower's every 2 miles .
Yeah we've got a lot to tear down. Tesla stated that all of our nature, our organs, brainwaves etc. are within a certain bandwidth. If you could take control of that bandwidth you could basically control the world. We are now in an ocean of unnatural radiation and a former friend of mine (at least I saw him as a friend at some point in time) laughed at me when we were in our civil protection bunker last year if I am already feeling bad already because they added a 5G permanent line through the whole facility. The joke's on him though and he's the stupid one, every day a bit of rat poison kills you over time, you don't just drop dead....
I had a look at the lyrics for Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" with They Live's Sun Glasses: -
"We're no strangers to hate. You know the rules and I don't care. I just want to put a price on your feelings. I Gotta make a quick grand from you. I'm always gonna give you up, gonna let you down. I'm always gonna run around and desert you. I'm always gonna make you cry, always gonna say goodbye. I'm always gonna tell a lie and desert you."
Great review on a great movie Oliver. Glad to hear you've got your ads sorted out on this video too.
Cheers buddy!