SKYFALL + Official Trailer (2012)

A James Bond film made for the modern era, you'd be hard pressed to find any other film series able to stand the test of time and still feel relevant. When it looks like it's lagging behind the competition of the other spy action thrillers, the makers have taken note and re-invented the mould, making it more real and exciting.

To me, Bond had too much of a rigid formula, the cars, the chases, the girls, the gadgets, the megalomaniac villain's and the spectacular set pieces/stunts. After a while though, the older films seem to suffer from a sense of deja vu. It's a case of been there, done that. The structure of the films have become stale and repetitive. Same plot about a group of criminals/organisation hell bent on world domination/destruction, with a beautiful bond girl in tow, Bond and or Bond girl gets capture, ridiculous car chase or stunts with a million of cheesy one liners. Frankly, I had pretty much given up on the Bond films. They have become predictable and tedious with only the change of location to give the film any sort of distinction.

The plot of Skyfall is unlike previous Bond films, starts with the routine chase resulting in Bond being shot and wounded, believed to be dead by MI6. When an attack on MI6 headquarters manifest through a cyber attack and a bombing at the headquarters, Bond returns to uncover who is behind the assault. Struggling from his gun shot wound, Bond has to prove his fitness mentally and physically through some rigorous tests. Sent back into action without being fully fit, Bond embarks on the mission to expose the mastermind. What Bond discovers is a villain who happens to be ex-agent who has a vendetta against M and will stop at nothing to kill her.

First thing you'll notice is the lack of gadgets and the usually bond girl (there is one of sorts but you'll understand when you watch it). Also with a villain who is suave yet as equally menacing as Hannibal Lector, we have a loose cannon who isn't after the world but revenge. It's spy vs spy and the story is more of a evolution of the characters that inhabit the world of Bond. Nods to older Bond films crop up from dialogue, props and even the classic Austin Martin car makes an appearance. It's a homage as well as a resurrection of well known characters.

What we are given here is a Bond with more layers to him and more emotions. Daniel Craig has moulded a Bond who is more relateable. Signs of physical and emotional weakness shows us a Bond who is no longer a super spy with little or no vulnerability. Other characters are given more screen time and provide an emotion gravitas (We are also introduced to Q, a young model who is still wet behind the ears).



In the hands of Sam Mendes and Director of photography Roger Deakins, there has never been a more beautiful shot Bond film. During Bond's fight with a criminal minion we see only their silhouettes, but the eye is drawn to the beauty of the neon Shanghai backdrop. The reserve can be said  for the grime, dour and rainy streets of London which captures our the United Kingdom perfectly. 



It's a satisfying and enjoyable film, with plenty of action and a surprising emotional core to the narrative. A great development in characters with seeds being sown to allow for a more relateable and mature story telling and for future characters to come to the fore. Skyfall has made me fall in love with Bond films again so here's hoping there's no more rigid formula and routine mundane narratives of past.

Acting: 4/5

Technical Merit: 4.5/5

Narrative: 4/5

Entertainment: 4.5/5

17/20

Pusher (1996) - Official Trailer

What drew me to this film wasn't the fact that there are two remakes of this film but due to the fact that this is the directorial debut of Nicolas Winding Refn. The Danish director who made the impressive and brutal Bronson and equally entertaining Drive.

Filmed in a naturalistic nature, the camera follows the central character Frank and his associate Tonny through their day to day life in an objective manner. The film kicks off with the two of them wheeling and dealing (the narrative does not pause for breath for minor details such as background characters and situations, we are just pushed straight into the world of drugs, dealers and buyers).

An offer of a big deal comes along in shape of a large buyer and Frank goes to his suppler Milo to obtain the goods. Milo is reluctant to give him that much without money upfront as Frank still owes a substantial amount but on the condition that Frank pays him the following day, Frank accepts. When he goes to do the deal with the buyer, things start to go very bad for him as the police are waiting for him and he has to throw away tip all the goods into a lake. In the following few days Frank has to come up with a large amount of money or face the consequences.

What comes across you straight away is the immediacy and intensity in the way in which the camera follows our protagonist. Medium close up and long cuts pushes the audience closer into the seedy world of drug pushers and the criminal world. confined spaces in the car and apartments makes it feel claustrophobic and trapped in this underground business.

An altogether rawness and close to documentary quality to the picture makes it feel almost real and gritty. As Frank becomes more and more desperate the mood and atmosphere changes, making viewing feel ever increasingly uncomfortable.

A powerful and harsh look into the world of drug dealers shot with roughness and unremorseless savagery. With the character Frank, we not suppose to sympathise with, but he shows enough emotion that there is a connection that he is still human underneath it all. A great performance from all involved, mesmerising and monstrous in equal measure. It's a film that will burn in your memory for a long time.

Acting: 4.5/5

Technical Merit: 4.5/5

Narrative: 4/5

Entertainment: 5/5

18/20

LOOPER (2012) + Official Trailer

Set in the mid 21st century, Looper are a group of hit men who kill victims who are sent back from the future. Hired by mobs from the future, the Loopers are run by Abe (Jeff Daniels) who is sent back to look after things in the present (past?). One of these loopers is Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who learns that one by one, all the loopers are being sent back to be killed off. Loops are being closed off and if they fail to kill their future selves then a hit is order to kill either the present Looper or the future Looper.

As Joe fails to kill his future self (Bruce Willis), his future self tries to change the course of time and the future, while the younger Joe just wants to live out his life and will do so even if it means killing his future self. The plot opens up to show how and why the future Joe wants to eradicate the mysterious crime boss The Rainmaker. He believes that killing him while he is young will allow him to live the life he has lived....you following? 

What the film does is give you two protagonist and you are never quite sure who to root for. Is it the older self who has learnt from his mistakes or is it the young Joe who is yet to learn from it. As the story unfolds the young Joe comes across one of the three possible targets that could be the potential young Rainmaker and sets out to protect him and his mother (Emily Blunt) from the older Joe. One has knowledge of the future  and his own life whilst the other is living in the present doing what he believes to be right. It's a conflict which continues for both Joes' to struggle with as well as for the viewer.

A film that does well in creating an emotional response, the main characters provide an interesting emotional arch and has more depth to them than you would normally expect from these types of films. Emily Blunt character and her son gives the film it's change in pace. It starts up fast and frenetic and slows to a more meditative and reflect tone as characters become aware of their destiny and how some things are impossible to change.

A sci-fi film with plenty of intelligence, it never relies heavily on special effects or set pieces to provide entertainment. It feels very usual to see how little action is on show and more on the character development side of things. It does borrow from plots of other great sci-fi like the Terminator but it isn't as straight forward as that. It's like having the choice in going back to kill Hitler as a child knowing what he would do but having the strength to kill an innocent young human being with little or no evil in them yet.

A complex and interesting film brimming with ideas, with a standout performance from new comer Pierce Gagnon as the potential future crime lord. A kid so young not being out done by established actors on screen. Most may find the make up on young Joe a little distracting but nevertheless it is a passable resemblances to Bruce Willis.

A thoroughly entertaining film with a strong and complex narrative which will lead you to think about it for days on end as you try to work out it's convoluted plot.

Acting: 4/5

Technical Merit: 4/5

Narrative: 4.5/5

Entertainment: 4.5/5

16/20

Vamp (1986) plus Trailer

There are only two films that I can remember Grace Jones starring in. One is the James Bond vehicle A View to A Kill, and the other is Vamp.

An 80's comedy horror about a couple of college students Keith (Chris Makepeace) and AJ (Richard Rusler) looking at getting into a fraternity to make use of their accommodation. The only condition for them getting in is that they have to get a stripper to their party. With no car, they make a deal with the Duncan (Gedde Watanabe) who is the only guy on campus to take them to find a stripper.

Unbeknown to them they head into a city after dark, to a club run by vampires (clearly an idea nicked by "From Dusk till Dawn"). Having travelled hundreds of miles it's a fight for survival to find a way back to campus against Grace Jones' head vampire and her many minions.

An incredibly cheesy but thoroughly entertaining movie, littered with equally cheesy dialogue where the characters are goofy but likable and the use of Grace Jones as the head vampire is a stroke of genius. Just as Arnold Schwarzenegger gave The Terminator a great robotic performance, Grace Jones has the creepiness and down right weirdness which makes her perfectly believable as a vampire.

Similar to Scorsese's "After Hours", the film is mainly set at night in a strange environment where the locals are vampires instead of oddballs. It shares the same energy and enthusiasm, it's hard not to like this throwaway 80's film. The effects are above average and the acting is good. Sure it's dated with the haircuts, fashion and style, but there's no denying it, it is a fun and easy watch and there aren't many of those around these days.

Acting: 3.5/5

Technical Merit: 3.5/5

Narrative: 3.5/5

Entertainment: 4/5

14.5/20

Drive - Movie Trailer (2011) HD

Drive. A simplistic title for a movie where the lead character main asset is his driving abilities and from this point it may seem like the plot would be all about cars and driving fast. Luckily there is more to this than going 0-60 in 3 seconds.

A narrative which is based on classic westerns themes, a nameless hero who falls for a local woman and gets mixed up with the wrong crowd and endeavours to make things right. Except this is located in modern LA and his speciality is his driving skills. Ryan Gosling plays our nameless hero who is a getaway driver for hire and a stuntman and mechanic by day.

The opening scene shows us his impressive talent and his quiet, strong persona that commands the screen and grabs our attention immediately. He is impressive when he talks and equally brooding when he doesn't. The nameless protagonist is cool, calm and collective. His life is simple and with little or no desires only to carry out his job and to do it well... that is, until he comes into contact with Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son, his neighbours.

They become friends and connect through unspoken glances and Gosling's character feels an emotional connection with Irene and her son Benicio. The Driver has found something that has been missing in his life but unfortunate that is short lived as Irene husband is released from jail and he is in heavy debt to some very dangerous men who intend to collect one way or another.

all just flash in the pan, fast edits with little or no substances to character or story but in fact the opposite is true. With a mesmerising soundtrack and a very authentic 80's feel to it, the director has made it feel cool and never contrived. Even down to the opening titles, a pink neon typography adds to the appeal.

The strongest focal point to the film is Ryan Gosling's portray of the lead character. As mention before he comes across as strong and passionate man with little or no weakness. A believability and a measured control of his emotions allowing a remarkable performance where he can show you what he is feeling without saying any words. Fine support comes from Bryan Cranston (from Breaking Bad) as his only friend/companion.

I warn those of a weak disposition that there are some gruesome acts of violence amongst the beautiful shot imagery. If anything, you won't forget the contrasting image of a kiss and a skull being smashed in the same shot. A haunting and powerful film with an outstanding performance from Gosling, one of the best film of 2011.

Acting: 4.5/5

Technical Merit: 4.5/5

Narrative: 4.5/5

Entertainment: 5/5

18.5/20

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) + Movie Official Trailer

A film that defies an easy explanation in terms of  plot is attached with an equally less revealing title. What is the "Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind"? Well, it stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in what I can only describe as a surreal romantic comedy drama from the inventive minds of Charlie Kaufman and the visionary French music video director Michel Gondry.

The film opens with Joel Barish (Carrey) narrating that today is Valentines day. Bored of his usual routine, he spontaneously gets on a train heading the other way to his work and there stumbles upon Clementine (Winslet). They strike up a conversation and apart from the odd hiccups they get along. Little do either of them know, they were partners before and as the plot unravels we begin to realise that both had decided to wipe their memories of each other.

The narrative goes back to when Joel wakes up after an argument with Clementine the night before. He goes to try to smooth things over, only to find that Clementine doesn't recognise him at all. From further investigation, Joel finds out that Clementine has embarked on a radical procedure that has resulted in her wiping all existence of Joel from her mind. As a reaction to this, Joel undergoes the same operation to do the same thing. From here on in, the film follows Joel's memories and he begins, though his unconscious mind, to remember why he loves Clementine.

As the film is mainly set in the mind, the visuals and settings are vividly bought to life from recurring images and motifs. There are numerous humour filled moments using forced perspectives. Many of Gondry's visual tricks of repetition and surrealism come into play.

For those of you expecting your usual Jim Carrey vehicle, you'll be very disappointed. None of his facial pulls or goofy antics are on show and his performance is akin to his other serious acting performances (The Truman Show, The Majestic and to some lesser extent, The Man on the Moon). As for Kate Winslet, she is always capable of pulling off a convincing performance as a kooky, hippy and impulsive woman.

An original and invigorating story about a two people who fall out of love but fate and realization brings them back together. A unique insight into a couples love life. Through the highs and lows of the memories in Joel's mind, he comes to find that it's the faults and differences that make him attracted to Clementine. Watch with an open and clear mind and fall in love with a romantic comedy with a difference.

Acting: 4.5/5

Technical Merit: 4.5/5

Narrative: 4.5/5

Entertainment: 5/5

18.5/20

Prometheus International Trailer (2012)

When I go to the cinema I sometimes find it really hard to switch off and just enjoy a film. I'm finding more and more that when I go to watch something, I put my critical head on and think about finding negatives and positives. Alas I did the same with this film. For those of you not in the know, Prometheus is set in the same world as the "Alien" films, a semi-prequel. A couple of explorers found clues to the origins of mankind and embark on a quest to find "answers" as to who and why we were created. The company funding the trip is Weyland (the same company who feature in the Alien universe) and a select group of scientists and company employees go in search to find the meaning of life. 

Much is expected from this film and I for one, am one of those who could not wait to see it. As a big fan of the Alien films, I had high expectations, but when it came out and there were whispers of it not being anything more than a big sci fi film which happens to co exists in the same world as the great films that preceded it, I was apprehensive. It wasn't an alien film....but in it's defence, Ridley Scott has always claimed that this is a standalone film which echoes from the Alien universe. 

The main problem I had with it is the fact I feel the film uses it's links to the classic films to garner audiences to go and see it. I don't think the film would have had a big budget or the director if it was just another science fiction film. Is the film any good though? Well, it's not bad but it's not great. It is lacking in thrills and suspense but has some interesting ideas. I enjoyed it but I had many reservations with character's and some few plot points/holes. 

The film's characters are sketchily drawn, only a few are given more depth and personality while others just stand and look on in awe. With Noomi Rapace's character (Elisabeth Shaw) she is feisty and a survivor and the main protagonist so comparison will undoubtedly be made to Ripley. The only other character to have any depth would be the android David played with cool calmness by Michael Fassbender. Unfortunately the others are all forgettable and lack any real emotional connection.

A personal frustration I encountered with this film is that throughout numerous questions are raised but most are left unanswered. There is little or no clear resolution. The ambiguity throughout allows for viewers to interpreter their own answers and reasons to why things happen, which some may like but does little for me.  It clearly has the stamp of 'Lost' (writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof is on script duties) all over the narrative. The motives of the engineers (the space jockey from Alien) are never clear, and neither is David. It leads to an unsatisfying feeling.

On the positive note, the location and cinematography is superb (but I never expected it not to be). The attention to detail on the ship is magnificent and the mood and lighting effects are in keeping with the Alien universe. There is clearly a deliberate attempt at making the film echo it's predecessors in tone as well as in it's dialogue, and that gives the film a sense of the familiar and allows the audience to feel comfortable in it's setting. 

One feels that this film would not of had the excitement or expectations if the film was not set in the same universe, but then it's kind of hard to see this working without it. Many of you would no doubt do the same and make comparison to the other films, but it's unfair to do so and to watch it without thinking of the other films is really hard. In fact all this films does is make me want to watch Alien again.

Acting: 3/5

Technical Merit: 3.5/5

Narrative: 3/5

Entertainment: 3/5

12.5/20

The Avengers - Official Trailer 2012 [HD]

So here we are now. After years of development and a few film establishing the main characters, we get to see a team of superheroes being, well, a superhero super group. My initial response was of dread as I could not see it working well but to my surprise it is one of the most entertaining films of the year.

With Earth being under attack from dastardly villain Loki and his evil plot to rule Earth and its inhabitants, it is down to Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) to pull together his group of superheroes to save the human race. Luckily for those of you who have seen all the individual films, the need for each characters origin and development is unnecessary as they have been fully established in their own stories.


The film does start off very well and establishes a plot (although very well worn) about an attempt by Loki (main villain from Thor), to take a mysterious cube (the Tesseract) which harnesses a power that can open a teleport/wormhole to allow an alien army which he commands to take over the world. Even with this simplistic and over familiar storyline the film has many entertaining moments and is littered with loads of Whedons trademark witty one liners.

The one truly great thing about this film is how well it manages all the superheroes characters and never does one character feel like it's just a film about them with a few extra superheroes tagging along. Each one of them have a similar amount of screen time and a specific purpose which drives the plot forward. Another thing is that the guy behind the film (Whedon) knows his material and creates a loving, authentic and workable story which means each character never feels like a bit character. A very balanced juggling act which allows the stars to shine and show their unique personalities.

The only minor criticism I would give is the over hype that this picture has garnered by many and judging by it's box office record breaking takings, people are going in their droves to see what all the fuss is about. Don't get me wrong, the film is good but not an all time classic. The plot is nothing new, and the alien invasion at the climax of the film is a bit reminiscent of Transformers 3, and a team that doesn't get on but eventually stand together and realize a common enemy, all very cliched.


Most impressive throughout is the dialogue. Each actor delivers and provides so many funny moments (even though Bruce Banners alter ego The Hulk only manages a couple of lines but what few lines he is given are the most hilarious lines in the whole movie!). Unfortunately with the smart lines, the tone of the film never feels quite right.  It doesn't take itself too seriously and because of this, the sense of danger never feels tangible as their is always a line to soften the blow.

A big fun movie which everyone will find something to like, thanks mainly to Whedon assured screenplay and character dynamics, a film that should have failed (and probably would have done under someone else's guidance) it is a true testament that under the right director even the impossible is possible, hopefully next time they could come up with someone a bit more menacing than Loki.

Acting: 3.5/5

Technical Merit: 4/5

Narrative: 3.5/5

Entertainment: 4.5/5

15.5/20

21 Jump Street - Official Trailer [HD]

First off, I don't normally go for comedies but as I find myself in LA waiting for a flight departing in 8 hrs I had a plenty of time on my hands. Went off to the local multiplex and found not much on, my choices were The Lorax, John Carter, 21 Jump Street amongst others. So I opted for what I thought was the best of a bad bunch and went to see 21 Jump Street.

I had little knowledge of this film only that it is a update of an old TV show from the 80s and that it now follows more of a comedic route than it's origins. It stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as two young high school kids from the opposite spectrum of the popularity scale. Schmidt (Hill) is a geek who doesn't get to go to prom and is ridiculed by his fellow students whereas Jenko (Tatum) is the typical high school jock who is popular with everyone and believes he will be crowned the prom king until he finds he's is unable to attend due to his poor grades. So far so predictable.


After graduation, they both enrol in the police force and Jenko spots the opportunity to team up with Schmidt to pass the police exam to become fully fledged police officers. They form a friendship and become partners. No plot surprises there, but what does come through is the two leads energy and exuberance. The two stars provide an engaging and very strong performance which I must admit caught me by surprise (especially from Tatum, who  knew he could do comedy so well?).


As they bumble through a routine arrest the police force believe their youthful appearance would work well in their special unit called 21 Jump Street. The main directive of this special task force is to infiltrate high schools and tackle a new synthetic drug being dealt to students. They embark on the undercover project and it's here where the majority of the comedy comes about. A mix up occurs and as a result they are forced to pretend to be one another's pre-assigned undercover identities, one an athlete and the other a science nerd and the previous natural roles undertaken in their own teen years are finally broken.


It's safe to say the jokes do come thick and fast and there is many a moment when I found myself laughing out loud. What is surprising about the whole film isn't the actual assignment but the characters chance to relive their high school experiences and their journey to correct past mistakes and in essence play a different role. You begin to care less about the sub-plot of the drug ring they are suppose to smash and become more emotionally involved with the two characters predicament and self discovery.

I can safely say that this film is an absolute blast, which is more hit than miss on the joke front. A film with little in they way of expectations has become a surprise hit as a result. So less said the better (sometimes a film's trailer will give away all it's best moments but there are so many great funny scenes it would be impossible to do this!). I was very impressed by Tatum as I would never have expected him to do so well in a comedy performance and if this was anything to go by, he'll have something else to fall back on if his tough guy action roles dry up.

Acting:4/5

Technical Merit:3.5/5

Narrative:3.5/5

Entertainment:5/5

16/20

John Woo's The Killer (1989) with Trailer

A hired hit man (Ah Jong-Chow Yun Fat) on a routine job accidentally blinds a club singer Jennie (Sally Yeh) in a bar. Feeling full of guilt and remorse, he decides to quit his profession but only after taking on one last job to help Jennie fund cornea surgery to restore her sight. Unfortunately, with his last job, his employers take it upon themselves to double cross him and not pay him for his services and decide to get rid of him altogether. Along with the criminals who are after our "hero", a cop (Insp Li Ying-Danny Lee) is also on his tail for his handy work and will stop at nothing to capture his guy.

A film full of exhilarating set pieces accumulating in a body count in the near 100s where the themes of honour and betrayal are explored with such hyperbolic sequences and a dazzling array of stunts and squibs. John Woo's films always portray his "good" guys as a no nonsense, morally righteous man who upholds a code of honour. A hit man with a conscience and kills only those he sees as deserving of a quick death. 

When I first saw this marvel, I was astounded by it's flair, fluidity and camerawork. Full of style and unflinching graphic violence. Never have I seen a film where the hero is so cool, composed and controlled . Chow Yun Fat brings a certain gravitas with his on screen character learning to carry the burden of guilt but also acting on his immense talent with guns.

With themes that Woo would return to, never has a hit man appeared more noble and chivalrous as our title character. A hit man that uses a church as a meeting point for assignments and recuperation, doves flying through the air (in slow-mo!), religious symbolism and of course gunplay with bullets that come flying thorough the screen right to your retinas. 

One thing that viewers may spot is the breaking of the 180 degree rule for the shot reserve shot when Chow's character is talking to Lee's Inspector on the side of the lake. Most films convey a conversation with a switch back and forth and many times characters are shown either to the left of the screen and then switches to the other character to the right of the screen. Woo cleverly places both characters on the same side. It's a bit jarring at first but the point to all of this is to show that both characters are alike and are in fact a mirror image of each other.

Within the film there is so much one can pick out as an extraordinary piece of action cinema. The opening shoot out in the club with it's numerous multi-angle, slow-mo and fast paced editing creates a dazzling dance of bullets and bodies. In fact many of the films set pieces are heart pounding, jaw dropping and an amazing feat in stunt work and a clear indication of John Woo's talent behind the camera. A film he has never bettered and a film that people will look back on and wonder why Hollywood never gave him a chance to show the world what he can do. A sad waste and a crying shame.

Acting: 4/5

Technical Merit: 4.5/5

Narrative: 4/5

Entertainment: 5/5

17.5/20

Top 10 John Carpenter Films

Since I've started my film blog, I've realised I have only reviewed films. So from now on I will do a list of Top Ten things to do with films. My first top ten will be John Carpenter films. He his one of my favourite directors and has made films in a number of differing genres ranging from sci-fi, comedy and to of course, horror.


Here's my list of the best John Carpenter films

1. The Thing (1982)

A remake or a reworking of a classic? Matters not when you watch the film you will forget there ever was an original. The Thing brings together suspense with out and out gore from Rob Bottin's dazzling special fx and a wonderful script and brilliant acted by an all male cast, it's not short of a classic that was never given it's recognition on it's initial release. Still watchable and still jaw dropping. 

2. Halloween (1978)

The birth of the slasher film. It's not an easy burden to bear but in John Carpenter's hands you'll be in for a pure scarefest. Starting the film with the bravado steadicam we come into the film from the killers point of view, we the audience are implemented in the act of murder. A massive success which has gone on to spawn countless of pale imitations but this is only one that truly needs to be seen. A masterful work of suspense with barley a drop of blood or gore, it's given us the cold silent killer in a mask and provide a spine tingling soundtrack.

3. Assault On Precinct 13 (1976)

A modern remake of Howard Hawks "Rio Bravo". John Carpenter has always been heavy influenced by Hawks and this is his homage to the great director. A  siege film with a simplistic plot yet highly effective thriller. A mass of hundreds against a handful of men and women, held up in an abandon police station all caught up in a spat of mindless violence. The action is tightly edited and the pace is spot on. A low budget classic that deserves viewing (This remake has also in turn been remade into a less successful vehicle staring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne).

4. Escape From New York (1981)

Set in an alternative future (1997), New York has become a maximum security prison and the president has been taken captive and the government enlist the help of a criminal Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) to retrieve him. A classic sci-fi adventure action flick which stars the iconic Snake Plissken as an anti-hero forced into rescuing a president he cares nothing about. A film full of ideas and another great soundtrack it as a crying shame that this movie had a disappointing follow up. Forget the sequel and watch this cult classic.

5. In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

The last great Carpenter film which is a cry shame as this film is brilliantly wonderful at times even if the plotting can get a bit confusing but stick with it as it can be really entertaining. It tries to be overly intelligent with it's reality clashing with fiction, though the film has fun in doing so. Sam Neill stars as an insurance investigate trying to find the whereabouts of a missing horror novelist. A film seeped in Lovecraftian and Stephen King references, it's fully of little winks and nods that you may miss on first viewing. It's a fitting end to Carpenter self proclaimed Apocalypse trilogy.


6. Starman (1984)

A romantic sci-fi drama which is Carpenter's most human and touching film. An alien crash lands onto Earth and takes the form of a widows dead husband and kidnaps her so he can meet a deadline to return home. Jeff Bridges stars as the Alien and provides an emotional performance as a being trying to learn why we do what we do and to understand what it is to be a human. It's a great testament to Carpenter who handles the story and characters very capably but like many of Carpenters big budget movies it wasn't a big hit, so there wasn't many more opportunities for Carpenter take on more mature themes and serious dramas.

7. The Fog (1982)

A wonderful effective tale about a group of zombie like ghost who come back to a coastal town in California to take their revenge. When the town begins it's 100 year celebrations, a fog bank starts to roll in, but this isn't any normal fog, there is something within the fog. A film that is fully of creepy atmosphere and a great sense of impending doom. The film isn't perfect by any means but what the film lacks in character development, it makes up for in suspense and tone.

8. Prince of Darkness (1987)

An Apocalyptical horror story about the arrival of a being who will bring the end to the world. An interesting ideas film about Satan's attempt at bringing his "father" to our dimension. The power of the film relies heavy on the viewers imagination as the film is more heavy on the dialogue than in action. A well crafted slow burner. Will you be able to look at mirrors in the same way after this..... The middle segment of John Carpenters Apocalypes trilogy, starting with The Thing, then The Prince of Darkness and ending with In the Mouth of Madness. 

9. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Yet again, another flop but a film that shouldn't be taken seriously as the film clearly has it's tongue in it's cheek. A film that confused audiences on it's initial release, this film mixes western action with eastern martial arts and mythology . Starring Carpenter's regular Kurt Russell who accidently gets caught up in a mystical battle between good and evil in San Francisco's Chinatown. A fusion of genres which is fun and funny. A comedy as well as an action film it has a hero who isn't the most heroic and a villian who isn't completely human. A film definitely for those who would like a good laugh with no thinking required. 

10. They Live (1988)

Starring wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper as a drifter who stumbles across some  special  sunglasses that reveal a secret alien invasion plot taking place. The glasses allow him to see the world as it really is. Subliminal messages and aliens posing as humans are revealed and only he can stop them. A wildly imaginative piece of storytelling, which returns to Carpenters roots of low budget and effective narrative.




With so many of his films being remade or re-worked, you wonder why Hollywood doesn't let Carpenter free rein to work on new material. The latest film of his in the works is Escape from New York, you only have to watch one of his films to see what a talented director Carpenter is. Pretty much most of his back catalogue has been remade, The Fog, Halloween, The Thing and Assault on Precinct 13, if his films weren't any good at all why would they be remade? Watch and enjoy.