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![Halloween](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Halloween.jpg)
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
![In The Mouth of Madness](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/InTheMouthOfMadness.jpg)
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.
![Escape from LA](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/EscapeFromLA.jpg)
Great fun sequel and not as bad as people say. Full post here. 7. Starman
![Starman](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Starman.jpg)
Very nicely executed and great casting. One that I’ll go back to watch. Full post here. 6. Christine
![Christine](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Christine.jpg)
This one really surprised me. It had a certain x-factor that I really enjoyed watching. Full post here. 5. They Live
![They Live](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TheyLive.jpg)
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
![Escape from New York](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/EscapeFromNewYork.jpg)
Loads of over the top fun. Fantastic action film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Full post here. 3. The Thing
![The Thing](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TheThing.jpg)
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
![Assault on Precinct 13](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/AssaultonPrecinct13.jpg)
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
![Big Trouble In Little China](https://retromash.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/BigTroubleInLittleChina.jpg)
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