Happy Birthday to John Carpenter, who turns 67 today! 🙂
I announced in my 2 Year Blogiversary post that I’d be working on a John Carpenter Project throughout this year where I’ll do my best to review all the films he’s directed (that’s back when I was all positive & full of great ideas before the Winter Blues kicked in). 😉 Well, I’ll get to reviewing his movies at some point but for now here’s a Top Ten (So Far) list.
These are My Top Ten Favorite John Carpenter Movies counting down from ten to my number one favorite, Ghosts Of Mars. (Ha! Just checking if anyone is reading this – I swear no one reads my intros).
10. Ghosts Of Mars
Before anyone freaks out at me over this, I should point out that I’ve only SEEN ten John Carpenter movies. Wait a second… is that horrible looking picture really from this movie?!?! I’m now wondering if I HAVE seen this. Screw it – I’ve already called this a top “ten”.
9. Village Of The Damned
I’ve definitely seen this & it was definitely shit. But Meredith Salenger was in it, so that’s cool…
8. Christine
I barely remember this.
7. The Ward
This sucked but Amber Heard is hot. Maybe this would actually be below Christine. See comment on Christine…
6. Big Trouble In Little China
Man, I barely remember this either but I used to have a crush on Kurt Russell, so…
5. Dark Star
I remember this since I just watched it last Autumn. Woohoo!
4. The Fog
Hmm. I really need to refresh my memory on this one as well. Is it becoming obvious why I need to do a John Carpenter Project? 😉
3. Halloween
Here we are! The top three! The three John Carpenter movies I really know & love. How could he go from stuff like this to Ghosts Of Mars?! Anyway, this is an all-time slasher classic.
2. The Thing
CLASSIC! Who doesn’t like this movie? If you don’t like this, you’re weird. I accept differences of opinion here but, seriously – all normal people like this movie.
1. They Live
That’s right, I have this above The Thing. Is this a better film than The Thing or Halloween? Nope! But it’s my favorite.
So, anyway – the plan is to update this Top Ten once I’ve seen the rest of John Carpenter’s films. I’m pretty sure Ghosts Of Mars won’t make the final cut based on that picture…
And totally unrelated to this post but is The Lego Movie seriously not up for Best Animated Feature Oscar?!?!
Cinema Parrot Disco 
Great list!! (and I read the intro haha)
Village of the Damned IS shit but it’s a real memory movie for me because it terrified the living daylights of me when I was younger. You know those horror movies that can still scare you as an adult? Because the fear associated with being young? This is one of those movies!!
Swoon…….Kurt Russell was such a hunk!
In the Mouth of Madness is my favourite John Carpenter movie. But he’s made a lot of good movies (and a lot of crap ones haha)
Great post! Loved this!
Thanks, Emma! Sorry for the slow reply – took a week off from blogging. I’m so behind!
hehe – I can’t say Village of the Damned scared me since I was, well, old… But I know what you mean. 😉 Russell was a total hunk! I looked pretty pathetic with this list as I clearly can’t remember half these movies so I didn’t want to admit that I’ve also seen In The Mouth Of Madness & Starman. Can’t remember a THING. Lol. I’m so old. I’ll re-watch both soon.
I have to admit that I haven’t seen many of the movies on this list. Only Christine, The Thing and Big Trouble. Dark Star seems like an interesting one….
Dark Star is extremely low budget. And I mean extremely! Good script, though. It’s a fun watch but They Live is obviously the one I recommend. 🙂
I actually do like Ghosts of Mars haha!
Haha! Maybe I will too as I now realize I definitely haven’t actually seen that one. Lol!
Great tribute to a master filmmaker, I love The Fog and Halloween the best.
Thanks. Halloween is a classic! 🙂 The Fog deserves more recognition but I do need to watch it again.
Glad to find another fan of The Fog, it’s so underrated in my opinion.
No Prince of Darkness? How very dare you! 😉
No Escape From New York 😦
Thats just criminal! 😦
Well I do think I’ll like that one once I finally see it. 😉 But I can’t put it on the list if I’ve not seen it! Unless it’s Ghosts Of Mars which I’m now pretty convinced I’ve not actually seen and instead saw MISSION To Mars, which sucked ass. 🙂
I didn’t think Ghosts of Mars was particularly good – I was surprised to see it here….
Lol. I’ve seen a hell of a lot of movies in my time but I’ve still not seen EVERYTHING. 😉 Am sure both will make my updated list. 🙂
They better or me and Mr. Isaacs will have to be paying you a little visit 😉
Haha! I watched Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead a few months ago. Isn’t that good enough?? 😉
Aah! Now thats what I call progress!
Boat Drinks! 😉
I’m offended dear mutant!
I read EVERY word you write here despite you ignoring me 🙂
uh, not that it’d surprise u much, but i classify The Thing in the same category as Hardware, so yea, i guess i’m weird 🙂
They Live is my favorite too, so at least we can agree there,
You hate The Thing? I think that proves my point! Lol. Seriously, though – you’d get people to agree with you on Hardware but they won’t back your hatred of The Thing. 😉 At least you like They Live! All is forgiven. For the most part. 🙂
Just felt it was pointless. Whew at least They Live saved me from your wrath 😉
I’ve never seen anyone make a top 10 movie list and not remember 7 of them.
Ha! I know. I’m special! 😉 Or senile…
We wouldn’t have her any other way 🙂
Lol! Thanks Alex. I’ve actually seen a couple more Carpenter movies but remember even less of those so couldn’t include them at all. Being old sucks. 😉
If you can, and real soon, check out “Prince of Darkness”. I think you’ll appreciate it. 🙂
Oh, and “Ghosts of Mars” is underappreciated. A lot of people give it grief (and helped drive Carpenter away from directing film) but it’s better than many realize.
I’ll definitely be checking that out – several people have recommended Prince Of Darkness. Lol – I’ve decided I’ve not actually seen Ghosts Of Mars after all so I’ll see what I think of that one too. 😉
Awesome list! I am very biased regarding JC. I like and own all of his films, even the “shit” ones. Nice work 🙂
Thanks, Vic! Took a break from the blog for a week so only finally replying to comments now. I was happy to see you’d commented as I knew you were a big John Carpenter fan, I think mainly from the images you always use on Twitter. 🙂 I know he’s an odd one – seems half his stuff is awesome and half is… Not. 😉 But I’ve not seen some big ones, like Escape From New York. I’ve always wanted to explore his stuff more.
No Escape from New York?
I’ll second that!
I’m sure it’ll make the list once I finally see it. 😉 I think the list will be changing quite a bit once I’ve seen everything!
Yes, I would also have ‘Prince of Darkness’ and I’d add ‘In The Mouth of Madness’ to the list. Believe it or not I’ve never seen Big Trouble in Little China all the way through, mostly because I like JC’s Horror so much, I resisted his branching out when the film came out. Now I catch bits and pieces on TV but haven’t been able to put it all together, lol 🙂 Mad props to They Live, thumbs up for that!
Lol. I have movies like that where I’ve seen bits & pieces but never all together at once. I must admit that I’ve seen In The Mouth Of Madness but don’t remember a thing. I think I’m losing my mind. 😉 Looking forward to finally watching Prince Of Darkness. Nothing will top They Live for me, though. 🙂
I’ve only seen your #6 and #2, I did start watching Halloween on Netflix only to realize later it was the remake haha. Yeah, The Lego Movie got snubbed big time lol.
Haha. Oh dear! Please do NOT watch the Halloween remake! 😉 I hated that so much… I know! I’m still pissed off at The Lego Movie being snubbed! Not only should it be nominated – it should win.
nice list, surprised that no Escape from New York though i always liked his masters of horror ‘Cigarette Burns’
I’m very sure it’ll make my updated list once I finally watch it. 😉 It does look like my type of thing. Is the other thing a TV thing?
Yeah but a one off hour long thing
Hmm. Sounds interesting!
Assault on Precinct 13 would be at the very top of my list (and Escape from New York)
Those are the two I’m most looking forward to watching & actually the two that made me decide to do a John Carpenter project. I expect to like both. 🙂
You can’t have a John Carpenter list without Escape From New York. And Prince of Darkness, but that’s just me cause that movie freaks me out. lol. Donald Pleasence is awesome in that one too.
Hehe. I knew people would comment the most on Escape From New York. 😉 It’s the one I want to see the most – it looks very “me” and I don’t know why I’ve never watched it. Will see Prince Of Darkness soon too, of course. 🙂
Great list. I like your #1, but I’d have to go with The Thing.
Thanks! The Thing is definitely the superior film so no argument from me there. 🙂 I just really love They Live. 😉
Lol!!! I love that the only ones you’re really enthusiastic about are your top three. But hey–I’ve only seen three of these (Halloween, The Thing, and The Fog), so you are totally beating me! Sounds like I need to see They Live, too, huh? Nice work, Miss Mutant! 🙂
Thanks, Cara! Someday you, too, will be old like me & make a top ten list where you only remember three of the movies. Lol! Hmm… I have to admit that They Live is an odd one. I actually think you wouldn’t like it. I thought more people would yell at me for putting it above The Thing!
Bahaha oh I’m sure I’ll make such a top ten list someday, too. You don’t think I’d like They Live, huh? Hmm. Well, I might give it a shot one day anyway just out of curiosity. I mean, it IS your number one, so it must be worthy. 😉
How dare you put The Thing in second place. THE THING!!!
I mean I like They Live but THE THING!
Hahaha! I think The Thing is the better FILM if that helps… 😉
Damn straight! xD
Looking forward to seeing how this list will definitely be changing! 😛
Lol! I think this list will change drastically by the end of the year. 😉 But the top two will remain unchanged. 🙂
Awesome list! I haven’t seen them all, but still very cool and seriously Kurt Russell’s hair in that movie. Did you love him back in the day in the movie Overboard? Can I just tell you how much I used to love Meredith Salenger, one of my favorite movies as a kid was The Journey of Natty Gann. I always wanted to run away and hop on trains because of that movie. Did you ever see it? lol You always make me remember my fave childhood movies. And John Carpenter’s birthday is right before ours so yeah he is cool just like us. 🙂
I loved Kurt Russell as Captain Ron! Hahaha!!! (Seriously – he was hot in that). 😉 OMG! A Journey Of Natty Gann fan! I like you more & more every day, Melissa! Lol. I looooooooooved that movie. I’ve loved Meredith Salenger ever since even though she’s never been in anything else that was very good.
I think we watched the same stuff growing up. Natty Gan was always on the Disney channel, my mom to this day still brings that movie up. YES she was so cute!! And seriously she never came out in anything that great, I just looked her up on IMBD and I do not recognize anything. 😦
Oh I watched several other movies with her. They weren’t good.
Kind of liked Dream A Little Dream with her & the Two Coreys, though!
I’ve been racking my brain all morning thinking of which movie she was in that was totally 80’s, that’s it! Yes I liked that one. I loved Corey Haim!!! 🙂
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