The following is one of Rabid Doll’s Top 13 horror films of all times picks. We highly recommend this flick for excellent Halloween viewing.  You'd never guess John Carpenter's "The Thing" would grace a best of 13 list based on its 1982 critical reception. Audiences didn't exactly embrace it either. Most were far too transfixed on Steven Spielberg's E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, which opened two weeks prior. But like "Bladerunner" and "The Shining," time has lifted the veil of spurn, elevating "The Thing" to a much deserved place among horror's masterworks. This was Carpenter's first excursion into the Hollywood studio system. Unlike his previous efforts such as "Halloween," "The Fog," and "Escape from New York," "The Thing" carried a sizable budget. Surprisingly, it somehow avoids the usual dilution inherent with studio interference. Based on the 1938 novella "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell Jr., "The Thing" places a group of Antarctica scientists into a harrowing struggle for survival after discovering an alien spaceship buried in the ice. Unknown to the scientists, an alien organism was recently freed from the craft. It is desperate to survive, and possesses the frightening ability to mimic life forms. The alien can assume shapes and personalities, from a dog to a human. Unfortunately for those replicated, the process involves an appallingly juicy death. As the film proceeds, a horrible realization befalls the scientists. Who is the "thing," and who is human? Obviously, the smart move in such a daunting dilemma would involve beating a fast retreat. But the Antarctica setting offers a cruel reality check. The icy wasteland is an effective prison. This fact enriches the biting tension running throughout the film. We are in an ideal horror setting, mercilessly corralling the men into confronting a superior predator. The confrontations with the alien earned the film a notorious reputation. Created by makeup-effects artist Rob Bottin ("The Howling," "The Fog"), the goo and sputtering flesh surge at a near record velocity. This is a film not for the casual viewer. Gore-junkies will have a far better experience. Bottin reportedly devoted an entire year to pull this flick off! However, what some critics noted that received little devotion was detailed character development. But this is one of those rare films where that is an asset. Most of these scientists are comfortable archetypes, no doubt. "The Thing" ejects monotonous exposition. This gives Carpenter crucial time to emphasize the terrors to come.   Like the best of Carpenter's flicks, "The Thing" is draped with a relentless atmosphere. He takes time to nurture suspense. When R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) and Childs (Keith David) sit down to watch the research station burn during the film's closing moments, there is a palpable sense of unnerving hopelessness. Lesser filmmakers would squander such moments, but Carpenter thankfully steers the conclusion to a nihilistic note. He crafts a deft exercise in paranoia. Express yourself and be part of the news! Leave a comment below or join our rabid discussions on the SyBoards.