Graphic: Images: IMDBThe Thing (1982)
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
- 10/28/2023
- avclub.com
(Welcome to Best Action Scene Ever, a column dedicated to breaking down the best, most effective action sequences throughout the genre. In this edition, we revisit the high water mark for one-location thrillers: the central siege in John Carpenter's 1976 classic "Assault on Precinct 13.")
There's a hypothetical version of "Assault on Precinct 13" out there that does away with the restraint and foreboding atmosphere of the original, recklessly tossed out in favor of high-wire thrills and a never-ending collection of narrative tropes. In place of a handful of straightforward (yet effective) archetypes thrown together as strangers but who come out as something else altogether after the crucible of one endlessly violent night, someone might've had the inclination to try and "humanize" these characters by burdening them with edgy backstories or an overcomplicated plot. In essence, imagine stripping away all the idiosyncrasy and personality just to end up with another generic action/thriller.
There's a hypothetical version of "Assault on Precinct 13" out there that does away with the restraint and foreboding atmosphere of the original, recklessly tossed out in favor of high-wire thrills and a never-ending collection of narrative tropes. In place of a handful of straightforward (yet effective) archetypes thrown together as strangers but who come out as something else altogether after the crucible of one endlessly violent night, someone might've had the inclination to try and "humanize" these characters by burdening them with edgy backstories or an overcomplicated plot. In essence, imagine stripping away all the idiosyncrasy and personality just to end up with another generic action/thriller.
- 10/18/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
An action movie is created to excite and wow us, taking the audience on a rollercoaster ride to see if and how our protagonist — who may or may not be much of a hero — survives amid pure chaos. It’s also a genre that often strives to top itself. Many of our favorite films have found new ways to raise the bar, whether it be through the storytelling, cast, or sequences that completely change the game.
Den of Geek is celebrating 15 movies that looked forward, whether they were celebrated in their day as innovators or have been finally reevaluated years after release. All of these action movies were ahead of their time, whether it be through never-before-seen fight choreography and stunt work or advancements in special effects and storytelling.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Yeah, we all know that one film nerd who gets on your case about watching Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai at least once.
Den of Geek is celebrating 15 movies that looked forward, whether they were celebrated in their day as innovators or have been finally reevaluated years after release. All of these action movies were ahead of their time, whether it be through never-before-seen fight choreography and stunt work or advancements in special effects and storytelling.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Yeah, we all know that one film nerd who gets on your case about watching Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai at least once.
- 6/3/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
I’ve loved gangster movies since I was four years old and saw Humphrey Bogart and Sylvia Sidney in Dead End (1937) on TV, and Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) at the movies (My dad pinched a lobby card for me). Every Friday night, a local NYC station ran old crime flicks on a slot called “Tough Guys.” Bogart, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and George Raft were the faces over the title. Today that might be Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, and James Gandolfini.
The gangster and crime genre produced some of the most influential films in cinema history. Mervyn LeRoy’s Little Caesar (1931), William A. Wellman’s The Public Enemy (1931), and Howard Hawks’ Scarface (1932), get a lot of credit for breaking ground in topics beyond criminality, shattering sexual taboos as well as the boundaries of acceptable visual violence. High Sierra (1941) and White Heat...
The gangster and crime genre produced some of the most influential films in cinema history. Mervyn LeRoy’s Little Caesar (1931), William A. Wellman’s The Public Enemy (1931), and Howard Hawks’ Scarface (1932), get a lot of credit for breaking ground in topics beyond criminality, shattering sexual taboos as well as the boundaries of acceptable visual violence. High Sierra (1941) and White Heat...
- 5/6/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
We’re getting the week started with a new episode of the Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and in this one we’re looking back at an early film from one our of legendary “masters of horror”: John Carpenter. The movie in question is the very cool action thriller Assault on Precinct 13 (watch it Here), and you can find out all about it in the embed above.
Written and directed by John Carpenter, who was drawing inspiration from the Howard Hawks / John Wayne Western Rio Bravo and George A. Romero‘s Night of the Living Dead, Assault on Precinct 13 has the following synopsis: When the LAPD kills several members of the South Central gang Street Thunder, the remaining members avenge themselves by way of a bloody war waged against cops and citizens alike. Caught in the crossfire is Lt. Ethan Bishop, who’s managing a...
Written and directed by John Carpenter, who was drawing inspiration from the Howard Hawks / John Wayne Western Rio Bravo and George A. Romero‘s Night of the Living Dead, Assault on Precinct 13 has the following synopsis: When the LAPD kills several members of the South Central gang Street Thunder, the remaining members avenge themselves by way of a bloody war waged against cops and citizens alike. Caught in the crossfire is Lt. Ethan Bishop, who’s managing a...
- 3/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
"I've got three shots – that's enough!" "Can't argue with a confident man." Newly restored in 4K, Assault on Precinct 13 is back on the big screen—loud, beautiful, and inescapable, as it was always meant to be seen. The American Genre Film Archive (Agfa), the largest non-profit genre film archive and distributor in the world, has released a brand new trailer for the 4K re-release of Carpenter's 1976 action classic. This brutally violent, gritty film from the 1970s was made before Carpenter went on to direct Halloween, Escape from New York, The Thing, and everything else. Screw the 2005 remake (don't watch it) this is the real shit. A Highway Patrol Officer, two criminals and a station secretary defend a defunct Los Angeles precinct office against a siege by a bloodthirsty street gang. Starring Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West, and Tony Burton. Growing up, I remember watching this because my...
- 1/18/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Earlier this month, a 4K restoration of director John Carpenter‘s 1976 action thriller classic Assault on Precinct 13 played at the Globe Cinema in Calgary for three days. Now the 4K restoration is set to reach more theatres across the U.S. and Canada, rolling out over the next two months! The American Genre Film Archive is responsible for this 4K theatrical re-release, and the company’s theatrical director Bret Berg had this to say about it: “It’s an honor to represent Carpenter’s legacy, given how much personal joy his work has created for us. When it’s something as iconic as Precinct 13 – akin to the heartstopping majesty of Halloween – we’re driven to get this taut masterwork in front of as many audiences as we can. Big thanks to the Ckk Corporation for shepherding this new restoration.”
Written and directed by Carpenter, Assault on Precinct 13 combines the template...
Written and directed by Carpenter, Assault on Precinct 13 combines the template...
- 1/18/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Today feels like a good day to revisit a horror classic, doesn’t it? Thankfully, we have a new episode of the Revisited video series to help us look back at a great one from director John Carpenter: the 1980 film The Fog (watch it Here). Check it out in the embed above!
Directed by Carpenter from a screenplay he wrote with Debra Hill, The Fog has the following synopsis:
Strange things begin to occurs as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone stumbles upon a dark secret about the town’s founding; radio announcer Stevie witnesses a mystical fire; and hitchhiker Elizabeth discovers the mutilated corpse of a fisherman. Then a mysterious iridescent fog descends upon the village, and more people start to die.
The film stars Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, John Houseman,...
Directed by Carpenter from a screenplay he wrote with Debra Hill, The Fog has the following synopsis:
Strange things begin to occurs as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone stumbles upon a dark secret about the town’s founding; radio announcer Stevie witnesses a mystical fire; and hitchhiker Elizabeth discovers the mutilated corpse of a fisherman. Then a mysterious iridescent fog descends upon the village, and more people start to die.
The film stars Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, John Houseman,...
- 9/28/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Nick Aldwinckle Dec 21, 2016
The Bottom Shelf returns, with more DVDs and Blu-rays of a horror persuasion...
Anyone who had the pleasure of catching veteran horror director, cinematic musical hero and all-round (if we subtly forget to mention Escape From L.A) legend John Carpenter on his recent debut live concert tour will be more than familiar with his skilled craftsmanship in the field of synth earworms. With the Blu-ray release of Assault On Precinct 13 in November comes perhaps the best of said themes, as we delve into a Santa’s sack of cinematic treats.
Carpenter’s 1976 budget siege thriller, inspired by classic western Rio Bravo and George Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead, follows the skeleton staff of a police station about to close for the last time as they and the few remaining prisoners fend off a marauding band of, erm, marauders. Only Carpenter’s...
The Bottom Shelf returns, with more DVDs and Blu-rays of a horror persuasion...
Anyone who had the pleasure of catching veteran horror director, cinematic musical hero and all-round (if we subtly forget to mention Escape From L.A) legend John Carpenter on his recent debut live concert tour will be more than familiar with his skilled craftsmanship in the field of synth earworms. With the Blu-ray release of Assault On Precinct 13 in November comes perhaps the best of said themes, as we delve into a Santa’s sack of cinematic treats.
Carpenter’s 1976 budget siege thriller, inspired by classic western Rio Bravo and George Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead, follows the skeleton staff of a police station about to close for the last time as they and the few remaining prisoners fend off a marauding band of, erm, marauders. Only Carpenter’s...
- 12/19/2016
- Den of Geek
Stars: Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West, Tony Burton, Charles Cyphers, Nancy Kyes, John J. Fox, Henry Brandon, Kim Richards, Frank Doubleday | Written and Directed by John Carpenter
I class myself as a John Carpenter fan, but the fact that I’d not seen Assault on Precinct 13 bugged me. Now thankfully with the Second Sight release of Assault on Precinct 13: 40th Anniversary Limited Edition on Blu-ray, I finally got to fix that.
When police sergeant Ethan Bishop (Austin) is given the job of holding the fort at a closing La precinct office on New Year’s Eve he hopes the night will go smoothly. When a man turns up in shock, chased by a group of gang members though, it seems things will hardly go smoothly.
The premise for Assault on Precinct 13 isn’t a unique one, in fact director John Carpenter even mentions...
I class myself as a John Carpenter fan, but the fact that I’d not seen Assault on Precinct 13 bugged me. Now thankfully with the Second Sight release of Assault on Precinct 13: 40th Anniversary Limited Edition on Blu-ray, I finally got to fix that.
When police sergeant Ethan Bishop (Austin) is given the job of holding the fort at a closing La precinct office on New Year’s Eve he hopes the night will go smoothly. When a man turns up in shock, chased by a group of gang members though, it seems things will hardly go smoothly.
The premise for Assault on Precinct 13 isn’t a unique one, in fact director John Carpenter even mentions...
- 11/28/2016
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
For some, summer’s approach brings fond memories of nights spent at the drive-in, chewing popcorn, hanging out with friends and dates, and watching thrillers, horror flicks and the talking candy bar ads that played in-between them on the big screen. While the golden age of the drive-in is in the rearview mirror, Scream Factory is throwing their own tribute to the drive-in days and you can experience it from your couch.
To celebrate the beginning of their Summer of Fear, Scream Factory is kicking off their Summer of Fear Drive-In by playing a live stream screening of John Carpenter’s classic 1976 film, Assault on Precinct 13, tonight at 7pm Pt/10pm Est on www.summeroffear.com and on their YouTube channel. Fans of the film should be pleased to hear that a new, exclusive interview with Carpenter about Assault on Precinct 13 will be played during the webcast, and...
To celebrate the beginning of their Summer of Fear, Scream Factory is kicking off their Summer of Fear Drive-In by playing a live stream screening of John Carpenter’s classic 1976 film, Assault on Precinct 13, tonight at 7pm Pt/10pm Est on www.summeroffear.com and on their YouTube channel. Fans of the film should be pleased to hear that a new, exclusive interview with Carpenter about Assault on Precinct 13 will be played during the webcast, and...
- 6/6/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Assault on Precinct 13
Written and directed by John Carpenter
USA, 1976
With his filmmaking career beginning in the midst of the new Hollywood and its touchstones in American film history, it’s perhaps easy to see why the work of John Carpenter has been somewhat overshadowed by more celebrated filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, or Francis Ford Coppola. He found a niche in the horror genre with the landmark Halloween, and he proceeded to make one idiosyncratic, wholly original, and generally skillful film after another. Some were rather uneven, particularly in recent years, but for every Memoirs of an Invisible Man, there has been The Fog, Escape from New York, The Thing, or They Live. Carpenter’s list of credits boasts some exceptional work — inventive, daring, visually, and technically creative — but amongst these titles, one film stands out as a favorite of many cinephiles in general and Carpenter fans in particular.
Written and directed by John Carpenter
USA, 1976
With his filmmaking career beginning in the midst of the new Hollywood and its touchstones in American film history, it’s perhaps easy to see why the work of John Carpenter has been somewhat overshadowed by more celebrated filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, or Francis Ford Coppola. He found a niche in the horror genre with the landmark Halloween, and he proceeded to make one idiosyncratic, wholly original, and generally skillful film after another. Some were rather uneven, particularly in recent years, but for every Memoirs of an Invisible Man, there has been The Fog, Escape from New York, The Thing, or They Live. Carpenter’s list of credits boasts some exceptional work — inventive, daring, visually, and technically creative — but amongst these titles, one film stands out as a favorite of many cinephiles in general and Carpenter fans in particular.
- 11/22/2013
- by Jeremy Carr
- SoundOnSight
Scream Factory will be releasing John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray later this month and we have a look at the original trailer:
“Isolated and cut off from the city inside a soon-to-be-closed L.A. police station, a group of police officers and convicts must join forces to defend themselves against the gang called Street Thunder, who have taken a blood oath to kill someone trapped inside the precinct.
From John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing and Prince Of Darkness), Assault On Precinct 13 combines the elements of a classic western and a modern thriller to create a riveting cult classic.”
Assault on Precinct 13 was written and directed by John Carpenter, and stars Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, and Nancy Kyes. Here’s what’s included in the collector’s edition release:
Audio Commentary with writer/director John Carpenter New Audio Commentary...
“Isolated and cut off from the city inside a soon-to-be-closed L.A. police station, a group of police officers and convicts must join forces to defend themselves against the gang called Street Thunder, who have taken a blood oath to kill someone trapped inside the precinct.
From John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing and Prince Of Darkness), Assault On Precinct 13 combines the elements of a classic western and a modern thriller to create a riveting cult classic.”
Assault on Precinct 13 was written and directed by John Carpenter, and stars Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, and Nancy Kyes. Here’s what’s included in the collector’s edition release:
Audio Commentary with writer/director John Carpenter New Audio Commentary...
- 11/8/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
On November 19th, we’ll see the release of John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 to Blu-ray and Scream Factor has provided us with the final list of bonus features.
“Isolated and cut off from the city inside a soon-to-be-closed L.A. police station, a group of police officers and convicts must join forces to defend themselves against the gang called Street Thunder, who have taken a blood oath to kill someone trapped inside the precinct.
From John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing and Prince Of Darkness), Assault On Precinct 13 combines the elements of a classic western and a modern thriller to create a riveting cult classic.
A Ckk Production “Assault On Precinct 13”
Starring Austin Stoker
Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer
Executive Producer Joseph Kaufman
Produced by J.S. Kaplan
Written and Directed by John Carpenter”
Bonus Features:
Audio Commentary with writer/director John Carpenter New Audio Commentary with Art...
“Isolated and cut off from the city inside a soon-to-be-closed L.A. police station, a group of police officers and convicts must join forces to defend themselves against the gang called Street Thunder, who have taken a blood oath to kill someone trapped inside the precinct.
From John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing and Prince Of Darkness), Assault On Precinct 13 combines the elements of a classic western and a modern thriller to create a riveting cult classic.
A Ckk Production “Assault On Precinct 13”
Starring Austin Stoker
Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer
Executive Producer Joseph Kaufman
Produced by J.S. Kaplan
Written and Directed by John Carpenter”
Bonus Features:
Audio Commentary with writer/director John Carpenter New Audio Commentary with Art...
- 9/20/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Oliver Reed as Athos in The Three Musketeers & The Four Musketeers (Richard Lester, 1973/1974, UK):
These films were actually shot all at once but ultimately released as two separate films telling one long story. As the musketeer with a dark past, Oliver Reed provides a lot of the heart and soul in these very entertaining and well-made films. Technically, since we have to isolate one film for our fantasy nomination, it would be The Four Musketeers as his role is more prominent in that film. Reed’s reunion scene with Faye Dunaway’s Milady is superb as is Reed’s intense swordplay with an array of opponents including Christopher Lee. An underrated actor whose career was damaged by well-documented alcohol problems and notorious off-screen behavior, Reed still logged in some truly incredible acting performances over the course of his career. His portrayal of Athos is definitely one of them.
Other...
These films were actually shot all at once but ultimately released as two separate films telling one long story. As the musketeer with a dark past, Oliver Reed provides a lot of the heart and soul in these very entertaining and well-made films. Technically, since we have to isolate one film for our fantasy nomination, it would be The Four Musketeers as his role is more prominent in that film. Reed’s reunion scene with Faye Dunaway’s Milady is superb as is Reed’s intense swordplay with an array of opponents including Christopher Lee. An underrated actor whose career was damaged by well-documented alcohol problems and notorious off-screen behavior, Reed still logged in some truly incredible acting performances over the course of his career. His portrayal of Athos is definitely one of them.
Other...
- 5/24/2012
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Watched Assault On Precinct 13 again earlier today for the first time… the original John Carpenter-directed version, released in 1976, not the 2005 remake which co-starred Laurence Fishburne.
A taut, little thriller that I’m always rather impressed with, especially given the tiny budget, even for its day. It was made for just $100,000 in 1976 money, which, even when adjust for inflation to reflect recent dollars, still only comes to about $400,000! Compare that to the inferior 2005 remake, which cost $20 Million!
Not that the remake was terrible; it was actually a decent take, and I mostly was entertained by it; but I found the original much more concise and restrained, and thus realistic, than the Hollywood-ized remake which, while enjoyable, felt less believable.
One big difference between the original and the remake is that, the individual races of the two main characters (the police officer and the prisoner) are switched in both films; specifically,...
A taut, little thriller that I’m always rather impressed with, especially given the tiny budget, even for its day. It was made for just $100,000 in 1976 money, which, even when adjust for inflation to reflect recent dollars, still only comes to about $400,000! Compare that to the inferior 2005 remake, which cost $20 Million!
Not that the remake was terrible; it was actually a decent take, and I mostly was entertained by it; but I found the original much more concise and restrained, and thus realistic, than the Hollywood-ized remake which, while enjoyable, felt less believable.
One big difference between the original and the remake is that, the individual races of the two main characters (the police officer and the prisoner) are switched in both films; specifically,...
- 3/13/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Watched Assault On Precinct 13 earlier today for the first time… the original John Carpenter-directed version, released in 1976, not the 2005 remake which co-starred Laurence Fishburne.
A taut, little thriller that I was rather impressed with, especially given the tiny budget, even for its day. It was made for just $100,000 in 1976 money, which, even when adjust for inflation to reflect 2009 dollars, still only comes to about $400,000! Compare that to the inferior 2005 remake, which cost $20 Million!
Not that the remake was terrible; it was actually a decent take, and I mostly was entertained by it; but I found the original much more concise and controlled, and thus realistic, than the Hollywood-ized remake which, while enjoyable, felt less believable.
One big difference between the original and the remake is that, the individual races of the two main characters (the police officer and the prisoner) are switched in both films; specifically, in the 1976 original,...
A taut, little thriller that I was rather impressed with, especially given the tiny budget, even for its day. It was made for just $100,000 in 1976 money, which, even when adjust for inflation to reflect 2009 dollars, still only comes to about $400,000! Compare that to the inferior 2005 remake, which cost $20 Million!
Not that the remake was terrible; it was actually a decent take, and I mostly was entertained by it; but I found the original much more concise and controlled, and thus realistic, than the Hollywood-ized remake which, while enjoyable, felt less believable.
One big difference between the original and the remake is that, the individual races of the two main characters (the police officer and the prisoner) are switched in both films; specifically, in the 1976 original,...
- 3/1/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
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