Rating: 
Summary: You're receiving this broadcast in the form of a review
Review: One of the reasons why I admire John Carpenter so much is that he never exemplifies himself. He doesn't overdo a film. He simply places his camera in a way that he believes will best move along the narrative. He is the anti-Michael Bay. Instead of trying to wow us with remarkably complex editing or camera moves that defy the laws of physics, Carpenter sticks to a very straightforward way of storytelling, using the natural wide scope of the human eye to give us what is always wonderful visual style. This is one of the reasons why "Prince of Darkness" works so well. Carpenter understands the material he has crafted, but he knows that his characters do not, so he keeps them, and us, in suspense, letting the web of what unfolds draw us in, and eventually he unleashes the spider.There is an evil within a church. A secret that has been kept for thousands of years. Guarded by a mysterious section of the church, operating independent and even above the control of the Vatican, a monolithic vial of green liquid whirlpools beneath the streets. Encased within it are what remains of the spiritual presence of Lucifer, son of the anti-God. The Brotherhood of Sleep, as they were called, due to a mysterious dream that everyone within the building had, kept the secret for as long as they could. Now, in the months approaching where we enter "Prince of Darkness," the liquid has been gaining strength, organizing itself into a conscious entity. A team of scientists from a university, under the direction of their professor, are called upon by a priest (Donald Pleasance) to prove scientifically a series of equations written down by Christ himself. This is the basis for what becomes a claustrophobic ride of paranormal occurrences. Scientists start disappearing, they fight among themselves once the purpose of their studies is revealed, and eventually all hell breaks loose when all pretense is cast aside, and the green liquid assumes a human form. The characters are unimportant, though all well-developed and likable. Jameson Parker shows real screen presence in his role, and Donald Pleasance and Victor Wong give the story credibility through their mono-/dialogues. Carpenter's direction, as usual, is flawless. He presents the story and lets it tell itself. Along the way, he manages to get our pulse up and have us think a little about the validity of religion. His concept of Christ as an extra-terrestrial descendant sent to warn us of a possible future presented within the broadcasted dream is brilliant. An underrated gem from an underrated director, John Carpenter's "Prince of Darkness" is a film a lot of people missed, but thankfully is finding its audience nearly 20 years later.
Rating:
Summary: A secret that can no longer be kept
Review: One of the best horror movies of the 1980's. Great plot, good acting, and some of the best useage of music ever. The score along with Donald Pleasence's outstanding performance completely sell the movie. The revelations of future events being sent through dreams is brilliant, and the images of the dark figure are startling. Simply a great movie, classic Carpenter, with a classic Carpenter ending(which is always a good thing).
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Summary: Don't drink the water!
Review: Thanks in large part to the frenetic efforts of John Carpenter, the horror film medium flourished anew in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Few fans of the genre need a reminder that Carpenter directed the classic "Halloween," an independent film that went on to great success and eternal status as a cult classic. While the tale about the merciless Michael Myers certainly didn't invent the slasher film (look back to Mario Bava's classic "Twitch of the Death Nerve" to see an earlier effort), it influenced many others to carry the torch in the following years. Carpenter's recent films just don't compare with his early fright fests. That's a darn shame, but for horror aficionados, watching the troika of "Halloween," "The Fog," and "The Thing" will always deeply satisfy. I suspect the last truly effective film Carpenter directed was "Prince of Darkness" in 1987. When I first watched this film shortly after it came out, I didn't enjoy it, but a recent viewing swept away all of my prior distastes for the film. I don't know why my thoughts about this movie have changed, but I now consider it a phenomenal effort easily comparable to this director's early work. Something of unfathomable evil resides in the basement of a decrepit church in downtown Los Angeles, an object of such vast terrors that the mere thought of its existence makes one's flesh crawl and soul shudder. For Father Loomis (Donald Pleasence), the secrets of this object suddenly intrude on his consciousness when the last member of an enigmatic secret society called the Brotherhood of Sleep dies. Loomis finds the man's diary and learns part of the truth concerning this object. In order to discover more, the priest writes a letter to renowned quantum physicist Professor Howard Birack of the Doppler Institute in an effort to secure his services. Wong readily complies, bringing with him several of his best graduate students. Accompanying the good professor are a few other specialists, namely in the fields of chemistry and ancient languages. None of the students know exactly what is going on at first until the truth makes itself known in particularly gruesome ways. It turns out that the evil object in question is a dark canister containing some inky substance in a perpetual state of flux. Ominous clues about this fluid pop up with frightening regularity. One of the students learns there is a lock on the inside of the canister, certainly one of the last places such a device would be under normal circumstances. Moreover, a computer scan of the fluid reveals a plethora of unknown mathematical equations. The ancient language student studies a massive tone found in the canister's chamber and makes frequent heart stopping pronouncements about what she finds. The secrets uncovered about the canister are shocking, providing an entirely alternate account of Satan, Jesus Christ, and the nature of evil. Additionally, the dark fluid looks as though it is about to wake up somehow, an awakening with dire results for the hapless band of students roaming around the abandoned church. To make matters worse, a gang of zombie-like homeless people gathers in silence around the outside of the building. Anyone who attempts to leave the church dies especially gruesome deaths, such as the disbelieving student who disintegrates into a mass of roaches or another escapee who meets his bloody end with a bicycle. The situation inside isn't much better as the fluid infects several students who then promptly murder their companions. The ultimate evil is horribly close to spreading into the outer world, and it is up to this unlikely band of heroes to save the planet. "Prince of Darkness" works because it is an attempt at a cerebral foray into the world of horror. Perhaps some people will not appreciate the heavy reliance on physics here, but I found it quite refreshing when mixed with some nice, down to earth gore effects. The performances worked as well, especially Donald Pleasence as the frightened Father Loomis (perhaps he is the twin brother of Pleasence's character in "Halloween," Dr. Sam Loomis?) and Victor Wong as the incredulous professor. The conversation these two have about the underlying scientific principles of the object is massively entertaining even if it is complete malarkey (actually, I don't know if this stuff is malarkey or not since I know nothing about quantum physics). As for the students, we spend most of the time learning about the burgeoning relationship between Brian Marsh (Jameson Parker) and Catherine Danforth (Lisa Blount). I always frown on the obligatory love interest elements of a horror movie, and I did the same here even though it is necessary for us to care about Danforth due to her heroism at the end of the film. But, if I had to list just one factor I liked best about the film, it would definitely be the weird dream about the dark figure emerging through that doorway that everyone in the church seems to have at one point or another. This creepy effect takes on an even greater sense of dread when we learn about its possible origins. "Prince of Darkness" is definitely an oddity as far as horror pictures go, but it is a must see for John Carpenter fans as well as those viewers who appreciate films that require you to think. The DVD release could have possessed some decent extras, but at least the picture quality is good. The movie may be a little off putting at first due to heavy scientific themes and occasional bouts of confusion. Give it a chance, though, because you may be presently surprised with the results.
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Summary: One of the best horror films EVER!!!!
Review: To say I love this movie, would be an understatment. It is my favorite horror flick ever. This film mixes horror, suspense, the requisite gore, love, friendship, science, and humor, all the while making me think "hey, it could happen". Alice Cooper cracks me up and he never says a word. The scenes where the future contacts the present and the scene where Lisa Blount saves the world are the best. The suspense in that Lisa Blount/Devil scene kills me every time. I am on the edge of my seat. Mind you, I have seen this movie hundreds of time. It still gets me every single time. If you are looking for a movie where barely clothed cheerleaders run around screaming, this is not the movie for you. If you want to be entertained and think a bit while you do, this IS the movie for you. I agree with the one review: this is probably a you either love it or hate it type movie. Give it a chance. I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Summary: It is evil. It is real. It is awakening.
Review: After the box office failure of Big Trouble In Little China, John Carpenter turned away from the big budget studio system and attempted to return to his independent movie roots with Prince of Darkness. The end result is, by and large, successful, though Carpenter did (and has) lost quite a few fans for maintaing such a fierce devotion to b-movie story stelling. The death of an eldery priest uncovers a secret that has been hidden from the world for well over 2,000 years. In the basement of a Los Angeles church there is...something. Something that appears to be changing...growing...becoming aware. Can a group of scientists unravel the secret before it is too late? Prince of Darkness can best be described as Quatermass And The Pit as written by H.P. Lovecraft. While the movie contains numerous flaws (after a promising opening, it chooses to go the simple make 'em jump, cheap scare route), it still, by and large, overcomes them by virtue of Carpenter's strong grasp of mood and story. Taken as a simple low budget thrill ride, the movie delivers. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Can never remember the title...
Review: I've spent most of the night trying to remember the name of this movie and as soon as I found it, I had to come here and purchase it. To say the least, this movie is "different". I fear you either love this one, or hate it. I happen to love it. Not because it's a good movie, but because it absolutely freaked me out when I first saw it a decade and a half ago. Considering the theme of this movie, alot of what is used to make it work is far-fetched and doesn't make much sense. BUT, it's still very creepy and really keeps hold of your mind until it's over. Carpenter just uses unconventional ways to do something that has been done before, but instead of being stupid, it's quite refreshing...just still very weird. I think it adds something positive to this movie, though. Rent it if you haven't seen it, but if you liked it the first time, I think it will have aged well for you.
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Summary: B Flicks Live Again!
Review: I like John Carpenter, for he know how to make stylish B-films that work. Jameson Parker (Rick of Simon & Simon - NOT Parker Jameson, mind you!), is a student under Professor Victor Wong (Tremors "Here are some Swiss Cheese & Bullets") along with Lisa Blount (Officer and a Gentleman) and Denis Dun (Big Trouble in Little China). They and their fellow students are recruited to help a priest, Donald Pleasance, in solving the riddle of an Evil the church has kept hidden (Now we know what is wrong with Mickael Meyers!!). They confront a huge glass cylinder of swirling green Jell-o that is supposedly an "evil", likely the "son" of Satan. There are lots of doings outside the church, as well. Alice Cooper and his palies are lumbering around doing all sorts of Lord of the Flies routines, obviously called by the Jell-o in the tube in the basement. Our gang is trapped in the church, trying to solve the riddle of the text kept with the tube, but all are slowly being affected by the tube, just as Alice and crew are outside. Can they solved the riddle of the evil before it's too late? Maybe they need Cool Whip?? It sounds hokey, and at point you really want to laugh, but at the same time Carpenter blends his B-movie magic to terrify you. A heady mix! He keeps the audience on the edge of their sets. Likely to be one of Carpenter "cult classic" down the road and well deservedly!
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Summary: One Scary Movie
Review: ... It really is a creepy movie (the effects, score, etc., are great), even though it's considered a "B" movie. Put the lights down low, crank up the volume, and witness for yourself Carpenter's beautiful Panavision widescreen shots (on DVD) and great/creepy score. The ending really is disturbing. I may be in the minority, but I think besides "The Thing", this is John's next scariest/creepiest movie. Also not to miss by John Carpenter, The Fog (horror), and Big Trouble in Little China and Escape from L.A. (both campy spoofs) which are hilarious.
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Summary: Develop a new phobia
Review: This is one of the creepiest movies I have ever seen. It is not a slasher film, so don't look for lots of scantily clad hot chics and brutal violence. This is a CREEPY movie and it will have you not getting very close to any mirrors for awhile. Seems that a secret order of Catholic priests have been in charge of this ... container... for awhile. Inside the container is the evil essense of Satan himself. A team of scientists is called in to study an increase in the activity level of the green vapor inside. Sequestered in the spooky old monastery they begin having the same cryptic dream ... and the 'goo' starts getting out. As the satanic stuff begins physically manifesting itself, the street people ('led' by Alice Cooper) and the bugs begin to behave very oddly. As more of the cryptic dream starts coming up and trapped in the church by the oddly behaving street people and cockroaches, it is up to the research team to stop the release of Satan into the world. Very spooky, this is an excellent thriller.
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Summary: ONE OF CARPENTER'S BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: John Carpenter's 1987 film, "Prince of Darkness," is a dark, tense, and disturbing journey into philosophy, religion, and man's basic, instinctive fear of the dark. The film begins with the death of a priest who represents the last member of an ancient, ultra-secret Catholic order that was created to guard the ultimate threat to mankind. With the death of this priest, another priest by the name of Father Loomis (Donald Pleasance), uncovers the first priest's diary and begins to investigate this secret order of priests called "the Brotherhood of Sleep." In the process, he visits the old priest's church and, deep in the basement, discovers the mysterious secret that the Brotherhood was protecting (or rather, protecting the world from). Overwhelmed by this discovery, Loomis seeks out a physics professor by the name of Birack (portrayed by the late Victor Wong). Birack is also more than a little intrigued because he, in turn, summons his students for an "extra-credit" project over the weekend at the church. Now I will not reveal what happens next but i assure you that you're in for a hell of a ride! This is one of John Carpenters best after The Thing and Halloween. It boasts a provacative storyline , creepy atmosphere and also a very good score. Also, be sure to turn up the volume during the "real time" video sequences. What you hear will freak you out!!
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