Watch King Cohen: The Wild World Of Filmmaker Larry Cohen
- 2018
- 1 hr 50 min
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7.5 (582)
King Cohen: The Wild World Of Filmmaker Larry Cohen was a 2017 documentary film directed by Steve Mitchell. The film chronicled the life and career of Larry Cohen, a maverick filmmaker who made a name for himself in the 1970s and '80s by creating a string of cult classics that defied genre conventions and pushed the limits of independent cinema.
The movie was a documentary-style exploration of what made Cohen tick as a filmmaker, and how he managed to carve out a niche for himself in an industry that was often hostile to his unconventional approach. It featured interviews with a wide range of industry insiders and collaborators, including J.J. Abrams, Rick Baker, Eric Bogosian, Joe Dante, and Martin Scorsese, among others.
The film was structured around a series of brief vignettes that explored different aspects of Cohen's life and career. Some segments focused on his early days as a TV writer and how he transitioned into filmmaking, while others delved into the making of specific films like It's Alive, Black Caesar, and The Stuff. There were also segments that explored Cohen's influence on other filmmakers, his collaborations with actors like Fred Williamson and Michael Moriarty, and his penchant for guerrilla-style filmmaking.
One of the things that made King Cohen such an engaging film was the sheer force of personality that Cohen brought to the screen. Whether he was talking about his creative process, recounting stories from his wild days in the industry, or just riffing on whatever topic came to mind, Cohen exuded a charisma and energy that was infectious. He was a true original, and the movie did a great job of capturing his spirit.
Another highlight of the movie was the wealth of archival footage and behind-the-scenes material that the filmmakers were able to dig up. There were clips from Cohen's early TV work, excerpts from his movies, and a trove of candid footage that showed Cohen at work on various sets over the years. This material gave the movie a sense of texture and depth that really brought Cohen's world to life.
One of the most interesting things that emerged from the film was the way that Cohen's career was shaped by the changing landscape of independent cinema in the United States. In the '70s and '80s, it was possible for a director like Cohen to make a successful career out of creating genre films that were aimed squarely at a niche audience. But as the industry shifted towards a more corporate model in the '90s and 2000s, Cohen found it increasingly difficult to find financing for his projects. This struggle was a recurring theme throughout the film, and it gave the viewers a sense of the way that the independent film world has evolved over the years.
Overall, King Cohen: The Wild World Of Filmmaker Larry Cohen was a fascinating and engaging documentary about one of the most inspired and innovative filmmakers of his generation. It was a celebration of creativity and independent spirit, and it will no doubt inspire a new generation of filmmakers to follow in Cohen's footsteps.
King Cohen: The Wild World Of Filmmaker Larry Cohen is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 66.