The Thing Review (2011)(SPOILERS)

There's little imagination to be found here. While it didn't have the huge shoes to fill that a sequel would, it didn't serve much justice as a prequel, either. The audience of the Carpenter original didn't need to be brought up to speed as to the creature's origins; it was established right at the beginning sequence. This review is only intended for others who have watched the film, because it has spoilers.

I had a problem with the in-your-face nature of how the Thing went about its practices. Most daunting was how it was so illogical; it attacked people often when they were surrounded by others, even when armed with weapons it must have realized at a point could kill it in a painful, hot way. It wasn't subtle, it didn't 'scan' the area for vantage points or hiding spots in case it screws up its assimilation attempts (in Carpenter's film, the dog thing goes about the camp, finding out the layout of the place, and listens in on the crew members and finds out how it can go about its activities).

The beginning of the film was better than the ending, even though the ending is
spot-on, faithful to how the canonical sequel began (the man with the slit throat, the split-face corpse, the bloodied axe embedded into the wall, and the block of ice with a large opening are all present). Indeed, the beginning of the film, all 20 or so minutes of it, gives a feeling of some mystery, like, "what is this thing? Where is it from?" However, that is thrown out the window the moment it literally leaps into action and begins its assault on the crew members without a care in the world what happens. Surely the creature would be as weary of foreign lifeforms as the humans are (except for the Sanders character, who was unbelievably naive and should I say, stupid); why would it choose to throw itself into possible danger like that? Oh, that's right, the writers of the film wouldn't have a movie if they gave it more of a dimension than what it ended up having, because they had little imagination.

The characters were virtually card-board cutouts, most of them soulless or lacking of any depth to make them interesting. There was some paranoia development between the characters, I'll give the film this merit, but it didn't have the same feel as the sequel. Plus, why bother being paranoid about people when for little reason, the Thing assimilates someone completely random with no indication as to why, where, or how the person became a victim. I did like this film's own take on the identity test, which relied on, get this, tooth fillings. There actually was some logic to be found in this little plot device, as when it tried to assimilate a person (unsuccessfully I might add), it rejected a metal leg plate during the process because it was inorganic. That's a simple AND clever plot device and it is a plus for the film. However, this is one of the elements of the film that gives it the classification of "remake", seeing as it borrowed many elements from Carpenter's film, as if the design team of the film had nothing else to go on.

Atmosphere is a helpful way to give a film identity, and this film doesn't disappoint, for the most part. It doesn't help that the creature takes no liberties, doesn't seem to hatch any effective plan to take people over, and that even when it goes about its business, there's always people right there to burn it to death. There is a lot of tension during these moments, but the film is chock full of them that it doesn't allow for much ambiance, any breaks from action, which in Carpenter's film were used to great effect thanks to Morricone's stunning soundtrack. While I forgot the name of the person responsible for this film's soundtrack, it was rather forgettable other than the remix of "Humanity" heard at the end sequence, which sounded too much like the original anyway.

CGI was heavily used in this film. It didn't bother me, though, because I've come to accept this method of film effects (except for some cases. 'Deep Blue Sea', I'm looking at you!). Frankly, they were well done, but they didn't have the visceral feel that Rob Bottin's creations from the Carpenter film had. Indeed, many of the mutations were unoriginal or uninspired; Bottin had things like flesh flowers, a huge set of dinosaur-like teeth inside of one's chest, massive deformed-looking claws, a huge skull of what looked like a huge and mean looking dog, and many other things. This Thing almost always had a set of octopus jaws in the chest of the host, and crab-like claws. That's about all that I could say of it because the creature design was decent at best.

In closing, this is a decent film, but it doesn't add anything new to The Thing canon. There was little imagination, it made way too many nods to the Carpenter original, and character development and interaction was, in most cases, nonexistent. And the creature, while still as scary as ever because of its shape-shifting abilities and the way it mutates, is made one-dimensional and somewhat boring. Paranoia is still there, but there's nothing else to speak of. I guess the only real upside to this film is that it'll expose this canon to more people, and might invigorate some interest in it to generate a possible sequel. However, because of the ambiguous nature of the ending of Carpenter's film, it'll be hard to fill such shoes.

C+

+ Does have some faith to the Carpenter film

+ Retains some of the paranoia you'd think people would feel in such a situation

+ CGI is not bad, but it isn't spectacular, either

+ The beginning gives some sense of wonderment 

- Doesn't try anything really new, but does have some twists

- Too many nods to the original

- Monster behavior, and the situations where it attacks, are illogical

- Forgettable soundtrack and the atmosphere is almost nullified by the constant action

- Not as scary as it is gory and intense. In that case, it is more of a sci-fi thriller than a sci-fi horror film.

Additional note: Congrats on the clever identity test method, guys. 

Complimentary Photo Art - Acquiring the Means

I don't think I've mentioned it before in this blog, but I've perused the art of photography, albeit in a non-contemporary fashion, so as to compliment my writing. And the one thing I cannot do without in this endeavor would be a camera. Not just any camera you get for fifty to one hundred dollars and that you can fit in your pocket; a Digital SLR camera with the capacity for crisp picture clarity.

It's hard enough to find something of at least decent quality in this niche market. Most of the professional level cameras are jaw-droppingly expensive and at that point, you don't know whether you're overpaying or not for the various models competing for the annihilation of your wallet. Then again, if you go to the bottom of the barrel in terms of price (for which I will have to settle, and it's pragmatic to consider why), you need to keep on the lookout for the features and the undeniable picture quality you look for.

I'm no professional, and I don't romance the idea of taking on a career or anything as a photographer for hire or anything. But, I would like to share my art in some fashion or another. They won't be portraits of people, nor landscape shots. What I will snap will be hard to describe (let's just say it involves theatrical blood, lots of after-shot editing, and even some props), since there are few photographers I've heard of who do what I want to do. What I do know is that I want the camera to take notice of fine details, such as shadows and reflective lighting. Ordinary cameras that saturate the majority of the camera market don't do it the same way an SLR camera does.

There's one camera, within my limited budget (and because I'm patient enough to go with a rather "entry-level" purchase), that I've been looking at with ambition: Fujifilm Finepix S2950

As you can see, it has a decent optical zoom range, which helps because digital zoom isn't nearly as effective; has a good ISO range, which will allow for the camera shot to compensate for any otherwise diminutive effects it would have on the quality of the photograph; a fairly modest 14 megapixels; is capable of 720P HD video capture at 30 FPS, with sound; and a wide angle lens of 28MM.

The possibilities are so real it's almost palpable. Here's to keeping in mind that the camera is one part of the process, as props and even models will be required to make my imagination a reality.

(Overdue) Purge Completed

Finally, I was beginning to think it would be drawn out forever.

I am late with this post, however, because it's been finished since last Tuesday (August 14th). I submitted it to Clarke's World Magazine and as far as I am aware, it is still pending approval as a submission. In fact, the status of the submission reads as "Under Review." This can take a while, given that the length of the story is at 7,140 words.

I'm hoping that works out, if only to get my name out there and give me an audience.

As for a second story, it will not be a sequel, but a follow-up of sorts. Plus, as soon as I have a half-decent camera at the very least, I will make the photo art. Then, the novella version can really begin. As for the next story, I think I'll begin when I have more free time, perhaps this weekend. Also, it'll be a modification of a prototypical story I wrote last year, but never completed.

Griz out.

Purge - Final Edit Stage Update III

This post should be the last that is relevant to this stage of the edit - the stage between getting the work started and getting it published and sent out to the world.

Yesterday, I went through it all the way to the end. I even added another chapter, because I felt that there was a slight lack of continuity. There are over 5,000 words contained in the version of the story that exists at this moment, and depending on the circumstances between now and it's actual finish, it might have approximately 5,500 words.

I am considering the home of some of H.P Lovecraft's short stories to publish; Weird Tales. Failing that, there are some others I can consider. I will not publish to anyone who will try and take ownership of the original story. Besides, publishers like that should be ashamed of themselves for trying to one-over the artists that have made their ascents possible in the first place.

Anyway, in a short-lived bout of distraction, I posted a comment on the latest blog posting which belongs to Shiloh, the girlfriend or whatever of the Youtube user Onision. She's also known as Draculoh. She's a fellow Canadian and is a recording artist. It was on a specific debacle going on between them but that's for neither here or there. This story is 95% done I think, and I am guessing that I'll have it done by the end of next week.

As some British jackass on the aforementioned website likes to close his videos with, Ta-ta.

Purge - Final Edit Stage Update II

The story once known as "Forget, Regret; Power, Devourer", renamed as 'Purge', is nearing completion.

I made a few more edits today. In the first few chapters, I added a few paragraphs in total to flesh out the story of each. I've also added a space between paragraphs, so as to avoid the "wall of text" effect. Some more corrections had to be made, obviously because Word can't detect every literary mistake. One has to be very intuitive in the editing process.

Feels like I am critiquing my own work, to be frank. And I hold mixed feelings for the realm of critique.

As for publishing it, I am considering Clarke's World Magazine, which is actually what is known as an "e-zine." However, I want to get a full-on copyright before publishing it to them, because I don't want them to own the hard copy version. I'll contact them before hand and inquire about this, but I'll take the safe route anyway because it requires quite a bit of effort to write a story.

Also, they pay ten cents per word (up to 4,000 words), and five cents per word after that. As such, they would prefer a 4,000 word limit. This is definitely encouraging. I could use a monetary boost for sure.

RE: I dont' want a doctor

Click here for the post I am replying to.

I don't buy this.

I do agree, to some extent, that North America's medical establishment is quite flawed and in many cases, is more about shilling for pharmaceutical companies than actually improving your health. However, if you are really going through an episode of dementia, then get something done about it.

Apparently, this was invoked by huge amounts of stress. What could cause such stress? And you argue that you wanted to die happy. Well, are you happy right now? Were you happy before this "episode" rounded its ugly head? I think this is your means of justifying your pessimism towards the medical establishment, and refraining from seeing a doctor. I know you'd be taking a chance, but it's not definite knowledge that they'll inject you with chemicals that come with side-effects. Let alone your assumption that they'll 'experiment' on you somehow, which comes across as misinformed and paranoid.

Frankly, I think the two of you are in a scam. I think this is bullshit, twisted as it is. If you lost 3 years of your life, as young as you are, then how the fuck do you have the mental skill to write blog posts? How the fuck do you remember your blogspot, and the login details?

Attention seems to be your drug, which you share with your boyfriend, obviously (a match made in Heaven, I guess). Believe me, I've seen people sink to unthinkable lows to garner attention, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's all you and Greg are looking for. It's funny how you seem to be rational in your blog posts (as unreasonable as they are), but in the videos Greg has shared with the world, you don't even appear mentally capable of putting together a coherent sentence. And all of this is a bid for the attention you crave, because that's all you feel you have left in your sad little life?

Then again, people like you who try to make the world revolve around you and your problems are hardly ever capable of reprisal. I've met people like you and you all have made me sick with your bullshit, hurting others and whining about it to people acting like a fucking victim. And if my suspicion of this being a total joke is true, then what you ought to do is get the hell off the internet. Before your 'sad' life is really ruined. How would you like to have an encyclopedia dramatica article made about you and your boyfriend's antics? How would you like Anonymous to go after you because you're jerking everyone off with this bullshit?

And seriously, to have such a callous attitude speaks volumes of your character. The video from the channel TJDoesLife is sincere concern, while at the same time he does hold contempt for your asshole attention whore boyfriend. You calling him a prick because he almost entirely got pissed at Greg is telling. I'm not buying this. I am, however, going to tell you one last thing about Greg, since he's the one uploading VIDEOS of this to the world, thus making it everybody's business.

If you really have gone through memory loss, which is a very possible symptom of dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or a brain tumor, then Greg is an exploitative piece of psychopathic shit.

If you didn't go through what could be early on-set Alzheimer's Disease, memory loss because of dementia, or a symptom of a brain tumor, then Greg is an exploitative piece of psychopathic shit.

See how they both turn out the same? In one scenario, you and he came up with a glaring lie, a grab for attention through an emotionally charged scenario. And in the other, at the behest of your mental health, he chose to exploit you for the world to see so that he can get more views. Why else would he put ADVERTISEMENTS next to the video, hmm?

Purge - Final Edit Stage Update

I've gone through the first three parts, editing whatever I deemed necessary, even revising some areas. For good measure, and to help for quick acquisition in my necessary subsequent edits, I've renamed the file to what it is now titled. Since I intend to adapt it into a concept album at some point, whenever that may be, I'm making two versions of it. The musical adaptation would have a few interlude sections of instrumental composition (no vocals).

Also, I'm considering taking thematic, symbolic photographs for this story, to compliment it as a whole. They'd help establish the mood I'm aiming for. I've a fascination, and thus, a predisposition towards symbolic art of various kinds, and that's precisely what these photographs will be. There will be no faces to be seen in any of these photographs.