Precinct 13: The Movies & Music of John Carpenter

17/03/2022

Oof.

Guillermo Del Toro shares an anecdote about John Carpenter.

17/02/2022

We've seen and reviewed all of John Carpenter's films, and now it's time to rank the entire filmography! Returning guest co-host Alex joins us for part one of our three-episode sort-of series finale on Precinct 13: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/ranking-part-1

29/10/2021

It's Shape-ing up to be one hell of a Halloween, and, dad jokes aside, we're celebrating with a very special episode on Michael Myers' latest round of murder and mayhem! https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-kills

14/10/2021

Nothing like a holiday to bring old friends back together... Chris, Nick, and returning guest host Alexandra discuss 2018's Halloween on the latest episode of Precinct 13! https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-2018

01/10/2021

Ron Perlman and John Carpenter: a match made in heaven... or hell??? We review the Masters of Horror episode Pro-Life on the latest Precinct 13: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/pro-life

13/06/2021

This week, we're talking The Fog... But, not the version you know and love. Our thoughts on the critically reviled 2005 remake of one of John Carpenter's most beloved films: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/the-fog-2005

14/04/2021

'Vampires' was John Carpenter's biggest movie of the 1990s -- but, was it also his best? Our take on this action/horror/Western romp on an all-new episode of Precinct 13: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/john-carpenters-vampires

09/04/2021

Back soon with an all-new episode! For now, if you haven't checked out our shows on Escape From L.A., tune in and marvel along with us at Snake Plissken's insane basketball skills! https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/escape-from-la-1

03/03/2021

Hang in there, JC fans... Our next episode is coming SOON!

14/11/2020

Lived any good books lately? Part one of our two-part series on the amazing In the Mouth of Madness: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/mouth-of-madness-1

29/10/2020

Three more days 'til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween... And what better time to catch up with the bastard child of John Carpenter's most famous franchise? Chris and Nick experience the Season of the Witch on the latest Precinct 13: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-iii

16/10/2020

We're back, and so is Michael Myers -- our take on the first sequel to John Carpenter's 1978 masterpiece on the latest Precinct 13: https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-ii-1981

21/08/2020

We've covered a lot of Carpenter classics on this show thus far, and now it's time to take a look at one of his less-loved efforts. 1992's Memoirs of an Invisible Man was a project that star Chevy Chase had been attempting to get off the ground for years, and after passing through the hands of directors Ivan Reitman and Richard Donner, the film became Carpenter's return to the screen after his longest hiatus to date. So, does this sci-fi star vehicle (also featuring Daryl Hannah and pre-Jurassic Park Sam Neill) deserve the bum rap it received from critics and audiences? Chris and Nick chew over that question and many more, and you might be surprised with some of their conclusions on a movie that may very well still be worth a watch!

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/memoirs-invisible-man

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000488545656

https://open.spotify.com/episode/08tb82ngng5KpUsxeIraq8

14/08/2020

EPISODE 22
Carpenter the Scribe: Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) & Black Moon Rising (1986)

How's this for a change of pace: this week, we're talking about two films that John Carpenter didn't direct! However, both 1978's Eyes of Laura Mars and 1986's Black Moon Rising began their existence as Carpenter screenplays (both, eventually, re-worked by other writers), and we'd be missing out on a lot of Carpenter completionist cred if we didn't check them out! In a discussion that somehow ends up winding its way through early 80s west coast punk rock, the recent Suspiria remake, and the magnificent (and persistent!) uni-brow of Mr. Tommy Lee Jones, Chris and Nick seek out the nuggets of quintessential Carpenter in these two VHS-era movies -- and consider whether they're essential viewing for the filmmaker's fans.

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/carpenter-the-scribe

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590 =301375c3-9965-4a50-8bc7-a914add294cc

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gm9GNi6Ik9uQlpq4A4Iyy

29/07/2020

This week, we're firing up the Wayback Machine for a look at the very beginnings of John Carpenter's film career. As a student at USC in the late 60s/early 70s, Carpenter wrote and directed the bizarre comedy/horror short Captain Vo**ur, and he followed it up by collaborating (as co-writer, editor, and composer) on the Academy Award-winning The Resurrection of Broncho Billy. After our marathon look at They Live, and before we tackle Carpenter's still-prolific 1990s, we thought we'd study some of his most notable student work to see if the seeds of his later successes can be found there. The answer? Kinda sorta, we guess? At any rate, we thought it would be fun to analyze his pre-Dark Star output, and with both films available for viewing on YouTube, you can check them out, too! Plus, we give Carpenter's unexpected (and awesome) new musical compositions, Skeleton and Unclean Spirit, a listen, and ponder what Carpenter's lockdown life has been like.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000485676069

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/carpenter-origins

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/carpenter-origins-captain-voyeur-1969-resurrection/id1480779590?i=1000485676069

10/07/2020

Sorry for the delay on this episode... we seem to have run out of bubblegum. But, for those who've been patiently waiting for the conclusion of our discussion of Carpenter's 1988 sci-fi/action satire They Live, we've got a whole lot of show for you! This week, Chris and Nick break the film down beat-by-beat, with an eye on its sharp character moments, the witty critiques of 80s-era media and consumer culture, that deservedly famous fight scene between "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Keith David, and SO much more! We can just about guarantee that, no matter how big a fan of this cult classic you are, we've singled out some things that you've never even thought about before -- you'll never see that garbage truck scene the same way again. Put your sunglasses on and enjoy! And, please join us in two weeks (we promise!) for a very special episode that takes us back to the very beginning of Carpenter's filmmaker career.

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/they-live-2

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5l5ToIRw8qOU6A1CeWbiOV

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590 =e85ed246-a904-4ef0-bd97-17fcf2d896c3

30/06/2020

Please enjoy our latest episode on the classic John Carpenter film "They Live" (1988). Part 2 of our discussion is coming soon!

Well, how about that... we seem to be all out of bubblegum. Only one thing left to do, then! This week, Chris and Nick put the glasses on and take a look under the surface of Carpenter's paranoid 1988 sci-fi/action flick, They Live. In the first of two episodes on this much-discussed, still relevant satire of consumerism and the evils of media technology, we explore some of the film's subversive and daring themes, the cast and crew of returning Carpenter regulars and welcome new faces, and the period in Carpenter's career where he truly called all of the shots. And, as always, we consider J.C.'s musical contribution to the film (his last score with frequent collaborator Alan Howarth), its influential aesthetics and design, and just how much of a stone-cold badass co-star Keith David is. Plus, we've got some plans for new content that we'd like to share! Check it out, and join us in two weeks for an even deeper dive into the film that taught us just how much fun an endlessly drawn-out hand-to-hand fight sequence could be!

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/they-live-1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000477680949

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tXVhxWmUvjovu0BEJXDJp

29/06/2020

John Carpenter Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998) on vinyl release through Sacred Bones records. A re-recorded compilation with many of the staple pieces throughout his filmography. A big recommendation.

27/06/2020

Another great reason to appreciate John Carpenter is his ability to compose excellent music. On this episode we begin to explore this fantastic album.

We're switching things up a little bit this week, taking a step back from our discussion of Carpenter's film-directing career to focus on a 2017 album that showcases his talents as a composer. Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998 features re-recorded and newly orchestrated versions of a large selection of classic Carpenter movie themes, with musical support from his son, Cody Carpenter, and godson, Daniel Davies. Chris and Nick break it all down track-by-track and discuss Carpenter's stylistic choices, his off-the-cuff way of composing, and his uncanny ability to conjure up atmosphere that's perfectly suited to his films.

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/anthology

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000457956213

26/06/2020

Not many folks know that John Carpenter made an amazing film about Elvis in 1979. His first collaboration with the great Kurt Russell! Check out our discussion here!

Chris and Nick check in to the Heartbreak Hotel for a discussion of John Carpenter's 1979 made-for-TV film Elvis, which marks the first collaboration between Carpenter and his ride-or-die leading man, Kurt Russell. Does Kurt have the chops to portray The King both as an up-and-coming young star AND as a middle-aged music icon who's well past his prime? Can Carpenter successfully pivot from innovative genre fare into much more conventional TV-movie territory? And, how excited are we to see Carpenter regular Charles Cyphers show up as the record producer who gives Elvis Presley his big break? Give this one a listen and find out, J.C. fans -- and, don't worry, it's a whole lot shorter than the movie!

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/elvis

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000459248554

25/06/2020

Shout Factory put together this awesome Blu Ray of John Carpenter’s Elvis restored from the original film elements. No matter how you slice it, Kurt Russell gives an astonishing performance.

19/06/2020

It's all right here folks! Check out our website for our coverage thus far of the amazing filmography and music of John Carpenter.

https://precinct13.simplecast.com

Join co-hosts Nick Rocco Scalia and Chris Oliphant on a movie-by-movie journey through the career of filmmaker/composer John Carpenter. From the genre-defining works to the cult classics to the overlooked gems (and misfires), we're covering the entire catalog of this modern master of horror, science...

18/06/2020

Check out our discussion on this little known film from the Carpenter catalog...

This week, Chris and Nick take a look at one of John Carpenter's more obscure early works, the 1978 made-for-TV thriller Someone's Watching Me! The film premiered just one week after Carpenter's breakthrough hit Halloween arrived in theaters, though he actually made this one first -- and, as your humble hosts are quick to point out, it's filled with small glimpses of the masterful suspense and superb visual storytelling to come. That's not to say that Someone's Watching Me! is one of Carpenter's finest, but it does feature some great performances (including those of star Lauren Hutton and Carpenter's soon-to-be wife, Adrienne Barbeau), a nifty setting, and some pointed commentary on sexism in the TV news industry (seriously, there are moments in this movie that would make Ron Burgundy blush!). Join us as we break down the film's most distinctly Carpenter-esque setpieces, consider the constraints that the writer/director faced in working within the boundaries of acceptable TV content, and rejoice at the sight of a beloved Seinfeld supporting player who unexpectedly shows up halfway through the movie!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000456646696

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/someones-watching-me-1978

17/06/2020

Scream Factory put together this exceptional Blu Ray of John Carpenter’s unrated and little known made for television film “Someone’s Watching Me”.

17/06/2020

Death Waltz celebrated the 40th anniversary of Halloween with this beautiful assembly of John Carpenter's most famous score ever.

16/06/2020

In the event you missed it, here was our second part to our discussion on the epic slasher film Halloween (1978)...

As promised, we're back with another episode on Carpenter's horror masterpiece Halloween, just in time for All Hallow's Eve -- and, this time, we've also welcomed to the show our very first guest co-host, Halloween devotee Megan Mosley! Chris, Nick, and Megan go in-depth on some of their favorite shots, sequences, subtleties, and scares in a wide-ranging discussion that covers the multitude of reasons why this 1978 film is a cut above the slasher-film genre it pioneered. Plus, a way-too-detailed analysis of the crane shot in the film's opening sequence, a (somewhat) spirited defense of some late entries in the long-running franchise, an appreciation of the late, great Donald Pleasance, and much, MUCH more! Happy Halloween, and remember -- the boogeyman is out there!

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-part-2

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000455456741

15/06/2020

In case you are just catching up - Chris and Nick celebrated last Halloween with the first installment of a two-part discussion of 1978's all-time horror classic -- a movie that defined the slasher sub-genre and remains one of the filmmaker's most critically acclaimed and popular efforts. We kick things off with a few horror-flick recommendations to get your season started right, and then it's on to a wide-ranging exploration of everything Halloween! From the film's masterful direction and cinematography to the myriad sequels, remakes, and ripoffs it spawned to (of course) that iconic original score, we've got a whole lot to say about this one. So much, in fact, that we'll be back in two weeks to take an even deeper dive into Laurie Strode and Michael Myers' unforgettable onscreen debut. After all, it's Halloween -- everyone's entitled to one good scare (or lots of 'em)!

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/halloween-1978-part-one

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000453672010

14/06/2020

Shout Factory did an extraordinary job with this Limited Edition Steelbook Blu Ray of the classic, John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13. Got a Smoke?

13/06/2020

We derived the title of our program from this 1976 classic.

In this super-sized episode, Chris and Nick tackle John Carpenter's critically acclaimed second film, Assault on Precinct 13 -- for us, the source of a killer podcast title, and for Carpenter, a springboard to (eventual) Hollywood success. The film is a gritty, low-budget action/thriller that draws on Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo in its story of a straight-laced cop and a smooth-talking criminal who lead a dwindling band of survivors against the vicious street gang that's trapped them in a decommissioned L.A. police station. The discussion covers everything from the film's western influences and homages to its still-striking onscreen brutality to the character dynamics that make it a standout in the Carpenter catalog.

https://precinct13.simplecast.com/episodes/assault-on-precinct-13

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precinct-13-the-movies-and-music-of-john-carpenter/id1480779590?i=1000451980573

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BC0bENz9WstuL02UrBim6

12/06/2020

For the best possible Dark Star viewing experience we suggest this Blu Ray from VCI Entertainment, loaded with extras, commentary and interviews. A John Carpenter/Dan O'Bannon Cult Classic!