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Posts Tagged “
The Thing
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battlestar galactica
Soon All Scifi Will Be Like Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica may have been more of a critical hit than a ratings smash, but its producers are getting ready to spread its science fiction recipe, mixing grit and soap opera, through a bunch of more high-profile venues. David Eick is already signed to work on a TV series based on P.D. James' Children Of Men, and Ron Moore is writing a prequel to The Thing and a TV movie called Virtuality. And they're both working on the BSG prequel TV movie Caprica, and might be involved in a resulting series. But now, it turns out both creators will be much, much busier than that. More »
plant monsters
How to Destroy an Evil Plant Monster
Plant monsters are making a comeback, with The Ruins giving us an ancient Mayan plant thing in theaters and M. Night Shyamalan about to try our patience again with his forthcoming plant toxin movie The Happening. But there's a long history of evil plants on film, which seemingly has been forgotten in these new offerings. Now it's time to water the soil of the scary plant genre, and remind you how plant slayers in history have defeated their chlorophyl-loving foes. More »
horrorhead
The Seven and a Half Rules for Making Scary Aliens
Welcome back to Horrorhead, a fortnightly column where we explore the intersection of horror and scifi. For every bland, friendly Star Trek alien with a crinkle-cut french fry nose or waffle forehead, there are dozens of insanely scary aliens that could rip your face off. Certain alien characteristics, whether physical or psychological, are enough to put you into "no I will not jump during this dark corridor scene - shit I am now jumping" mode. But what exactly makes an alien truly horrifying, as opposed to just, you know, alien? Aided by Hollywood movie history, we've put together a definitive set of rules for making aliens that are guaranteed to freak you out — or at least make you queasy. More »
10:20 AM on Wed Mar 5 2008
By Annalee Newitz
7,758 views,
74 comments
Latest by n/a: Read the story, saw the episode, ripped the name. Where were the bugs in Independence Day (the movie, not the original novel--jk)? @Huxleyhobbes: I pretty much agree with you. Greatest scary alien aspect: inhuman thought process. Alien perspective = The Unknown = more »
Own Your Own Thing From 'The Thing'
If you haven't seen John Carpenter's classic The Thing, which shows you just how scary a remote Antarctic ice station can be when a parasitic alien thaws out, you should. If you have seen it, then you'll recognize this sucker designed by FX whiz Rob Bottin. Remember when Kurt Russell starts testing everyone's blood to see if they've become infected and have shapeshifted into an alien? Well, this is what pops out of the petri dish in one of those "shit your pants" screen moments, and it can be yours for the semi-outrageous opening bid of $3,499.00. Although there's no certificate of authenticity, there is a very nice glass case, which might explain the upcharge. If it were made out of diamond. [Ain't It Cool]
If you haven't seen John Carpenter's classic The Thing, which shows you just how scary a remote Antarctic ice station can be when a parasitic alien thaws out, you should. If you have seen it, then you'll recognize this sucker designed by FX whiz Rob Bottin. Remember when Kurt Russell starts testing everyone's blood to see if they've become infected and have shapeshifted into an alien? Well, this is what pops out of the petri dish in one of those "shit your pants" screen moments, and it can be yours for the semi-outrageous opening bid of $3,499.00. Although there's no certificate of authenticity, there is a very nice glass case, which might explain the upcharge. If it were made out of diamond. [Ain't It Cool]
the burrowers
Terror Under The Prairie
Here's the first concept art from The Burrowers, the new Old-West horror film from writer/director J.T. Petty (Mimic 3). It looks like it could be a Wild West version of Cloverfield, especially since Petty says one of his main goals is to create a new monster. But the gritty historical setting will lend the movie's violence a lot more resonance than the peanut-butter-and-jelly-ness of Clovey. Click through for details. More »
found footage
Zontar! You're Slimy! Use Your Intellect on Me!
A crazy lady points her gun at a hulking thing and delivers a screaming speech right into the camera. Is it a Sam Fuller movie or a Fredric Hobbs movie? Can't decide? That's because it's the amazing Zontar: The Thing from Venus! All you need to know to understand this thrilling confrontation between lady and lump is that Zontar came from space and has been mind-controlling people into doing things like beating their wives and killing people. But now our hero has found him deep underground and is showing him who's boss. Everything about this scene makes my heart soar: the strange, porno-esque music as she winds her way underground, her kicky 1960s red shirt, and the sorry ragtag monster who looks different from shot to shot. In the immortal words of Courtney Love, this movie fakes it so real that it's beyond fake.
morning spoilers
First Details About Jonny Quest And The Flash
Morning spoilers is your rude awakening to the TV and movie news of tomorrow. Every morning, we collect plot and casting secrets, plus the occasional crazy rumor. Click through to find out which version of the world's fastest superhero, The Flash, appears in his solo movie. Also, details of Jonny Quest and another new superhero movie. More »
news blast
See The Organ Repo Wagon
- New production photos of Reposession Mambo tell us absolutely nothing about the more serious of the two organ-repo movies coming next year. You can see allegedly "futuristic" cars and some buildings. Yawn. [ShockTillYouDrop.com]
- The new Justice League movie is being "cast as cheaply as possible," says New York Magazine. It's semi-official that total unknown Armie Hammer will play Batman in the League. That's in addition to the previously leaked cast: Scott Porter as Superman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Common as Green Lantern and Adam Brody as Flash. "In other words, a D-list cast is set to portray the world's oldest, most iconic superhero team," Matthew Perpetua kvetches. [NYMag]
- Newly released clips from I Am Legend reveal no spoilers, but prove the film will live or die depending on how much you enjoy Will Smith talking to himself. [IESB]
Ron Moore's new projects and Stanley Kubrick's biggest mistake below the fold... More »
the thing
Must See: The Thing
Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale. Written by James Rocchi.Title: John Carpenter's The Thing
Date: 1982
Vitals: John Carpenter's remake of the 1951 sci-fi chiller The Thing from Another World isn't just a high-water mark in pre-digital special effects; it's one of the most effective and chilling sci-fi horror films ever made, as a group of U.S. personnel at an Antarctic base are besieged by an invader from beyond who can take any shape it wishes ... and duplicate any of its victims. Mixing action, horror, big sci-fi ideas and great production design, The Thing is a true classic. More »
