Allan C
A super fun love letter to low-budget movie mogul Roger Corman. The film recounts his storied career making classic cheesy genre films, everything from monster movies (THE WASP WOMEN, THE GIANT LEECHES), to horror (FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), to women in prison films (THE BIG BIRD CAGE, CAGED HEAT), to gangster movies (BLOODY MAMA, BOXCAR BERTHA), to sci-fi (BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, DEATH RACE 2000), and way too many more to mention. While most of his movies are not "good" in the traditional sense, what's most fascinating about Corman is how he launched the career of so many major Hollywood figures, including Martin Scorsese (GOODFELLAS), Johnathan Damme (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS), Peter Bogdanovich (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW), Joe Dante (GREMLINS), Ron Howard (APOLLO 13), John Sayles (EIGHT MEN OUT), Jon Davison (ROBOCOP), Polly Platt (BROADCAST NEWS), Gale Ann Hurd (T2: JUDGEMENT DAY), and many many more. There's even an interview with Jack Nicholson, who actually breaks down in tears recounting all that Roger did for him, laughing at his career when no one else would hire him. The main strength of this documentary is that Corman's career is told through interviews with all of these great filmmakers who got their start working for Corman. It would be easy to look down your nose at a man who made his career off of sexy nurse movies, blaxploitation flicks, and outlaw biker films, but having his story told by people who owe their careers to him and listening to them talk fondly about their time working with him, helps convey to the view the respect that Corman deserves. The film rightly ends with Corman receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, finally receiving official recognition of his contribution to the world of cinema. So overall, even if you are not a huge fan of ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTER or his more recent SHARKTOPUS VS. WHALEWOLF, you'll gain a greater appreciation for what he did bring to cinema.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
06/20/23
Full Review
KEVIN C
Fascinating documentary of maverick filmmaker Roger Corman, who without any formal training, decided to make movies on the cheap and creating somewhat of an empire of drive in flicks and started/helped the careers of many prolific filmmakers and actors alike. Insightful interviews with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Dick Miller, Jonathan Demme, Julie Corman, Martin Scorsese, David Carradine and so many more as well as Corman himself. Fantastic documentary.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
dave s
As much a tribute as it is a documentary, Corman's World follows the B-movie exploits of Roger Corman and his low budget films at American International in the 50s and 60s to his equally low budget films at his production company New World in the 70s. Never one to worry about artistry, Corman's primary concerns were getting the film done in a timely manner and below budget, never failing to make a profit. The interviews with those who got their start under his tutelage are what makes the film so interesting, especially the insights from Martin Scorsese and the surprisingly emotional comments from Jack Nicholson at the end of the film. The movie won't shed new light on Corman for those familiar with his exploits, nor will it inspire the uninitiated to seek out his films, but it is an interesting look at a Hollywood maverick.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
andres s
Incredible how Corman's made so many movies that I've never heard of. Over 200 movies. Wtf? Omg lol that old lady said we've got ten n***as enrolled in this school. Wow really interesting how Roger and his brother Gene Corman made a film like The Intruder to highlight the racial segregation that was going on during the time. They were ahead of the game, trying to raise awareness of the injustice that was goin on with that film but unfortunately they made no money from it and people lost their minds when they saw it. Calling Roger a communist.
Corman normalized the whole underground movement in the mid 60's with The Hells Angels. After that we saw the rise of hippies, peace & love, and protests. And then in the 70's, with the introduction of ratings like R and PG-13, he started making exploitations films that people then looked forward to. It was interesting to watch all the things Roger inspired not only within the movie business, but also in culture. I'm really glad they finally decided to give him an award 50 years after he'd been making movies lol.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Joyful and moving portrait of the man who is far wiser than his image as a joke name in filmmaking would have it.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Roger Corman is one of my favorite people in the film industry period. This isn't necessarily a perfectly made documentary on him, but it makes its points well and is a good overview of his career. It's basically impossible not to like/respect him after seeing it.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
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