this is very true. since so many films took the template that Halloween set, watching it might seem like just another slasher movie to a lot of people. For me it can be the same way with a lot of famous films that are known for one line… I mean, when I watched “Chinatown” the first time I sat impatiently for the famous “forget it, its Chinatown” line, because that was pretty much all I knew about it in advance… and thats the last line of the movie. Watching it the second time I watched it in a different way. When I first saw Raging Bull and even the Godfather, I was overcome by so many of the famous conversations thinking “oh, its this part. I know this part!” rather than buying into the moment. Some famous movies really are at a disadvantage by having iconic moments that people who’ve never seen one frame know by heart.

In regards to what makes Halloween a classic in my eyes (and others), it’s the cinematography, music and Hitchcockian suspense. Not to mention it led the way for many more slasher films to come. (Even though Bob Clark’s ‘Black Christmas’ pre-dated Halloween and in turn influenced Carpenter)

Whether or not it sucks is up to the individual. (I don’t think it sucks in the least) However, there’s no arguing its influence. I think some people just have a hard time watching older films in context of the time they were made. Most seem to compare them to modern movies that thrive on thirty years of technical advancements in filmmaking and acting.

As for Gio Camepa, his comments didn’t shock me. Hell, the other day he wrote that Transformers was more entertaining than Jaws. He must be getting bored. I would have loved it if Serena was there and gave him some debate….or someone.

It’s interesting to note, however, that trivia wise, Halloween wasn’t scary until John Carpenter put in the music. I wonder if John Williams didn’t score Jaws, how different that film would be.

I mean, it didn’t SUCK, however my appreciation for the film had much more to do with the aura/atmosphere, cinematography than the story and definitely not the acting. I think the acting in fact was so piss poor that it was counterproductive to the atmosphere Carpenter created. I bought it (it was cheap bc of Zombies in theaters) and sold it the next day. It was a 6/10 for me – I can see how it is important, I can see why a lot of people adore it, but personally i feel like I saw it way too late to appreciate it properly. I agree with John that it feels very dated, but I disagree vehemently with the notion that it outright sucks.

Keep in mind this is coming from someone who generally holds only a handful of horror movies in very high regard. I don’t dislike horror movies, however very few have managed to satisfy my specific taste.

stallone makes this thoughful intelligent comeback with the truly great rocky balboa and then looks to flush all the new found respect and kudos away by making this ridiculous looking fucking thing.

it is just a bit sad to me. i love the rambo films but they were never as violent as that trailer makes this film seem.

it just looks a bit desperate to me….

even if you don’t find it scary due to the fact it has been stolen from so much since it first came out you will see the foundations of modern horror right there in the film. it is a true classic.

halloween is pretty much the perfect horror film.

The only reason it may not scare anyone fresh to it today is more due to the fact that it has been ripped more than other horror film in history. it is the template for this type of film….a lot of horro purists and “experts” like to harp on about black christmas preceding halloween and halloween not actually “inventing” this type of slasher film and while that is true halloween is by far the superior film.

there is a reason halloween is treated differently to say prom night or the prowler or even friday the 13th. because not only did it create an entire genre it perfected it too. it is a hugely important film not only in the world of horror but for film in general. it was at the time the most successful independant film of all time and that opened a lot of peoples eyes to what was achievable outside of the studio system.

the film has a great story, is told incredibly well and has no fat whatsoever and alos gave us one of the scariest on screen villains of all time in michael myers. a hell of a lot more iconic and scary as the deformed gollums in the descent thats for sure. well maybe they would be iconic if we could see them for more than a second but since the are totally obscured with the shakey cam you hate so much, quick cuts and darkness it is hard to tell.i was going to avoid going into a “you hate this but like that?” type argument because they are pointless but i couldn’t help it. you said halloween sucks yet claim the descent is the best horror films ever. it is insane. in 30 years time people will still no who michael myers is. those cave thingys are already forgotten.

At the end of the day it is really your loss that you can so easily dismiss such a important film with a simple “it sucks”

but then again this is one of things I like about you most john.

i like the fact you are not afraid to say things like “brendan fraser is a terrific as a pure actor” or rate something as obscure as “noises off” as your favorite comedy of all time.

I am not being sarcastic either (well a little with the fraser thing) but one of the things I like about you is the fact you are not afraid to like what you like and hate what you hate but john for the most part 30 year old films are not considered classics and widely admired and loved by thousands and thousands of people 30 years on just because people think they should say they like it.

some films genuinely deserve to be remembered and totally earn their place in cinema lore as true fucking gems.

halloween is one of them.