John Carpenter returns to directing with the SUBURBAN SCREAMS series

2023-06-06 16:57:55

Say John Carpenter It is without a doubt to mention one of the great masters of terror and the fantastic. He has been the author of The thing (1982), his film version of the novella of John W. Campbell Who’s there?, in its day an absolute failure at the box office, but today considered a classic of the genre. slasher impeller with The halloween night (1978), a franchise that is still alive 45 years and 12 sequels later, and that made Michael Myers one of the essential monsters of popular culture, Jamie Lee Curtis in “queen of the scream” and the creator as a reference both in direction and in his role as musician and composer, responsible for fundamental soundtracks of the genre.

Con 1997: Rescue in New York (1981), and its sequel 2013: Rescue in LA (1996), delved into dystopian and apocalyptic science fiction, with Kurt Russell in the skin of Serpentine Plissken, another cult character who has gone down in history through merchandising. Budgeted at $7 million, the original film grossed more than $50 worldwide.

It is also responsible for They are alive (1988), a new failure in its theatrical release, but an absolute success in video stores. Based on a story by Ray Nelsoncarries out an important critique of society and consumerism through a science fiction story about an alien invasion that combines thriller and black comedy.

the iconic in the mouth of fear (1995), starring Sam Neill y Jurgen Prochnow; Prince of Darkness (1987), The fog (1980), Christine (1983), based on the story of Stephen Kingo The town of the damned (1995), are another of his memorable forays into horror. A list to which we must add the episodic body bag (1993), con John Carpenter on screen as master of ceremonies and presenter of three stories, one directed by him, The gas stationand the other two for Tobe Hooper y Tom Arnold. The tape, along the lines of Creepshow or the Tales from the Crypthas a luxury cast for leading roles and cameos, with Wes Craven, David Naughton, Sam Raimi, Mark Hammill, Roger Corman, Twiggy y Debbie Harryamong others.

John Carpenter’s band includes his son Cody on keyboards and his godson Daniel Davies on lead guitar. | Photo: Daniel Fumero

But the filmmaker has turned other very different proposals into gold, such as action films Assault on the 13th district police station (1976), a fast-paced police thriller with the spirit of a western, or Coup in Little China (1986), a fantastic adventure again starring Kurt Russell.

Vampires (1998) y ghosts of mars (2001) would not live up to its predecessors, and since 2010, with the psychological thriller closedhad not directed, except for a couple of video clips of his own music.

New TV series, SUBURBAN SCREAMS

For this reason, when last week the own Carpenter insured at the event Texas Frightmare Weekend who was the director of the television series Suburban Screams, shot in Prague, his return to the ranks has been received with great enthusiasm. “I sat on my couch and directed it. It has been amazing”assured Carpenterwho has held the reins at age 75 comfortably from her own home in Los Angeles, remotely, with local support from Milk and Honey Picturesa production company co-owner of Letňany’s Praga Studios, where other series have recently been shot, such as Foundationfor Apple TV and Skydance, or Hauntedfor Netflix.

Sequel to LA COSA, in the works

Carpenter also put on the table that a sequel to The thing could be underway and is currently focused on a new album of Lost Themeshis musical project shared with his son Cody Carpenter y daniel davieswhich after the debut album of 2015 has already had two other installments by the hand of Sacred Bones Records.