[En Sabah Nerd]

Alien: in space no one can hear you scream, but other people in the room could hear me go "eaah!" Firstly we learn that in every movie from the '70s through the '80s lots of bleeping lights indicate advanced technology, true story. Secondly, holy shit I love this movie. A great suspenseful set-up introduces the crew while setting the atmosphere for how claustrophobic and terrifying this ship is about to become. I also find the more analog over digital look of the future presented here quite admirable. Absolutely brilliant effects (it well earned that Oscar for the category), spot-on performances, and Jonesy the cat. This movie also has in my opinion the best movie trailer ever, it tells you very little about the plot of the film and yet it brilliantly sets up the feeling of terror in the movie, the way trailers should be (trailers back then tended to give away way too much). 10/10 for me.
The Thing: John Carpenter is one of my favorite directors and this is his crown jewel for me (and most). Kurt Russell gives a great performance and a beard to be rivaled by the greatest. Keith David makes his film debut. The atmosphere is scarily alone and isolated, the practical effects make CGI heavy films weep, the quote about being tied to the couch is feckin' great and a nice touch of humor, and you always gotta wonder who the thing is throughout every scene in the movie (even on later viewings it can be a thinker to figure it out). Easily another 10/10 from me.

That's it for tonight.