Current Events > The Thing is such a massively overrated film

(+) Yeah! (+)

It definitely doesn't deserve its GOAT status that people seem to give it, especially from those outside of the hobby. I just made a list of films that I think are much more deserving of its GOAT status, in chronological order. I'm also speaking strictly from a critical perspective; there are lots of films I'd include if I was speaking from personal preference. The ones I highlighted I PRESUME are better, but I personally haven't ever seen.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
A Page of Madness (1926)
M (1931)
Freaks (1932)
Diabolique (1955)
Jigoku (1960)
Psycho (1960)
Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Peeping Tom (1960)
Onibaba (1964)
Kwaidan (1964)
Repulsion (1965)
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Blind Beast (1969)
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Black Christmas (1974)
Deathdream (1974)
Carrie (1976)
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
Suspiria (1977)
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Zombi 2 (1979)
Phantasm (1979)
Alien (1979)
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
City of the Living Dead (1980)
The Beyond (1981)
Evil Dead (1981)
Possession (1981)
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Poltergeist (1982)
Videodrome (1983)
Day of the Dead (1985)
Re-Animator (1985)
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Hellraiser (1987)
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
The Vanishing (1988)
Santa Sangre (1989)
The Reflecting Skin (1990)
Candyman (1992)
Dead Alive (1992)
Cemetary Man (1994)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Audition (1999)
Let the Right One In (2008)
Martyrs (2008)
The VVitch (2015)
Raw (2016)
Get Out (2017)
Hereditary (2018)
Midsommar (2019)

Is it hard being wrong?

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That's a great list but no.

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Disagree

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You come off as not a big fan of Carpenter tbh. Not a criticism just a general observation.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJX4ytfqw6k

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That is incorrect.

Why are the kinds of people who include years with movie titles always like this

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maybe I should rewatch it, but I currently agree.

it did nothing for me.

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Something doesn't need to be overrated just because you like other things.

Congratulations on finally learning what personal taste is. Maybe one day you'll learn how to like something without putting something else down.

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I'd even go far enough to say that I think Carpenter's library as a whole is overrated.

They Live (1988) is like an 8/10 film at best. It's an alright film and has some good comedic moments in it, but it's definitely not the best horror film regarding social class/class dynamics/western capitalism. The kind of people who think They Live is a profound film are the same people who had their minds blown by Zeitgeist in High School.

Halloween (1978) is a well-made film, but it doesn't hold up well at all upon tons of repeated viewings. Even so, Black Christmas (1974) is still a better film -- and there are plenty of films that are derivative of Halloween that may not be quite as well-made from a critical perspective, but are a million times more entertaining and engaging. The mythos for Michael Myers is just kind of lackluster, too.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) is a fun movie, and I loved it as a kid. I used to put laundry-baskets on my head and pretend I was shooting thunder out of my palms. It's a good popcorn flick, but I don't think it's a masterpiece or anything by any means.

In the Mouth of Madness (1994) is okay. It's a good film for the time it came out, sure -- but it's definitely far from a classic or a fantastic film. It's fun for maybe a watch or two, and it's competently made - but not really a master class in any way.

I haven't seen Christine (1983) or the Fog (1980) - but the general caliber of King horror adaptations doesn't offer much promise. I'd also assume the two Escape films are along the same lines as Big Trouble In Little China (1986).

SevenTenths posted...

Something doesn't need to be overrated just because you like other things.

Congratulations on finally learning what personal taste is. Maybe one day you'll learn how to like something without putting something else down.

I'm not talking about personal taste. I explicitly said I'm speaking from a critical perspective. I'm personally not a fan of Romero's Dead trilogy or Suspiria -- but they're more well made films than the Thing, and definitely belong in GOAT lists.

It is a top 5 Horror film of all time.

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bobbaaay posted...

I'm not talking about personal taste

Oh sorry for thinking you learned anything. One day you'll learn about it. Until then keep crying on the internet that people like things you don't and it's everyone else who is wrong

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ImmatureContent posted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJX4ytfqw6k

I'm not talking about my personal opinions. If I was talking about what I liked then the list would be waaaaay longer and include stuff like Frankenhooker (1990), Street Trash (1987), Slime City (1988), The Lure (2015), Found (2012), etc.
But those films clearly aren't as well made as The Thing. The films that I listed should all definitely be considered better films from a critical perspective.

SevenTenths posted...

Oh sorry for thinking you learned anything. One day you'll learn about it. Until then keep crying on the internet that people like things you don't and it's everyone else who is wrong

Is it a hard concept to understand that there's a difference between personal tastes and the quality of something? I'm not talking about my personal tastes.

I dunno how you can place that many horror films above it. Sure, you might not deserves the top 5 status that it gets, and I'll respect it, but not putting it in the top 10 is ludacris.

The sense of isolation is astounding, the tense story telling with the show, don't tell, is great, the soundtrack is all kinds of creepy, and the effects are still some of the best to this day.

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bobbaaay posted...

Is it a hard concept to understand that there's a difference between personal tastes and the quality of something?

*looks at topic*
You sure seem to think so.

Tell us more about how everyone else is wrong and only you can judge if a movie is good or not.

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SevenTenths posted...

*looks at topic*
You sure seem to think so.

Tell us more about how everyone else is wrong and only you can judge if a movie is good or not.

What're you talking about? I literally said that some of the films I listed I don't like. Acknowledging that something is well made isn't the same as saying you like it, and vice versa.

I agree.

bobbaaay posted...

They Live (1988) is like an 8/10 film at best. It's an alright film and has some good comedic moments in it, but it's definitely not the best horror film regarding social class/class dynamics/western capitalism.

Any recommendations?

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I like the part where you gave objective criticisms, it really showed how you aren't just ass blasted that people have the nerve to like something you don't.

Now please keep telling us how everyone else is wrong but you.

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What does well made even mean? I would love to see an objective rating system to determine what makes something a "better" movie than other movies.

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Eat More Beef posted...

I dunno how you can place that many horror films above it. Sure, you might not deserves the top 5 status that it gets, and I'll respect it, but not putting it in the top 10 is ludacris.

The sense of isolation is astounding, the tense story telling with the show, don't tell, is great, the soundtrack is all kinds of creepy, and the effects are still some of the best to this day.

I'm not saying it doesn't achieve those things. But what about the feelings of loneliness and helplessness in The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976) -- and the perfectly creepy and perverse delivery from Martin Sheen? What about the layers upon layers of meaning and symbolism in Possession (1981)? The excellent marketing for The Blair Witch Project (1999) that was basically an ARG that predated the widespread concept of ARGs? The innovation of Cannibal Holocaust (1980), as well as the controversy it generated -- without even mentioning its absolutely fantastic score? The fear of simultaneously knowing but not wanting to know in The Vanishing (1988)? The grit and rawness of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)? The atmosphere generated by The Reflecting Skin (1990) through its perfect score, perfect pacing, and its unflinchingly dreadful tone?

Every film I listed offers something just as profound and impactful.

The Thing isnt goat status but Blair Witch is?

lol get the fuck outta here

bobbaaay posted...

I'm not talking about my personal opinions.

Yes you are

...you gotta be fucking kidding.

Peak CEman topic

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Peak CEman opinion

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the thing is good but overpraised on this board. halloween is carpenter's literally perfect movie

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coh posted...

The Thing isnt goat status but Blair Witch is?

lol get the fuck outta here

I haven't seen the original Blair Witch, but you can't deny its influence.

I think Cannibal Holocaust did the found footage horror movie thing, but Blair Witch brought it to the mainstream, iirc.

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CouldBeAnAlt posted...

Is it hard being wrong?

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Shablagoo posted...

I agree.

Any recommendations?

Us (2019) does a surprisingly good job at exploring class envy, class traitorism, and the concept of there being two different Americas -- one for the haves and the have nots. Those living without just emulating those with. Narratively it has a lot of plot holes, and it received a lot of unwarranted hate for such - and it also didn't help that there's a huge backlash against Peele for his pro-black stances.

Society (1989) may be a horror comedy, and may be a totally goofy Yuzna film, with his always unique practical effects -- but it does speak to the upper class figuratively and, in the film's case, literally consuming and absorbing others with lower socio-economic standing. It also exemplifies the hedonism of those in the upper class, not unlike something like Caligula (1979) -- and makes a mockery of incest that was typical in ruling classes throughout history, whether it's meant to be literal, figurative, or both.

The People Under the Stairs (1991) is just constant references to Reaganism and class dynamics. Again, those without living underneath and being either ignored and forgotten (in the case of the children) or subservient (in the case of the tenants) to the ruling class. Peele has explicitly stated that it was a huge influence on him and his films.

Funny Games (1997) is just another example of wealth and malaise leading to people finding pleasure in observing the suffering of others. It's well known that Heineke made the film to try and make the audiences feel guilty for wanting to see on-screen violence. Although the film was maybe not meant to focus on the perceived socio-economic standing of its antagonists - it can definitely be seen as relevant even if not intentional.

I'm sure you could also find some meaning in Street Trash (1987), Battle Royale (2000), Class of 1984 (1982), etc. even if what you find may not exactly be progressive.

ImmatureContent posted...

What does well made even mean? I would love to see an objective rating system to determine what makes something a "better" movie than other movies.

Had a level of intention behind it that it achieved. Captured a particular feeling or tone. Acted well. Scored well. Exhibited attention to detail in its editing and direction. Showed innovation.

g0ldie posted...

I haven't seen the original Blair Witch, but you can't deny its influence.

I think Cannibal Holocaust did the found footage horror movie thing, but Blair Witch brought it to the mainstream, iirc.

I'm not even necessarily putting Blair Witch up there because of popularizing found footage. It was just marketed incredibly well -- probably better than any horror film short of maybe the fake ambulances outside of the theaters showing The Exorcist. Plus it achieved quite a bit with its low budget, crafted scenes that have been replicated and parodied for decades now, etc.

bobbaaay posted...

Had a level of intention behind it that it achieved. Captured a particular feeling or tone. Acted well. Scored well. Exhibited attention to detail in its editing and direction. Showed innovation.

The Thing did those. You are free to disagree. But you would just be stating an opinion.

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Axiom posted...

Yes you are

I've literally said multiple times now that I'm speaking from a critical perspective. In a response to another post I gave examples of what made a few of the films on the list so impactful. I'm not going to sit here and pick apart one film for its editing, direction, and acting trying to justify its merit. Nothing I listed should be strikingly controversial aside from maybe one or two of the bunch.

ImmatureContent posted...

The Thing did those. You are free to disagree. But you would just be stating an opinion.

I said it was a well made movie. Just not as well made as the other films I listed.

It was a pretty shitty Fantastic Four origin story. The Thing is barely even in it!
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bobbaaay posted...

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) is a fun movie, and I loved it as a kid. I used to put laundry-baskets on my head and pretend I was shooting thunder out of my palms. It's a good popcorn flick, but I don't think it's a masterpiece or anything by any means.

It's not a master piece but it's got more depth to it than that. Idk anything about horror but this specific comment makes me think you just have a chip on your shoulder with this dude

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i think halloween is more muscular and lean as a suspense machine. it's better at making you afraid of what's offscreen. laurie's walk across the street to the house full of bodies is much creepier to me than when she actually finds them. the thing is messier in seemingly every aspect

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ledbowman posted...

the thing is good but overpraised on this board. halloween is carpenter's literally perfect movie

I probably should've put Halloween in the list.
But yes - The Thing is massively overpraised by literally everybody, but especially people who aren't horror fans. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people say something along the lines of, "I don't like horror, but I like The Thing, Alien, and The Shining."
But even people into horror and even people with good taste seem to give it way too much credit.

bobbaaay posted...

I probably should've put Halloween in the list.
But yes - The Thing is massively overpraised by literally everybody, but especially people who aren't horror fans. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people say something along the lines of, "I don't like horror, but I like The Thing, Alien, and The Shining."
But even people into horror and even people with good taste seem to give it way too much credit.

You're a nerd

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bobbaaay posted...

there are lots of films I'd include if I was speaking from personal preference. The ones I highlighted I PRESUME are better, but I personally haven't ever seen.

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Lost_All_Senses posted...

Yeah lol I'm glad someone pointed that out too

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IShall_Run_Amok posted...

That's a great list but no.

Yeah, lets all appreciate the film tastes of the guy who says The Thing is overrated while having never seen Psycho.

Otay.

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https://youtu.be/WKTy7XEGWfc?t=2

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