Nostalgia is a major force in pop culture, and when it comes to movies and music these days, the 1980s loom large. The movies of directors like Steven Spielberg and John Hughes have received a lot of attention (JJ Abrams's use of lens flare as homage to Spielberg has practically worn out the Internet with commentary.), but perhaps no '80s director wields more influence right now on young filmmakers than John Carpenter.
Carpenter's most popular and influential films include: The Thing (1982), Halloween (1978), John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981) and They Live (1988). (They Live is also available to download or stream on hoopla.) These films are fun yet intelligently made and feature a darker edge than most movies for kids and teens in the '80s.
In the past couple years, a new generation of independent filmmakers has demonstrated the influence of Carpenter. Director Rob Zombie is another acknowledged fan of Carpenter's films. (Of course, with a stage name like Zombie, it's no surprise he's a big horror fan.) And three recent DVD releases capture the juicy genre elements of Carpenter's world: The Guest offers twists, turns and a dangerous psychopath; Cold in July takes inspiration from his composition and plots; and It Follows captures the vibe of inescapable menace stalking not-so-innocent teens.
The eerie mood of Carpenter's horror films is surely key to his influence on the next generation, and nothing triggers that odd mix of fear and fun like the soundtracks he composed. As a Chicago Reader critic wrote back in 2012, his music has been an influence on electronic dance music, and others have pointed out its influence on recent indie film soundtracks as well. So if it's the music of these films you like, check out this recent release of new music from Carpenter, Lost themes.
If you're looking to dive deeper into John Carpenter's filmography, try Starman (1984), The Fog (1980), Christine (1983), Dark Star (1974) and Ghosts of Mars (2001).
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