Is "The Thing" John Carpenter's BEST Film? - Hack The Movies

It is the 40th Anniversary of The Thing this month. To celebrate we thought it would be fun to do an episode where we look at John Carpenters filmography. Will we agree with the common consensus that The Thing is the best film or will we pick one of his others? Watch to find out!
Crystal and Tony have a commentary track for John Carpenter's The Thing over on Patreon.
/ thing-1982-hack-68327050
We also dug up a Hack The Movies/The Dick Show crossover commentary from 2019. It is for John Carpenter's Escape From LA!
/ escape-from-la-68322486
Edited by Jessica Hickson / jessdaydreaming
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Crystal and Tony have a commentary track for John Carpenter's The Thing over on Patreon. www.patreon.com/posts/thing-1982-hack-68327050 We also dug up a Hack The Movies/The Dick Show crossover commentary from 2019. It is for John Carpenter's Escape From LA! www.patreon.com/posts/escape-from-la-68322486

[@mikaelskalberg9591]

I cried in the end when mcready turns around and look at the camera and says " that truly was the THING!"

[@snhvnc]

"What am I? Some sort of The Thing™?"

[@Ss-ze2mn]

MacReady not mcready. They even call him Mac for short…..

[@turtleanton6539]

Ypy see the thing is

[@sasquatchintime]

The thing is The Thing is the thing.

[@joeylodes]

And the freeze framed high 5 with Childs

[@wstine79]

My mom would love this video. She's the one who introduced me to John Carpenter's movies. My personal favorites are "Christine," "Big Trouble in Little China," and "The Fog." Plus, it's great to see Crystal and Joe again.

[@misham2563]

I get so upset when people tell me they never heard of Big Trouble in little China. Glad to know many people know of this classic

[@kyleking7960]

Shout out to your mom. My parents introduced me to horror at a young age. I want to introduce my son to some horror, but don't want to scar him any suggestions? He's 6 btw.

[@noakesy316]

@@kyleking7960 I'd go for some spooky/scary family films first. Night at the Museum, Gremlins, Indiana Jones etc. I walked in on my dad watching the thing when I was 5. It was the dog pen scene ...took me a while to get over it 🤦

[@t45tt4tr]

They are the best three.

[@kyleking7960]

@@noakesy316 I thought of Gremlins, but it may ruin Santa Claus for him lol. Jurassic Park was too much for him, but Indiana Jones is a good suggestion to get him into action with an easy enough story to follow, thanks.

[@juansalva_]

In the Mouth of Madness is a GREAT movie. I'm not saying it's Carpenter's best but it does deserve a review by Tony IMO.

[@turtleanton6539]

It is best lovecraft inspired movie for sur3

[@cesarvaldez112975]

My parents took me to go see The Thing at the drive in theater that summer it came out. I was 6 going on 7 and this film absolutely scared the sh*% out of me. I still remember it like it was only yesterday. It definitely is one of my favorite films of all time. It’s also my favorite John Carpenter film. And obviously it’s my favorite horror film. The Thing is an 80s’ ultimate classic.

[@Rensune]

Depends on what you like. Most people would agree it's the Thing. For me, it's a toss up between "Big Trouble in Little China" and "They Live" Though "In the Mouth of Madness" is amazing.

[@c-tha-man9463]

Agreed re" In the Mouth of Madness. That movie is slept on, big time!

[@krisorgan]

Big trouble in little China was awesome, definitely one of his top movie’s imo.

[@F1_780]

I do enjoy watching The Thing but Escape from New York is number 1 on my favourite John Carpenter movies list.

[@ZMsoloman5000]

The Thing is something I caught the end of on TV and thought “what a dumb name” but saw the blood test scene and thought “damn!” Never saw it again for years, then finally saw again and now it’s my favorite scary movie. So much that I never watch it during October, I wait for the first bad snow we get in my state (Ohio) just for the added pleasure.

[@robk.6591]

That's commitment! lol

[@nomad9752]

It's a tough call...I have equal love 💕 for: The Thing, Halloween, Escape from New York and Big Trouble in Little China. They are all masterpieces 😎👍

[@tigertank06]

I’d say Halloween is my favorite.

[@lutherheggs451]

Its without a doubt Carpenter's most overrated movie...the FX are good, but the ending is garbage like alot of Carpenter's movies and its a remake...At least Escape, Big Trouble and Halloween were things he wrote....Big Trouble in Little China is his best and actually doesn't have a garbage ending

[@justashillobv5584]

Prince of darkness slipped by me until recently. It's not up there with big trouble, but worth a watch.

[@slashercircle5413]

The greatest Carpenter flick ever made, without a doubt, bar none, bottom line, is the one, the only, the immortal classic, HALLOWEEN: The Night HE Came Home.

[@randycunningham7318]

Exactly. Not even close.

[@patrickcharles6983]

The Thing is in my top 6 of Carpenter's films with "Halloween","Big Trouble in little China","They Live","Christine" and "The Fog". I don't have a ranking because I love them equally. "The Thing" is definitely 1 of his best, but wouldn't put it at number 1.

[@JMoses-dv3pt]

I ranked his movies last year. Here's my list. 18. The Ward 17. Dark Star 16. Memoirs Of An Invisible Man 15. Starman 14. Ghost Of Mars 13. Assault On Precinct 13 12. Village Of The Damned 11. Vampires 10. Escape From L.A. 9. Prince Of Darkness 8. Big Trouble In Little China 7. In the Mouth Of Madness 6. Escape From New York 5. Halloween 4. The Fog 3. Christine 2. They Live 1. The Thing

[@christermyrberg3661]

You missed his TV movies; Someone's Watching Me Elvis Body Bags

[@justashillobv5584]

If you had big trouble at three this list is perfect for me. Good rankings.

[@robk.6591]

My top 5: 1. The Thing 2. Halloween 3. In The Mouth of Madness 4. Escape From New York 5. Escape from L.A. (guilty pleasure) The practical effects in The Thing mostly still hold up really well. One of the shots of Norris' body clearly looks like an effect and Windows being lifted into the air by the alien Palmer looks really silly. But the rest of the effects always seem to amaze me. Mac(Ready) & Windows on the same team is unintentionally funny after the fact.

[@noakesy316]

Obviously 5 great movies that I can't argue with....can we make it a top 6 and stick Assault on Precinct 13 on the list?

[@Dartanyoogles]

In the Mouth of Madness is in my top 3 as well!!! Glad to see that movie get some more love!

[@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881]

And Mac lasted longer

[@FilthTribeFTP]

Of f**king course Windows froze up, crashed and then got infected by a virus, causing it to have to be shut down (Forever lol).... But hey, at least we know for a fact Mac was human at the end.... Remember, Mac's don't get infected ;)

[@noakesy316]

@@FilthTribeFTP Aaahhhh fantastic 😂

[@alexandermatthews145]

Kurt Russell is my all time favorite actor and John Carpenter is my favorite director The Thing is one of my favorites ,is it John Carpenters best film I would say it's a tie between The Thing and The Fog They Live is pretty damn good as well he has so many good movies

[@jdenoe69]

The Thing by far, is John Carpenter's best film. Escape from New York, Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Prescient 13, and Big Trouble in Little China are also excellent films.

[@krisglavin2373]

John carpenter had a hell of a run of films from 1976 to1988

[@turtleanton6539]

Yuuuup

[@DreamcastAesthetic]

The Thing is so good, excited to see it on the show! Thanks Tony, Crystal, & Joe!

[@StevieRayRamsey]

Tony was actually the one who introduced me to Prince of Darkness, his little tidbit about it on Rental Reviews was the first time I ever heard of it and I loved it, but They Live is my favorite

[@DissectThatFilm]

Top 3 Carpenter films( that I've seen) 1. The Thing 2. Halloween 3. Christine Great episode!

[@Saryrn_Sorrow]

Haven't watched the video yet, but just to answer the question in the title, nope his best film was big trouble in little china. Literally the perfect movie.

[@philoebeddo8724]

You are correct

[@NorthWalesKid]

Halloween is his best. It transcends the genre and inspired many films that followed in its wake. Halloween is an absolute masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made

[@Samsquamsh]

that's subjective.

[@Fiveash-Art]

It's a snooze fest ... If you want some proto slasher movies, watch Texas Chainsaw or Psycho ... Both are a million times better than that heavy breather in a mask... The only thing interesting about that movie was the bad ass score. The opening credits are the best part of the movie. 😂

[@brenair4480]

Gonna put this out there. Put Joe on every episode. He just knows everything about cult films and the many releases those films have had. If not in front of the camera at least behind the camera for additional notes on any given film.

[@alcheman12]

If you guys want to see someone's watching me shout factory released a Blu-ray of it

[@reidstone1975]

In the summer of 1982 somewhere around my eighth birthday. Mom and Dad took my brother and I to see TRON. The Stone family unit never went to the movies to see just one. After the TRON matinee, we loitered around the lobby a bit... Then ducked into John Carpenter's, "The Thing." I remember my dad saying, "John Carpenter? He did Halloween didn't he?" My parents were the ones that always got dirty looks for having their children in situations that might be deemed, "inappropriate". I remember my Mom squeezing my hand really hard during the blood sample jump scare. Knowing that she was frightened made me even more scared. But I never looked away or covered my eyes. My 11 year old brother watched the inside of his hands for the whole movie. The Blair monster reveal pushed my flight reflex and I ran out of the theater. My mom caught up with me in the lobby, "Are you ok?" I remember playing it off like I had to go pee... I didn't want to admit that I was scared cuz I didn't want to worry her. It was one of the most vivid experiences of my young life never to be forgotten... The Thing will always be in my top ten.

[@christermyrberg3661]

1. Escape From New York 2. Escape From L.A. 3. Big Trouble In Little China 4. The Thing 5. Elvis I just love his collaborations with Kurt Russell

[@carlredbird3054]

Ya thing is definitely the best movie he made, but mouth of madness and they live are my favorites

[@kristiankapler1004]

This comment is correct. Except I don't favorite Madness.

[@Guardian978]

I love that Tony actually referenced Pumaman this episode! That's one of my favorite MST3K episodes. Surprising that such a low budget Italian movie got Donald Pleasance.

[@GOCARLOTWITCH]

It Was Awesome to see Tony, Crystal and everyone from Hack The Movies at Too Many Games in PA this Weekend! Very Cool the movie dumpster guys are in this video!

[@Crystalquin]

Thanks!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@1977Eelco]

My top 5 favorite John Carpenter movies: 1) The Thing 2) Halloween 3) Assault On Precinct 13 4) They Live! 5) Big Trouble In Little China Still haven't seen: The Fog, Elvis and Dark Star.

[@AntLeonardi01]

We all came here for your list.

[@SAM-ru4vx]

Kurt Russell is his best lead actor

[@cc-vd3oq]

Yay, Joe's back

[@CMKarm]

I love that Tony polices grammar like I do hahahahaha

[@glowinthefart]

Christine might be my favorite

[@noakesy316]

I'm really appreciating the love for Escape from LA in the comments

[@christermyrberg3661]

Very misunderstood satire

[@dereksmith6033]

JOHN CARPENTER also has a Cameo Appearance in The FOO FIGHTERS Horror-Comedy "STUDIO 666"

[@krisglavin2373]

Halloween is my favorite movie of all time

[@NickJarno]

This comes at a time when I "just" bought some Carpenter films I've never seen, They Live, Prince of Darkness and Vampires (plus Halloween Kills which I have seen, but not really a Carpenter film).

[@APunisherKnight]

I love the standard format, but this style of content covering more than a single movie is amazing too. Great episode !

[@Eisenwulf666]

John Carpenter is such an incredibly talented man. Not as much as Tony, but you can't have everything. I've noticed you seem to enjoy doing episodes more or are more relaxed lately,so i think the change to one episode a week was a great idea! Keep it up man,great job

[@OfficialJoeyC]

This inspired me to rewatch this classic movie. Killer job Tony and crew!

[@loboneiner1034]

My Top 3: 1. The Thing 2. They Live 3. Escape from New York

[@beejay271]

Yes!

[@jacksonscott690]

What a great concept for a video. John Carpenter is one of the best directors of all time.

[@Leveasy]

1. The Thing 2. They Live 3. Ghost of Mars 4. Village of the Damned 5. Escape from New York

[@dariendarkhouse8538]

Sleepwalkers wasn't actually a Stephen King adaptation. Stephen King wrote it as a screenplay.

[@MovieDumpster]

Still counts as a Mick Garris/Stephen King movie! -Joe

[@JeremyPatton]

Big Trouble didn‘t flop, but it is the best mass market reception. It also came out at the right time, you had Goonies, Golden Child, Labyrinth, Karate Kid, etc. all these great „fantasy family“ films.

[@keithswiniarski7766]

When Joe said In the Mouth of Madness was his favorite I started cheering. It's criminally underrated and arguably Carpenters best work. Cigarette Burns is fire too. That scene with the projector.

[@Dragoncurve]

Tony is clearly the Dalton from Road House of KZbin

[@Bill_198]

It's definitely deserving of a top 5 spot. #1 is Halloween, obviously. #2-5 I'd say In the Mouth of Madness, The Thing, Prince of Darkness and Escape From New York but I can't really pin down an exact order.

[@bradentwidwell7955]

Damn made a day before my birthday. Nice video and keep being awesome

[@beejay271]

The movie Christine is way different from the book both are EXCELLENT but definitely big differences

[@horndog2058]

I'm so glad Crystal Quin is back and looking delicious as ever!!!!

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

1. Big Trouble in Little China 2. Halloween 3. Escape from L.A. (Metal Gear) 4. Mouth of Madness 5. Vampire You looked pretty good in that fan film. I mean that in the straightest way possible.

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

That was supposed to be Escape from New York……

[@chazzfarmer2547]

Master's of Horror is on tubi, Cigarette Burns is on season 1 and Prolife is season 2.

[@kurtfranklin2680]

Maybe the best episode ever. Fun and fine. Hard to choose a top 3. I’m not a horror guy so… 1.big trouble 2.they live 3.escape from NY

[@dangchanneldeg6948]

I was 6 years old and home from stealing candy from the neighbors and the neighbors around my block and at the local mall when my dad let me watch a little movie called The Thing (1982).

[@ninavidetto2861]

Yoooo I love your guys and gal's keep up the good work

[@JCIce007]

The Thing is his best movie. Halloween is his most influential. Big Trouble in Little China is his most fun.

[@theflail]

They Live and bubblegum, and he's all out bubblegum.

[@kristiankapler1004]

I have an 800 dollar They Live tattoo on my leg. One of my favorite movies ever.

[@reginaldcaine6161]

I want to apologize for my mean comment on Jurassic Park. It's been a rough few months and this show really helped me get past those issues and relax. Not seeing the people who help make the show made it tough to enjoy if I wasn't into the topic. No excuse, just causation. So thank you guys, and I hope my douchieness didn't effect anyone negatively. Also, extra apologies to the new guys. Like really, I was a dick in that comment

[@HackTheMovies]

It's rare someone apologizes. So that's totally fine. All is forgiven.

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

I was able to see the Thing in a theatre last weekend and it was amazing! Pretty decent crowd too

[@thomassroka1124]

Great to have Crystal back!

[@Crystalquin]

Thanks!

[@dreamlandnightmare]

Big Trouble in Little China is my favorite, though I would consider The Thing his best.

[@megmcguigan3857]

I've seen Goblin perform to Suspiria live in London a few years back. One of the best shows I have been to. My favourite Carpenter film is either They Live or Escape From New York. I go back and forth all of the time.

[@mariothomas102]

Since this is a talk to me , the thing , the fog , Halloween, Christine then everything else those movies will always be my go to I wish the fog would get played or put on demand

[@krisglavin2373]

Awesome episode one of my favorites

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

The Thing is an adaption (or adaptation too). The story was written by editor of Astounding magazine.

[@krisglavin2373]

Looking forward to it absolutely love John carpenter and crystal queen I mean Quinn

[@Ka_Five]

Favorite: Halloween, and it's my favorite movie ever as well Best: Escape From New York!

[@stevencowie7151]

When I finally got to see The Thing at the pictures, I marvelled at it, but it gives you nothing at the end (shuffling out of the cinema with the score like a heartbeat in your ears) and can see why it was trounced by ET. Still love it and have watched it countless times.

[@kyleking7960]

I must say, I was once critical of Crystal and truly thought she was ill prepared for some of the reviews. Now, I find myself missing her when she's away for too long. Nobody is close to the powerful and famous Tony, but Crystal and Johanna are fantastic. TAT has solidified itself as my favorite movie review podcast.

[@Guardian978]

My own list: 1) In the Mouth of Madness 2) The Thing 3) Big Trouble in Little China Honorable Mentions: Escape From New York, Halloween, They Live

[@Dartanyoogles]

Those are my top three as well! Glad to see Mouth of Madness getting so much love in the comments!

[@antipothis]

Why is there a freeze frame of sam neil at 31:04-05? I can't tell if it's supposed to be subliminal, or a clip for the agent messed up.

[@jamesfanshawe6807]

My favorite John Carpenter movie is, without a doubt, Escape from L. A. Yes, it's stupid, but seeing Kurt Russell jump off a tsunami onto a car will always put a smile on my face. If I had to say what my favorite Carpenter movie that I don't enjoy ironically to any degree is, I'd say Christine. Assault on Precinct 13, Dark Star, and They Live are 3, 4, and 5, respectively. I'm guessing a lot of Carpenter fans might find this a strange top 5, but I'll admit I'm ambivalent toward some of his more famous movies.

[@thehostofmmm]

CORRECT: adaptation INCORRECT: adaption

[@stevezac_cptlpnshmnt]

Big Trouble In Little China is def my fav Carpenter film... The atmosphere in that film is just soooo good!

[@timscheuermann2554]

I loved escape from La saw that at the drive in.

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

His best solitude alien invasion movie is The Thing, They Live is the best city alien invasion, Halloween is the best slasher, and Escape From New York is his best action movie hell even Vampires is the best worst vampire movie with James Woods

[@davidbowie2046]

Halloween is his greatest, followed by Prince of darkness, which is such an underrated classic!

[@J-S.P]

There's a channel called thebrb30000 that stuff video discussions on John Carpenter movies. He stated that The Thing was perhaps the ultimate John Carpenter film for horror enthusiasts while Prince of Darkness may be the ultimate John Carpenter film for *fans* of John Carpenter.

[@anthonysoto2923]

Yes it is....by some distance.

[@DryptosaurusDavid]

You should do the review of “Lightyear”.

[@AndrewJWildey]

Joe LaScola’s dancing 😂 He was having such a great time

[@davidrose647]

PRINCE OF DARKNESS was #2 at the box office when it debut.

[@grimm4]

It's difficult for me to decide between The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China.

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

That Michael Myers mask is having a wonderful memory.

[@mackchats6520]

I was 6 when Big Trouble came out in Ireland and still today it's one of the best experience's I have ever had at the flicks, It was a packed screen and everyone had an amazing time with it, I was shocked to hear it was a flop in the states because we ate it up here :)

[@shainewhite2781]

YES, JOHN CARPENTER'S THE THING is the best Sci-fi Horror film ever made!

[@army103]

I saw Big Trouble in Little China for the first time about 3 years ago and I loved it - if I had seen it back in the 80's, it definitely would have been one of my childhood favorites!

[@697red]

I watched the original Assault on Precinct 13 in Tempe, AZ and it was great. The music and ice cream scene

[@rrmenton8016]

The thing is not merely Carpenter's finest film. Its one of the best horror films ever made.

[@tj112286]

I Love Crystal's reaction on 23:27! 😆

[@DirtBoyTrilla]

WHEN IT'S TIME TO PARTY WE WILL *PARTY HARD*

[@jordan.fa5592]

hey just saying hi, I've been subscribed since you had less than 1000 Subs when u got a shout-out from ReviewTechUsa. keep up the great work!

[@Sleepy_Spaghetti]

John Carpenter is my favorite filmmaker!

[@ryanspengler4877]

I saw The Frighteners in theater on opening day and the final trailer before the film began was the Escape from L.A. preview that looks like an in-house bathroom/lobby/fire exit announcement. If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. As a young Carpenter/Snake fan I almost had a heart attack because I had no idea it was even in the works...it was all I could think about and I counted the days... ...and the final result did not disappoint! Hahaha! I STILL submit that both films make the perfect one-two-cheese punch of awesomeness that I enjoy on repeated viewings and blast the shit out of their scores and soundtracks. The Paramount One-Shot and the CrossGen comics where Snake steals the JFK limo weren't bad, either, back in the day. I still have the Snake WANTED poster that was a giveaway at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con hanging in my office and it kills me how many folks haven't seen these flicks... 🐍🌊 🏄‍♂️ 🌊 🌊 🏄‍♂️ 🪑

[@Staticseven1]

24:15 🤣it WAS Joe lol "I seen him" 😂

[@ryrizzle319]

My own opinion Prince of Darkness is the best of his films.