This Or That: Pt. 3
with Anne Hickey of
Gratuitous Productions
Ahoy Creeps, Cretins and Horror Enthusiasts!
Welcome back to another edition of “This or That” with Gratuitous Productions.
BEST HORROR REMAKE
CHOICE A:
THE THING (1982)
A stand alone classic in and of itself. 'The Thing' is a remake of the 1951 movie 'The Thing From Another World'. John Carpenter masterfully crafts a movie overflowing with isolation, suspense and uncertainty that cannot be overlooked in the remake category of modern horror. The practical effects alone in the 1982 version are arguably, to present day, some of the best work in film history. The visual transformations in this film jump out of the screen and grab us by the throat. Carpenter takes the original film’s flair for the unknown to a whole new game and levels the playing field in the genre. A film that sits above most, this is a remake that, in my opinion, far exceeds the original and really blasts the concept into the next level of visual storytelling.
Choice B:
SUSPIRIA (2018)
To know Dario Argento’s films is to love them. He is a master of the genre and the spectacular over saturated lighting and over the top kill scenes are unmatched. Luca Guadagnino takes the original themes and concepts from Argento’s 'Suspiria' and transforms them into a witchy wonderland that plays off of the core concepts of the story with effortless design. Not to mention, a brilliant cast that drives the story and sets the tone. At the forefront, Tilda Swinton plays three distinctly different roles in the film with flawless execution. The soundtrack composed by Thom Yorke (of Radiohead fame) just adds to the moodiness and melancholy of the film. A remake worthy of a watch (or two) to fully realize the insanity of the original story.
Writer’s choice: 'THE THING'
Honorable Mentions: 'The Fly' (1986) and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1978)
