Dead Last Season 2, Episode 2 : Ranking John Carpenter part 2

join me and my panel of guests as we rank and rate the filmography of the great John Carpenter!
patreon.com/movietimelines

[@ElDuderino2517]

The Thing is one of maybe 4-5 movies I'd consider perfect. Not one wasted second, becomes increasingly better as it goes on, the tension never goes away no matter how many times you see it, and a perfect ending.

[@stephenmartin1982]

Hell yes. Put that with Alien and Where Eagles Dare for an all time epic showcase.

[@eddead4235]

Its great not a party film

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

One thing I love about In the Mouth of Madness is that it almost demands multiple viewings, to pick up on stuff you know you might have missed.

[@elizabethguarnieri6606]

This was my first time watching it and as soon as it finished I wanted to rewatch it

[@therosebride]

Love this movie so much. I honestly don't know how many times I have watched it. One of my all time favorites

[@alchemypotato]

Definitely bummed it didn't rank higher. I hope it gets it's The Thing turnaround where people really take a closer look at it. I think it's a masterpiece.

[@therosebride]

@@alchemypotato Could not agree more!

[@movietimelines]

seems like the perfect subject for an Unanswered Questions....

[@masebearcat]

Great List Guys! Here's my Full List: 21. Dark Star (No nostalgia for me, very poorly made, just watched for the first time a couple days ago). 20. Memoirs Of an Invisible Man (To be fair, it's the only one I haven't seen). 19. Ghosts Of Mars (Had the potential to good; great cast, terrible execution). 18. Elvis (Just watched yesterday for the first time, it was ok, Kurt Russell did great). 17. Big Trouble in Little China (A Fan Favorite! No Nostalgia for me, and just saw it a couple of years ago, ages poorly for me. I only enjoyed Kurt Russell's character). 16. The Ward (Just watched for the first time, descent cast, good-looking ghost, good twist, still bland). 15. In The Mouth of Madness (A Fan Favorite! I just always felt this movie was overrated, and just did not connect). 14. Vampires (Not a bad movie! Always was a James Woods fan! It was also nice to see Terry Silver play the head vampire). 13. Village of the Damned (Creepy, underrated 90's movie! Weird seeing Christopher Reeves playing someone not named SUPERMAN or Clark Kent). 12. Escape From LA (Descent movie! Always great seeing Snake Plisskin!) 11. Body Bags (Really enjoyed the first story, The Gas Station Attendant, and seeing Wes Craven, Lewis Scholnick (Revenge of the Nerds, other story stories were ok at best. 10. Someone's Watching Me (Underrated TV movie! Lots of Rear Window vibes, possibly the original Halloween II Concept)? 9. Starman (Great Sci-Fi Love Story! Jeff Bridges nails his role). 8. Assault on Precinct 13 (Late to the show on this one! Saw it for the first time about 10 years ago! Really enjoy it! Great score!). 7. Prince of Darkness (Underrated Gem! Love the music throughout the movie! Creepy Characters). 6. They Live (My top 6 are masterpieces! Piper and Keith David had the most epic back-alley fight scene ever!). 5. The Fog (Amazing movie! Love everything about it!) 4. Christine (Same as above! Love everything about it)! 3. Escape From New York (Snake Plisskin is an ICON! Movie has my all-time favorite Carpenter songs: Duke Arrives/President on the Train!) 2. The Thing (My All-time Favorite Sci-Fi Movie)! Favorite Effects of all-time! 1. Halloween (My All-time Favorite Movie)!

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

These top movies, could all be a #1 in a different list. Too many Gems! Great Job everyone.

[@anthonystrocks247]

Josh, this was one of the best videos, and I love most of your videos.

[@chrislooney9906]

I wasn't surprised at all about number one. As soon as the first part of this video was out, I knew the Thing would top it out. It's a damn near perfect film.

[@elizabethguarnieri6606]

I could watch it anytime, anywhere

[@peterdanior4538]

I was only able to get my kids to watch Big Trouble in Little China by telling them it was Mortal Kombat: Origins

[@movietimelines]

well, there's no way in hell that Raiden wasn't based on Lightning, so you were kinda telling the truth.

[@Dig_TV]

“I’ll watch Tom Atkins in a yogurt commercial, I don’t really care.”

[@ajbonine69]

Dannon's Activia should team him back up with Jamie lee Curtis.

[@Dig_TV]

@@ajbonine69 Right? He could pick her up on the side of the road, then cut to a post-coital yogurt session.

[@Dig_TV]

@Matthew Mastrella - write this shit up and send it to Dannon.

[@alchemypotato]

If anyone can get me to eat yogurt, it's definitely Tom Atkins.

[@matthewmastrella6635]

Don’t eat enough Yogurt? Stop it!!!!!!! Stop it!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stuartsutton2548]

The Fog is a masterpiece. Definitely top 5.

[@Dig_TV]

My man 👊

[@stuartsutton2548]

@@Dig_TV it's my go to film every Halloween after I've watched, well you already know 😂

[@RobbDorn]

I’ve been spending the last 20 years of my life trying to convince people to watch In the Mouth of Madness. Brilliant film!!! And yes, dude on the bike was pure nightmare fuel to a 10-year old me.

[@aydenvavra2153]

In the Mouth of Madness is phenomenal

[@alchemypotato]

And so we continue: Christine (14): I think people know what I feel about this film but as I've said before it's not a bad film, it's just not for me. In the Mouth of Madness (1): Gonna say this is underrated. Carpenter's last great film and probably the best Lovecraftian film ever made. The Fog (8): The Fog has really grown on me. One of Carpenter's best score and maybe my favorite Carpenter atmosphere. Assault on Precinct 13 (7): I almost put this over Halloween. Awesome score and such a cool blend of Night of the Living Dead and westerns but with criminals as the zombies. Escape from New York (4): Could've easily been my number 1. I think this is my single favorite Carpenter score. An action film that keeps the action just little enough that I don't get bored. They Live (2): Such a rad film. Great political commentary that still holds up. That alley fight scene is deliriously epic. Big Trouble in Little China (12): Not one of my favorites. I like it but it's maybe too much of an action film for me and it's probably the Carpenter film that has aged the poorest (which is honestly a testament to how well his films have aged.) But in general just not personally what I'm looking for from Carpenter. Halloween (6) Stunned as anyone that this didn't make my top 5. Really I think my top 6 are all tied for first place in my heart. Great film. Who doesn't love Halloween? What is there even to say? The Thing (5): Going in I thought this would be my number one and maybe if I redid this list a year from now it would be. What a picture. I do think it is the superior film to Halloween even if it will never be as iconic or match the influence of that film. And there it is. What a great time we all had doing these films. Carpenter really deserves more recognition as one of the best directors of the last 50 years.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

Very well said Steven.

[@rodericperez4204]

I normally don’t comment on these videos but I agreed with the analysis on They Live! And if I may interject an addition to what was said about the characters not being fleshed out and people commenting they would love to have learned more but I read somewhere this was done so vaguely on purpose. I mean the main character’s name is Nada which is Spanish for “nothing” which is so appropriate to this film and short story.

[@Cat-47]

Part 2 *let's go!*

[@madmaxrockatansky]

Really love seeing Big Trouble ranked so high, it truly is a one of a kind movie!

[@nv5985]

The Thing, Halloween, Big Trouble Little China, They Live, In The Mouth Of Madness, and Escape From New York are definitely my top 6, I'd respect just about any order, as long as Halloween is 2nd and The Thing is 1st. I always enjoy these Carpenter ranking videos, liked hearing what you guys had to say. 👍

[@josephlepkowski2383]

Great conclusion to this daunting task of doing a dead last.

[@jaysonthelucero5478]

Knowing that you live in Pasadena... it'd be awesome if you had some kind of big Halloween (season) event, so fans could come out and party, and meet up with you. I work like, 10 minutes away from that house.

[@Thomwade0072]

My ranking sent to Josh in parentheses... really...from about my 15 on down to number one...all films I really like. 9. Christine (8): (I love how this one plays out...and that score is just incredible) 8. In the Mouth of Madness (3): (Wow do I like this film. Approaching Lovecraft through the lens of King works so well. Sam Neil is great) 7.The Fog (5): (I know it has it's issues, but this movie is just so full of glorious atmosphere and visually beautiful. 6.Assault on Precinct 13 (11): (Classic siege action flick) 5.Escape from New York (7): (Good action with a terrific cast that all get to just go nuts) 4. They Live (9): (Carpenter claimed his prior films were not political, and I disagree, but this was one of his most ham fistedly overt... but it is very, very fun) 3. Big Trouble in Little China (4): (I just love this film. It is so goofy...also the rare "White Assistant" story...Jack Burton keeps getting knocked out of the fights, he is a bumbling sidekick that we assume is the lead because of the actor. But Russell clearly had fun in this role.) 2. Halloween (2): (It is downright ridiculous how solid this film is. It is not too long and the characters are interesting and likable enough that I really do not want to see anyone get killed. Loomis is just a great creation) 1. The Thing (1) (This is just my favorite. It has great tension and visuals, and no matter how many times I watch it...I just get engrossed)

[@justintandy2286]

1. Big Trouble In Little China 2. The Thing 3. They Live 4. Halloween 5. Vampires

[@TravisDoesKayakFishing]

And here, we, go.

[@shallendor]

Kurt Russel plays the sidekick in Big Trouble!

[@elizabethguarnieri6606]

there are several movies I wish I could have ranked higher, but unfortunately no movies I want to rank lower

[@movietimelines]

that's exactly how i kept feeling. i kept looking at my list, thinking "that should be higher," but then looking at the other movies and realizing there was no way for that to happen.

[@jessicakugler5237]

Halloween is #1 for me no question

[@terrychapman6354]

Great list. How is Christine #9??? That was my #2 rank, lol. Blasphemy ;-) Tough choice between Halloween and The Thing for #1...Good job dudes, this was a hard list to rank.

[@TheTonyahawk]

Cool 2 part list, never argue with anyone's opinions respect everyone's. My #1 on this list is Halloween (my second fav movie of all time) but I'd give The Thing 1.5 it's that close.

[@SithlordRPGA]

The Fog would be in my top 2 (just behind Halloween). I even own the score to this movie and use it when l play D&D. I still watch this movie every October and used it to show my son what was once considered rated r would now barely by pg-13 lol. I think l'm gonna show it to my son's kid sister who is really into horror. I just showed her Halloween 3 and i think Fog will be the next one l show her :)

[@one1blue]

1.The Thing 2. Big Trouble in Little China 3. They live I love The Thing so much I named my puppy MacReady.

[@jamesmeade5490]

Personally i have Halloween first, The Thing second, and Little China third. However at this point in my life if it’s not October and i have the choice between the 3 i would probably pick Little China more often. Carpenter wanted to do an anthology with Halloween i totally think he should have instead done one with “Ol Jack Burton” instead. Traveling around the country in his truck constantly getting involved in crazy supernatural stuff from all different cultures and never knowing whats going on but always keeping that bravado going. I’d be down for a dozen of those.

[@sourpatchkid394]

Good idea for a dead last! I love these very hard list

[@movietimelines]

this was the hardest list so far. like picking favorite children.

[@mmickle6191]

Okay, I'll let it slide. These were all pretty darned fine arguments for not including Starman and Prince of Darkness in the top half of the list.

[@jazcc]

The top 5 of this list is awesome. Totally agree.

[@t0k3verse]

Was so disappointed when Part 1 ended and I felt robbed... but well worth the wait!

[@barryholyoke5169]

Anyone else "like" these viedeos before watching?

[@movietimelines]

i appreciate the likes before, after, or during! lol.

[@josamaroo]

I posted this on Part 1 but I'll say it again, WHY IS “SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME!” AND “BODY BAGS” NOT INCLUDED ON THIS LIST? Also I decided to rank all of Carpenter's movies that he WROTE so here are ALL 15 films including another TV film, Silent Predators. 15. GHOSTS OF MARS 14. SILENT PREDATORS 13. DARK STAR 12. ESCAPE FROM L.A. 11. BLACK MOON RISING 10. EYES OF LAURA MARS 09. BODY BAGS 08. THE FOG 07. ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 06. PRINCE OF DARKNESS 05. SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME! 04. THEY LIVE 03. HALLOWEEN 2 02. ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK 01. HALLOWEEN

[@markpritzlaff7065]

Don’t forget another Carpenter/Russell collaboration…Elvis

[@VonWenk]

Big Trouble in Little China made better use of an immortal villain than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Also, do you think Carpenter's movies were better when he had Debra Hill as a collaborator, and what did you think of the score to In the Mouth of Madness?

[@movietimelines]

i like the Mouth of Madness score but I’ll admit it’s not one of my favorites. i don’t feel like the whole guitar rock thing going on matches the vibe of the film.

[@VonWenk]

@@movietimelines I agree. I also didn't like the way music was playing during the scene where Sam Neill is meeting Julie Carmen in Charleton Heston's office. It wasn't needed and it seemed so out of place that it called attention to itself.

[@dimasharris821]

I have a love for Vampires that can only be nostalgia. A favorite, but I get it's not everyone's style.

[@garrettpeck4437]

I've always thought Carpenter wanted Kurt Russel to play the lead in They Live, but that he was probably unavailable, so it went to Roddy Piper-- who actually does a very good job. Anyone know if this is true?

[@eddiebranden1]

Assault on Precinct 13 is Rio Bravo.

[@Haplo699g]

I think it's hard to get into a twist over a lot of these placements. The whole middle of the list are all so good you can pretty much order them randomly. The only one that would have genuinely annoyed me is if number one didn't get the top slot. It is the best movie he ever made by some distance.

[@mikehughes9308]

I knew it!!!! i love the `top and bottom tiers...but damn RESPECT YOUR ELDERS............

[@freddymichaelvoorhees7011]

Ok, watching the final rankings, I feel the need to defend my ranking of Escape From New York at 15, and They Live at 13. By no means did I hate these films. I loved them. I actually had a whole defense for the rankings, but I’ll just go with, at least I didn’t rank Halloween or the Thing in double digits. That’s it that’s my defense

[@alchemypotato]

Hey, we all have our unpopular opinions.

[@freddymichaelvoorhees7011]

@@alchemypotato thank you. They both started in single digits. They Live was 4 at one point. I just found other things I had a better time watching along the way. Also, in my defense, I blame Josh for getting to me to watch 18(!) films, lol. Almost all were fantastic(I just hope I never have to watch Memoirs or the Ward again)

[@movietimelines]

hey, half the fun of Dead Last is seeing the DIFFERENT opinions that people have. if all the lists i got were the same, i think that the show wouldn't be as interesting to me.

[@freddymichaelvoorhees7011]

@@movietimelines I agree with that completely, but I still felt the need to explain myself, lol. That said, can we not do another 18 film Dead Last? About 13-14 in, I started to think I needed that straight jacket and padded room Sam Neill had…

[@movietimelines]

absolutely. i think max from here on in is 12 movies total. and thankfully, October’s list is only 8!

[@Trademarc1977]

Love the videos, guys. No surprises here, though. Double digits: mostly 90s and up. Single digits: mostly 80s and 70s. (What happened to Carpenter after They Live?!)

[@alchemypotato]

He became disillusioned and felt that trying to make great films was pointless because his best work kept getting ignored or dismissed. So it all became about the paycheck for him.

[@johnfarman9804]

The only thing I'd liked to have seen was a a list contrasting your individual choices. Other than that great job!

[@TheGoodLad89]

Christine 9th... those Sh*ters 🤣🤣

[@tonyrizzo913]

So Lloyd Kaufan's films next, right?

[@movietimelines]

i do want to do a Troma Dead Last at some point!

[@tonyrizzo913]

@@movietimelines That would be amazing! And it's possible Lloyd would even participate

[@brianfinlay756]

"I wanted a vanilla twist"

[@Emulous79]

Instead she got a strawberry split.

[@thewhizard]

did i miss season of the witch and body bags?

[@BulletTooth504]

Not one of you mentioned Carpenter's meta-as-fuck cameo in The Fog. For shame.

[@kenbrovost9653]

No offense intended but i think this is the best panel

[@peterdanior4538]

I did root for Christine to win in the movie

[@john_blues]

Whoever put The Thing at #10 should have their voting privileges revoked. Come on, man.

[@mattdiehl1836]

Keith Gordon not Andrew

[@elizabethguarnieri6606]

"was this guy ACTUALLY homeless"

[@elizabethguarnieri6606]

second line in his wikipedia article "Because of his gruff appearance, he was often cast as a drunk or homeless character. Director John Carpenter gave Flower a cameo role in several films he made throughout the 1980s."

[@Dig_TV]

I dunno. I could have sworn I just gave that dude 2 bucks over on Wilshire 😂

[@chlobug52]

Big Trouble in Little China is the best movie EVER!!!!!!

[@justin9767]

Good reviews besides vampire part 2 should been on ur worst list

[@RobbDorn]

I can’t understand how Christine beats Misery in your Stephen King episode, yet it can’t beat The Fog in this list. Always felt The Fog was one of Carpenters least interesting films.

[@alchemypotato]

I kinda suspsect that some of the early Dead Last episodes had results that were a quirk of having fewer voters than there are now. More room for minority opinions to skew things than there are currently. (Just guess, who knows maybe the results now would be the same.)

[@RobbDorn]

Anyone have any bubblegum for RRP? Cause he’s all out. 🤣

[@BuccaneerBruce]

The list is invalid with Halloween not being #1.

[@TheMajorBlazer]

Nothing happens in "The Fog"... nothing. Ranked way too high

[@TheOther644]

For me The Fog should be in the first list along with Christine and Assault on Precinct 13, Big Trouble in Little China I feel should have been a bit higher outta the 9. I'd switch Escape from NY with Escape from LA, and brought Prince of Darkness into the 9 list, and putt Vampires, and Ghost of Mars in a better spot.