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Empire International Pictures
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Foundation date 1 january 1983
Empire Pictures was an American small scale theatrical distribution company that was formed in 1983 by Charles Band, as a response to the dissatisfaction of how his films were distributed by motion picture companies while making films under the banner of Charles Band International Productions.
The company produced a number of low-budget horror and fantasy features including Trancers and The Dungeonmaster. It is perhaps best known for Re-Animator,Trancers, and Ghoulies which were major box office hits for the company in 1985.
Other Empire Pictures included From Beyond, Dolls, Troll, Crawlspace and Robot Jox. Empire Pictures began to collapse in 1989 due to financial problems and long term debt obligations to Credit Lyonnais.
The studio was originally situated in Rome, Italy and as of today, MGM is the current owner of a majority of the Empire Pictures library. Once it became clear that Empire would not last for more than a couple more years, Band sold Empire to Epic Entertainment in 1988. The following year, Charles Band formed another company, Full Moon Entertainment, which also specializes in horror/fantasy genre films.
Empire Pictures is not to be confused with the American film distribution company of the same name, which was established in 2000 and focuses on releasing art-house and foreign films.
Best films
(2002)
(1997)Filmography of Empire International Pictures (28 films)
Production
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Bandits (2001)
, 2h3Directed by Barry Levinson
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Action, Crime, Romance
Themes Psychologie, Films about sexuality, Buddy films, Heist films, Gangster films, Escroquerie
Actors Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Troy Garity, Brían F. O'Byrne, Stacey Travis
Two friends and convicts, Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton), break out of Oregon State Penitentiary in a concrete mixing truck and start a bank robbing spree, hoping to fund a dream they share. They become known as the "Sleepover Bandits" because of their modus operandi: they kidnap the manager of a target bank the night before a planned robbery, then spend the night with the manager's family; early the next morning, they accompany the manager to the bank to get their money. Using dim-witted would-be stunt man Harvey Pollard (Troy Garity) as their getaway driver and lookout, the three successfully pull off a series of robberies that gets them recognition on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.
On Guard (1997)
, 2hDirected by Philippe de Broca
Origin France
Genres Drama, Swashbuckler, Action, Adventure
Actors Daniel Auteuil, Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Pérez, Marie Gillain, Yann Collette, Philippe Noiret
In 1700 in Nevers, France, a skilled swordsman named Lagardère (Daniel Auteuil) challenges Duke Philippe de Nevers (Vincent Pérez) to a friendly duel in order to learn his secret lethal maneuver known as the "Nevers Attack". Nevers agrees and quickly dispatches the upstart whom he soon befriends. Nevers learns that he has a "son" by Blanche de Caylus—a fact previously concealed by his cousin and would-be heir, the wicked Comte de Gonzague (Fabrice Luchini). That night Nevers escapes an assassination attempt by Gonzague's men.
Buy & Cell (1989)
, 1h38Directed by Robert Boris
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Prison films
Actors Robert Carradine, Imogene Coca, Malcolm McDowell, Tony Plana, Mickey Knox, Ben Vereen
Herbie Altman (Robert Carradine) is framed by his business partner and sent to jail where he sets up "Con Inc." an investment company with the help of those around him.
Robot Jox (1989)
, 1h25Directed by Stuart Gordon
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Action
Themes Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Films set in the future, Political films, Dystopian films, Robot films, Disaster films
Actors Anne-Marie Johnson, Gary Graham, Paul Koslo, Robert Sampson, Jeffrey Combs, Jason Marsden
Fifty years after a nuclear holocaust, open war is forbidden by the surviving nations, which have merged into two opposing factions: the western-influenced Market and the Russian-themed Confederation. To resolve territorial disputes, the two sides hold gladiator-style matches between giant robots piloted by "robot jox". In a contest in which Confederation fighter Alexander (Paul Koslo) defeats and kills the Market's Hercules, it becomes clear that the Confederation is receiving information about new weaponry and designs from spies within the Market, resulting in the loss of critical matches and the deaths of several of the Market's best pilots. Market jock Achilles (Gary Graham), supported by robot designer "Doc" Matsumoto (Danny Kamekona) and strategist Tex Conway (Michael Alldredge), the only jock to win all ten of his contract fights, prepares for his tenth and final contracted fight with Alexander. During the battle, Achilles attempts to intercept a wayward projectile launched by Alexander when it careens towards a civilian spectator section, but his robot takes the full impact and collapses on top of the bleachers, killing over 300 spectators. In a post-match conference, both sides reason that their respective fighter was the victor; however, the referees decide that the match is inconclusive, a draw, and schedule a rematch. Achilles, shaken by the incident, insists that the draw was his contractual tenth match and retires, much to the disapproval of his management and fans.
Assault of the Killer Bimbos (1988)
, 1h25Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Comedy, Horror comedy, Action, Horror, Crime
Themes Comedy horror films
Actors Elizabeth Kaitan, Nick Cassavetes, Griffin O'Neal, Mike Muscat, Patti Astor, Eddie Deezen
Two go-go dancers, Lulu (Elizabeth Kaitan) and Peaches (Christina Whitaker), are framed for the murder of their employer by the real killer, sleazy gangster Vinnie (Mike Muscat). Picking up waitress Darlene (Tammie Souza) along the way, the three are involved in wild car chases with cops as they head south to cross the border into Mexico, where they unexpectedly encounter Vinnie in a fleabag Mexican motel.
Distribution
Caterina in the Big City (2003)
, 1h43Directed by Paolo Virzì
Origin Italie
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama
Themes Films about sexuality, LGBT-related film, Lesbian-related films
Actors Sergio Castellitto, Margherita Buy, Giulia Elettra Gorietti, Claudio Amendola, Flavio Bucci, Galatea Ranzi
Caterina (Alice Teghil) is the 13-year-old only child of Giancarlo Iacovoni (Sergio Castellitto), an aspiring novelist and teacher of accounting at a country school in an area north of Rome that one character describes as "hillbilly country." In spite of his often lucid assessments of modern society, Iacovoni is a typically burned-out teacher whom his job (perhaps among other, undisclosed personal experiences) has imbued with bitterness and social resentment, with a sheer lack of perspective concerning human relations, and with an overbearing, holier-than-thou demeanor that is a major plot point throughout the movie.
The Twilight Samurai (2002)
, 2h9Directed by Yōji Yamada
Origin Japon
Genres Drama, Action, Historical, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Sports films, Transport films, Martial arts films, Samurai films
Actors Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa, Nenji Kobayashi, Ren Osugi, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Miki Hirano
At the start of the film, the main character, Iguchi Seibei, becomes a widower when his wife succumbs to tuberculosis. His wife receives a grand funeral, more than what a low-ranking samurai such as Seibei could afford. Seibei works in the grain warehouse, accounting for stores inventory for the samurai clan. His samurai colleagues mock him behind his back with the nickname Tasogare (Twilight). When evening approaches, Seibei rushes home to look after his senile elderly mother and two young daughters, Kayano and Ito, instead of bonding with his supervisor and other samurai colleagues over customary nights of dinner, geisha entertainment, and sake drinking. Even though he is a samurai, Seibei neglects his appearance, failing to bathe and being shabbily dressed. The well-being of his young daughters and medicine for his mother take priority over new clothes or the monthly bath fee and his daughters say they are both happy, even without a mother.
The Three Marias (2002)
, 1h30Directed by Aluizio Abranches
Origin Bresil
Genres Drama, Crime
Actors Wagner Moura, Carlos Vereza, Maria Luísa Mendonça, Júlia Lemmertz, Enrique Díaz, Lázaro Ramos
Intruder (1989)
, 1h23Directed by Scott Spiegel
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Horror, Slasher
Actors Renée Estevez, Dan Hicks, Sam Raimi, Eugene Robert Glazer, Burr Steers, Ted Raimi
A supermarket closes and the workers begin restocking the shelves for the next day. Craig, the former boyfriend of cashier Jennifer, appears and the two have an argument. Worried for her friend, Linda presses her panic button. Co-owner Bill appears and a fight ensues. Craig escapes onto the shop floor, and the night crew set out to track him down while Jennifer calls the police. When Craig is found there is another scuffle; he is ejected from the building and disappears into the night.
Arena (1989)
, 1h37Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Action, Horror
Actors Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Camp, William Butler, Claudia Christian, Marc Alaimo, Armin Shimerman
Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield) is working as a short order cook on a space station somewhere in the galaxy. Overwhelmed by the volume of orders, he repeatedly fouls up and soon finds himself in a confrontation with an alien patron named Fang. After a fight which smashes up the diner and leaves the alien injured, Steve and his friend and co-worker Shorty (Hamilton Camp) are fired. As it turns out, Fang is an Arena fighter, and his manager Quinn (Claudia Christian) confronts Steve. Amazed that a human could beat one of her best fighters, Quinn offers him a contract, but convinced that humans no longer have a place in the Arena, Steve refuses, intending to make his way back to Earth.
Cellar Dweller (1988)
, 1h17Directed by John Carl Buechler
Origin USA
Genres Fantasy, Horror
Actors Yvonne De Carlo, Debrah Farentino, Brian Robbins, Pamela Bellwood, Vince Edwards, Jeffrey Combs
Thirty years have passed since the grisly murder/suicide of Colin Childress, creator of the comic book, Cellar Dweller. But, as often happens to those ignorant of it, comic book artist Whitney Taylor is doomed to repeat history in a most grotesque way. Little does she know that her twisted renderings will soon reincarnate the bloody hysteria of Cellar Dweller.
Pulse Pounders (1988)
, 1h17Directed by Charles Band
Origin USA
Genres Horror
Actors Richard Moll, Jeffrey Byron, Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, Art LaFleur, Telma Hopkins
The Caller (1987)
, 1h37Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Horror
Actors Malcolm McDowell, Madolyn Smith
A mysterious man joins a woman in her forest cabin. He initially claims that his car had broken down and he needs her assistance. Soon things become suspect. The two examine each other's stories for inconsistencies. The woman claims she caused the accident to lure the man up so she can kill him. The man claims he is a police officer, investigating the possibility the woman has killed her own family.
Enemy Territory (1987)
, 1h29Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action, Crime
Actors Gary Frank, Jan-Michael Vincent, Frances Foster, Tony Todd, Stacey Dash, Deon Richmond
At night the tenants of the New York City housing project Lincoln Towers lock their doors and pray. For now their building is ruled by a savage gang called the Vampires. But one night they meet their match and the night becomes an eternity.
Valet Girls (1987)
, 1h22Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors April Stewart, Jack DeLeon, Stuart Fratkin, Tony Cox, Ron Jeremy, Randy Vasquez
The story revolves around Lucy (Meri Marshall), who wants to be a rock star, Rosalind (April Stewart), a brain pretending to be a bimbo, and Carnation (Mary Kohnert), who wants to be an actress. These three girls get a job parking cars for a big movie star named Dirk Zebra (Jack DeLeon) who throws regular house parties so that he and his fellow actor Lindsey Brawnsworth (Jon Sharp) and a record producer, Alvin Sunday (Michael Karm) can attract and seduce aspiring starlets.