Jenelle Riley did a good job here. She asked her questions and let the man answer them fully. And without any of that smarmy, cute crap that we get all the time. In other words, she is a professional! Thanks for this, Jenelle! I'll look for more interviews by you!
@Ironclaw XII he might be talking about the fact that some of his works were heavily criticized in the past i. e. "the thing" etc. (as Carpenter, himself, stated) and that it wasn't years after his movies came out that people took notice...his carrer HAS been sort fo a slow burn...???
@@stvnsvids a slow burn from a stupid millennial's point of view sure. but alot of the world isnt a bunch of stupid kids watching old movies to look trendy. some of us saw them when they came out. not all of us notice whats great after the fact.
John Carpenter is my favorite director. His film's never get old to me. I grew up watching them in the 80's and still continue to watch them to this day. His film's are timeless to me and his musical scores are beyond brilliant. Thank you Mr. Carpenter for just being you.
The Thing (1982) is one of the finest pieces of cinema ever. One of the best horror movies I have ever seen, from it's stunning practical special effects to the tense tone of the movie not knowing who is human and who is The Thing and the paranoia builds up so well through the film it keeps you on the edge. The score is totally memorizing and iconic and it's really sets the mood. I discovered this movie in 1997 when I was 16 and loved it straight away and still do to this day.
I honestly don't understand why The Thing bombed in 1982. I was thirteen at the time and saw it on a VHS bootleg in 1983 (because I was obviously too young to see it in theatres) and it blew me away. I loved everything about it and it became an instant favourite. When I later learned that it bombed I was flabbergasted. It must've knocked Carpenter for six at the time and was completely undeserved. It gave me a deep distain for (most) film critics that I still have today.
Carpenter comes from a similar filmmaking mindset as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and James Cameron in terms of seeing a great story out of a simple premise. Really too bad he had to settle for more of a cult following compared to those three.
Though on another side of the coin the other three lost their luster. Look how the audience turned on George when he did the Prequels. Spielberg doesn't seem the same since the 90s and all James is doing is Avatar.
@Richard James Kemp Really? lol E.T. took nearly $800 million dollars and The Thing took $16. The hate for The Thing was Universal, a box office FAILURE but everyone loves ET. You sound bitter mate.
@@unicornnightmares2711 I'm sure there were people that liked "The Thing" and people who didn't like "E.T."...it was just the majority were leaning towards either side. People who have LOUD OPINIONS will be heard the most. I am a horror fan so I'd state "The Thing" as my favorite out of the two. I enjoy "E.T.", we actually just re-watched that recently, it's a great film. However, "The Thing" is more in line with my personal taste. I LIKE both films, they're just totally different takes on an alien presence which is fabulous.
Joseph Campbell's "Who Goes There?" was ahead of it's time. Astoundingly so. Written in like, 1932(?) Carpenter follows the book quite closely, actually. That someone in the early 1930s came up with this concept/story is mind blowing to me.
It's so weird hearing how people hated The Thing on its release...I've never met anyone who didn't love that film. Some haven't seen it, but I've never heard a bad word about it from anyone who has. It's a virtually perfect movie.
Nobody in Hollywood had a run like Carpenter, Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, Escape From New York, In The Mouth of Madness, Big Trouble In Little China, They Live, I mean it's just incredible.
I was just talking to my wife about this the other day, after watching Prince of Darkness: From his feature debut in 1974, right up until They Live in 1988, John was mostly putting out A MOVIE A YEAR, with only a few exceptions where it was a two year gap. That's crazy enough, but then when you then look at the quality of work in that period, it's just mind-boggling. Dude worked hard as hell, had a clear and recognisable vision in everything he did, and created an amazing and unique legacy.
One of the greatest American directors of all time. The way Hollywood has treated him is horrible. In 50 years everyone will remember "The Thing". No one will remember "Black Panther" or "Captain Marvel".
There are people who don't remember the thing now. He was great, and two of his films are definite and unarguable classics. But Carpenter does have a style That isn't for everyone and that hurt his gross ability which is all Hollywood cares about
Dude I completely agree with you. You must have a pretty big dick to say that on the internet. I mean girthy too. But yea, I feel the same way. People will look at these Marvel movies the same way we look at Marvel movies from the 70s. Remember Captain America Staring Reb Brown? No? Not surprised.
In The Mouth Of Madness, and Prince Of Darkness, are two movies that are getting more appreciation now, like The Thing did in the 90s. Sucks that his biggest budget was for Escape From L.A., and it was a mess.
@@guileniam , luckily, Carpenter stuck to his guns and didn't sell out. He may not have hit it big with his movies, but his lower budget offerings were so much better than his big studio films because he got complete control. This is the biggest reason so many of his films are classics now, regardless of what Hollywood and critics of the time thought.
@@TheFaustianMan I doubt that. A lot of the cookie cutter marvel movies sure, but the new Avengers being the highest grossing film ever with so many superheroes and merchandising will be a watershed moment for a whole generation of kids, and that generation will recall it fondly in the same manner 80s-early 90s kids look at Spielberg and Star wars.
@@jimwalker1064 No one talks about E.T.? Hahahahaha whatever dude. E.T. is Universally loved and spoken about by everyone I speak to. The Thing is generally hated for it's dated special effects. They hurt it the most.
Thanks for the interview Jenelle! It’s quite uncommon for Mr. Carpenter to be interviewed by somebody who actually listens, cares and did their home work. Master of cinema, Mr. Carpenter! What I admire so much and inspires me of John are not only his movi3s but his complete lack of bs. An awesome filmmaker!
I think he's mistaken about how The Thing is evaluated nowadays. It's a beloved film now, so many people's personal favorite and considered one of the finest examples of practical effects. I think most horror fans would agree it's one of the best horror films of all time (among many, of course). Most people I've spoken to consider it Carpenter's finest work, second only to Halloween. Critics, too, are infinitely more kind to it these days as well, giving it the respect it deserves.
I think he may somewhat be referring to how it might be perceived by a wider audience, and that even today it is much less known and beloved by comparison to say, the movie that really overshadowed it in the Summer of 1982, Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Nobody wanted to go see another movie about a killer alien (think 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake and 1979's Alien) during an era polluted by sci-fi outerspace flicks, and certainly not one with complexity and themes of mass hysteria and anxiety reminiscent of real-life "red scare"-esque sentiment during the height of the Cold War. Most people I have spoken to regardless of age who are your average film-goer either don't know the movie exists or have heard of it but have never actually seen it, and those that have seen it are your film-buff types or hard-core horror fans like myself who appreciate a good creature feature. Of course, I think John Carpenter's The Thing holds up as a classic that it had every right to be alongside Ridley Scott's Alien, but a matter of circumstance and bad timing would see it remain merely a "cult" film that I still feel to some extent is still the reputation it maintains, if only because it is a film that is difficult to explain in terms of its merits to someone without a good foundation of film-making and story-telling.
Everybody hated THE THING because E.T. was so popular and THE THING was the polar opposite. However, I never hear anyone now even talk about E. T. However, I do see multiple collector’s editions of THE THING BluRay, from different labels selling out because fans can’t get enough of THE THING now.
Film fans would make it seem like everyone loves it, far from the truth, most average people either dont care about this film or just hate it, the film would be dismissed again if it was re-released, just like Blade Runner and many others (Blade Runner sequel is a good example, it seems like everyone loves it, yet it flopped and most people would not watch it. Carpenter's film doesn't have a wide appeal like Alien or Psycho mainly for its less intellectual quality.
Okay, everyone, but horror movies are never going to be loved as widely as something like E.T. because a smaller swath of the movie-going population is interested in horror. Even The Exorcist, which is one of the most recognizable horror classics, divides today's audiences and probably bores a lot of viewers with its patient storytelling. Critics are kind to The Thing now, that's all I'm trying to say. Rotten Tomatoes, as an inadequate example, gives it almost a 90%, and that's supposed to represent an aggregate of critics' opinions. As far as people who are actually serious horror viewers--and there are a LOT of us out here--The Thing is a bona fide classic. Check any list of the best horror movies of all time on the internet and you will invariably find The Thing.
"Dont lose yourself, a lot will happen in success and failure both, keep in touch with who you are" Thats a precious advice from a humble director that gave us so much over the years.
I can’t imagine Speilberg or Coppola coming down to USC to give talks to the students now lol. So many more layers of separation between the working pros and students now
jbcomics But Jordan Peele came down to USC and taught a class and plenty of other young directors do that often. Spielberg might not but then Howard Hawkes and John Hughes also weren’t coming down to USC in those days either.
I don’t get why people act like Spielberg or these major directors owe them something like they should keep coming back to the school every year to teach people. They have their own lives like normal people, no one wants to keep coming back to their school constantly. Life is too big and busy. Lol this response probably sounds more angry than intended it’s just a bit irritating when kids beg for greats to come back constantly to their old schools for them. I’m sure the greats probs did come back a few times even just probably not in your year lol.
I've loved Carpenter's movies since I was a kid and knowing his politics and views on humanity are like mine, I'm glad he respects people who don't agree politically or philosophically with him and works with them. Truly one of the greatest modern horror/satire directors.
Wonderful interview. Its refreshing to see an interviewer ask intelligent questions and sit back and listen to the response. I really appreciated that this interviewer didnt go for flash or click bait and respected the legend she was sitting with.
I've seen her interview before - especially a terrific career interview with Gary Oldman. She's one of the best out there. And shock horror, actually knows her stuff. And doesn't insult the person she's interviewing with silly unprepared questions.
Halloween is still a masterpiece the soundtrack the look the acting, barely had a budget and most of that paid for Donald for I think 3 days ? Just incredible film not just a horror movie but could easily be put into different genres of films. It's such a shame how much that film was gutted over the years when on its own it can easily be a top 100 movie.
Christine is criminally underrated. A classic John Carpenter film all around. Fantastic pacing. Beautiful camera work. A lean and extremely well-crafted adaptation that improves upon the book.
In retrospect yeah. At the time some of them post Halloween didn’t do very well. If your films aren’t making money, you don’t get hired to make more. A lot of Carpenters films were just released at the wrong time. The Thing being one. It released along side ET which was obviously a more positive film experience on the subject of extraterrestrial life. Regardless over the years it’s now considered one of the best sci fi horror films ever made. And with good reason. A great film will always find its audience. This is the case for most of his work.
The Thing was a huge flop back then, and critics hated it. The Fog did well, but didn't come close to the profit made with Halloween. Also, it was Carpenter's idea to kill Michael Myers and produce Halloween III Season of the Witch, which failed spectacularly and was hated by critics and audiences of the time. This is what made it hard for him to get work.
I thought THE THING was a crowning achievement, both in it's audacity and it's subtlety, It blurred the genre line from a "Who Done It?" to a "Who Is It?". Also the fact that it was a true remake, truly updated for the times and, in my opinion, far surpassed the original. One part horror, thriller and sci-fi. The score, the location, the isolation, the suspense, the performances all a nearly perfect synergy of story telling. 10/10 for me!
Agreed David. I only differ on the point of it being a remake as for me the original was completely dropped for the source material. Had it been more of a remake I don't think it would've hit the marks as brilliantly as it did.
Met Carpenter at a convention a few years back and sat in on a Q & A....he was just as humble and kind as he was in this interview. One of the greatest directors of all time.
Stay true to yourself, trust in your vision, thank you, John One of my all time favourite movies from my childhood, Big trouble in little China And The Thing, these movies made a huge impact on me as a kid, I need to 're watch them, it's been a long time It was newly released a Friday 13th type of co-op survival game, it's a good idea and well executed How awesome would it be to play a videogame based on The Thing, you play as one of the researchers, Trying to survive with all the craziness that is happening, hence the movie, and the graphics we have today is close to picture perfect, just imagine the flamethrower and the snow John you are awesome, stay cool, peace
Mr. Carpenter is the most modest and honest director out there. He doesn't bullshit and buy into any of the fluff; he's straight to the point. People always want to hear stories from John about his movies where he may have had some great vision for his films, when really, he keeps it simple. Why Michael Myers is the embodiment of evil or why Snake Plisken is an outlaw is completely irrelevant and not something that's important to the films. They just are what they are and that's all there is to it. Everything that is now iconic about his movies were done in the most simple ways imaginable. The now-legendary Halloween theme? He did it because he was cheap and fast. The Michael Myers mask? Literally a William Shatner mask painted white and it's now iconic. Carpenter is the perfect example of keeping it simple. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carpenter at Chicago Comic Con in 2014. Not only was he the nicest and most genuine famous person I ever met, but, he was very much appreciative when I told him that he was the reason why I fell in love with movies and how they're made.
Honestly one of the most inspiring and honest directors ever. Truly humble and his final message of never losing who you are in the process of showbusiness is so beautiful and important
I saw The Thing in with a bunch of friends, when it first came out, and afterwards we just couldn't stop raving about it! Told everyone at college and they went to see it and came back raving too! Don't understand how it could have bombed -- or that it was hated... How could anyone not appreciate The Thing? :0)
If he could stop himself from filling it with Barbie girls, it might be good. I gave up on ‘The Ward’ after fifteen minutes because it seemed to be more about fawning over pretty girls than anything remotely scary.
Great interview! Respect his candour, despite that I think he's a genius director. But as an illustrator myself, I totally get his criticisms of his own work. My skin crawls when I look back at some of my older stuff. So, I kinda get that!
Escape From New York was a PERFECT movie that robbed of an Oscar nomination for Music Score. Carpenter has made some of the most iconic science-fiction and horror films of all time and this in-depth interview did his legacy justice. Finally, he's getting the respect he truly deserves.
I met John Carpenter when I was working on a film in the sound Department in the 90s and he was an incredible man and very nice. He was doing some ADR sound mixing for They Live when I was in the studio he ws really nice. One of the most creative and best filmmakers EVER.
"Stay in touch with who you are" Carpenter's movies - good, bad, anywhere in between - always felt authentically his. He should be very proud of all hes accomplished but I feel like hes his own worst critic and that's a shame. Countless works of art have been influenced and inspired by his style. I hope maybe he'll be kinder to himself next time he sees a film hes made, recognise his triumphs and forget the naysayers or his own inner doubts. True legend.
I've always felt that that's the result of the hammering 'The Thing' received. He's often said how personally he took it and was close to giving up filmmaking.
The thing is a masterpiece. Critics may have hated it but those same critics hated kubricks "the shinning" as well and now they all have bad memories and pretend they always saw the genius of these films.
They never shat on Day of the Dead in 1985. The film had mixed reviews and it was mostly criticized for the poor acting which is actually poor. It was also the first one to have a "Hollywood-like" budget and many people didn't like that.
E.T ruined it. Everyone wanted the cuddly tearjerker Spielberg movie. Then along comes a violent, nihilistic sci-fi downer, and they ripped it to pieces through moral disgust. Little realizing that it was a masterpiece. Blame your parents.
@@adamwallace7353 What are you talkign about? Friday the 13th III took $34 million, while E.T. took over $700 million on it's original release. How exactly did it ''beat'' E.T.?
John is so real and awesome . He has been an inspiration and a hero in the genre for me .And “the thing “is my favorite film of all time. Excellent interview! Peace Christo 👽🎶🐕🛸☮️
John Carpenter wasn't just a horror master. Movies like Dark Star, Assault on Precinct 13, Escape from New York, Starman, and Big Trouble in Little China proved that he was also a master of action and sci-fi fantasy adventure.
I’ve heard him talk about that before too. It’s such a solid movie, it’s a bit surprising that he felt it was ‘just a job’ and not his personal project. But it’s another reason he’s so great.
I imagine USC in late 60's had to be golden age, absolutely amazing, just by watching Dark Star and couple of other student films from those days, you can feel the creativity overflowing, and passion completely different to what is there now in film schools.
John carpenter is the reason why the old school horror films were so damn good because he made them damn good. For instance, he took the films that came before him and put them in his own films and worked with what he learned from.
My favourite film maker ever! His movies helped me through dark times and are always interesting. He's a master at making great movies with tight budgets, characters are always interesting and the dialogue tends to intrigue the outsiders mind set. Thanks Mr.Carpenter for your efforts
I saw The Thing for the first time on VHS at my friend's house in '84 when I was nine years old. It scared the living daylights out of me but I absolutely loved it and still do.
INTERVIEWER: "It's such an interesting premise..... a possessed car. What appealed to you about doing that one?" JOHN CARPETNER: "A..... possessed car".... LOL
JOHN CARPENTER!😉IVE COME HERE TO CHEW BUBBLE GUM AND KICK ASS!!😉☺HE SURE DID!😉MOST ORIGINAL AND AWESOME CAST& GREAT MOVIES IN HISTORY!I IF HE EVER MADE A REMAKE OF "THEY" I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY RODDY PIPERS ROLE!☺😉😄
![John Carpenter - "He Lives" Interview (2013) [HD]](/img/n.gif)
Jenelle Riley did a good job here. She asked her questions and let the man answer them fully. And without any of that smarmy, cute crap that we get all the time. In other words, she is a professional! Thanks for this, Jenelle! I'll look for more interviews by you!
It's good to finally see Carpenter getting the praise and respect he deserves. His films are timeless and are so rewatchable and get better with age.
@Ironclaw XII lol
Great filmmakers have amazing dialogue. Debra hill played as much of a part in John’s success and may she RIP.
@Ironclaw XII he might be talking about the fact that some of his works were heavily criticized in the past i. e. "the thing" etc. (as Carpenter, himself, stated) and that it wasn't years after his movies came out that people took notice...his carrer HAS been sort fo a slow burn...???
@@stvnsvids a slow burn from a stupid millennial's point of view sure. but alot of the world isnt a bunch of stupid kids watching old movies to look trendy. some of us saw them when they came out. not all of us notice whats great after the fact.
Dude...I'm 48 years old....I saw in the theater when it came out...I'm just not being pretentious about it! LOL
John Carpenter is my favorite director. His film's never get old to me. I grew up watching them in the 80's and still continue to watch them to this day. His film's are timeless to me and his musical scores are beyond brilliant. Thank you Mr. Carpenter for just being you.
An American treasure. You won't see another triple threat filmmaker again.
Writer, director and composer.
All of us Fangorians LOVED The Thing and love all of Mr Carpenter's horror films!!! Thank you sir for doing this excellent interview!!! 🎃🎃🎃
I am shocked that "The Thing" did not do well at the box office. I thought it was a great movie.
@@IVant2BAlone i also like the new one even though a lot of elitists like to criticize it.
@@te9591 Yes,I like it too!!! Nice talking to you!!!
@@unitedamericans8587 cheers, good to agree on the internet for once.
This was such a cool interview. Thank you so much!
I've seen a lot of JC interviews through the years, and somehow I never get bored hearing the Master talk.
Great interview, nice to see he mentioned tangerine dream and sorcerer, love them and that film.
The Thing (1982) is one of the finest pieces of cinema ever. One of the best horror movies I have ever seen, from it's stunning practical special effects to the tense tone of the movie not knowing who is human and who is The Thing and the paranoia builds up so well through the film it keeps you on the edge. The score is totally memorizing and iconic and it's really sets the mood. I discovered this movie in 1997 when I was 16 and loved it straight away and still do to this day.
Whst a great interview - I love John Carpenter
"They live" is still one of the best soundtracks ever
Great interview!
A big thank you John, for Escape From New York, The Thing, The Fog, They Live and Big Trouble in Little China.
I honestly don't understand why The Thing bombed in 1982. I was thirteen at the time and saw it on a VHS bootleg in 1983 (because I was obviously too young to see it in theatres) and it blew me away. I loved everything about it and it became an instant favourite. When I later learned that it bombed I was flabbergasted. It must've knocked Carpenter for six at the time and was completely undeserved. It gave me a deep distain for (most) film critics that I still have today.
I love John's films and never get bored of them and he doesn't dissapoint as person either.
Great interview!!
0:19 Godzilla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm even more of a John carpenter fan now
The legend...The king im eo glad i grew up with his films and ill be showing these films to my sons aswell.
The Fog is so underrated
A true master of film making. He made me fall in love with movies when I was younger and I still watch his movies regularly.
I want her to interview me one day. She's a doll.
Great video
John has a cool all his own he's part everyman part genius, he's my greatest hero.
Love those Kurt Russell action figure! :-)
The movie The Thing inspired one of the most beloved video game franchises of all time. Half-Life.
Inspiring. thx. Loved it. Adore him
John Carpenter is the most talented independent director ever to grace hollywood and a great musician.
this deserves more views
The fact that people didn't like The Thing when it released blows my mind. It is literally in my top 3 favorite horror films.
Carpenter comes from a similar filmmaking mindset as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and James Cameron in terms of seeing a great story out of a simple premise. Really too bad he had to settle for more of a cult following compared to those three.
Though on another side of the coin the other three lost their luster. Look how the audience turned on George when he did the Prequels. Spielberg doesn't seem the same since the 90s and all James is doing is Avatar.
The monster transformations made the thing work.
JOHN CARPENTER, JOHN FRANKENHEIMER, JOHN MCTIERNAN, CLINT EASTWOOD, ROMAN POLANSKI
I'll always love Carpenter's honesty: "My favorite remake is the kind where they pay me"
The Thing was ahead of it’s time.
Releasing it literally the same day as E.T didn't help...
@Richard James Kemp Really? lol E.T. took nearly $800 million dollars and The Thing took $16. The hate for The Thing was Universal, a box office FAILURE but everyone loves ET. You sound bitter mate.
@@unicornnightmares2711 I'm sure there were people that liked "The Thing" and people who didn't like "E.T."...it was just the majority were leaning towards either side. People who have LOUD OPINIONS will be heard the most. I am a horror fan so I'd state "The Thing" as my favorite out of the two. I enjoy "E.T.", we actually just re-watched that recently, it's a great film. However, "The Thing" is more in line with my personal taste. I LIKE both films, they're just totally different takes on an alien presence which is fabulous.
@@unicornnightmares2711 ET was massively hyped/promoted as a family film. The Thing got zero promotion in comparison and was a proper horror movie.
Joseph Campbell's "Who Goes There?" was ahead of it's time.
Astoundingly so. Written in like, 1932(?)
Carpenter follows the book quite closely, actually.
That someone in the early 1930s came up with this concept/story is mind blowing to me.
John Carpenter's The Thing is definitely one of my top 10 fav movies of all time. Truly a great film.
Mine too...Seen it 5 times and it is getting more and more disgusting and terrifying with every new watching
It's so weird hearing how people hated The Thing on its release...I've never met anyone who didn't love that film. Some haven't seen it, but I've never heard a bad word about it from anyone who has. It's a virtually perfect movie.
Mine too. Along with They Live.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks for true
yeah there are very few films that actually made my jaw drop
One of the very last masters of horror still going strong!!
I dunno about that. He's retired from filmmaking and he's not sounding too good. All those decades of smoking are catching up to him.
Assad scary? Not as scary as the ISIS headchoppers whole he fights.
@@dougmaclennan8654 lies!state funded torture?a bit more!everywhere u are in that country is a bit hairy if you are out of the norm and not tolerated!
The Master
I'm glad he managed to survive in Hollywood because he's made 4-5 of my favorite films of all time.
One of the greatest goddamn directors of all time.
Nobody in Hollywood had a run like Carpenter, Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, Escape From New York, In The Mouth of Madness, Big Trouble In Little China, They Live, I mean it's just incredible.
So true.. all classics. arguably the best director of the 80s
I was just talking to my wife about this the other day, after watching Prince of Darkness: From his feature debut in 1974, right up until They Live in 1988, John was mostly putting out A MOVIE A YEAR, with only a few exceptions where it was a two year gap. That's crazy enough, but then when you then look at the quality of work in that period, it's just mind-boggling. Dude worked hard as hell, had a clear and recognisable vision in everything he did, and created an amazing and unique legacy.
Then the 90s came and he went to shit...
@@erikyome8669 Woody Allen? Scorsese? Speilberg? say hi
@@samosler4009 Hi! I'd rank all of them BELOW Carpenter.
One of the greatest American directors of all time. The way Hollywood has treated him is horrible. In 50 years everyone will remember "The Thing". No one will remember "Black Panther" or "Captain Marvel".
There are people who don't remember the thing now.
He was great, and two of his films are definite and unarguable classics. But Carpenter does have a style
That isn't for everyone and that hurt his gross ability which is all Hollywood cares about
Dude I completely agree with you. You must have a pretty big dick to say that on the internet. I mean girthy too. But yea, I feel the same way. People will look at these Marvel movies the same way we look at Marvel movies from the 70s. Remember Captain America Staring Reb Brown? No? Not surprised.
In The Mouth Of Madness, and Prince Of Darkness, are two movies that are getting more appreciation now, like The Thing did in the 90s.
Sucks that his biggest budget was for Escape From L.A., and it was a mess.
@@guileniam , luckily, Carpenter stuck to his guns and didn't sell out. He may not have hit it big with his movies, but his lower budget offerings were so much better than his big studio films because he got complete control. This is the biggest reason so many of his films are classics now, regardless of what Hollywood and critics of the time thought.
@@TheFaustianMan I doubt that. A lot of the cookie cutter marvel movies sure, but the new Avengers being the highest grossing film ever with so many superheroes and merchandising will be a watershed moment for a whole generation of kids, and that generation will recall it fondly in the same manner 80s-early 90s kids look at Spielberg and Star wars.
Even his most underrated films like "The Fog" are better than most directors"great" films.
Friggin dances with wolves won a academy and no one talks about it anymore. But John's films Light up a room with talk!
@@avidnongetit8710 no one talks about ET today, but they sure do with The Thing!!
@@jimwalker1064 No one talks about E.T.? Hahahahaha whatever dude. E.T. is Universally loved and spoken about by everyone I speak to. The Thing is generally hated for it's dated special effects. They hurt it the most.
Thanks for the interview Jenelle! It’s quite uncommon for Mr. Carpenter to be interviewed by somebody who actually listens, cares and did their home work. Master of cinema, Mr. Carpenter! What I admire so much and inspires me of John are not only his movi3s but his complete lack of bs. An awesome filmmaker!
I think he's mistaken about how The Thing is evaluated nowadays. It's a beloved film now, so many people's personal favorite and considered one of the finest examples of practical effects. I think most horror fans would agree it's one of the best horror films of all time (among many, of course). Most people I've spoken to consider it Carpenter's finest work, second only to Halloween. Critics, too, are infinitely more kind to it these days as well, giving it the respect it deserves.
I think he may somewhat be referring to how it might be perceived by a wider audience, and that even today it is much less known and beloved by comparison to say, the movie that really overshadowed it in the Summer of 1982, Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Nobody wanted to go see another movie about a killer alien (think 1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake and 1979's Alien) during an era polluted by sci-fi outerspace flicks, and certainly not one with complexity and themes of mass hysteria and anxiety reminiscent of real-life "red scare"-esque sentiment during the height of the Cold War.
Most people I have spoken to regardless of age who are your average film-goer either don't know the movie exists or have heard of it but have never actually seen it, and those that have seen it are your film-buff types or hard-core horror fans like myself who appreciate a good creature feature. Of course, I think John Carpenter's The Thing holds up as a classic that it had every right to be alongside Ridley Scott's Alien, but a matter of circumstance and bad timing would see it remain merely a "cult" film that I still feel to some extent is still the reputation it maintains, if only because it is a film that is difficult to explain in terms of its merits to someone without a good foundation of film-making and story-telling.
@@DarkCyberElf agree, think he meant back when it came out.
Everybody hated THE THING because E.T. was so popular and THE THING was the polar opposite. However, I never hear anyone now even talk about E. T. However, I do see multiple collector’s editions of THE THING BluRay, from different labels selling out because fans can’t get enough of THE THING now.
Film fans would make it seem like everyone loves it, far from the truth, most average people either dont care about this film or just hate it, the film would be dismissed again if it was re-released, just like Blade Runner and many others (Blade Runner sequel is a good example, it seems like everyone loves it, yet it flopped and most people would not watch it. Carpenter's film doesn't have a wide appeal like Alien or Psycho mainly for its less intellectual quality.
Okay, everyone, but horror movies are never going to be loved as widely as something like E.T. because a smaller swath of the movie-going population is interested in horror. Even The Exorcist, which is one of the most recognizable horror classics, divides today's audiences and probably bores a lot of viewers with its patient storytelling. Critics are kind to The Thing now, that's all I'm trying to say. Rotten Tomatoes, as an inadequate example, gives it almost a 90%, and that's supposed to represent an aggregate of critics' opinions. As far as people who are actually serious horror viewers--and there are a LOT of us out here--The Thing is a bona fide classic. Check any list of the best horror movies of all time on the internet and you will invariably find The Thing.
"Dont lose yourself, a lot will happen in success and failure both, keep in touch with who you are"
Thats a precious advice from a humble director that gave us so much over the years.
I can’t imagine Speilberg or Coppola coming down to USC to give talks to the students now lol. So many more layers of separation between the working pros and students now
jbcomics But Jordan Peele came down to USC and taught a class and plenty of other young directors do that often. Spielberg might not but then Howard Hawkes and John Hughes also weren’t coming down to USC in those days either.
I don’t get why people act like Spielberg or these major directors owe them something like they should keep coming back to the school every year to teach people. They have their own lives like normal people, no one wants to keep coming back to their school constantly. Life is too big and busy. Lol this response probably sounds more angry than intended it’s just a bit irritating when kids beg for greats to come back constantly to their old schools for them. I’m sure the greats probs did come back a few times even just probably not in your year lol.
Well that is because Spielberg is still making movies while Carpenter really isn't.
and you have to sleep with all of them 🤣
@@Initia333 Since when?
I've loved Carpenter's movies since I was a kid and knowing his politics and views on humanity are like mine, I'm glad he respects people who don't agree politically or philosophically with him and works with them. Truly one of the greatest modern horror/satire directors.
I am a conservative, and I LOVE They Live!!!
What are some of his more hard line politics?
@@te9591 I dunno, man. His views are vague and shallow. That doesn't matter anyway, because he is a great guy and a tremendous filmmaker!
@@TheCinemaTologist yeah, everyone and there cousin likes to talk politics over making themself vulnerable with art.
Wonderful interview. Its refreshing to see an interviewer ask intelligent questions and sit back and listen to the response. I really appreciated that this interviewer didnt go for flash or click bait and respected the legend she was sitting with.
She's probably the best interviewer I've ever seen.
Agree 100% - so respectful and informed. I wish they were all this good.
I've seen her interview before - especially a terrific career interview with Gary Oldman. She's one of the best out there. And shock horror, actually knows her stuff. And doesn't insult the person she's interviewing with silly unprepared questions.
Thanks a lot! It's a pleasure to see the master in good shape an mood.
I know films are subjective, but the critics got The Thing so wrong! One of the best sci fi/horror movies ever made.
The critics got it wrong, critics love it, its known as one of the greatest horror films
of all time
@@ahankadam7447 When it was released the critics absolutely hated it, it wasn't until the 90's when it got its praise from critics.
Halloween is still a masterpiece the soundtrack the look the acting, barely had a budget and most of that paid for Donald for I think 3 days ? Just incredible film not just a horror movie but could easily be put into different genres of films. It's such a shame how much that film was gutted over the years when on its own it can easily be a top 100 movie.
Christine is criminally underrated. A classic John Carpenter film all around. Fantastic pacing. Beautiful camera work. A lean and extremely well-crafted adaptation that improves upon the book.
@Jax Teller Back to your Guns and Roses, plebeian.
One of the best John Carpenter interviews I've seen out there. And bravo to the interviewer too.
Prince of Darkness and Big Trouble in Little China are constant rewatches for me!!
Both great films. Just got Big Trouble on BluRay. Had it as DVD for years but couldn't resist to buy BluRay too \m/
How does he have trouble finding work after "Halloween," "The Fog," "Escape from New York," and "The Thing?"
All of those films were great.
In retrospect yeah. At the time some of them post Halloween didn’t do very well. If your films aren’t making money, you don’t get hired to make more. A lot of Carpenters films were just released at the wrong time. The Thing being one. It released along side ET which was obviously a more positive film experience on the subject of extraterrestrial life. Regardless over the years it’s now considered one of the best sci fi horror films ever made. And with good reason. A great film will always find its audience. This is the case for most of his work.
hollywood is well known hater of radical left
@@indopemburu4141 tell me you're joking? The radical left RUNS Hollywood
Because he was deemed a low budget horror director, Hollywood is very list oriented, A list , B list etc
The Thing was a huge flop back then, and critics hated it. The Fog did well, but didn't come close to the profit made with Halloween. Also, it was Carpenter's idea to kill Michael Myers and produce Halloween III Season of the Witch, which failed spectacularly and was hated by critics and audiences of the time. This is what made it hard for him to get work.
I thought THE THING was a crowning achievement, both in it's audacity and it's subtlety, It blurred the genre line from a "Who Done It?" to a "Who Is It?". Also the fact that it was a true remake, truly updated for the times and, in my opinion, far surpassed the original. One part horror, thriller and sci-fi. The score, the location, the isolation, the suspense, the performances all a nearly perfect synergy of story telling. 10/10 for me!
Agreed David. I only differ on the point of it being a remake as for me the original was completely dropped for the source material. Had it been more of a remake I don't think it would've hit the marks as brilliantly as it did.
Met Carpenter at a convention a few years back and sat in on a Q & A....he was just as humble and kind as he was in this interview. One of the greatest directors of all time.
Stay true to yourself, trust in your vision, thank you, John
One of my all time favourite movies from my childhood,
Big trouble in little China
And The Thing, these movies made a huge impact on me as a kid, I need to 're watch them, it's been a long time
It was newly released a Friday 13th type of co-op survival game, it's a good idea and well executed
How awesome would it be to play a videogame based on The Thing, you play as one of the researchers,
Trying to survive with all the craziness that is happening, hence the movie, and the graphics we have today is close to picture perfect, just imagine the flamethrower and the snow
John you are awesome, stay cool, peace
Mr. Carpenter is the most modest and honest director out there. He doesn't bullshit and buy into any of the fluff; he's straight to the point. People always want to hear stories from John about his movies where he may have had some great vision for his films, when really, he keeps it simple. Why Michael Myers is the embodiment of evil or why Snake Plisken is an outlaw is completely irrelevant and not something that's important to the films. They just are what they are and that's all there is to it.
Everything that is now iconic about his movies were done in the most simple ways imaginable. The now-legendary Halloween theme? He did it because he was cheap and fast. The Michael Myers mask? Literally a William Shatner mask painted white and it's now iconic. Carpenter is the perfect example of keeping it simple.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carpenter at Chicago Comic Con in 2014. Not only was he the nicest and most genuine famous person I ever met, but, he was very much appreciative when I told him that he was the reason why I fell in love with movies and how they're made.
Honestly one of the most inspiring and honest directors ever. Truly humble and his final message of never losing who you are in the process of showbusiness is so beautiful and important
Halloween (1978) = best horror film of all time.
John Carpenter = best horror film director of all time.
I saw The Thing in with a bunch of friends, when it first came out, and afterwards we just couldn't stop raving about it! Told everyone at college and they went to see it and came back raving too!
Don't understand how it could have bombed -- or that it was hated...
How could anyone not appreciate The Thing?
:0)
I still dream of the day I get to see John Carpenters The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Whatchoo say JC? Saddle up one more time!
If he could stop himself from filling it with Barbie girls, it might be good. I gave up on ‘The Ward’ after fifteen minutes because it seemed to be more about fawning over pretty girls than anything remotely scary.
James Carter well besides that one that looked like big bird lol
Great interview! Respect his candour, despite that I think he's a genius director. But as an illustrator myself, I totally get his criticisms of his own work. My skin crawls when I look back at some of my older stuff. So, I kinda get that!
And what a fantastic gig Manchester was dude!!!! John Carpenter, one of thee greatest film makers of our time.
American cinematic legend
Escape From New York was a PERFECT movie that robbed of an Oscar nomination for Music Score. Carpenter has made some of the most iconic science-fiction and horror films of all time and this in-depth interview did his legacy justice. Finally, he's getting the respect he truly deserves.
I met John Carpenter when I was working on a film in the sound Department in the 90s and he was an incredible man and very nice. He was doing some ADR sound mixing for They Live when I was in the studio he ws really nice. One of the most creative and best filmmakers EVER.
"Stay in touch with who you are"
Carpenter's movies - good, bad, anywhere in between - always felt authentically his. He should be very proud of all hes accomplished but I feel like hes his own worst critic and that's a shame. Countless works of art have been influenced and inspired by his style. I hope maybe he'll be kinder to himself next time he sees a film hes made, recognise his triumphs and forget the naysayers or his own inner doubts. True legend.
I've always felt that that's the result of the hammering 'The Thing' received. He's often said how personally he took it and was close to giving up filmmaking.
The thing is a masterpiece. Critics may have hated it but those same critics hated kubricks "the shinning" as well and now they all have bad memories and pretend they always saw the genius of these films.
"Shinning". LOL
Assault on Precinct 13!? What a movie! Baddy machine guns the little kid!😳 never see that now days!... oh hang on-Hereditary? Head on post😖
I will never understand how so many people didn't like "The Thing" when it came out. I saw it in the theater and absolutely loved it.
They never shat on Day of the Dead in 1985. The film had mixed reviews and it was mostly criticized for the poor acting which is actually poor. It was also the first one to have a "Hollywood-like" budget and many people didn't like that.
ET took all the attention.
John's getting up there in age. He needs to make one last movie.
JayRam He is... I saw something about it like 2 weeks ago. STOKED!
I sincerely hope he does. That would be such a fucking treat
JayRam i hope he has stopped smoking cigarettes. Love his work
@@drst2083 Stopped 6 years ago
Villeins09 John still smokes bud he’ll never quit.
This man needs to Direct another movie. I think we need his artistic vision now more than ever.
The Thing was friggin amazing, whoever hated it is nuts
E.T ruined it. Everyone wanted the cuddly tearjerker Spielberg movie.
Then along comes a violent, nihilistic sci-fi downer, and they ripped it to pieces through moral disgust.
Little realizing that it was a masterpiece. Blame your parents.
@@lonestar6709 I'd agree with you if Friday the 13th Part III didn't beat ET at the box office.
That is pretty much everyone then. $16 million at the box office is terrible. The Thing is still a cult film though, much like Blade Runner.
@@adamwallace7353 What are you talkign about? Friday the 13th III took $34 million, while E.T. took over $700 million on it's original release. How exactly did it ''beat'' E.T.?
@@unicornnightmares2711 Well, ET earned more overall but Friday the 13th Part III earned more on opening weekend. That's what I heard, anyway.
John is so real and awesome . He has been an inspiration and a hero in the genre for me .And “the thing “is my favorite film of all time. Excellent interview! Peace Christo 👽🎶🐕🛸☮️
John Carpenter wasn't just a horror master. Movies like Dark Star, Assault on Precinct 13, Escape from New York, Starman, and Big Trouble in Little China proved that he was also a master of action and sci-fi fantasy adventure.
Love me some John Carpenter!!! One of my Favorite directors like Steven Spielberg from my childhood!! 🧡🙏🏾☺️
I’d love to see Carpenter direct one last film. It’d be a sin for him to go out on The Ward. Netflix should give him all the money & let him loose.
What made you want to make Christine?
I needed a job...
Great line. Thanks for everything, John
I’ve heard him talk about that before too. It’s such a solid movie, it’s a bit surprising that he felt it was ‘just a job’ and not his personal project. But it’s another reason he’s so great.
The thing! One of my all time fav movies. Top fav movies. 1) the shining 2) the thing 3) predator 4) in the mouth of madness 5) fight club
In the mouth of madness is underrated🤘
One of the last. We still have Argento and Dante but in terms of true great horror directors he’s really the last...
"What do horror films need to scare people?"
"They need to be scary."
They need to be basic and simple, just like halloween.
Ennio Morricone Working with Alan And John on The Thing will forever blowwwwmy mind
I imagine USC in late 60's had to be golden age, absolutely amazing, just by watching Dark Star and couple of other student films from those days, you can feel the creativity overflowing, and passion completely different to what is there now in film schools.
Joe Shalanaya Now it’s all sociopolitical bs
John carpenter is the reason why the old school horror films were so damn good because he made them damn good. For instance, he took the films that came before him and put them in his own films and worked with what he learned from.
My favourite film maker ever! His movies helped me through dark times and are always interesting. He's a master at making great movies with tight budgets, characters are always interesting and the dialogue tends to intrigue the outsiders mind set. Thanks Mr.Carpenter for your efforts
The Thing was a masterpiece. Your version.
Both.
The original was a masterpiece actually.
The greatest music comes from JC....and I love all of his albums of compositions as a producer and composer myself
Great interview! Always a great thing to see Carpenter talk about his career, and the interviewer was very smart too.
good to see Variety finally giving the respect that Carpenter deserves ;)
I think Escape from New York and They Live and The Thing are absolutely brilliant. The music for Escape from NY is perfect.
I saw The Thing for the first time on VHS at my friend's house in '84 when I was nine years old. It scared the living daylights out of me but I absolutely loved it and still do.
INTERVIEWER: "It's such an interesting premise..... a possessed car. What appealed to you about doing that one?"
JOHN CARPETNER: "A..... possessed car".... LOL
Hollywood doesn’t make decent movies anymore
7 : 49 is his fav. Kind of remake.
What a gem of an interview!!
JOHN CARPENTER!😉IVE COME HERE TO CHEW BUBBLE GUM AND KICK ASS!!😉☺HE SURE DID!😉MOST ORIGINAL AND AWESOME CAST& GREAT MOVIES IN HISTORY!I IF HE EVER MADE A REMAKE OF "THEY" I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY RODDY PIPERS ROLE!☺😉😄
Wonderful interview with the director who really influenced me growing up. Thanks...and thank you, John Carpenter.
He's got the Sideshow Jack Burton figure on his mantle. Assuming that is his and not interview decor Variety brought with them.
The Master, there is no substitute, all my fav movies and soundtracks by far
This man is a legend. My hero. I love everything he does.