Raising An Old Horror Movie From The Dead: "The Thing"

The Thing (a 1982 movie) starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley (now deceased) and Keith David (among other highly talented actors) is just the sort of movie every horror fan should see at least once. It received nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films for Best Horror Film and Best Special Effects.

For those blog-fans who don't care about any movie's public acclaim too much, let me just say this film really is creepy thanks to its premise. Certainly the film is rather old now but the animation used at the time it was made was most compelling and advanced for its day. Not only that? But this the story behind "The Thing" is much more creapy than any demon-possession story because instead of the individual surviving a paranormal attack, the human-victim is completely cannibalized (murdered) and the evil alien entity assumes its victim's behaviorisms, looks and professional identity. Survivors do not know who is a cannibalistic alien and who might genuinely still be their friend/coworker.

Here's video footage from the movie, after Kurt Russell's character figures out how they can test blood to determine WHO is still human, or not:

"HIDE AND SEEK" (Great 2005 Horror Movie On DVD)

As usual, this review posts no spoilers. If you liked Sixth Sense ... you'll love this one! 
Robert De Niro plays Dr. Callaway, a very patient man and mental health therapist whose recently widowed. He wants to help his grade-school-aged daughter Emily (Dakota Fanning) put her life back together, after the child found her beautiful and loving mother bled-out in the family bathtub. So, Dr. Callaway relocates with Emily to a wooded and remote home in the country.
Famke Janssen plays a supporive role as a child psychologist and Dr. Callaway's understudy and academic admirer. She also tries to help Emily overcome pain from the trauma and loss. It's clear that Emily really loves and trusts Janssen's character while Dr. Callaway also confides in her.
Meanwhile, soon as Dr. Callaway and Emily settle into their new home all sorts of horrific things begin to happen and beyond feeling as though the house may be haunted, I began to grow wary of this little girl since Dr. Callaway discovered a dead cat in new bathtub and horribly evil things written in Emily's penmanship and the cat's blood all over the walls. Interestingly, Emily blames such mayhem on her seemingly invisible friend named Charlie (and that's where the mystery in this movie really begins).
Nosey neighbors and a small town cop play major roles in how the story unfolds. Dr. Callaway works overtime to hide criminal evidence and washes away details that might land his daughter in an insane asylum forever.
While there are no vampires, this horror film offers a lot of blood, mystery and wonderful creepy intrigue. The best part? It has a compelling twist at the end that will take viewers by wonderful surprise.
Director: John Polson
Writer: Ari Schlossberg


*Vampire Review is published by SunTiger MOJO*