"The Thing" Returns! The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on Netflix. I liked the original, and I also liked the new version. I'll watch it again. Comment on the 1982 film: "The Thing...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on Netflix. I liked the original, and I also liked the new version. I'll watch it again.

Comment on the 1982 film: "The Thing was released in 1982 to negative reviews that described it as "instant junk" and "a wretched excess". Critics both praised the special effects achievements and criticized their visual repulsiveness, while others found the characterization poorly realized."

I don't expect too much from films like this, so I'm seldom disappointed. It's just mindless entertainment, often good for a laugh.

EDIT: I thought there was an earlier version - 1951, and James Arness played the Thing.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on ... (show quote)

Yup. Poster had "The Thing" in very large letters, and underneath that in smaller letters was "from another world".
The whole title was The thing from another world.

Iron Sight Loc: Utah

The Thing 1951 version was Epic
As was 1933 King Kong.
Citizen Kane 1941

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

"The Thing"
I still to this day remember that film ---
As a kid with my pals on a Saturday afternoon, we saw the 1951 "THING" in downtown Plainfield N.J. --
Scared the living hell out of all of us -- We talked about it for weeks -- Think I was 8/9 at the time

SteveR Loc: Michigan

jerryc41 wrote:

The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on ... (show quote)

Can't beat the original.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ken_stern wrote:

"The Thing"
I still to this day remember that film ---
As a kid with my pals on a Saturday afternoon, we saw the 1951 "THING" in downtown Plainfield N.J. --
Scared the living hell out of all of us -- We talked about it for weeks -- Think I was 8/9 at the time

I remember seeing it, but I'm doubt I went to movies alone when I was seven. I probably saw it on TV.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

jerryc41 wrote:

I remember seeing it, but I'm doubt I went to movies alone when I was seven. I probably saw it on TV.

If you'd seen it you would have remembered it. James Arness, ofc, played The Thing. Along with The Day the Earth Stood Still and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, one of the spookier movies.

As for the latter, the book should be read by every young boy. Fantastic.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

You can see the real Thing 21 miles east of Benson AZ on I-10

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

In the original with James Arness, he didn't have any lines, in fact you barely saw him/the monster, which is was made the movies scary. I thought the 2011 version is a good update, cool special affects. Just one problem, They go from definite daytime to nighttime and back again, sun/no sun, I would think in Antarctica it would be six months of sun and six months of no sun with a gradual transition between them. Otherwise good mindless entertainment, at the beginning of this type of movie it's always fun to try and guess who survives and for how long.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

ken_stern wrote:

"The Thing"
I still to this day remember that film ---
As a kid with my pals on a Saturday afternoon, we saw the 1951 "THING" in downtown Plainfield N.J. --
Scared the living hell out of all of us -- We talked about it for weeks -- Think I was 8/9 at the time

I saw it in "The Palace" (movie theatre) in Bradley Beach, NJ. I had nightmares for months!!
BTW: Do you remember Larry's Deli in Plainfield. I worked for him (2nd job) from 67 - 90'.
Mark

Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando

Very spooky 1951 version.

Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando

MrMophoto wrote:

In the original with James Arness, he didn't have ... (show quote)

Man, I'm with you on this one. I was always a sci-fi junkie. I was around 7-8 years old when I saw the 1951 original. I couldn't sleep for 3 nights. Even to this day I watch the "Gun Smoke" repeats and shiver when I see the sheriff.

black mamba

jerryc41 wrote:

The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on ... (show quote)

My brother and I went to the 1951 show when it first came out. I was 8 and he was10. He fled the place about half way into the movie. I hung in till the end, but saw the second half by peeking through my fingers.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

black mamba wrote:

My brother and I went to the 1951 show when it first came out. I was 8 and he was10. He fled the place about half way into the movie. I hung in till the end, but saw the second half by peeking through my fingers.

I was older when it came out, but I still watched it through my fingers. Had nightmares for weeks.
Mark

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

jerryc41 wrote:

The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on ... (show quote)

I recall the 1951 version and think you are correct, James Arness was "the Thing.' I don't remember seeing the '82 version so maybe i should tru the 2011 one for grins and giggles.