John Carpenter on 'The Ward' and the State of Movies Today

In July, America will finally get to see John Carpenter's first feature length film in 10 years, "The Ward." After the critical and commercial disappointment that was "Ghosts of Mars," Carpenter seemed determined to retire from filmmaking as he no longer found it to be fun. But after working on a couple of episodes for "Masters of Horror," he seemed rejuvenated and ready to take on another movie of his choosing. While appearing at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for a 25^th anniversary screening of "Big Trouble In Little China," Carpenter talked about the upcoming movie, and what he thinks about the world of movies today.

The famed director described "The Ward" as an "old school horror film" and a "psychological thriller." It stars Amber Heard as Kristen, a young woman who is institutionalized in a psychiatric ward which turns out to be haunted by a ghost as mysterious as it is deadly. Carpenter said he was attracted to the project because it had a low budget which would give him creative control, limited locations, and a short schedule which he especially liked. With the schedule being short, Carpenter knew he could finish the film before any form of exhaustion waylaid him.

"The Ward" first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has since opened in the United Kingdom. Word of mouth indicates that the movie has gotten mixed reviews, but his fans are thrilled he went back behind the camera once again. John Carpenter feels that "The Ward" in his own estimation is "pretty good" and that some fanboys liked it while others didn't find it "gruesome enough."

Audience members asked his opinion on the state of movies today which is swamped with endless remakes and am frightening lack of originality. Carpenter described most films out now as "still bad," said some were fair, and others were "really good." In Carpenter's view, the movie industry hasn't changed. The present cycle of movies today will pass, he said, and he is looking to a "more positive future" and encouraged the audience to do the same.

John Carpenter said that his career as a filmmaker has really been the result of luck, and he's done the things he wanted to do. While he still gets caught up in video games (he was a creative consultant on "F.E.A.R. 3") or contemplates perhaps doing a music score for another director's movie (to date, he has not), it's great to see him making movies once again. And if we're lucky, he and Kurt Russell will get another chance to work together in the future, even if it's not a sequel to "Big Trouble In Little China."

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