I have to disagree with the notion that there's a half an hour that has nothing to do with the plot or themes of the movie. However, you might only realize it on a repeat viewing. Even the concept of the main character being basically nothing, plays right into what this movie is about. Believe me, this movie benefits massively from repeat viewings. Each and every scene is relevant and important.
My favorite bit of knowledge involving this quote is that Roddy Piper walked on set with it already wrote down in a little notebook of his mentioned it to John he absolutely loved it and put it in the movie
@kyre lymrick Yeah I agree, but the movie description on the back just labels the movie as a critique on capitalism. No mention of the state. What a joke
@@creativevisiongaming and a few capitalists control the states of the world (not just the US state). But what would Carpenter know? People in Hollywood aren't the most informed (except Mel Gibson)
@@YourGuitarPlayerAndSinger The definition of capitalist is slightly different than the definition of capitalism. Capitalists are thought of as the wealthy were as capitalism can include small businesses and even freelancers. If capitalists control the world, then they're in bed with the state then that's crony capitalism and not what I'm defending.
If you're lucky enough to have never heard anything about a movie, why go spoil it by reading the blurb or watching a trailer? I love going into a film knowing as little about it as I possibly can. Then again, these guys are of a generation who doesn't seem to be bothered by spoilers. Sadly.
Yup. If you’re unspoiled, don’t then go,and spoil things for yourself. Avoid blurbs and trailers. They can’t enhance your viewing, but they can detract from it.
There are some fun movies that are a wonderful experience when you go in blind. Tom Cruise's Oblivion (2014) is one example. Even a basic trailer for that movie gives huge spoilers.
The fight is a metaphor for how resistant people are to open their eyes to the what really goes on in the world . It seems obviously simple but that’s the gist of it
Roddy Piper's character's name is "Nada" which means "Nothing" hence he's a blank canvas- it was done on purpose. It is a movie that improves on repeat viewings that's for sure. I first watched it at the cinema and loved it but then on subsequent viewings over the years I saw it has a lot more depth than I first thought- probably watched it about 10 times, maybe more. That's one of the reasons it's become a cult classic over time.
@@OpenMawProductions There is some. But the man is a cowboy in spirit, he doesn't get bothered by it too much. He just wants to do cool shit. and that's OK.
Yeah, why do they do that? It’s the same as trailers that show the entire essence of the movie. I’ve never understood it. Some of my favorite movies are ones I’ve gone into mostly, or completely blind..
Agree 100%, I couldn't believe it when they were reading that. I wonder what other movies have been ruined in the packaging blurb? "Hijinks ensue when a little boy says that he can see dead people, but actually his psychologist is dead too."
John Carpenter wanted to pay respect to the fight scene in the quiet man with John Wayne. If you watch it with the commentary on that’s how he explains it
@@ChirumboloFilm same thing. Except the twist in that film is exactly what the whole crux of the movie hinges on, so spoiling it just makes the whole thing redundant.
Yes guys! for God's sake never read the blurb, or the synopsis or anything. i mean, i guess you're either a reaction channel that goes in blind, or goes in knowing the basics. i think the former is a lot more entertaining.
@@locustkllr yeah, but the problem is that the blurbs USED TO give you the most basic outline of the plot. Nowadays they spoil the major plot points. It's gotten so lazy.
South Park did a great, nearly shot for shot remake of the alley fight in their Cripple Fight episode as an homage. Duke Nukem made an entire game based on the character / bank scene. They Live is iconic.
10:50 Reason the girl says this is because she’s being held hostage. I mean sure it’s revealed later that she is on the aliens side but even if she wasn’t, it makes sense why she acts that way and knocks him out of the building
"They Live" is one of my favorite movies. Rowdy Roddy Piper is the best. A real loss. If you decide to go in the way back machine and do a really old film, you should try "Gaslight" which is from the 40s or 50s and is where our modern term "gaslighting" comes from. It's not scary for the viewers but it's a film that shows how terror works. I highly recommend it.
That would be great, since people rapidly forgot what the term was even supposed to mean, and it now gets uses as a synonym for lying in general, or for disagreeing with someone's belief's or position. It references a very specific form of deception.
It’s also got the first on-screen appearence of Angela Lansbury, whomwould become best known for playing Jessica Fletcher in Murdr, She Wrote. She was 15 when she started filming Gaslight, and was considered young enough that they delayed filming a scene where she handles an open flame until she had turned 16.
This is probably the most “John Carpenter” movie next to Prince of Darkness. They Live embodies how sick he was of homelessness and how Reaganomics of the 80’s created an elite wealth disparity in the US. It’s not subtle at all but it’s still great
I think Prince of Darkness (1987) is vastly underrated and may even be the better film of the two, the deliberate pacing works better in that film where They Live is basically a straight action film, held back by the typical Carpenter leisure structure. Watching a JC film, it's important to remember it's all about one's suspension of disbelief.
Christine came out in 1983, around the same time as Cujo. They Live was just after Prince of Darkness. I think they are part of a spiritual "trilogy." I get what you say about the lack of backdrop with Meg Foster and Roddy but I thought his connection with Keith David was perfect (I wanted more of it, yes!). I thought Piper did a fantastic job considering his background and what we see in films nowadays. It is littered with MMA/UFC, WWE now, athletes. So...
Roddy was a big inspiration for guys John Cena, Dave Bautista and Dewayne Johnson Because though Hulk Hogan was a bigger pro wrestler star Roddy was a great actor and took acting very seriously, every role he took he made it his own He proved a pro wrestler could not only lead a film but can be great at it Rip Roddy
You should definitely watch all of John Carpenter's films made before the 90s. Starting with Assault on Precinct 13, a truly thrilling and original low budget classic.
There are few things I dread more from a reaction intro than a phrase like "we read the blurb". That's probably more horrifying than half the films on Cinema Rules' playlist right now. 😱
A very prescient film that was frighteningly accurate in regards to rampant consumerism and how most people have become numb to the political reality of the 1%.
When this came out theatrically it wasn’t a hit and I was the only person I knew that loved it. At the time people were expecting a horror flick from Carpenter and this is a comedy satire. Now it’s a cult classic.
An eternally relevant classic, _They Live!_ is not a narrative film in the classic sense - it's an anti-Reagan, anti-Capitalist, anti-Plutocratic, & anti-Authoritarian thesis in the vocabulary of a 1950s Sci-Fi B-movie. It's best appreciated on those terms. The alley fight is comically long but that's the point. Most people are comfortable in "normal" & it's extremely difficult to influence critical thinking of that system.
@@ThreadBomb Those juvenile sensibilities are the Pop sugar coatings that help the medicine of the message go down. There's nothing to excuse & one does not diminish the other.
I do enjoy your reviews. The discussions are engaging, and you're one of the few on TH-cam who are not afraid to give honest opinions instead of catering to the films' fans. Subscribed =) In answer to your final question, my personal favorite John Carpenter film is "Big Trouble in Little China". It doesn't fit your current horror theme, though. More of an action comedy. Definitely recommended.
My third favourite Carpenter movie behind The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China. Fantastic, classic Carpenter. Great stuff! As always: finish Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy: 2) Prince of Darkness and 3) In the Mouth of Madness.
@@kevincola3184 Same here, friend! Call of Cthulu, The Rats In The Walls, Dreams In The Witch House, The Shadow Over Innsmouth. Amazing writer. If you're ever in the hunt, there was a series on cable called "The Masters of Horror," in which some of the best horror filmmakers got together and made these 1-hour short films. People like Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, George Romero, etc. I can't remember who directed it, but one of the films is an adaptation of Lovecraft's Dreams In The Witch House. Granted, trying to adapt certain authors to film is tough already, Lovecraft even moreso. But this version of "Dreams..." is actually pretty good. Definitely worth watching at least once!
The fight, obviously iconic. My favorite moment though is when he swings the board, misses him and smashes the window. They both pause and clearly feel it's gone too far. Just a wonderful beat!
"They Live" is based on a sci fi short story called "Eight O’Clock in the Morning" By Ray Nelson, which is probably why it felt so incomplete as a movie.
In 1988, America had experienced 8 years of Reagan's failed "trickle-down" nonsense (a fail for the working class). And in 1988, wrestling was very popular, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was as colorful a persona there was. I think that's one reason the lead character wasn't fleshed out much. Every audience member knew Roddy was there to kick ass and chew bubblegum. Carpenter spent a half-hour introducing him w/ little info or history. That fight scene between Piper and David is of record-holding length. I love this film. My favorite Carpenter film is "The Thing" w/ "Escape from New York" a close second. My least favorite is "Ghosts of Mars" which is utter garbage.
You guys definitely deserve that 100K subscribers. You two are honestly some of the best reactors on TH-cam. I always enjoy seeing a new video come out. And of course nice one as always. Such a classic movie.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Return of the Living Dead is one of the many movies you guys are watching this month. It’s a film that I’m confident you’d both really enjoy, as well as being a great touchstone of mid 80’s aesthetics.
Great reaction guys, this movie is one of my fav Carpenter classics. It also has scary parallels to today's climate in the world. This movie and Demolition Man if you guys have ever seen it, great movie. Great reaction guys!
Prince of Darkness- definitely a movie for Halloween month (directed by John Carpenter). Others by him worth watching inc Big Trouble in Little China, Starman, Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)- very low budget, Escape from New York, and alot of people like In the Mouth of Madness but I don't tbh.
This movie is sort of a Sci-Fi version of Roadhouse. It is cheesy, acting is corny, the fight scenes and shooting are ridiculous, it has a very B-movie feel, and yet somehow it still works as a cult classic and is fun to watch.
the fight between the two guys is a popular meme, an analogy meant to represent how hard it is to show someone the truth. Like a conspiracy being validated through facts but the other person still puts up a fight and refuses to see the truth.
They weren’t friends, they were forced to work together for a common goal He wasn’t in love with the girl; you don’t have to be in love to help someone, esp when you are dealing with an alien take over
i saw this when it first came out, and for years i seemed to be the only one that had seen it. I loved the conept, and those two or three minutes they played with consumerism, capitalism and propoganda were fantastic and have stayed with me all these years. The rest of the fim was abysmal, but perhaps there was a bit of tongue in cheek humour.
14:56 "I was just thinking, like, why was that scene playing out like they were past lovers?" Well, sometimes you think you have chemistry with a guy and then it turns out he has to kidnap you so the next time you see him, you're like, "Hey, sorry I almost killed you or whatever. You wanna get a coffee?" But usually, the whole thing is just a plot contrivance so there can be a massive gunfight. God, I love this movie.
Roddy's character is supposed to be blank and bland. It was written that way. At the time, back when we had 1 horror magazine and maybe 20 channels on tv it was easier to get that message out. My fav Carpenter is The Fog. I got to meet Adrienne Barbeau and Tom Atkins. They were super laid back and friendly. Adrienne recommended some books she like and Tom invited us to a private screening of Halloween III and even sat behind us and told us behind the scenes info during the movie. It was really cool that he remembered us after only meeting us once.
It’s not a concepts.👽They Live You Sleep 😴….There here and all around you Now..Spooky how John Carpenter knew they where here and uncovered there plans..So you can Wake UP or You Can Stay ASLEEP 😴…..
Don’t get stuck on the idea of the two having a “relationship”. Nada feels a bond because they’re both human and there’s this outside race turning them on each other. He isn’t some cynic, which is highlighted early on through his talk with Keith David, so he wants to see the best in everyone.
Fun Facts: The lead characters name "Nada" literally means *nothing.* He's an *everyman* character. All the homeless were played by actual homeless in the area. That way they'd get a hot meal and paid for their time. This was both a middle finger to Reaganomics of the 80s and a love letter to 50s sci-fi.
Yeah, the biggest problem is the campyness which was mainly due to Roddy Pipers portrayalof the character. But then, he's not an actor..he's literally just a wrestler. But as silly as it was at times, I remember being completely terrorized by the idea of the plot and the look of the aliens which were some of the most horrifying looking images I can remember from movies back then.
It hurt hearing you guys repeatedly going on about how Roddy Piper's character wasn't colorful when that was the point of the character. (Trust me, Roddy Piper can do a colorful character if that's the direction he's given.) Nada is an everyman. You can say maybe that was a bad decision, but it was a deliberate one.
Haunting = 'Psycho' The stunt coordinator who collaborated with Piper and David, a friend of his is a pit boss at my casino. I hear great things. Respect.
I am from Germany and i must say, that this Movie shows us a World, like it here came true! The Lies from the Gouverment and the censorship. Even the exessive Police-brutality exists now in Germany. Now they are thinking about concentration camps für People, who are not vaccinarted. This Film hat never been more topical!
Oh boy looking forward to this reaction! One of my favorite movies... It says SO much and it is as relevant today as when it came out ( even more so). Awesome! Good luck waiting for something of this caliber to ever come out of Hollywood again.
The first half hour of the movie sets the mood and the world the characters live in. There is a lot of explanation hidden in there, maybe you were waiting for the aliens too much after you read the blurb (That spoiled half the movie, don't do that!). Maybe thirty years ago that looked more dystopian than today, because the world somehow developed exactly that way. The eighties (or the "Reagan-Era") were also the time cyberpunk arrived with its megacorporations as criticism of consumerism and capitalism.
I don't understand why the guys don't get why Frank didn't want to put on the glasses..this guy he has known a few days went on a freaking killing spree for no reason as far as he knew..Why in the world would he do or listen to anything he says..to be more clear, Frank and anyone else for that matter is going to clearly assume he is crazy so no, it makes sense he wouldn't want to put on some glasses from a guy killing ppl left and right..come on guys. If some person you knew for 2 days goes and shoots up a school killing multiple ppl and finds you a day later talking about put on some glasses..you going to do it..the hell man.
The fight in the alley between Piper & his friend is a metaphor for "Cognitive Dissidence". Most people refuse to even entertain the idea that what they believe & accept as real & true may not be real & true. They will fight you, call you names like conspiracy theorist, call you crazy when asked to challenge there preconceived beliefs & just as in the movie there are things that people can only accept if they randomly stumble upon them by them selves. Its like Piper finding the box & putting on the glasses & even then he had a hard time believing what he was seeing at first. This movie did well encapsulating the reality of the human mind & how society operates & how peer pressure works & influences so many of or everyday decision's without us even knowing it.
I was lucky enough to meet Roddy Piper at a horror film festival the same year he died. He was a genuine, first rate NICE guy. I was surprised by how warm, friendly and fun he was.
They Live is such a relevant movie even today and is a cult classic currently... how amazing. You guys should see Prince of Darkness and In the Mouth of Madness, part of the Apocalypse Trilogy, counting The Thing.
Then Mouth of Madness....maybe just a little mid October John Carpenter run. All his movies have an element of horror. On another note, I have not seen anybody react to Pumpkinhead and Nightbreed. Two monster horrors that are cult classic staples for Holloween. Act now, beat the rush:)
Adventure Time did an awesome homage to the legendary, epic alley fight with characters who were actually voiced by Keith David and Roddy Piper, simply brilliant!
@@killar1one it's in S05 Ep47, "The Red Throne", takes place in the flame kingdom. Keith David had already been voicing Flame King so I guess they decided to cast Piper to have an excuse to recreate the fight 😂
I have to disagree with the notion that there's a half an hour that has nothing to do with the plot or themes of the movie. However, you might only realize it on a repeat viewing. Even the concept of the main character being basically nothing, plays right into what this movie is about. Believe me, this movie benefits massively from repeat viewings. Each and every scene is relevant and important.
The bit where he walks past the cops beating the scientists and the priest and it's like he's invisible... because he doesn't matter.
Like the fight scene being so long symbolizes how hard it is to wake ppl up and be aware of something in real life..
pretentious dorks didn't get it.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
This has to be the best one liner of all time.
My favorite bit of knowledge involving this quote is that Roddy Piper walked on set with it already wrote down in a little notebook of his mentioned it to John he absolutely loved it and put it in the movie
I have come here to kick bubblegum and chew ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.
lol, so true my friend.
Until Duke Nukem inherited this speech ....
This movie still relevant even to this day. "They live, we sleep"
🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@kyre lymrick Learn to spell.
@kyre lymrick Yeah I agree, but the movie description on the back just labels the movie as a critique on capitalism. No mention of the state. What a joke
@@creativevisiongaming and a few capitalists control the states of the world (not just the US state). But what would Carpenter know? People in Hollywood aren't the most informed (except Mel Gibson)
@@YourGuitarPlayerAndSinger The definition of capitalist is slightly different than the definition of capitalism. Capitalists are thought of as the wealthy were as capitalism can include small businesses and even freelancers. If capitalists control the world, then they're in bed with the state then that's crony capitalism and not what I'm defending.
"Why are people so intimidated by putting on a pair of sunglasses!?"
People are afraid to look at the truth.
Exactly my 1st thought, you have to literally fight to wake people.
What’s the truth ?
Aliens are among us and sunglasses rule😂
But people are not afraid to put on sunglasses, so the metaphor doesn't really work.
@@ThreadBomb You have sunglasses that erase the facade the elites wear? I think you missed something...
So, they basically just spoiled the entire plot of the movie on the back of the Bluray? Note to self: never read those again.
Yep, as soon as I saw that I just stop watching, they just spoiled everything which pretty much ruins the reaction.
If you're lucky enough to have never heard anything about a movie, why go spoil it by reading the blurb or watching a trailer? I love going into a film knowing as little about it as I possibly can. Then again, these guys are of a generation who doesn't seem to be bothered by spoilers. Sadly.
Yup. If you’re unspoiled, don’t then go,and spoil things for yourself. Avoid blurbs and trailers. They can’t enhance your viewing, but they can detract from it.
There are some fun movies that are a wonderful experience when you go in blind. Tom Cruise's Oblivion (2014) is one example. Even a basic trailer for that movie gives huge spoilers.
yeah that's an absurdly spoilerific blurb.
The fight is a metaphor for how resistant people are to open their eyes to the what really goes on in the world . It seems obviously simple but that’s the gist of it
Took me 15 years to get that crippled fight in South park between Jimmy and Timmy was a reference from this movie.
Took me 15 years to finally see this scene in the actual movie. Today. 😂
Gotta love Matt and Trey for making memes before memes were memes.
LMAO, I noticed right away that I went wait a minute. I've seen this before lol
I didn't know that until reading this comment. The Jimmy and Timmy fight is one of the greatest things that has ever been on television....ever. lol
Roddy Piper's character's name is "Nada" which means "Nothing" hence he's a blank canvas- it was done on purpose. It is a movie that improves on repeat viewings that's for sure. I first watched it at the cinema and loved it but then on subsequent viewings over the years I saw it has a lot more depth than I first thought- probably watched it about 10 times, maybe more. That's one of the reasons it's become a cult classic over time.
People keep trying to find "more depth" in Carpenter movies. There isn't.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 There's plenty of depth. Just because you don't want to see it doesn't mean it isn't there. Everything alfred said is correct.
@@OpenMawProductions There is some. But the man is a cowboy in spirit, he doesn't get bothered by it too much. He just wants to do cool shit. and that's OK.
i think this is john carpenter's best film. oh man, kind of bummed out that the description on the disk case gave away the entire plot. oh well.
Yeah, why do they do that? It’s the same as trailers that show the entire essence of the movie. I’ve never understood it. Some of my favorite movies are ones I’ve gone into mostly, or completely blind..
Got to disagree. John Carpenter's best film is probably The Thing.
@@Panzer4F2 while i do love the thing, they live edges it out for me
Agree 100%, I couldn't believe it when they were reading that. I wonder what other movies have been ruined in the packaging blurb? "Hijinks ensue when a little boy says that he can see dead people, but actually his psychologist is dead too."
Though I do like this film a lot, it's not even in his top 3 for me. Each to their own though.
And we are now living in the world of They Live. Very prophetic film.
The fact that he has a hard time in convincing people to wear those glasses is a metaphor of the fact that people prefer illusion than see reality
In the script, for the fight scene, John Carpenter literally wrote "They Fight" followed by 5 blank Pages.
The glasses fight is one of the most funniest scenes in film history
It is also one of the longest fight scenes ever filmed at 6min for the theatrical version and I recall there is an extended version that's even longer
But was it supposed to be funny? That's the question.
John Carpenter wanted to pay respect to the fight scene in the quiet man with John Wayne. If you watch it with the commentary on that’s how he explains it
That wasn't a blurb, that was a synopsis. Worst back of the DVD ever, gives away the entire plot.
Ever seen the back of a Cabin In The Woods case?
@@KyleS3m3noff Nope, but if it's as bad as this one someone needs to be fired, preferably whoever approved it.
@@ChirumboloFilm same thing. Except the twist in that film is exactly what the whole crux of the movie hinges on, so spoiling it just makes the whole thing redundant.
Yes guys! for God's sake never read the blurb, or the synopsis or anything. i mean, i guess you're either a reaction channel that goes in blind, or goes in knowing the basics. i think the former is a lot more entertaining.
@@locustkllr yeah, but the problem is that the blurbs USED TO give you the most basic outline of the plot. Nowadays they spoil the major plot points. It's gotten so lazy.
I love this movie so much. John Carpenter is just incredible.
Recommended viewing: The Fog, Escape From New York, Prince of Darkness.
South Park did a great, nearly shot for shot remake of the alley fight in their Cripple Fight episode as an homage. Duke Nukem made an entire game based on the character / bank scene. They Live is iconic.
And they parodied the line in The IT Crowd. It was a legendary episode.
10:50 Reason the girl says this is because she’s being held hostage. I mean sure it’s revealed later that she is on the aliens side but even if she wasn’t, it makes sense why she acts that way and knocks him out of the building
"They Live because he's bad at
killing them and they don't die." 😂
"They Live" is one of my favorite movies. Rowdy Roddy Piper is the best. A real loss. If you decide to go in the way back machine and do a really old film, you should try "Gaslight" which is from the 40s or 50s and is where our modern term "gaslighting" comes from. It's not scary for the viewers but it's a film that shows how terror works. I highly recommend it.
That would be great, since people rapidly forgot what the term was even supposed to mean, and it now gets uses as a synonym for lying in general, or for disagreeing with someone's belief's or position. It references a very specific form of deception.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks yup. Folks use the term and have never ever seen the movie. They don't even know where the term came from. A shame, i think.
It’s also got the first on-screen appearence of Angela Lansbury, whomwould become best known for playing Jessica Fletcher in Murdr, She Wrote.
She was 15 when she started filming Gaslight, and was considered young enough that they delayed filming a scene where she handles an open flame until she had turned 16.
@@7rollface Thank you. I didn't know that. She is one of my favorite oldtimey actress. She was so heart-breaking in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Gentlemen, if I may suggest, “In the Mouth of Madness.” Sam Neill is in peak form.
This film was way ahead of its time. As a social scientist it hits home.
Really hope you guys get to 100k by the end of this year
This is probably the most “John Carpenter” movie next to Prince of Darkness. They Live embodies how sick he was of homelessness and how Reaganomics of the 80’s created an elite wealth disparity in the US. It’s not subtle at all but it’s still great
Thanks for putting the movie in context and not just going on a rant about masks.
I think Prince of Darkness (1987) is vastly underrated and may even be the better film of the two, the deliberate pacing works better in that film where They Live is basically a straight action film, held back by the typical Carpenter leisure structure. Watching a JC film, it's important to remember it's all about one's suspension of disbelief.
Nice. Excellent choice guys. Always saw this as more of an action/sci-fi than a horror, but it’s a great movie non the less.
Carpenter hired real homeless people for the camp. A nice touch.
And fed and paid them
Cans of beans and a tent?
@@gazzalenbrick6381 He paid them with punches and kicks.
They probably worked cheap, lol.
@@ThreadBomb like the rest of the crew
Christine came out in 1983, around the same time as Cujo. They Live was just after Prince of Darkness. I think they are part of a spiritual "trilogy." I get what you say about the lack of backdrop with Meg Foster and Roddy but I thought his connection with Keith David was perfect (I wanted more of it, yes!). I thought Piper did a fantastic job considering his background and what we see in films nowadays. It is littered with MMA/UFC, WWE now, athletes. So...
Roddy was a big inspiration for guys John Cena, Dave Bautista and Dewayne Johnson
Because though Hulk Hogan was a bigger pro wrestler star Roddy was a great actor and took acting very seriously, every role he took he made it his own
He proved a pro wrestler could not only lead a film but can be great at it
Rip Roddy
God, that blurb on the back of the BluRay is an enormous set of spoilers.
No doubt, when he read that I was like, so much for a reaction video.
You should definitely watch all of John Carpenter's films made before the 90s. Starting with Assault on Precinct 13, a truly thrilling and original low budget classic.
So often overlooked. And it was the proof of the pudding, so early in his career!
Love Roddy Piper. The Piper's Pit was the best. RIP Roderick George Toombs
He should have smashed a coconut over someone's head in this movie.
There are few things I dread more from a reaction intro than a phrase like "we read the blurb". That's probably more horrifying than half the films on Cinema Rules' playlist right now. 😱
Blame Tom 😂 he shouldn’t have done it haha
Why the fight between Kieth and Roddy is there and why it took so long for them with the fight is to show how hard it is to tell someone the truth.
A very prescient film that was frighteningly accurate in regards to rampant consumerism and how most people have become numb to the political reality of the 1%.
When this came out theatrically it wasn’t a hit and I was the only person I knew that loved it. At the time people were expecting a horror flick from Carpenter and this is a comedy satire. Now it’s a cult classic.
And people haven't woken up entirely yet, most are still deliberately being dumbed down by inane loud TV entertainment designed to distract.
Dude this is one of my favorite movies ever. I'm so glad yall decided to watch it!
An eternally relevant classic, _They Live!_ is not a narrative film in the classic sense - it's an anti-Reagan, anti-Capitalist, anti-Plutocratic, & anti-Authoritarian thesis in the vocabulary of a 1950s Sci-Fi B-movie. It's best appreciated on those terms.
The alley fight is comically long but that's the point. Most people are comfortable in "normal" & it's extremely difficult to influence critical thinking of that system.
Totally agree with your analysis...
I think you're going far to excuse the movie's juvenile sensibility. It's at a pre-teen level of sophistication.
@@ThreadBomb Those juvenile sensibilities are the Pop sugar coatings that help the medicine of the message go down. There's nothing to excuse & one does not diminish the other.
Nice one, a Cinema Rules video on my birthday. Well, I'm glad you enjoyed this movie and I will see you guys later.
I do enjoy your reviews. The discussions are engaging, and you're one of the few on TH-cam who are not afraid to give honest opinions instead of catering to the films' fans. Subscribed =)
In answer to your final question, my personal favorite John Carpenter film is "Big Trouble in Little China". It doesn't fit your current horror theme, though. More of an action comedy. Definitely recommended.
"I have come here to come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubble gum." Best line in the history of film!
Not in script. Written by Piper.
_Christine_ was 1983, five years earlier. _They Live_ followed the very underrated _Prince of Darkness._
It's clearly a flawed film in some regards but I love the central concept so much that I'm prepared to overlook the weaknesses.
This is much more of an action movie to me than a horror, but it's great nonetheless.
Couldn’t like this fast enough!
And boy howdy it sure is a good thing no media outlets or authority figures are telling people to obey without question these days. 👍
My third favourite Carpenter movie behind The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China. Fantastic, classic Carpenter. Great stuff! As always: finish Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy: 2) Prince of Darkness and 3) In the Mouth of Madness.
Fractal Jack, you’re a man after my own heart!
In The Mouth of Madness is the best Lovecraftian film I've ever seen.
In The Mouth of Madness is such a great film!!! Very underrated, and has the Carpenter thumbprint all over it!!! I second your suggestion, good sir!
@@serpentisma H.P. Lovrcraft is one of my favorite writers.
@@kevincola3184 Same here, friend! Call of Cthulu, The Rats In The Walls, Dreams In The Witch House, The Shadow Over Innsmouth. Amazing writer. If you're ever in the hunt, there was a series on cable called "The Masters of Horror," in which some of the best horror filmmakers got together and made these 1-hour short films. People like Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, George Romero, etc. I can't remember who directed it, but one of the films is an adaptation of Lovecraft's Dreams In The Witch House. Granted, trying to adapt certain authors to film is tough already, Lovecraft even moreso. But this version of "Dreams..." is actually pretty good. Definitely worth watching at least once!
People won't put on a mask, so you expect them to put on the glasses? 🕶️
You've actually watched 5 Wes Craven films: Scream 1-4 and A Nightmare On Elm Street. They Live is awesome and so was your reaction!
One of the greatest fight scenes in movie history.
The fight, obviously iconic. My favorite moment though is when he swings the board, misses him and smashes the window. They both pause and clearly feel it's gone too far. Just a wonderful beat!
You guys are on the roll ,just love this movie and loved your reaction guys.
"They Live" is based on a sci fi short story called "Eight O’Clock in the Morning" By Ray Nelson, which is probably why it felt so incomplete as a movie.
In 1988, America had experienced 8 years of Reagan's failed "trickle-down" nonsense (a fail for the working class). And in 1988, wrestling was very popular, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was as colorful a persona there was. I think that's one reason the lead character wasn't fleshed out much. Every audience member knew Roddy was there to kick ass and chew bubblegum. Carpenter spent a half-hour introducing him w/ little info or history. That fight scene between Piper and David is of record-holding length. I love this film. My favorite Carpenter film is "The Thing" w/ "Escape from New York" a close second. My least favorite is "Ghosts of Mars" which is utter garbage.
It's a Docu-drama!😉
Now watch "Idiocracy". 🥂
You guys definitely deserve that 100K subscribers. You two are honestly some of the best reactors on TH-cam. I always enjoy seeing a new video come out.
And of course nice one as always. Such a classic movie.
These guys and Ashleigh Burton are the best reacters on youtube.
I wonder if this is what Disney do to us...I need those glasses stat!
Of course, Walt Disney was a high ranked free mason.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Return of the Living Dead is one of the many movies you guys are watching this month. It’s a film that I’m confident you’d both really enjoy, as well as being a great touchstone of mid 80’s aesthetics.
"You mean the movie lied?". Love this movie 🤙
I think the boys will love ROTLD!
Plus Linea Quigley is in it, always a bonus for a 1980's horror film, lol.
@@kevincola3184 Huge Bonus... See what I did there 😏
Another John Carpenter must-see is, "In the Mouth of Madness". Highly recommended watch.
Great reaction guys, this movie is one of my fav Carpenter classics. It also has scary parallels to today's climate in the world. This movie and Demolition Man if you guys have ever seen it, great movie. Great reaction guys!
need definatly to watch John Carpenter's "prince of darkness", and watch it in the dark.
It sure is a great time to be a Cinema Rules Patreon subscriber :-)
Prince of Darkness- definitely a movie for Halloween month (directed by John Carpenter). Others by him worth watching inc Big Trouble in Little China, Starman, Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)- very low budget, Escape from New York, and alot of people like In the Mouth of Madness but I don't tbh.
This movie is sort of a Sci-Fi version of Roadhouse. It is cheesy, acting is corny, the fight scenes and shooting are ridiculous, it has a very B-movie feel, and yet somehow it still works as a cult classic and is fun to watch.
the fight between the two guys is a popular meme, an analogy meant to represent how hard it is to show someone the truth. Like a conspiracy being validated through facts but the other person still puts up a fight and refuses to see the truth.
im not sure if the proper word to use is analogy or allegory, or metaphor LOL. but you know what i mean
Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China
They weren’t friends, they were forced to work together for a common goal
He wasn’t in love with the girl; you don’t have to be in love to help someone, esp when you are dealing with an alien take over
This Film Totally Represents The True Reality Of Today's World We Live In.
i saw this when it first came out, and for years i seemed to be the only one that had seen it. I loved the conept, and those two or three minutes they played with consumerism, capitalism and propoganda were fantastic and have stayed with me all these years. The rest of the fim was abysmal, but perhaps there was a bit of tongue in cheek humour.
SO much stuff being hidden unless you wear the glasses is so amazing. I mean, there are alien drones floating around hidden and everything!
It's not a concept, it's a documentary:)
14:56 "I was just thinking, like, why was that scene playing out like they were past lovers?" Well, sometimes you think you have chemistry with a guy and then it turns out he has to kidnap you so the next time you see him, you're like, "Hey, sorry I almost killed you or whatever. You wanna get a coffee?" But usually, the whole thing is just a plot contrivance so there can be a massive gunfight. God, I love this movie.
Roddy's character is supposed to be blank and bland. It was written that way. At the time, back when we had 1 horror magazine and maybe 20 channels on tv it was easier to get that message out. My fav Carpenter is The Fog. I got to meet Adrienne Barbeau and Tom Atkins. They were super laid back and friendly. Adrienne recommended some books she like and Tom invited us to a private screening of Halloween III and even sat behind us and told us behind the scenes info during the movie. It was really cool that he remembered us after only meeting us once.
One of the best movies ever IMO. Love that ending, such a rollercoaster finish.
"Hey! What's wrong baby?"
Please review Prince of Darkness, it has to be one of the most underrated films he made. Also In the mouth of Madness is fantastic!
Yup, sci-fi Lovecraft.
THIS movie is magnificent!!!! My review score is 9.0/10. Roddy piper is GREAT as well. RIP HOT ROD :(
I actually got to work with Roddy at the 1994 King Of The Ring when he fought Jerry "The King" Lawler. I was at ringside with Roddy in his corner
It’s not a concepts.👽They Live You Sleep 😴….There here and all around you Now..Spooky how John Carpenter knew they where here and uncovered there plans..So you can Wake UP or You Can Stay ASLEEP 😴…..
Don’t get stuck on the idea of the two having a “relationship”. Nada feels a bond because they’re both human and there’s this outside race turning them on each other. He isn’t some cynic, which is highlighted early on through his talk with Keith David, so he wants to see the best in everyone.
You guys should react to Pumpkinhead, The Hitcher, or The Blob (1988)
Fun Facts: The lead characters name "Nada" literally means *nothing.*
He's an *everyman* character.
All the homeless were played by actual homeless in the area. That way they'd get a hot meal and paid for their time.
This was both a middle finger to Reaganomics of the 80s and a love letter to 50s sci-fi.
Carpenter's best film is definitely the masterpiece that is In the Mouth of Madness.
The Jimmy and Timmy fight in South Park was this fight scene shot for shot.
Awesome!!! That is one of the best John Carpenter movies that was reacted on this channel 👏. I am always glad to see a Cinema Rules video.
Definitely keep up the awesome work guys.
What’s happening in the world today I wouldn’t be surprise to see aliens on the TV.
17:14 - A prop from 'Ghostbusters'...
Yeah, the biggest problem is the campyness which was mainly due to Roddy Pipers portrayalof the character. But then, he's not an actor..he's literally just a wrestler. But as silly as it was at times, I remember being completely terrorized by the idea of the plot and the look of the aliens which were some of the most horrifying looking images I can remember from movies back then.
This movie doesn't get enough love. Scary and disturbingly relevant
It hurt hearing you guys repeatedly going on about how Roddy Piper's character wasn't colorful when that was the point of the character. (Trust me, Roddy Piper can do a colorful character if that's the direction he's given.) Nada is an everyman. You can say maybe that was a bad decision, but it was a deliberate one.
Haunting = 'Psycho'
The stunt coordinator who collaborated with Piper and David, a friend of his is a pit boss at my casino.
I hear great things. Respect.
I am from Germany and i must say, that this Movie shows us a World, like it here came true! The Lies from the Gouverment and the censorship. Even the exessive Police-brutality exists now in Germany. Now they are thinking about concentration camps für People, who are not vaccinarted. This Film hat never been more topical!
I doubt Germany is thinking about making concentration camps. They barely recovered from that idea last time! Always the possibility of a nuke drop. 😨
Oh boy looking forward to this reaction! One of my favorite movies... It says SO much and it is as relevant today as when it came out ( even more so). Awesome! Good luck waiting for something of this caliber to ever come out of Hollywood again.
Sheesh, the back of the blu-ray gave a lot away.
The first half hour of the movie sets the mood and the world the characters live in.
There is a lot of explanation hidden in there, maybe you were waiting for the aliens too much after you read the blurb (That spoiled half the movie, don't do that!).
Maybe thirty years ago that looked more dystopian than today, because the world somehow developed exactly that way.
The eighties (or the "Reagan-Era") were also the time cyberpunk arrived with its megacorporations as criticism of consumerism and capitalism.
I don't understand why the guys don't get why Frank didn't want to put on the glasses..this guy he has known a few days went on a freaking killing spree for no reason as far as he knew..Why in the world would he do or listen to anything he says..to be more clear, Frank and anyone else for that matter is going to clearly assume he is crazy so no, it makes sense he wouldn't want to put on some glasses from a guy killing ppl left and right..come on guys. If some person you knew for 2 days goes and shoots up a school killing multiple ppl and finds you a day later talking about put on some glasses..you going to do it..the hell man.
But it's just sunglasses!
@@ThreadBomb I don't care if it was a Lakers hat..not doing anything a would be psychotic murder is asking me to do.
The fight in the alley between Piper & his friend is a metaphor for "Cognitive Dissidence". Most people refuse to even entertain the idea that what they believe & accept as real & true may not be real & true. They will fight you, call you names like conspiracy theorist, call you crazy when asked to challenge there preconceived beliefs & just as in the movie there are things that people can only accept if they randomly stumble upon them by them selves. Its like Piper finding the box & putting on the glasses & even then he had a hard time believing what he was seeing at first. This movie did well encapsulating the reality of the human mind & how society operates & how peer pressure works & influences so many of or everyday decision's without us even knowing it.
First saw this on vhs aged 8 in 1989 and got it. Swear to god. Was a Documentary,lol. Relevant still,ahead of its time.
I was lucky enough to meet Roddy Piper at a horror film festival the same year he died. He was a genuine, first rate NICE guy. I was surprised by how warm, friendly and fun he was.
They Live is such a relevant movie even today and is a cult classic currently... how amazing.
You guys should see Prince of Darkness and In the Mouth of Madness, part of the Apocalypse Trilogy, counting The Thing.
Need to watch some Big Trouble in Little China. Next to The Thing its John Carpenter's best.
Then Mouth of Madness....maybe just a little mid October John Carpenter run. All his movies have an element of horror.
On another note, I have not seen anybody react to Pumpkinhead and Nightbreed. Two monster horrors that are cult classic staples for Holloween. Act now, beat the rush:)
Prince of Darkness, it's flawed but has good moments and is a horror film...
Adventure Time did an awesome homage to the legendary, epic alley fight with characters who were actually voiced by Keith David and Roddy Piper, simply brilliant!
what happens in it? i never knew this
@@killar1one it's in S05 Ep47, "The Red Throne", takes place in the flame kingdom. Keith David had already been voicing Flame King so I guess they decided to cast Piper to have an excuse to recreate the fight 😂
@@killar1one Here it is, scene starts at around 1:20 th-cam.com/video/FaknOM56Hpg/w-d-xo.html
A 6.7 and 6.9? Let me take of the glasses................that's more like it, perfect 10s.
Please never remake this movie even if it would have some deeper or better written characters this is a time capsule and shouldn't be touched ✌