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Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Written by Sheila Barker
On Friday, March 28, at 9:45 p.m., prepare for an unforgettable cinematic experience as 4th Friday Fright Night presents John Carpenter’s legendary sci-fi horror film, The Thing (1982). This one-night-only screening offers fans a chance to witness the film’s masterful suspense, groundbreaking practical effects, and relentless terror as it was meant to be seen on the big screen, in the dark, with an audience.
The Ultimate Paranoia-Fueled Horror
Set in the icy desolation of Antarctica, The Thing follows a team of American researchers who unwittingly uncover an ancient, shape-shifting entity. The creature, capable of perfectly imitating any living being, infiltrates their ranks, turning allies into threats and trust into a dangerous liability. Helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady, played by Kurt Russell, leads the desperate fight for survival as paranoia spreads, alliances crumble, and the team’s reality fractures into nightmarish uncertainty.
From its eerie opening scene to its bleak, ambiguous ending, The Thing is a masterclass in slow-burning tension. Carpenter’s expert direction, combined with Bill Lancaster’s tightly woven script based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s novella Who Goes There? ensures that every moment pulses with dread.
A Cult Classic That Defined a Genre
Upon its initial release, The Thing struggled at the box office, overshadowed by the feel-good optimism of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. However, time has been more than kind to Carpenter’s vision, and the film is now celebrated as one of the greatest horror movies ever made. Its pioneering use of practical effects, designed by the legendary Rob Bottin, remains a benchmark in creature design and body horror. The film’s themes of paranoia, isolation, and identity have made it a timeless piece of cinema that continues to inspire filmmakers and terrify audiences to this day.
Beyond its striking visuals and nerve-wracking tension, The Thing serves as an exploration of human psychology under pressure. The film cleverly avoids traditional horror tropes, offering instead a deeply unsettling experience rooted in distrust and survival instincts. As the characters are stripped of certainty, the audience, too, is left questioning who can be trusted. The film’s infamous blood test scene, a masterclass in suspense, exemplifies how Carpenter manipulates audience expectations, delivering one of the most shocking and memorable moments in horror history.
The Lasting Legacy of The Thing
Decades after its release, The Thing has not only endured but thrived. The film’s ability to maintain relevance and continue scaring new generations speaks volumes about its craftsmanship. It is regularly ranked among the greatest horror films of all time, often praised for its intelligent storytelling and harrowing practical effects that still hold up today.
In an era dominated by CGI, The Thing is a testament to the power of practical effects in horror cinema. The grotesque, ever-mutating creature designs are as horrifying today as they were in 1982, proving that true terror doesn’t age. Whether it’s the spider-head monstrosity, the distorted human abominations, or the iconic final confrontation, every effect remains an example of great nightmarish artistry.
Why The Thing Remains So Terrifying
The fear of losing one’s identity, of being consumed and replaced without anyone noticing, is a primal terror that resonates deeply. The film taps into the fear of isolation, of not knowing who to trust, and the existential dread of being powerless against an unseen force. Carpenter builds this paranoia masterfully, keeping both the characters and the audience on edge until the final, haunting moments.
Additionally, the film’s setting plays a crucial role in its horror. The Antarctic research station is a frozen tomb, cut off from the outside world. The cold, vast emptiness surrounding the characters mirrors their growing sense of hopelessness. There is nowhere to run, no help coming, and no way to be sure who is human. This oppressive atmosphere makes The Thing not just a horror film, but a deeply immersive experience in psychological terror.
The Perfect Film for a Theatrical Experience
There’s no better way to experience The Thing than in a theater, surrounded by fellow horror fans, immersed in its bone-chilling suspense. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a first-time viewer, this 4th Friday Fright Night screening offers the perfect opportunity to witness Carpenter’s masterpiece in all its terrifying glory.
For horror enthusiasts, this is not just another movie night—it’s an event. Seeing The Thing in a darkened theater amplifies its creeping dread, making every shadow seem alive and every quiet moment unbearably tense. The claustrophobic setting of the research station mirrors the enclosed atmosphere of the theater, drawing audiences deeper into the film’s icy grip.
Don’t Miss The Thing
If you love horror, sci-fi and just movies in general, don’t miss this… March 28, at 9:45 p.m. at the Cameo Art House Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online by visiting https://ticketmesandhills.com/events/the-thing-1982-fourth-friday-fright-night-3-28-2025. The horror, the paranoia, and the spectacle await. Will you be able to tell who’s still human? Or will you, too, fall victim to The Thing?
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Tuesday, 18 March 2025
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Written by Kathleen Ramsey
The question has been asked many times. A princess finds herself in a situation with a problem to solve and sometimes, or most of the time, ends up falling in love. Love at first sight is the common thread of many of the tales of Disney princesses.
But what happens after happily ever after?
This is a question that Jonathan Van Dyke and others are hoping to address with their production of “Disenchanted,” a musical comedy, which will be performed at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
“Disenchanted is the story of the princesses and what happens after … it is funny, honest, irreverent and poignant as much as real life is,” says Van Dyke.
Van Dyke is the director and co-producer with Marcie Gorman on the production. The story will follow Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty hosting a Princess Variety Hour and feature many more princesses. The audience will come to know the real story of what happened to these princesses.
One such princess, in character form, is Actress Kat Gold. She plays both Hua Mulan and Rapunzel in the production. For Gold, it's a chance to play two very different characters in one production.
“Mulan goes through a self-discovery journey in this show realizing why she isn’t like the other princesses. Rapunzel, on the other hand, is a very stern lady who refuses to be Americanized and commercialized like the other storybook princesses.”
And just like each princess has their own problems and story, each comes with their own musical style. The show will go from contemporary pop sounds to country to traditional musical theatre “show-stoppers.” Gold said her favorite part of the show is singing “Without a Guy.”
“As mixed queer kid, I never felt like I quite fit in and getting to sing this song really hits me hard,” Gold says.
The songs, according to Van Dyke, are all hits and he hopes the members of the audience will go out humming a different tune. The show pulls in a strong female empowerment theme but Van Dyke wants people to know that it’s enjoyable for anyone.
“This show is for everyone. Humanity is at the core of Disenchanted and delivered in a highly entertaining way,” he says. “It’s laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish but it is deceptively layered with many poignant elements that deliver all the feels.”
He expects both laughs and maybe some tears from the audience.
“There are … a variety of messages to think about.”
Disenchanted is a true production with lots of travel involved. Along with that, there are always some challenges. The cast will perform in new venues consistently and end up in new towns. But Van Dyke and the others take this in stride.
“There are always adjustments to be made and some quick thinking,” he says.
In the end, Van Dyke says, they always figure it out and the show will go on. All this work they and the others have put in is worth it in the end.
“We hope that the audiences at Givens leave uplifted with a new sense of understanding of these princesses and themselves,” he says.
The show will take place at Givens Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$35. Tickets and more information for Disenchanted can be found on the website at www.uncp.edu.
(Photo courtesy of Givens Performing Arts Center)
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