Brew Views: They Live

Bum fights and Rowdy Roddy.

THEY LIVE
By AP KRYZA

Sure, some movies are brilliantly subversive and ahead of their time. But how many Orwellian fantasies about a world subjugated by alien advertising feature the longest bum fight ever committed to film? They Live is a movie that oozes John Carpenter in every frame. You've got a nutty homeless dude ("Rowdy" Roddy Piper) who comes across secret sunglasses that allow him to see that behind each billboard is a sign that says "Obey," and behind each smiling face is the twisted visage of an alien invader. You've got the throbbing synth. Machine guns. Comedy. Ass-kicking. Bubblegum. And just when you think it can't get any more amazing…cue the bum fight. They Live, released in 1988, wasn't just ahead of its time. It's ahead of any time.

  1. Showing at: Hollywood.
  2. Best paired with: Miller High Life.
  3. Also showing: Terminator 2 (Laurelhurst).

WWeek 2015

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