All directors have there off moments, Speilburg had his with Hook and A.I, DePalma had his with Black Dahlia and Mision to Mars. But John Carpenter has had his since 1986. Even in 1986 Big Trouble In little China was far from his best. It's as if the guy is cursed. These two shlock horror movies are proof.

Vampires
Vampires is the best of the two movies, but that's not saying alot. This is very midly entertaing splatter horror, Where James Woods swears and generaly verbaly abuses the undead. A poor movie but it does have a good music score.
**
Ghosts Of Mars
This is just Pathetic, it's a rip off of one of is own movies Assault On Precint 13, But fails on every level. Pathetic effects, no tension and poor acting.
Avoid.
*
It's a great shame that the master of suspense can only deliver this bargain basement trash, when you consider what classics he has given us.
I hope Carpenter gets his mojo back before he vanishes of the face of the movie world.
Very Depressing.
Avoid at all cost's