Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel

Audience Reviews

View More

Allan C @RT15713161 06/20/2023 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. See more dave s @RT68722908 12/13/2021 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. See more andres s @RT93190512 01/18/2021 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. See more 08/11/2017 Joyful and moving portrait of the man who is far wiser than his image as a joke name in filmmaking would have it. See more 12/14/2016 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. See more 02/02/2016 A really fascinating look at one of the unsung heroes of early independent filmmaking. Though his movies were often explicit, bawdy, exploitative, and vulgar, Roger Corman's keen business sense and eye for talent made him a surprisingly influential force in Hollywood. Taking the audience through highlights of his career, countless notable filmmakers and actors share their recollections and appreciations for this documentary's subject. Having discovered/nurtured the talents of the likes of Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Peter Bogdanovich, and Peter Fonda, to name a few, Roger Corman's life proves an interesting tale with no shortage of humorous moments and behind the scenes, film history. While this documentary could use a bit more focus -- often feeling random, and allowing its (admittedly) illustrious talking heads to veer off on tangents -- one can't help but marvel as these celebrities share their affections for the aging producer (he's still hard at work making movies today). Most, after all, feel they owe their careers to him. Indeed, such constant, glowing sentiments make this film seem less like a documentary and more like some extended, Hollywood awards show tribute. I don't mind this so much, however, because it's all clearly done in earnest. One moment where Jack Nicholson is all but brought to tears when describing his old friend and mentor says all one needs to say about the kind of man Corman is. It humanizes the two of them. It humanizes Hollywood. I liked it. See more Read all reviews

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING