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The 5 Best (And 1 Worst) Films Of John Carpenter!!!

I’m a writer/director guy. Meaning, moreso than who starred in any given film, I plan my trip to the theater based on who wrote and/or directed it. When I become invested in someone’s creative output, I’ll often follow their “voice” through all kinds of highs and lows, which means finding things to love in their lesser projects. I understand why the public at large doesn’t have the time or inclination to subscribe to this practice (though many more people seem capable of forging this kind of unbreakable alliance with sports teams), but I honestly think it’s an interesting – and compassionate – way to watch films (or listen to music).

Every career has peaks and valleys. In some careers the valleys are more severe and in others the peaks are more triumphant, but they exist. They’re unavoidable from both creative and commercial standpoints. I think it would be fun to examine this from time to time on BD (even though some of the most exciting voices in horror need another film or two under their belt to qualify), with the amount of “Bests” and “Worsts” varying each time.

First up? John Carpenter. I feel like he’s the perfect starting point. Not only does he have a large output, but he’s had one of the more interesting careers in horror, full of ups and downs (and the occasional creative triumph that he was punished for professionally).

Head inside for the 5 Best (And 1 Worst) Films Of John Carpenter. READ MORE

Check Out Brandon Routh And Bret Harrison In BenDavid Grabinski’s ‘Cost Of Living’!

Costlandscape21012 Check Out Brandon Routh And Bret Harrison In BenDavid Grabinskis Cost Of Living!

On Friday we posted an exclusive interview with Cost Of Living writer/director BenDavid Grabinski, and now the short film is here for you to watch.

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World) and Bret Harrison (“Breaking In”, “Reaper”) star in the film in which, “Silas and Jerry work for an unusual corporation. One day things go wrong… Scary things.

Hit the jump to check out Cost Of Living. READ MORE

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BenDavid Grabinski On Sound, Scope, Carpenter And The ‘Cost Of Living’

Costlandscape21012 BenDavid Grabinski On Sound, Scope, Carpenter And The Cost Of Living

Keep in mind that Cost Of Living is only a short. Seriously, it’s only about 9 minutes long. Maybe even less. But it packs a surprisingly cinematic wallop. While most shorts are content to live within the inherently meager means of the medium, Cost Of Living feels like a giant movie trapped inside a little box bursting at the seams. Writer/director BenDavid Grabinski is a fan of big movies, something that shows in every splatter soaked frame of his inaugural effort at the helm.

From a recent year end article, “Filmed in a tunnel system familiar to any fan of ‘They Live’, this short packs more character, humor, action and gore into its 8 minute running time than many of the features I had to sit through this year. Particularly inspired is the computerized voice of the automated security system – a device that simultaneously ups the tension and the laughs.

I recently sat down with BenDavid to chat about the project and we wound up covering a surprising bit of ground. He’s definitely in love with what he does, and he’s in love with the idea of people being able to do what they love as well. As he puts it, “I don’t shut the f*ck up if there’s something I’m really excited about.

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World) and Bret Harrison (“Breaking In”, “Reaper”) star in the film in which, “Silas and Jerry work for an unusual corporation. One day things go wrong… Scary things.

Cost Of Living hits the web Tuesday, February 14th. In the meantime, hit the jump for the interview and some behind the scenes footage. READ MORE

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Masters of Horror: Season 2 (TV) (V)

Click here to read about all of the films and check out the synopses:

Directors returning for a second season include: Brad Anderson (The Machinist), Dario Argento (Suspira), John Carpenter (Halloween), Joe Dante (The Howling, Gremlins), Ernest Dickerson (Bones), Mick Garris (The Stand), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Tom Holland (Child’s Play), Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Peter Medak (The Changeling), Rob Schmidt (Wrong Turn), Norio Tsuruta (Premonition).