‘Officer Melanie and Sergeant Jericho travel to a mining outpost to transport a prisoner. On arriving, they realise that demons of an ancient Martian civilisation have possessed the entire colony.’ I had heard so many dreadful things about this film- that the dialogue was terrible (it’s not too bad), that the special effects are awful …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 20- Ghosts of Mars (2001)
I had heard such bad things about John Carpenter’s Vampires that I didn’t even see it when it was released theatrically in 1998. In fact, it was only yesterday that I saw it for the very first time. What’s 25 years to see a film though?! Is it a bad movie by Carpenter’s standards or, …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 19- Vampires (1998)
John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. massively polarised both critics and fans alike when it was released in 1996. Any sequel to a much-loved cult classic such as Escape From New York will be anticipated with nervousness, as it had such a high bar to live up to. The film met with praise but also disdain …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 18- Escape From L.A. (1996)
‘After a dark force renders unconscious the natives of Midwich for six hours, 10 pregnant women give birth to 10 identical kids who are uncommonly brainy, emotionless, telepathically linked and sinister.’ Carpenter’s remake of the 1960 classic. Of course, with this being a remake, certain critics were already crossing their arms and rolling their eyes …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 17- Village of the Damned (1995)
An insurance investigator is looking into the disappearance of horror writer, Sutter Cane just before the release of his next novel, In The Mouth of Madness. The deeper he goes, the more insanity envelopes him as he starts to lose his marbles. This is Carpenter’s love letter to Lovecraft and he does it very well. …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 16- In The Mouth of Madness (1994)
Horror anthology directed by Carpenter and Tobe Hooper. The three tales are ‘Unleaded’ (Halloween meets Intruder), ‘Hair’ (alien hair transplant) and ‘Baseball Man’ (serial killer possesses guy who is transplanted one of his eyes). All three are excellent. It’s a shame nothing came of this TV movie as it makes a great pilot for a …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 15- Body Bags (1993)
‘When a nuclear experiment goes awry, it renders an innocent bystander, Nick, invisible. However, he is pursued by a tyrannical CIA official and must try to lead a normal life with his new predicament.’ Great concept, great cast, great special effects but a leading man who I can’t tolerate except in the National Lampoon’s Vacation …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 14- Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)
A nomadic drifter discovers a box of sunglasses which have the ability to expose the ruling class for who they really are- greedy, power-hungry aliens. He sets out to expose the truth to everyone else. Sometimes you realise how brilliant a movie is during your first viewing of it. This was what I got from …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 13- They Live (1988)
‘While cleaning the basement in his church, Father Loomis comes across a canister filled with a volatile green substance. With help from Professor Birack, he realises that the liquid is Satan's spirit.’ Just your average Satan as a green liquid movie. The concept of this movie is amazing. Carpenter expands the minds of his audience …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 12- Prince of Darkness (1987)
‘Jack Burton, a truck driver, gets dragged into the mysterious underworld beneath Chinatown where he faces an ancient sorcerer named Lo Pan.’ Big Trouble in Little China was one of my most rented videos in the late 80’s. I loved it. On rewatching it now it retains the charm, brilliant vision and amazing special effects …
Continue reading John Carpenter Reviewed- Day 11- Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Meathook Cinema 