Having the misfortune of appearing practically at the same time as two other science fiction juggernauts – “E.T.” and “Blade Runner” – John Carpenter’s “The Thing” didn’t do well at the office, and it received a lukewarm reception by the contemporary critics. However, it has garnered a cult following and is today considered one of sci-fi classics. Starring Kurt Russell as one of American researchers on Antarctic, the film is centered on a mysterious creature from outer space excavated from a block of ice and unintentionally unleashed upon the world. This deadly creature has a habit of taking on the shape of people it has killed, which makes all of the movie characters paranoid and suspicious. One by one they all begin to die as all attempts to eliminate the alien creature prove futile. The researchers unavoidably turn against one another, not knowing whether anyone of them is an alien in disguise. Suffering not only human, but also technological losses, they struggle to find a way to test each other and see who is who, ultimately realizing that the only way to be certain is to destroy the entire research base to prevent the thing from finding its way to civilization. But even this suicide mission doesn’t guarantee the danger will be eliminated.
Joan Rivers still in coma
