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Jan 2018
Who?

Oh yeah, the guy that made the Elvis TV movie. Yeah, that guy.

Talk about this dude here, if you're so inclined. He's a fuckin' legend, ya know?

Been revisiting his films lately, which was the inspiration to make this thread. Started with Halloween a couple weeks ago, then Assault on Precinct 13, and Escape from New York the other night. These movies are like old friends and never fail to let you down. It makes me sad to think that next generation's kids (probably even this generation?) will find these movies too slow. They're perfect. I think these three particular movies are the peak of Carpenter's mastery, with The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China right up there as well.

Upon rewatching Assault on Precinct 13, it occured to me how similar certain shots (and lighting) in the film seemed to have been recreated by Dan O'Bannon in Return of the Living Dead. I know that Carpenter and O'Bannon worked together early in their careers, so I'm leaning toward it not being a coincidence.

And of course, no Carpenter thread could exist without mentioning the man's exceptional musical compositions. Eerie, subtle electronic scores that really set the mood. You know it when you hear a John Carpeneter theme, or at least, someone who was influenced by the man. I can't imagine his movies without it.


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Box_a_Hair says:
#1

Jan 2018
When I began this never-ending quest to watch movies all the time, John Carpenter was a perfect place to start. I'd been obsessed with Halloween '78 since I was a kid. Something stuck with me about it, and I've loved it ever since. It was quality, well made, and that's why people remember it.

His movies had a distinct tone and feel to them, because of his synthy soundtracks, and awesome cinematography. I say "was", because he hasn't made a good movie since the 90s. The 80s was his heyday, but he'd been working steadily since the mid-70s. His first most notable movie is Dark Star, and it's not a bad start at all. A highly amusing, and surprisingly eerie/hilarious space movie. Then, he took a serious turn and assaulted precinct 13. Everything from then on is gold.

One thing that helped make these movies great were his collaborators. It was a great team, with Dean Cundey on cinematography, JC and Alan Howarth on music, and the use of several of his regular actors, like Charles Cyphers, Donald Pleasence, Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Peter Jason, Tom Atkins, Keith David, Dick Warlock, and George Buck Flower, among others. He had a good formula, and gave us a lot of classics.

Top 5 JC Movies:

Halloween
Big Trouble in Little China
Escape from New York
The Thing
They Live

It's safe to say that Kurt Russell and John Carpenter are an epic team. Too bad they haven't worked together on anything in ages. I'm sure Kurt could still do Snake Plissken.


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Ballz says:
#2

Jan 2018
For John Carpenter's birthday a few days ago, I rewatched Big Trouble in Little China. It might be the movie of his I've seen most because I was into it as a kid, quite a while before I experienced his horror movies. I still find it as enjoyable to watch as I did back then. Every scene, every line even is just great. As I began watching more of his movies, I realized I felt that way about most of them too, and the ones that weren't as well-crafted were usually still pretty damn good.

If I had some kind of top 100 movie list, Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, Escape from New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Prince of Darkness, and They Live would no doubt be included. Possibly a couple others too. Can't think of another director with a filmography I feel so strongly about.

I think part of what makes the music in his movies so great is that it's usually simple and distinguishable. If you mention one of his movies, the main theme's going to start playing in my head. His newer music from the Lost Themes albums is good too, though I wouldn't say quite on the same level.

You're probably right that future generations won't appreciate his movies. But I intend to continue appreciating them for as long as I live. John Carpenter is my favorite director, hands down. I state that with no doubt in my mind. Now excuse me while I go watch The Thing.


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Tromafreak says:
#3

Jan 2018 *
He called Rob Zombie a piece of shit. emoticon


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#4, Reply to #3

Jan 2018
that's probably fair.


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Tromafreak says:
#6, Reply to #4

Feb 2018
Agreed.


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sfpx says:
#5, Reply to #3

Jan 2018
Ouch. Sounds kinda harsh.


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Box_a_Hair says:
#7, Reply to #5

Feb 2018
I don't know the context, but I'll assume it's because RZ fucked up Halloween so much. And by that, I mean that RZ missed the point, entirely. Now, I don't know where JC has much room to speak, considering recent news states that he's never seen "most" of the Halloween sequels, so either way, it's kind of ridiculous.


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Ballz says:
#8, Reply to #7

Feb 2018
He called RZ a piece of shit because RZ apparently lied about him on TV. I've never seen a clip of this lie, but I'll take JC's word over RZ's.

His exact thoughts on RZ (and the remake) start around 2:15.

youtube


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Tromafreak says:
#9, Reply to #5

Feb 2018
Well, at least he didn't call Sheri a stupid, annoying cunt whom everyone wishes would go away forever...


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OnyxHades says:
#10

Feb 2018
This is just too funny emoticon I love his reply back

On his 70th Birthday Rotten Tomatoes Mistakingly Says John Carpenter Is Dead

https://screenrant.com/john-carpenter-rotten-tomatoes-death/


@ am
You have reached the end of Trash Epics.