All 24 John Carpenter movies and TV episodes, ranked
Movie and TV list: This master of horror has also directed sci-fi, dark comedy and even a biopic. Here are my rankings of his work.
Comedy
‘Milk & Serial’ (2024) demonstrates Barker’s skill before turning sour
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Though it doesn’t stick the landing, the “Obsession” wunderkind’s debut is only an hour long, so give it a taste.
‘Big Trouble in Little China’ (1986) falls a little short of big laughs
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The least serious of John Carpenter’s collaborations with Kurt Russell is a lesser “Temple of Doom.”
All 11 films directed by Mel Brooks, ranked
Movie list: As the comedy legend celebrates his 100th birthday, we celebrate his catalog … or at least most of it.
‘Widow’s Bay’ Season 1 is traditional horror with a smirk
TV review: One of the minds behind “Parks and Recreation” delivers the “Twin Peaks” for the 2020s and stays barely on the scary side of the horror-comedy line.
‘The Twelve Chairs’ (1970) is tough to sit still for
Mel Brooks Monday (Movie review): The director’s sophomore effort, a historical comedy, fortunately represents a path mostly not taken in his career.
‘Muppets Take Manhattan’ (1984) takes the felt-and-foam performers to new levels
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Jim Henson’s creations go to the big city in a fun musical that could stand to have more music.
More noise should be made about Brooks’ ‘Silent Movie’ (1976)
Mel Brooks Monday (Movie review): Brooks, Feldman and DeLuise are at the top of their physical-comedy games in this consistently funny series of gags.
‘Great Muppet Caper’ (1981) is clever, cute, capricious
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Jim Henson makes his directorial debut in the second “Muppets” movie.
‘Dark Star’ (1974) smartly but too slowly makes fun of ‘2001’
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A bare expansion of a student film from Carpenter and O’Bannon, this SF satire previews the grimy futures to come.