It is Halloween, what awaits them is a wealth of sci-fi, crime, and all-out fantasy films, each seemingly better than the last.
This is part of the fascination with the work of John Carpenter. To be genre-bending as a brand and to set an expectation of expectation-subversion makes surprising audiences more difficult, and all the more dazzling. From long-running franchises to hidden gems, Carpenter is assuredly an auteur who almost any film fan could explore in more depth.
On-Brand: When He Kicked Off His Career With A Sci-Fi Satire
For the intellectual and artistic heights he reaches, John Carpenter is a joyous filmmaker. It's okay if his horror movies have some laughs and it's okay if his action heroes have some cheesy one-liners. To launch his career, he lampooned a genre that would go on to make his name!
1974's Dark Star is something of an early Gen X entry, bringing the mundanity of the working world and incompetence of the average fellow onto a spaceship.
Surprised Us: When Escape From L.A. Wasn't Good
Obviously, this list celebrates the work of a great moviemaker. Thus the surprise at any Carpenter fan's viewing of Escape from L.A. (an IMDb 5.8 to New York's 7.2). Without editorializing or spoiling, there is a scene in which Kurt Russell surfs through downtown Los Angeles.
As for highlights: It is yet another gem in the extremely complex career of Steve Buscemi. Additionally, it sets up the precedent for a trilogy. What city should Snake Plissken escape from next?
On-Brand: When He Built Kurt Russell's Career
There is a good argument to be made for Kurt Russell as the quintessential action movie star. He's more muscly and less cerebral than Harrison Ford. He's less muscly and more gritty than Dwayne Johnson. He was perfect for the vehicles of John Carpenter (five in all) that aimed to be over-the-top and action-packed.
Certainly, Russell has Carpenter to thank for his appearances in Furious films. Those filmmakers were undoubtedly raised as Carpenter (and thus Russell) fans.
Surprised Us: When It Started With A Made-For-TV Elvis Movie
Even those who are dres for Halloween this year as Snake Plissken may not be aware of another Carpenter-Russell collaboration: Elvis. It certainly doesn't have the notoriety of Bohemian Rhapsody or Walk the Line but may be worth tracking down! The made-for-TV movie was nominated for a Golden Globe.
For Russell's part, he has no issue capturing "The King". The actor is famous for a sort of grungy charm that has allowed him to bring exciting allure to convicts, cops, and even a hockey coach.
On-Brand: When He Wrote "I'm All Out Of Bubble Gum"
John Carpenter is not afraid to swing for the Hollywood fences in his films. He directs famous moments and memorable characters. Thus his magnanimity to put professional wrestler Roddy Piper in front of an American flag with a shotgun to deliver the line: "I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum and I'm all out of bubblegum."
This quote has become the type of internet meme known to people who do not even know the context. The context is worth it. They Live, like most Carpenter films, is a few hours you won't want to give back.
Surprised Us: Starman
Many great artists have notable muted, heartfelt moments. Spielberg has the evocative and emotional A.I. Tarantino and Scorsese were lauded for their toned-down 2019 entries. Heck, blink-182 has "Stay Together for the Kids".
For Carpenter, a trader in explosions and alien blood, that moment is 1984's Starman. In full human form, Jeff Bridges plays an alien known only as "Starman" in this, you guessed it, human-alien love story. It's a fascinating, ahead-of-its-time watch for the sci-fi genre fan.
On-Brand: When He Oversaw One Of The Greatest Franchises Of All-Time
John Carpenter must be among the most popcorn-worthy directors of all-time. His films feature fantastical worlds, extended action scenes, and almost constant thrills. Though taking place mostly inside a single suburban home, Halloween is no exception.
Since its 1978 release, there have been ten sequels - talk about a cinematic universe! Carpenter has been involved with all of them in some shape or form. Fans over the years have appreciated every one (as long as you're talking to the right fan per film).
Surprised Us: When He Added Brains To Blood With The Thing
In the late 70s/early 80s John Carpenter was on a roll. At the helm of Halloween, The Fog, and Escape from New York back-to-back-to-back, there was no doubt Carpenter had the ability to captivate audiences entirely for two hours or so at a time. What was established with The Thing is that he also had the ability to stick in audiences' minds for days, even years, after.
Much has been written about the brilliance of The Thing, but in essence, it's the perfect "whodunnit" in sci-fi monster form. As in: "I believe it was Col. Mustard, in the...oh my goodness Col. Mustard has turned into a grotesque monstrosity."
On-Brand: When He Normalized Protagonists From Minority Groups
Firmly cementing numerous horror and "slasher" tropes that are relied upon to this day, the classic film Halloween made several key decisions that made it so successful. First, it consistently punished foolhardy teens. Then, it allowed the wiser ones to be successful. As a three-dimensional female protagonist in the late 70s, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) absolutely glows on the screen and is believable in outwitting Michael Myers.
One need only look further back to note that Carpenter was always a champion of underrepresented lead archetypes. Assault on Precinct 13 featured the black Austin Stoker, who got little other high-quality work in his day, but deserved more!
Surprised Us: When He Scored His Own Films All Along
It is not ignorance that few movie fans can name off a list of directors who are also behind the scores of their classic films. Carpenter is just such a list entry, with Halloween being perhaps most notable.
Truly, it takes an interdisciplinary mind to have such a vision for both film and music. Surprisingly, Carpenter has been nominated for neither an Oscar nor a Grammy. However, it takes only a walk around a pumpkin farm in October to know how influential he has been on the American psyche of scare.
