John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982): Still Looking Good!

29th October, 2014.

You know, I like a movie, occasionally.

You’d worked that out, hadn’t you, over the years: and probably noticed that I like watching films, and then telling you about what I’ve seen.

It’s also got to be said that, when I DO watch a film, I tend not to repeat myself.

Rarely, any way.

I have to confess, I did, tonight.

I’ve fancy catching a film for a couple of days: something gruesome, considering it’s almost Halloween.

But … ?

Well, I’ve had a look at my broadband usage for the month: it’s … OVER my limit.

Not by much, I should add: but certainly enough that any credit I’d had on my last quarterly bill has been eaten!

Which is what happens when you help your family update assorted devices, stream a lot of media from an Apple server — instead of locally! — and let a friend’s daughter watch a LOT of Stampy Cat videos … !

At ANY rate … !

At any rate, I fancied a movie.

And, lord … I’m glad I’d a backed up collection on my external drive.

It means I could watch a film, without going more over my limit than I have.

~≈Ê≈~

The Thing 2011: Sometimes, we should leave well enough alone …

15th February, 2012.

Hmmm …

I’ll be honest, it’s not THAT often I mix me posts up, it really isn’t.

But I thought I’d quietly let you know I’ve just a friend, Karen Chilvers, on Brentwood’s local radio station, speaking about the local council and how local councillors REALLY don’t seem to be a working as hard as they could be.

And putting in what I thought was a rather good showing.

Hopefully, that SHOULD serve her well: considering she’s standing for re-election as a Brentwood West Councillor, on May 3rd of this year.

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John Carpenter’s The Thing and X-Men: First Class

You know, I THINK I’m going to say a quick thank you to Nina, bless her!

She’s ever so thoughtfully sent me an early Christmas gift.

Something I know , as a southpaw, am definitely going to value: a pair of left handed scissors.

Thanking you, Nina!

I’m just mildly ashamed I’ve nowt to give in return, apart from some rather effusive thanks*!

But let’s move on, shall we … ?

After all, I started this, with the intention of telling you about movies …

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I’ll be frank, bless him, I had Kevin D over, last night … !

And the pair of us managed to catch a film I know he was keen to share, X-Men: First Class.

Something I know I was happily pleased to see, although I’m not usually a fan of the Marvel franchised films.

X-Men: First Class sees Professor Xavier — played by James McAvoy — putting together a team of super-powered mutants — including a much younger Magneto, played by Michæl Fassbender — to help prevent the villainous Professor Smidt — beautifully over done by Kevin Bacon, there — trigger both the Cuban Missile Crisis, and — possibly — World War 3.

I think I can give you an idea of how much fun it was, by cutting straight to the stars …

X-Men: First Class

Paul: ★★☆☆

Kevin: ★★☆☆

Average: ★★☆☆

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Then there’s the film I managed to treat myself to, tonight, as there was nothing else onº: John Carpenter’s The Thing.

And I’ll HAPPILY admit, this STILL looks impressive after almost thirty years!

The film sees Kurt Russell as MacReadyª, a helicopter pilot assigned to an isolated US base in the Antarctic, when, one otherwise quiet day sees a lost dog wander on to† the base.

A lost dog that’s being chased by two hysterical Norwegians in a chopper, with a lot of weaponry …

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Now, I said John Carpenter’s The Thing was old … ?

Well, yes, it is … !

But of the two films I’ve seen most recently … ?

I’ll happily give it a better rating, I think, and let you make you mind up yourself …

John Carpenter’s The Thing

Paul: ★★★★

* Because, if nothing else, I can prove a point or two at some right-handed friends, I know that much: it probably helps if I add tune from Mongrels …

º Where are all the decent movies that turn up on TV, this time of year … ? No idea … ! Unless Sky TV’s paid a fortune for them!

ª Owner of possibly the most iconic hat in science-fiction.

† Actually, Debbi, I’m currently re-reading Orwell’s 1984. Going by the liner notes, there was a huge amount of discussion between him, and his English and American publishers. All about ‘on to’; and whether it should be ‘on to’ or ‘onto’. Wilde had a point, I think …