Hey folks, Harry here with a pair of GHOSTS OF MARS reviews. I've heard mixed things, but hey... that just about describes the reaction to nearly every film in theaters this summer... I have found out that my head is in the film, but only from behind... look for the mane of red hair... I suppose you do not show the face of the gorgon and expect the audience to survive... hehehe... I'm anxious to finally see this flick, Carpenter makes some of the most fun flicks around, I hope that holds true with this one....
Hiya Harry and friends,
Some Dude here with a brief and spoiler-free review of John Carpenter's latest sci-fi/horror outing "Ghosts of Mars." I am a big fan of Carpenter's entire body of work, even "Escape from LA" so I might not be as impartial as one would like in a reviewer, but eff it, I saw the movie, you didn't. I loved this flick. Essentially, "Mars" is a monster movie remake of "Assault on Precinct 13" which in turn was a remake of "Rio Bravo." We've got some cops and some criminals thrown in the shit and together they've got to get out. What makes this a touch unusual is that it employs a "Rashomon"-lite structure, and at times features a flash-back within a flash-back.
"Mars" looks really good. The bad guys remind me of something from "Mad Max" meets "Return of the Living Dead 3." The set design is among the best in a Carpenter film. The Martian landscapes and interiors look really grungy. And it goes without saying that Carpenter's use of 2:35 is superb.
We've got some good performances from Ice Cube and a surprisingly tough Natasha Henstridge. Clea Duvall is believable as the rookie. And its always great to see Pam Grier and Robert Carradine aka Louis Skolnick.
Other cool things:
-This movie seems very gory compared to recent genre efforts. Hooray! Unfortunately, there was no Harry-head-on-a-stick to be seen.
-The Carpenter score is a little heavier than usual and features some electronic and metal influences.
-This must set a record for number of main characters who are lesbians in a non-lesbian directed film. Certainly in an action film.
This screening took place at the DGA screening room in Manhattan and was followed by a talk by the man himself, JC. Some highlights include:
-the revelation that Napoleon Wilson from "Assault" and Desolation Williams from "Mars" are somewhat based on a troubled friend from Carpenter's youth.
-JC says that Henstridge is a lot like Kurt Russell, but with bigger breasts.
-Apparently Albuquerque has the best strip bars.
-There is no love lost between JC and Dan O'Bannon.
-His personal view of faith is "kinda dark, pretty dark, REALLY dark."
-He liked my t-shirt (really) which will be available next week from SeveredThreads.Com
-Besides the old school, JC likes the films of Tarantino, Ritchie anf Fincher.
JC came across as a fun guy who seems very happy with his place in life. He doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, which is very refreshing. Unlike Billy Crystal, he is funny and fun.
Adios,
Some Dude.
PS- check out GameBabeTv if you haven't.
PPS- Attack of the Clones rules. Ha!
PPPS- Verhoeven is God.
Here's a less enthusiastic review...
Hi Harry, I wrote before with my pics from the Rush Hour 2 shoot in Hong Kong. Today I am writing because last night 8-9-01 I was lucky enough to catch early looks at 2 upcoming films that may be of interest. First I attended a screening of John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars with the man himself in attendance. Let me say that a John Carpenter appearance is always a pleasure, the man is so free of the self-importance and ego so common in the industry. He is very open, honest, and at times blunt about his own works' merits and faults, but he seems to be in the business for the right reason, He likes to make movies, not to get rich, not to make his "mark" in film, but because he enjoys doing it. The film itself is slighty disappointing, basically a sci-fi remake/update of Assault on Precinct 13, while the action set pieces are fun enough and the cast all give good performances, the film is presented in a convoluted flashback structure with flashbacks within flashbacks. Also a weakness is the basic anonymity of the films villains, always presented as a menacing mob, they lack character enough to make us cheer their destruction, even their leader "Big Daddy Mars" is an unknown and his death therefore carries none of the impact it should. I also have to report that your head is not in the final cut of the film as was feared. This film feels like it might age well on video as a "guilty pleasure" John Carpenter film like Price of Darkness or Vampires, something to watch on a dull afternoon while we wait for his next The Thing or Halloween.
Anyway thought I'd share my luck,
Daniel1138
