As far as horror movie scores are concerned, few are as iconic as John Carpenter's synth-driven masterpiece for "Halloween." The movie's main theme — that ominous tinkling of the piano — is so powerful that not only does it bring to mind scenes of a menacing Michael Myers stalking Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), but it has also solidified itself as essential October listening whether you're a fan of the "Halloween" franchise or not.
The soundtrack is iconic not just for its killer sound, but also because of how it came to be. Carpenter himself created the music solely out of necessity — the film's minuscule budget didn't have much to spend on the soundtrack — by putting his own musical talents to good use. At the time, he wasn't a bonafide composer by any means, but he managed to pull together an infectiously impressive score that frightens just as much as it gets stuck in your head.
The soundtrack is iconic not just for its killer sound, but also because of how it came to be. Carpenter himself created the music solely out of necessity — the film's minuscule budget didn't have much to spend on the soundtrack — by putting his own musical talents to good use. At the time, he wasn't a bonafide composer by any means, but he managed to pull together an infectiously impressive score that frightens just as much as it gets stuck in your head.
- 10/16/2022
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
John Carpenter can hardly be bothered with an interview today. The Brett Kavanaugh hearing is on TV, and his dog is barking at whoever’s ringing the doorbell. “I may get distracted,” he warns. “But I’ll come back.” His demeanor is somehow both friendly and curt, regardless of whether the questions are about his filmmaking or composing career. He’s someone who won’t suffer fools gladly, but when the topic of the new Halloween movie comes up, he perks up.
After decades of disavowing sequels to the slasher...
After decades of disavowing sequels to the slasher...
- 10/17/2018
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Rebecca Lea Aug 7, 2017
The film that Stephen King insisted his name be taken off. It's The Lawnmower Man...
The film: Dr Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) is at the forefront of research, using virtual reality and drug combinations in an attempt to increase intelligence in primates. When it all goes wrong, he turns to an intellectually disabled man, Jobe (Jeff Fahey), and promises him intelligence in return for his role as a human test subject. Naturally, it all goes a bit awry when Jobe succeeds beyond Angelo’s wildest dreams. Oh and Dean Norris adopts a weird, clipped accent and is nefarious.
See related Broadchurch series 3: Jodie Whittaker interview Doctor Who, and the casting of Jodie Whittaker Bodies: excellent medical drama not for the faint-hearted
The Lawnmower Man did not start out life as an adaptation of Stephen King’s folksy short story of the same name, but rather as a screenplay called Cyber God,...
The film that Stephen King insisted his name be taken off. It's The Lawnmower Man...
The film: Dr Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) is at the forefront of research, using virtual reality and drug combinations in an attempt to increase intelligence in primates. When it all goes wrong, he turns to an intellectually disabled man, Jobe (Jeff Fahey), and promises him intelligence in return for his role as a human test subject. Naturally, it all goes a bit awry when Jobe succeeds beyond Angelo’s wildest dreams. Oh and Dean Norris adopts a weird, clipped accent and is nefarious.
See related Broadchurch series 3: Jodie Whittaker interview Doctor Who, and the casting of Jodie Whittaker Bodies: excellent medical drama not for the faint-hearted
The Lawnmower Man did not start out life as an adaptation of Stephen King’s folksy short story of the same name, but rather as a screenplay called Cyber God,...
- 7/27/2017
- Den of Geek
An adaptation (that took things in a very different direction) of Stephen King's short story of the same name, The Lawnmower Man is coming out on a Collector's Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory this June, and the movie's 4K makeover will be accompanied by plenty of special features, including new footage and interviews.
Press Release: A world where the normal course of events could suddenly turn inside out — the imaginary becomes real, and reality is all in your mind. Loyal fans of visionary filmmaker Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway) know well the enthralling sci-fi action horror from his 1992 cult classic The Lawnmower Man, starring Jeff Fahey (Machete) and Pierce Brosnan (The Son). Directed by Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway), the film also stars Jenny Wright (Near Dark) and Geoffrey Lewis (The Devil’s Rejects). On June 20, 2017, Scream Factory™ Home Entertainment is proud to present The Lawnmower Man Collector’s Edition. Available...
Press Release: A world where the normal course of events could suddenly turn inside out — the imaginary becomes real, and reality is all in your mind. Loyal fans of visionary filmmaker Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway) know well the enthralling sci-fi action horror from his 1992 cult classic The Lawnmower Man, starring Jeff Fahey (Machete) and Pierce Brosnan (The Son). Directed by Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway), the film also stars Jenny Wright (Near Dark) and Geoffrey Lewis (The Devil’s Rejects). On June 20, 2017, Scream Factory™ Home Entertainment is proud to present The Lawnmower Man Collector’s Edition. Available...
- 5/9/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
As October draws to a close and golden brown leaves pile up underneath skeletal trees like bodies in a zombie apocalypse, there’s one movie that is guaranteed to be on any self-respecting horror fan’s list of essential fright flicks - John Carpenter's classic Halloween (1978). To celebrate another anniversary of this horror classic, Shadowlocked presents the ultimate guide to all things Michael Myers with a comprehensive A to Z look at this iconic movie. No tricks, just treats.
A is for Akkad
Producer Moustapha Akkad didn’t originally have much interest in the original Halloween movie, seeing it as an investment vehicle rather than a creative endeavor, and was initially reluctant to put up the $320,000 budget. However, after John Carpenter described the movie almost shot-for-shot and declared that he didn’t want a director’s fee (though he did, wisely, retain rights to ten percent of the film...
A is for Akkad
Producer Moustapha Akkad didn’t originally have much interest in the original Halloween movie, seeing it as an investment vehicle rather than a creative endeavor, and was initially reluctant to put up the $320,000 budget. However, after John Carpenter described the movie almost shot-for-shot and declared that he didn’t want a director’s fee (though he did, wisely, retain rights to ten percent of the film...
- 10/26/2011
- Shadowlocked
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