Ortiz of the screen

Terror takes shape again: The Thing rings in 40 years

Very few remakes equal, much less surpass, the original fi lms, but I fi rmly believe John Carpenter’s 1982 version of The Thing is that rarity. All due respect to the 1951 original (which starred James Arness as The Thing!), Carpenter’s adaptation was more faithful, more frightening, and may well be his masterpiece.

It didn’t seem that way at fi rst, as the fi lm received unaccountably negative, even vicious, reviews upon its release — primarily due to the ground-breaking special e ects of Rob Bottin, which were truly original and truly horrifying. Leonard Maltin, Vincent Canby (of The New York Times), and even Cinefantastique — a magazine devoted to fantasy, horror, and science-fi ction — all gave the fi lm reviews that weren’t so much negative as angry and appalled.

Yet like its title character, The Thing refused to die, becoming a staple of cable television and home video, and truly underwent a truly phoenix-like resurrection in critical appraisal. It is now considered by many to be a classic of the genre and has inspired such acclaimed contemporary fi lmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, J.J. Abrams, Neill Blomkamp, and countless others.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its release, Fathom Events and Universal Pictures have joined forces to present The Thing at 800 cinemas nationwide, two of which are here in the Piedmont Triad: The fi lm will be screened at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, and 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22nd at the Regal Greensboro Grande Stadium 16 (3205 Northline Ave., Greensboro) and the Regal Palladium Stadium 14 (5830 Samet Drive, High Point). Tickets are $13.34 and can be ordered here: https://www.fathomevents.com/.

Set in Antarctica 1982, the fi lm depicts the mounting horror when the members of a U.S. scientifi c base discover a nearby Norwegian base in ruins and evidence of an alien spacecraft that had been frozen in the ice for centuries, perhaps longer. Shortly thereafter, they fi nd themselves terrorized by the alien being, which has the ability to replicate its victims. The themes the fi lm addresses are timeless: Mistrust and paranoia. In the best Agatha Christie tradition, anyone could be a “Thing” and everyone’s

a suspect. Some observers interpreted The Thing as an AIDS allegory, which the fi lmmakers did not intend — although that allegory was more applicable to Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness (1987), which shares a number of thematic similarities to The Thing. The Thing marked Carpenter’s third Mark Burger collaboration with Kurt Russell, having previously worked with him in the 1979 TV movie Elvis and the 1981 cult classic Escape Contributor from New York, and he’s surrounded by a peerless ensemble cast: A. Wilford Brimley, Donald Mo at, Richard Dysart, Keith David, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Richard Masur, Charles Hallahan, Thomas G. Waites, Peter Maloney, and Joel Polis — and every actor is at the top of his game. In addition to Bottin’s special e ects, some of which were created in collaboration with the late, great Stan Winston, the ominous score by Ennio Morricone further enhances the tension, and this version of The Thing is actually more faithful to John W. Campbell’s 1938 novella Who Goes There? than the earlier fi lm. The screenplay, by Bill Lancaster, is fi lled with quotable lines — most of which could not be reprinted in a family newspaper. However, this one can be: “I don’t know what the hell’s in there, but it’s weird and pissed-o , whatever it is!” Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to interview Carpenter, David, and cinematographer Dean Cundey. Carpenter and Cundey (also long-time collaborators) both said that making The Thing was one of the highlights of their life, yet their enthusiasm was tempered by the vicious critical reception at the time. David, who made his screen debut in The Thing and later reunited with Carpenter in They Live (1988), laughed when he recalled his concerns that he would be fi red because he broke his arm shortly before fi lming commenced. (If you look closely, you can see that one arm is more mobile than the other.) Some things are worth waiting for, no pun intended, and John Carpenter’s The Thing achieving classic status is one of them. In addition to the fi lm, this presentation also includes vintage, behind-the-scenes footage from Michael Matessino’s 1998 documentary The Thing: Terror Takes Shape, which was included in the fi rst DVD special edition. The o cial Fathom Events website is https://www.fathomevents.com/. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022, Mark Burger.

[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] JUNETEENTH IN WINSTON-SALEM AND FORSYTH COUNTY

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have several events happening over the Juneteenth weekend in celebration of this culturally rich holiday.

Triad Cultural Arts will host its 18th annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 18 from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Innovation Quarter of Downtown Winston-Salem. The Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of African American traditions and freedom. The festival features music, dance, food, panel discussions, as well as arts and crafts. Special musical guest P Funk Connection will perform at this year’s festival. In addition, Triad Cultural Arts will have programming such as the Queen Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant on June 17, Black Health Panel Discussion, Juneteenth Youth, and Mobile Health and History.

Triad Cultural Arts has also organized The Wellness Keepers exhibition that will open on June 16 in the Main Gallery of Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. “We meshed our Juneteenth activities into the 2022 Association for the Study of African American Life and History Black History month theme — ‘Black Health and Wellness’ so that we could be a part of a national voice on important concerns that merits the public’s attention,” expressed Cheryl Harry, Executive Director and Founder of Triad Cultural Arts. “As a result, our art exhibition will feature medical professionals from the Twin City Medical Society who are providing diversity in healthcare as an intentional means to address health disparities. The health panel will address being intentional in bringing diversifi ed medical sta s. We will have several health and wellness exhibitors ranging from a holistic birth doula to beauty and wellness herbal products.” For more information about the Juneteenth Festival, visit

Joshua Ridley

Marketing & Communications

Manager www.TriadCulturalArts.com. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and Forsyth County Government continues its Summer Parks Concert Series on Sunday, June 19 with a Juneteenth Celebration featuring: Gospel Music from Jamera McQueen-Smith & Matelyn Alicia at Tanglewood Park. This concert is free and family friendly. The concert starts at 5 p.m. and gates will open at 4 p.m. In addition to music, there will be food trucks, community partners, and an arts and crafts tent for kids sponsored by Publix Charities. For more information about the Summer Parks Concert Series, visit www.intothearts.org/ parks2022. This year’s Juneteenth Weekend will also feature the 1LOVE Festival. The festival will take place Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18. The 1LOVE Festival celebrates and centers African Diasporic culture through music, art, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Boasting local, national, and international musicians, authors, deejays, and visual artists, the festival’s goal is to amplify African Diasporic culture, curate an immersive hybrid experience with in-person performances streamed virtually and develop and maintain mutually enhancing connections that encourage love of self, love community and love of culture. The 1LOVE festival will include free seminars and workshops, music, and more! For more information about the 1LOVE Festival, visit www.1lovefestival.com.

ARTS COUNCIL is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Our goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain artistic, cultural and creative o erings throughout our region. We acknowledge that it takes every voice, every talent, and every story to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Arts Council is committed to serving as a facilitator, organizer, and promoter of conversations that are authentic, inclusive, and forward-thinking. There are over 800,000 art experiences taking place in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County annually. To learn more about upcoming arts and culture events happening in our community please visit www.cityofthearts.com.