FREE ON ARTE John Carpenter - They Live 

They Live is a perfect B-Movie! Maybe even one of the best B-Movies ever! The plot itself is absurd: the story of a homeless guy called George Nada (and surprisingly well played by Roddy Piper, who is not an actor, but a wrestler). Nada walks through Los Angeles and finds sunglasses one day. Through the glasses he realizes that the whole earth is populated by aliens who have taken control. They resemble us - apparently, as Nada notices through sunglasses. Signs like "No Individual Thought" cannot be seen without the new lenses either. Their central effect is the television station and Nada has to switch it off. Without the television station all people are able to see the true face of the invaders. On his way to destroy the station, he kills some aliens without any worries - just like it was usual in the 80s. Sounds like a freak? Well, that's because he's crazy. But John Carpenter's film is a lot of fun, because he doesn't take it too hard, but knows exactly: The metaphorical level is a cheek! But if you compare They Live with other 80s action films, there's this satirical quality that makes Carpenter so special. Fortunately, the parable is not Carpenter's main concern. They Live also has weaknesses, so nothing happens in the first third except that Nada is looking for the sunglasses. Surprisingly, the soundtrack (as always composed by Carpenter himself) is annoying because the motifs are constantly repeated. After Carpenter had unsuccessfully spent some big budgets during the mid 80s, They Live shows how little the film cost (and Carpenter proudly pointed that out at the time). As noted, They Live is not an A-movie, but a B-movie. At no time does Carpenter's work run the risk of reaching the heights of a masterpiece. But considering the low costs, the absence of great actors and certainly the haste in which it was shot, it has become a really good film! Entertaining, frolicsome and unpredictable! A "Hidden Gem" and of course undervalued. You amuse yourself when Nada chews gum and aliens polish your face? Then you're a B-movie friend.