Focus on Directors - John Carpenter

[Shanked]

Originally Posted by richy

I'm definately a fan and greatful for his films, so I hate to say anything negative about them. I also think it's great that he can score his on films. But, I have to say that more than once, at least thinking that he'd scored this or that one, when his synth score kicked in I found myself groaning (at least figuratively) and thinking, Damn it, why can't you just get someone else to do a proper score for you?

I guess the stand-out score would be the one for The Thing. Looks like Ennio Morricone did that one.

It's true he did have Morricone come up a with a score for The Thing, but he didn't use a lot of it. Moreover, he ended up utilizing some of his own compositions -- the traditional synth style you mentioned. If you listen to a copy of the soundtrack (hard to find, but doable), you'll hear some CRAZY STRANGE music that simply isn't in the movie at all. I mean LOTS of it. And it's really melodic. Was really odd to hear. Didn't fit what I'd come to understand as the essence of The Thing.

Carpenter banged out the score for Halloween in a ridiculously short amount of time. I think that tune, with its visceral tie in to the tempo of a human pulse, is quite effective. However, I do agree with some critics who feel Carpenter uses the "spare" score a little too often in his movies. Too much synth, too often. Yes, I agree.

Shanked

[Scoopicman]

Originally Posted by Zensteve

Huh. I never knew Carpenter was involved with #3. What did he think of it?

He produced and scored it. As for what he thought of it....

"I like HALLOWEEN 3. I like the story, especially weird evil Irish industrialists. It’s hilarious."

Source.

[JoshL]

For the record, Halloween 3 is the only one I've liked. But, again, not a fan of slashers and the movie is just too weird not to love! Six more days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!

I also love Carpenter's concept for the Halloween series...unrelated horror films that take place on Halloween. Not Michael Meyers over and over and over and over....

[bluechip.]

I've been listening to Halloween Main theme music since a year after I watched that movie. What's in it? Just a piano, some soft pads, and done... a great expression of cinematic nature of the art.

[Rodney Petrie]

It's a very simplistic score but it is so effective as well as instantly recognisable. I feel it fit the movie perfectly.

[Henke]

I was 14 when I watched "The Thing" for the first time. I was absolutely terrified. Even now it's still one creepy movie, that's for sure.

I'm also a fan of "The Fog." I love the small coastal town setting. I recently watched a "behind the scenes" featurette of "The Fog" and many of the classic jump scares were added later, as they thought the original version wasn't scary enough.

[Rodney Petrie]

I will have to watch The Fog again I haven't seen it for a few years, I listened to the soundtrack a few weeks ago though.

I remember watching that featurette too. It's a shame that they felt they needed to do that. I wonder what the original version would have been like.