I have absolutely loved immersing myself into the world of John Carpenter movies for the first week of my #Johnuary month. I have developed a real love for his work and I will be researching more, watching more and playing the commentaries on DVD. As I always like to rank things, here is my Top Ten of Carpenter’s films.
Part of me is sad that The Fog didn’t make it onto my list. A lot of people don’t rate it very highly but I really enjoyed it. Also I’ve heard fantastic things about Someone’s Watching Me and I haven’t managed to get a hold of that one, so who knows where that would have ended up on my list. I’ll definitely try to watch it one day.
To be honest films 2-5 in this list could all be swapped around. It’s one of those lists where they could all switch around after multiple viewings. Basically I really love them all. But there’s also no doubt about my no.1, which is good.
10. Halloween
Cool and stylish but a little bit slow in places. Hasn’t aged too well perhaps. Full post here. 9. In the Mouth of Madness
Almost great. Not sure about the casting, and slightly clumsy in places but such an extremely cool plot premise. Full post here. 8. Escape from L.A.
Great fun sequel and not as bad as people say. Full post here. 7. Starman
Very nicely executed and great casting. One that I’ll go back to watch. Full post here. 6. Christine
This one really surprised me. It had a certain x-factor that I really enjoyed watching. Full post here. 5. They Live
So great on so many levels. Perhaps just missing an edge, but all the elements are there. Fantastic premise. Full post here. 4. Escape from New York
Loads of over the top fun. Fantastic action film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Full post here. 3. The Thing
An extremely cool movie. It’s one that I can imagine I will grow to love more on each viewing. Full post here. 2. Assault on Precinct 13
Beautiful film. Great acting. Easily Carpenter’s best directorial film I would say. A fairly simple plot but done so well. Full post here. 1. Big Trouble in Little China
Just balls on the wall awesomeness. A proper 80s adventure. Everything about it is great and it’s a testament to the movie that it still holds up extremely well even today. Kurt Russell is fantastic. Full post here.
If you don’t know Carpenters films well I urge you to go and watch them. And while you’re at it you should listen to the Masters of Carpentry podcast to accompany the films.
I hope you have enjoyed the John Carpenter within Johnuary. Tune in tomorrow as we begin looking at the work of John Barry.
Images from Blu-Ray.com