Requiem For American International Pictures

Some movie studios hold a special place in my heart. A24 is producing some of the best movies of the past few years. Miramax had a moment although it is difficult look back fondly at Mira and Max's son who is serving time on too many charges.

With the passing of Roger Corman- there is integrity to the movies he produced. B movies is an antiquated phrase. What about three hundred million dollars movies that look cheap?

I accept American International Pictures look like they cost very little. They pulled a profit. These movies always made money. Whether you fondly recall those beach movies which had an aesthetic or the films of Pam Grier- they gave her a proper showcase.

Jack Nicholson worked ten years before his big break in Easy Rider. Mostly from Roger Corman produced films. His work in the seventies is greater. At least he didn't quit the business.

Joe Pesci left acting. It wasn't working for him. One of his films, The Death Collector, was barely seen. I have never seen it. That doesn't matter, Robert De Niro watched it, suggested Martin Scorsese view it and Joe Pesci was offered a role in Raging Bull.

You never know who is watching. Many great directors started with Roger Corman. Boxcar Bertha gave Martin Scorsese something to do. He found his way in the next film- Mean Streets.

Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard and many others laid the foundation of their directing careers at American International Pictures. Many of the films satirized on Mystery Science Theater 3000 came from this studio. They are more watchable than Adam Sandler comedies which made money as infomercials for Subway.

Make your own damn movie. There is probably an article to write about branding and movies. Universal still makes interesting horror movies after nearly one hundred years.

I have not watched Chatterbox. That can be skipped. This studio gave us Cooley High. While that is not necessarily a Black American Graffiti it was green lighted because of the success of that film. Everyone has a story to tell and that is a great film.

Seek out movies with integrity. Big budget movies have large marketing campaigns. I might be enticed to see Twisters. Damn you, Glenn Powell. Ask me next month. The ads look interesting.

Once the marketing barrage- something Roger Corman never used- the movie has to stand on its merits. This is why American International Pictures has endured longer than the standard big explosion summer movie.