[Zero]

OK - in response to Urge's admonition to push more interesting conversations - I want to pick up a topic that's been often discussed here (so PLEASE DON'T give me all the references to previous discussions - which in and of itself kills a lot of new conversations in their tracks). Also, I suspect that this should be in "filmmakers" but i noticed that forum seems filled with folks actually making films. . . and since JC's "best" work was in the 'modern' period (i.e., nothing coming out that i know of) it seems to fit here.


So, here's my contention: John Carpenter has an amazing imagination but only limited ability to execute it on film. I would argue that virtually every Carpenter film - with the possible exception of The Thing - really fails to visually or dramatically live up to the idea's potential. Halloween could also be an exception - but I think ultimately it fits into my hypothesis.

For me - the biggest examples of this disconnect between idea and execution are Prince of Darkness and Big Trouble in Little China (though I think virtually every other film - including Vampire$ and esp. In the Mouth of Madness).

Now, I don't think this can just be 'budget' constraints - or if it is then JC has an inability to translate his 'vision' into low budget aesthetics (i mean think about Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a low budget but HIGHLY EFFECTIVE visual piece of filmmaking).

Any takers?