Showing posts with label John Carpenter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Carpenter. Show all posts
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Monday, December 5, 2016
Friday, November 11, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Thursday, October 17, 2013
REVIEW: Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China
Director: John Carpenter
Year 1986
Big Trouble in Little China is a wild
genre hybrid that is a whole hell of a lot of fun. Directed by the
legendary horror filmmaker John Carpenter and starring the
ridiculously charismatic Kurt Russell, this action adventure barrels
headlong into cinematic bliss with an overabundance of character,
wonder, and genuine laughs. Tremendously self-aware of its indulgent
nature for Chinese mythology and the imaginative imagery that comes
with it, Big Trouble in Little China sets the gold standard for all
adventure romps, especially ones that put fun in the forefront.
Kurt Russell takes on the iconic role
of Jack Burton and like his portrayal of Snake Plissken in Escape from New York, he simply owns the character. Hot tempered, quick
witted, and extremely scene stealing, Russell gives Jack Burton that
added charismatic depth which propels this vividly portrayed
character into instant classic status. A cult figure for the ages,
Jack Burton is as brash as they come and Russell defines the actions
of this loudmouth braggart to perfection. This film wouldn't be
nearly as enjoyable as it is without the presence of Russell's expert
timing and cool as hell personality. If there is anything that the
world needs more of, it is Kurt Russell, and his performance in Big
Trouble in Little China is one for the ages.
Supporting Russell's excellent
performance is an equally enthralling display by an extremely gifted
cast of character actors. Kim Cattrall takes on the role of Gracie
Law, a nosey investigative reporter who finds herself way over her
head when taking on Lo Pan and company. Cattrall is wonderfully sassy
in the role and she's never looked better. Legendary character actor
Victor Wong plays the role of Egg Shen, the elderly but fully capable
wizard who has waged a life-long battle against the forces of evil.
Wong is such an inspiration in this role as he chews the scenery up
every time he appears on screen. His performance is so compelling and
especially genuine. Another heavy hitter is James Hong as the
infamous David Lo Pan, the centuries-old sorcerer with a penchant for
girls with green eyes. Hong has a lot of heavy lifting to do in this
duel role, for he plays both the old and young version of Lo Pan.
Each iteration of the sorcerer is demanding in itself, and the makeup
effects and character designs for his various looks are extremely
vivid and outlandishly game-changing. Last but definitely not least
is Dennis Dun as he takes on the memorable role of Wang Chi. I've
always enjoyed Dun's work be it his scene-stealing performance in
Prince of Darkness or his contributions to The Last Emperor, but in
Big Trouble in Little China he over-shines both roles. He's a sadly
under-appreciated actor, but in my eyes he's reached cult status and
with good reason.
With a cast like that, how could you go
wrong, and John Carpenter makes good use of their multiple talents.
The action is fierce and the banter between characters is even more
engaging, emphasizing greatly that this film is all about an
abundance of fun. From the martial arts action to the over the top
mythical and mystical elements of the script, Carpenter throws
everything he has at his audience, all in the name of entertainment.
The end result of all of this over-indulgence is a rip-roaring thrill
ride that never worries about going off the rails, but rather
delights in the unusual and unexpected. As Carpenter delves deeper
into the otherworldly elements of Chinese lore, he ramps up the fun
factor of the flick, introducing one wild character after another
until we're knee deep in some of the most fascinating of ensemble
casts.
The name of the game here is adventure,
and Big Trouble in Little China has that in copious quantities.
Elemental warriors, kung-fu soldiers, a wild beast-man, and a
floating head with multiple eyeballs are just some of the weird and
wild characters that you'll come across in this flick. Designed in
unique and unorthodox ways, Carpenter has pulled from a large iconic
pool of cult imagery throughout Asian cinema and has crafted
something that is full-on fantasy with a Carpenter twist, and it gels
to perfection. Combined with his impeccable anamorphic lens and
distinct atmospheric soundtrack, Carpenter has crafted a genre
mash-up for the ages. Its got action, comedy, adventure and a little
bit of romance, but what really helps it all propel into classic
status is the outstanding cast of character actors that truly bring
it all to life.
Big Trouble in Little China is truly a
classic film. Never shying away from its ridiculous premise, the
production relishes in the absurd and otherworldly. Mythologies and
ancient lore collide in a cornucopia of vividly portrayed characters
and mythical beasts, making for a film that never truly stops
entertaining until the credits finally begin to crawl. Told in the
most expressive of ways, Carpenter relies on the validity of his
actors and their outstanding performances to craft the genuine nature
of the story. Kurt Russell is the epitome of cool in the iconic role
of Jack Burton, while Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, Victor Wong, James
Hong, and the rest of the cast come right in step to compliment the
film's abundant style.
Without a doubt, it is the film's
expertly balanced combination of eye catching imagery, astounding
atmospheric locations, and tremendously executed effects that really
take it over the top in quality and presentation. Topped off with
John Carpenter's own original and typically engrossing score for the
film and you've got yourself a recipe for a cult classic. Big Trouble
in Little China wears its heart on its sleeve and it is a love letter
to China's ancient lore and storied cinematic past. Extremely
enjoyable and fun to the last, Big Trouble in Little China is a cut
above the rest in almost every department. If you're searching for a
film that truly takes you on an unexpected adventure, then you owe it
to yourself to hunt down this most treasured flick. Big Trouble in
Little China is.....
| Quit showing off Egg. |
| These guys are just too cool for school. |
| The Three Amigos! |
| Come to Butthead. |
| Kurt Russell is a god! |
| Egg is even captivating when he eats. |
| You ok over there little buddy? |
| Kurt Russell can get a little too forceful with the piggy-back rides. |
| Hey! Your gun is bigger than mine! |
| That's no gun.... This is a GUN! |
| Lo Pan is a straight pimp. |
| What do you think Egg? There sure are a lot of ugly people in the audience today. |
| BARF! |
| This dude just plain kicks ass! |
| Lo Pan is a Jedi? No way! |
| It was just then that Kurt realized he was deathly afraid of golden buddha statues. |
| It's time to blow this popsicle-stand.... Literally! |
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
REVIEW: Prince of Darkness
Prince
of Darkness
Director:
John Carpenter
Year
1987
Prince
of Darkness is a highly atmospheric horror film directed by the
master of genre flicks, John Carpenter. Following the cult success of
his prior directorial effort, Big Trouble in Little China, Carpenter
delves back into his horror roots to unearth a frightening spectacle
that is as thought-provoking as it is moody and surreal. Knee deep in
foreboding doom and filled to the brim with an all-star cast of
character actors, this late 80's entry really packs a punch. Consumed
in apocalyptic tones and oozing that trademark Carpenter style,
Prince of Darkness is a sorely under-appreciated horror film that
delivers an engaging storyline, which should please anyone out there
that likes their horrors crafted with genuine feel and unabashed
heart.
The film
begins with a local priest stumbling onto an unusual vile of green
liquid in the basement of an abandoned Los Angeles church. Sensing an
evil presence within the vile and fearing the worst, the priest
enlists the help of Professor Howard Birack and his team of
colleagues and graduate students to investigate the archaic relic.
Once there the team begins to experience all sorts of unexplainable
phenomenon which only seems to strengthen the longer they stay on the
grounds of the monastery. With a malevolent presence consuming the
lives of each of the researchers and an ancient evil beginning to
breach itself into the world of the living, could this spell the end
of the world for mankind or is this just a new beginning?
When it
comes to an all-star cast, Prince of Darkness definitely takes the
cake. The legendary Donald Pleasence embodies the role of the central
priest character and he simply nails it in the doom and gloom
department. His prophetic descriptions of an ancient evil or Anti-God
is chilling and his presence in this film is essential in relaying to
the audience that the events that are taking place in this movie are
not to be taken lightly. The same can be said for Victor Wong, who
plays the role of Prof. Howard Birack. He is equally fervent in his
delivery and when the two share screen time together the film
literally hits an authentic pitch that solidifies the severity of the
situation at hand. It's amazing to see two of John Carpenter's most
memorable characters like Pleasence, who played Dr. Loomis in
Halloween, and Victor Wong, who played Egg Shen in Big Trouble in
Little China, and to see them together in the same film is just pure
cinematic bliss. If there was ever a foundation for this movie to
stand on, it would be the performances made by these two absolutely
engaging actors.
As for
the rest of the cast, Carpenter spared no expense in keeping the
quality consistent across the board. Among the long list of actors in
this film, the real standouts are Lisa Blount as Catherine Danforth,
Jameson Parker as Brian Marsh, Dennis Dun as Walter, Peter Jason as
Dr. Paul Leahy, and Jessie Lawrence Ferguson as Calder. Everyone does
a tremendous individual job with putting life into the picture, but
it is the collaborative effort of the combined cast that really
interjects a sense of purpose and authenticity to the production.
From Blount's vulnerable and innocent young Catherine, to Parker's
headstrong and capable Brian, to Dun's quirky and quick-tongued
Walter, the cast is a cohesive force to be reckoned with. The best
way to describe their function would be to compare them to the cast
of The Night of the Living Dead. In that film, the cast consisted of
stand-out performances and characters across the board which gelled
so well together to form one single-minded surviving unit, that you
felt apart of the struggle. In Prince of Darkness, you get that same
feeling of being a part of the team and fending off the evil as it
begins to take down each member one by one, and that is a tremendous
asset for a film to have.
Another
one of the long list of assets that Prince of Darkness has going for
it is John Carpenter's impeccable ability to gradually build the
tension as the movie moves along. These are especially prevalent
during the many disposition moments of the film, where we begin to
figure out what is going on inside this church by gathering the bits
and pieces of knowledge that each character uncovers as they delve
into the mystery of the liquid filled glass vile. Carpenter also uses
a genuinely masterful visual mechanism in the form of visions of the
future, which slowly begin to appear in small fragments, gradually
revealing more and more of the mystery as the film nears its
apocalyptic conclusion. The tension in these moments are quite
effective, giving a tantalizing taste of what's to come, while
simultaneously making us question the very nature of the film.
Of
course with this being a horror movie, and a John Carpenter one to
boot, you know there are going to be some wildly demented imagery in
the mix and some insanely enjoyable situations to revel in. One of
the most interesting aspects of this production is that it is a
strange brew of religion and science fiction, with a zombie twist.
Like a page straight out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers or The
Exorcist, the main villains of this movie are ordinary people, yet
changed and deformed by the effects of this evil entity that is
narrowing the gap between its world and ours. Initially the derelicts
and vagrants residing around the church are first affected by the
malevolent presence, then it soon spreads to the research team as the
vile of liquid makes contact and then infects the rest of the crew.
The overall theme of the film is, at its core, good versus evil, and
through the presence of Donald Pleasence's priest character, you have
an overwhelming notion that this is a spiritual war with God and
Satan at the forefront. In a sense this is the essential premise of
the movie, but Carpenter switches the formula up a bit and adds a
futurist element into the mix in the form of a visual warning from
the future. Add onto that the tried and true premise of a zombie
survival horror flick and you've got yourself one hell of an original
story while at the same time making for one devilishly good time at
the movies.
Prince
of Darkness is a wonderful Carpenter vehicle and the collaborative
effort between the cast of characters and their essential roles in
the film are perfectly executed and tremendously balanced. Donald
Pleasence and Victor Wong simply knock their performances out of the
park, while Lisa Blount, Jameson Parker and Dennis Dun leaving a
lasting impression that really amplifies the enjoyability factor of
this horror gem. Even Alice Cooper turns out an unforgettable
performance as a homeless murderer.
In true
Carpenter fashion, the atmosphere of the production is palpable,
bringing about a heightened sense of believability to this
otherworldly haunting opus that grabs you the minute the film begins
to roll. With its motley assortment of genre staples, sci-fi
elements, possession antics, heaven and hell parallels, and downright
zombie-filled goodness, Prince of Darkness is an underrated Carpenter
effort that truly deserves a wider and more appreciative audience.
It's right on par with the rest of his horror-tinged classics and
it's probably one of his most foreboding films to date, so check it
out! This flick is.....
| How romantic. |
| Alice Cooper.... you dirtbag! |
| What is this? The Breakfast Club sequel? |
| Ewwwwww! |
| Computers before internet porn was invented. So sad. |
| Don't drink that shit! |
| Something kinky's going down now. |
| It's time for Daddy Pleasence's story time. Yippie! |
| Put down the spit-wad! Nobody has to get hurt! |
| Don't cry... you don't look that bad. |
| This guy has got a splitting headache. |
| Looks like someone is ready for baseball tryouts. |
| Don't go into the light! |
| Get some rest. You need your beauty sleep. |
| Way to get ahead douchebag. |
| Well someone is all smiles. |
| Pleasence is the..... Decapitator! |
| Come on over Tim Curry. |
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
REVIEW: Vampires
Director: John Carpenter
Year 1998
Vampires is an extremely satisfying horror film that gives us gore, violence, vicious vamps, and a protagonist who is the very definition of badass. Born from the creative mind of John Carpenter and crafted in that iconic style that the director is known for, the movie oozes coolness from every inch of its frame. With its penchant for vulgarity and hyper stylized brutality, Carpenter introduces a new spin on the vampire genre which gives a plethora of twists and turns to the tried and true lore of these fantastically creepy creatures, while at the same time remaining true to the overall trademarks that have allowed these legendary movie monsters to survive throughout the years. Saddle up padre! It’s time to hunt some vamps!
The film follows a vampire hunter by the name of Jack Crow, who after his entire team is slaughtered, sets out on a suicide mission to destroy the master vampire Valek, the one who started it all. Accompanied by one surviving member of his team, an infected prostitute, and a wet behind the ears priest, Crow must race against time to retrieve an ancient relic called the Cross of Berseires, an item that if possessed by Valek will grant him with unstoppable power. With the odds stacked against them and an army of vampires gunning for their jugulars, Jack Crow and company embark on a blood-filled journey with one goal in mind, to kill every last godless son of a bitch before nightfall comes. Get ready because the blood confrontation of the ages is about to begin.
The rest of the cast, though overshadowed by Woods’ rabid persistence, do a commendable job with their respective roles. Daniel Baldwin takes on the role of Anthony Montoya, the surviving member of Crow’s team and a wingman of sorts to his leadership role. While not the best actor in the world,
What I loved most about this film though, is that at its heart it is a John Carpenter movie through and through. From the well crafted characters, to the exceptionally atmospheric world, to the outstanding and masterfully composed original score, this film just oozes that haunting Carpenter charm. Crafting itself in the same vein as Robert Rodriguez’s 1996 genre mash-up From Dusk Till Dawn and applying Carpenter’s sensibilities into the entire production, the film transforms into a pleasant hybrid that both pays homage to the modern horror efforts of the time while still maintaining that iconic visual sense that Carpenter is heralded for. There is just a badass quality to the way the film is presented and you can’t help but be swept up in the cool nature of it all. It’s vile, abrasive, unapologetic, and downright nasty and that’s just the way I like my horror flicks.
With a beautiful color palette and an atmospheric musical score, the film is often at times breathtaking, but most importantly the movie is magnificently and fully realized as both a genuine believable story and a fictional work of art. The entertainment value that comes with the large amounts of gore, the excessive violence, and the bone-chilling creature effects, are through the roof outstanding and the dialogue between the characters are deliciously crass and without a doubt a highlight of the production. Saturated in a rustic, grunge induced stooper, the film world that Carpenter has set up is steep in dirt and grime, which makes the realm that this movie inhabits that much more visceral and raw. If you’re looking for a kick ass vampire film to satisfy your horror appetite or you’re just wondering what a John Carpenter vampire movie would look like, give this one a go. I promise you won’t be disappointed. This flick is…..
| Say CHEESE! |
| This dude must have a splitting headache. Yuk Yuk. |
| Hang in there darling. |
| Oh what a feeling.... when you're dancing on the ceiling. |
| Holy shit that's brutal! |
| Please hammer don't hurt em. |
| Now that was one hell of a party! |
| Stop sleeping in the earth.... DIRTBAGS! |
| Be very quiet.... Daniel Baldwin is hunting a sexy ass. |
| Get that cross out of my face shithead! |
| It's one of those good old fashioned vampire barbecues. |
| This movie is a real SCORCHER! |
| Looking cool padre. |
| Messy baby. |
| James Woods' nuts roasting on an open fire. |
| Trent Reznor is PISSED! |
| James Woods really likes to show off his cross. |
| Who's gonna clean this shit up? |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)