The shaping of a saga: All 12 ‘Halloween’ films, ranked
Movie rankings: As Michael Myers continues to stalk Laurie Strode through the decades, here’s a ranking of the “Halloween” films to date.
John Carpenter
‘They Live’ (1988) a padded-out ‘Twilight Zone’ episode
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Carpenter’s alien-infiltration metaphor is so thinly veiled it’s hardly a metaphor at all.
In ‘Escape from L.A.’ (1996), Carpenter adds humor
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): John Carpenter essentially remakes “Escape from New York” 15 years later, but with more humor.
‘The Thing’ (1982) simmers in atmospheric dread
Frightening Friday (Movie review): John Carpenter’s best film simmers in wintry dread that doesn’t go away with the closing credits.
‘Escape from New York’ (1981) a classic gritty actioner
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): John Carpenter’s DIY effort is both a gritty adventure and a dark comedy as Kurt Russell becomes an action star.
‘Halloween II’ (1981) gives us feature-length last scare
An outsider’s take on the ‘Halloween’ saga (Movie review): In an immediate sequel, Michael isn’t done tormenting Laurie yet.
Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ (1978) stands as slashers’ codifier
An outsider’s take on the ‘Halloween’ saga (Movie review): “Halloween” features many now-familiar elements of the slasher genre.
‘Assault on Precinct 13’ (2005) review
My “Assault on Precinct 13” review, Brainerd Dispatch, Jan. 27, 2005