Howdy! Senior Writer Jason Heller here. Just wanted to let you know that Science Friction, The A.V. Club’s monthly sci-fi film series, continues tonight in Denver at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema with They Live.
Released in 1988, the John Carpenter-written-and-directed film stars legendary pro wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as Nada, a down-on-his-luck construction worker who stumbles across the most diabolical plot the world has ever seen—or hasn’t seen. It’s one of Carpenter’s most beloved films, and for good reason: They Live’s mix of action, humor, horror, genre subversion, sci-fi pulp, and sociopolitical commentary is both cartoonishly heavy-handed and slyly clever. It’s a cult classic that only gets better with age, and the fact that it contains one of cinema’s all-time greatest fistfights doesn’t hurt.
Like Fantastique (Science Friction’s sister series at Alamo focusing on fantasy films), Science Friction is curated and hosted by yours truly (Hugo Award-winning editor, book critic for NPR, and Senior Writer for The A.V. Club) and Frank Romero (cofounder of Denver Comic Con). Frank and I will appear in person tonight to introduce They Live, discuss the film, and pick the winner of this month’s giveaway:A hardcover copy of bestselling author Neal Stephenson’s new sci-fi novel Seveneves, courtesy of William Morrow Books. They Live, like all Science Friction and Fantastique screenings, is sponsored by The A.V. Club.
But that’s not all! The Denver-based bands H2Awesome! and Daenerys and The Targaryens will combine forces to play a set of geeky pop-punk awesomeness before the movie. They’ll start rocking at 7:00, so come down early and get an earful of fun. PLUS: The Alamo’s kitchen will be serving bubblegum milkshakes in honor of the film’s signature catchphrase. You know the one. Oh, and one more thing: Since July is John Carpenter Month at Science Friction/Fantastique, we’ll be showing Big Trouble In Little China on Monday, July 20. Don’t miss it!
Tickets for They Live are on sale now.
Science Friction schedule
August 19: Hackers
September 16: Metropolis (with a live turntablism score by DJ Ultra Violet)
Fantastique schedule
July 20: Big Trouble In Little China
August 24: The Dark Crystal