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J.R. MacReady · 10-05-2008, 01:28 PM

John Carpenter's The Thing

SUMMARY: U.S. Outpost #31, Antarctica, 1982— Twelve men are commissioned to gather physical and natural science data. It is the dead of winter. With six months of darkness ahead of them, they uncover the find of the century. Of a thousand centuries.
...If only they could put it back.

C A S T:
Kurt Russell... R.J. MacReady - Helicopter pilot.
Wilford Brimley...Dr. Blair - Station biologist.
Keith David...Childs - The station's mechanic.
T.K. Carter...Nauls - The station's cook.
David Clennon....Palmer - The station's backup helicopter pilot and mechanic.
Richard Dysart...Dr. Copper - The station's physician.
Charles Hallahan...Vance Norris - The station's geophysicist.
Peter Maloney...George Bennings - The station's meteorologist.
Richard Masur...Clark - The station's veterinarian.
Donald Moffat...Garry - The station commander.
Joel Polis...Fuchs - the station's other biologist.
Thomas G. Waites...Windows - The station's radio operator.

QUOTES:
Childs: The explosions set the temperatures up all over the camp. But it won't last long though.
MacReady: When these fires go out, neither will we.
Childs: How will we make it?
MacReady: Maybe we shouldn't.
Childs: Look, if you're worried about me...
MacReady: ...If we've got any surprises for each other, I don't think either one of us is in much shape to do anything about it.

MacReady: Somebody in this camp ain't what he appears to be. Right now that may be one or two of us. By spring, it could be all of us.
Childs: So, how do we know who's human? If I was an imitation, a perfect imitation, how would you know it was really me?

Truely deserving of its title ["One of the greatest Horror Movies of All Time"], The Thing serves up a hardy helping of Horror, gore, and Paranoia with the idea of trust and betrayal among friends and a breakdown in communication. Its unforgiving in its execution and sure to leave you shaken for days on afterward. (At least, that's how it was for me). The film is carried by the likes Kurt Russell, Keith David, and a host of a amazing character actors, who tell you everything you need to know about their characters despite knowing absolutely nothing about their pasts and what brough them to this frozen wasteland outside their expertise.