The Films of John Carpenter

<p> The films of John Carpenter cover a tremendous range and yet all bear his clear personal stamp. From the horrifying (<I>Halloween</I>) to the touching (<I>Starman</I>) to the controversial (<I>The Thing</I>) to the comic (<I>Big Trouble in Little China</I>) his films reflect a unique approach to filmmaking and singular views of humanity and American culture.</p><p> This analysis of Carpenter's films includes a historical overview of his career and in-depth entries on each of his films from 1975's <I>Dark Star</I> to 1998's <I>Vampires.</I> Complete cast and production information is provided for each. The book also covers those films written and produced by Carpenter such as <I>Halloween II</I> and <I>Black Moon Rising</I> as well as Carpenter's work for television. Appendices are included on films Carpenter was offered but turned down the slasher films that followed in the wake of the highly-successful <I>Halloween</I> the actors and characters who make repeated appearances in Carpenter's films and ratings for Carpenter's work. Notes bibliography and index are included.</p>