If the great John Carpenter, one of the great filmmakers in the history of fantasy and horror, had a golden decade, no doubt, it was the eighties. A phase in which the error is evident due to the absence of him and in which each of his films works in a way that is as different as it is effective. We are not talking about a succession of masterpieces, but almost.
John Carpenter in the 1980s, from worst to best
8 ‘Cristina’
Elevated by special effects that continue to steadily dazzle decades later, “Christine” marks John Carpenter’s only slightly disappointing spot in the 1980s. Based on the famous novel by the great Stephen King, the film does not always manage to maintain the high level it demonstrates in its wonderful prologue and in a really funny final climax, too many times falling into a certain narrative routine that comes dangerously close to yawning. There remains, therefore, a series of characteristic scenes that serve to celebrate once again the immense talent of the director. This is no small thing.
7 ‘Star man. The man of the stars
We are not, far from it, in front of one of the most successful films in the career of the great John Carpenter, but, at least, ‘Starman. The Man with the Stars ‘offers us the opportunity to enjoy one of the most amazing and successful performances of Jeff Bridges’ career. Starting from a story that constantly looks in the mirror of ‘ET, the extraterrestrial’, especially in a final stretch that borders on blatant plagiarism with the fingertips, this science fiction story with an extra dose of romance, some action and gags that never quite work it finds in its protagonist the best and most exceptional of its assets.
Star man. The man with the stars on eCartelera
6 ‘They are alive’
John Carpenter concluded his golden decade with ‘They are alive’, one of his most profound, personal and celebrated proposals. Combining science fiction with horror and occasional black comedy hits, this story of aliens, conspiracies, fighting and shooting is a real joy, especially in a brilliant first episode in the presentation of the characters and in the construction of the mystery. A brilliant cult work that has not aged one iota more than three decades after its premiere.
They are alive in eCartelera
5 ‘The fog’
John Carpenter opened his radiant eighties with one of his most inspired films: ‘The fog’. Starting with a dazzling prologue in his handling of intrigues and with a total capacity to generate scenes of authentic terror, the director tells a simple, short and compact story in which suspense has reached imposing heights, completing the work with a masterful ending. A jewel of one hundred percent Carpenter essence.
The fog in eCartelera
4 “Coup in Little China”
After signing two slightly smaller works (“Christine” and “Starman. The man of the stars”), John Carpenter pronounced “Coup in little China”, one of his most festive and crazy films. Fantasy, humor and unbridled action are the three pillars on which a crazy story is based full of memorable moments, spectacular fights, charismatic characters and a complete Kurt Russell. A junior carpenter? Absolutely.
Coup d’etat in little China in eCartelera
3 ‘Prince of Darkness’
After surprising locals and strangers alike with “Hit in Little China”, one of his wildest and most excessive propositions, John Carpenter is back in the famous arms of terror with the magnificent “The Prince of Darkness”. A return to the ring of shock, suspense and goosebumps marked once again by his immense talent in generating images and scenes to remember, skills in which the filmmaker repeats himself several times in these little more than a hundred minutes. Thus, “The Prince of Darkness”, misunderstood by critics after its premiere, Even today it is one of the most terrifying and complete films of the director’s career. An unmissable jewel for fans of the genre. And from Carpenter’s cinematic universe.
The prince of darkness in eCartelera
Two ‘1997: rescue in New York’
If your hero is called Plissken Serpent and is played by one of the best possible versions of Kurt Russell, well, you already have a clear advantage to be able to win. John Carpenter knew this and did not hesitate a second to put much of the weight of the extraordinary ‘1997: Rescue in New York’ on the shoulders of its protagonist. And it worked great.
Russell drives with dazzling talent a masterpiece of the genre that continues to be an experience full of entertainment, fun, action and epic. Another wonder as surprising as it is undeniable to add to Carpenter’s enviable catalog and one of the most genuine cult jewels of the 1980s. Essential.
1997: Rescue in New York in eCartelera
1 ‘The thing’
There are surviving films based on something so basic and complex at the same time as their sense of survival. There is no oxygen, the breath stops, the tension breaks the back, the whisper freezes the blood and the silence transforms the nerves into thorns. ‘The Thing’, a science fiction and horror classic directed in 1982 by the most inspired John Carpenter of his career, is an example that continues to satisfy each of these requirements. A classic with the status achieved and justified on the basis of time and cinema. Lots of cinema.
Starting from a simple but no less compelling story, ‘The Thing’ found its greatness in the details, in the way they aligned with the exact nature of the whole to result in a brilliant visual exercise that, fortunately, is not. lack of a gram of blood. The elements appeared in the most appropriate place, including an alien danger that was pure tension, in the most appropriate way and with the force of an ice storm that cannot be resisted. A masterpiece that passed on you and ended up sinking into your bones.
The thing in eCartelera
And it’s not that Carpenter hadn’t previously shown his talent, there’s the huge ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ and ‘Halloween Night’ to prove it, but we’re talking about ten years in which each work has shown maturity, control of cinematic language and a truly astounding number of memorable scenes. And so almost all of them have come down to the present day, certifying their status as a classic.
Whether it’s to come back for the umpteenth time or to discover them, we guarantee you love at first sight if it is the latter case, here you are a set of exceptional works within the filmography of a great director. The brightest years of the genius Carpenter.
Source: E Cartelera
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
