I know I’ve been going on about these 3 books but WOW are they great! I’ve been going between the three of them as I sit in my game room. I wanted to give a preview of the books. Each book in the picture gallery will start with the cover, 2 pages, and the back cover. Take a look if you are interested and go check them out at Bitmap Books they have way better pictures than I posted in the unboxing post as it’s their products. If you like classic gaming and the history of certain genres pick up a book you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Anyway here are some clear pages to look at and get an idea of how the books are laid out.
February 2025
The Thing From Another World – Synopsis and thoughts (Finally)
*WARNING SPOILERS* Well. I was able to finish watching the April 1951 Sci-fi classic The Thing From Another World. I’m going to post some info about the cast and distributing company below that I did not write. The content comes from Wikipedia as I can’t remember all the character’s names let alone know who the cast is and the production company.
Info about the cast and crew: (Again from Wikipedia)
The Thing from Another World, sometimes referred to as just The Thing, is a 1951 American black-and-white science fiction–horror film directed by Christian Nyby, produced by Edward Lasker for Howard Hawks‘ Winchester Pictures Corporation, and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film stars Margaret Sheridan, Kenneth Tobey, Robert Cornthwaite, and Douglas Spencer. James Arness plays The Thing. The Thing from Another World is based on the 1938 novella “Who Goes There?” by John W. Campbell (writing under the pseudonym of Don A. Stuart).[3]
*END WIKIPEDIA*
*My Thoughts*
Now that the specifics ars are out of the way my thoughts are simply from a sci-fi junky. So let us dive in shall we? Let’s start with the classic title card! The words The Thing comes slowly out of the dark casting light to show the entire title. (This we’ll also touch on in the 1980s review as Carpenter does the same thing as an homage to this film) The Thing From Another World is all in all a movie any sci-fi lover of the older movies could easily get into.
Sure by today’s standards it’s slow-moving at times and the monster well he’s not around that much due to probably a special effects budget during the day. I mean they set the poor stuntman on fire enough LOL! However, a lot of this period’s sci-fi flicks don’t show the monsters too much except for the big finally or it growing in size. The same holds for this movie. I’m not upset at that fact I feel it can be used to build tension and give the viewer a bit more compassion for the characters on screen.
One funny thought I had is that being that the alien is plant-based perhaps some Italian dressing could’ve taken him down. Maybe they didn’t have anywhere where the movie takes place. What kept me going through this movie was the lead Scientist and the Reporter each trying to understand “the thing” and A. Study it and B. Warn the world!
One character you could say is the frigid cold that keeps them inside the facility. This cold almost acts as its own horror-producing catalyst! Some may not dig that deep into the movie but it gives you a bit more to contend with than the walking salad bar.
All in all, I give it a solid 4/5* only for the simple fact it would’ve been nice if they elaborated more on the science of what the monster was instead of just a couple of shorter scenes in the greenhouse and lab before electrocuting it to a smoldering pile of mostly burnt vegetables.
I do have a full write-up on the movie from start to finish (which is why this took so long I realized my post was getting far too long summarizing the entire film) I may or may not post it. I don’t want to spoil the whole thing I’d much rather you, the reader pick up the novella, then this film and the 80’s film The Thing. I say give it a read, watch, and enjoy this sci-fi gem! Also, this movie was put to color in 1989 on VHS. But don’t watch that one sit back and enjoy the black-and-white version as it was intended to be seen.
I’ll leave you with the final line when the reporter speaks over the radio to a room of other reporters from around the world in Anchorage “Tell the world. Tell this to everybody, wherever they are. Watch the skies everywhere. Keep looking. Keep watching the skies…”
Here’s the official trailer put out back before the movie hit cinemas.
Unboxing my loot From Bitmap Books!
I know my Books from a previous article arrived about a week ago I never had a chance to open them until now due to life and other articles.
Anyway, look at the lengths they go to to ensure you get a dent and scratch-free book! Presentation was my forte when I was an art director and I love their presentation and PROTECTION! We start with an outer box with some graphical pattern on it and let me stress EASY pull tabs to open the box both the outside and then the inside.
Next, we come across a tissue paper cover of the book for presentation and rubber corner bumpers to keep the edges straight and pointy! And finally, a typical plastic wrapping probably keeps it safe if it gets some water on it along the way.
Check out the photos below, they include covers for the three books I purchased, the packaging, and then my overloaded bookshelf with over a dozen Bitmap Books from over the years. Future posts will show some of their early books with some reviews based on how I stated I read them in a previous post.
I will grab one and flip through, or check the index / TOC find a game read it, and enjoy the photography. Below are my pictures.
My upcoming review of the 1951 movie The Thing From Another World
Holy cow this movie was great! But I’m still typing out my synopsis and have about 33 screen captures of the film to dwindle to maybe 10-15. Please stay tuned I should have this ready to launch on Monday morning at the standard posting time of 0830 EST.
Till then here’s a picture of some crazy toy from Argentina in the spirit of the alien article coming up!
Where have I been?
Been dealing with a load of medical issues. I apologize, I am as I write this finishing up viewing The Thing From Another World, and tomorrow/today I don’t even know the time, The Thing. But this weekend I hope to have a few things ready to launch every day for this long overdue hiatus that will be known as The Thing expose. I’d like to also show off my Game and Watch Gallery of games. I’ve got some rare ones and some that you will all be shocked at the quality and minty look. I’ve decided my collection needs some coverage as well. But one thing first the Thing… Until then here’s a look at a Garfield Bedroom Set from back in the day!
-Pixelcade
