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Matinee (1993) Review

By chewypop on | From chewypopcorn.com

Matinee (1993)

For movie fans in general, this one will make you appreciate the cinema and the experiences of going to the movies. John Goodman delivers a nice performance as entrepreneur Lawrence Woolsey who is a showman of sorts. This film takes place 90 miles from Cuba during the Cuban Missile crisis, and shows how people escape to the theaters in times of tragedy. This is something Goodman’s character Woolsey plays upon to drive people to his brand of entertainment. The film is a homage to the B movie horror genre, which was especially popular during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. There are gimmicks which are used to lure in theater crowds; such as the use of various stage props, actors in rubber suits and theater shock seats.

Joe Dante directed this, and it was written by both Jerico and Charles S. Haas who also originated the story. Joe Dante has also directed other films including Small Soldiers (1998), Gremlins (1984), Explorers (1985), and The ‘burbs (1989) among others.

The plotline is pretty simple and straightforward, it centers on this particular movie theater in Key West, Florida where one of the movies within a movie is titled “Mant” which is about a man who changes from an atomic mutation becoming part ant and part man. Woolsey kind of mentors a boy named Gene Loomis (Simon Fenton) who is interested in the inner workings of the theater and movies in general, his brother Dennis Loomis (Jesse Lee Soffer) and him both live on a military base (a naval blockade). Simon Fenton’s character is a young movie addict and military brat of sorts, who truly enjoys spending his time at the movies. In particular, he likes horror films the most…and his fascination of this is one of the driving parts of this story.

Cathy Moriarty delivers a nice performance in this as a sci-fi heroine and was quite convincing, she certainly could have been a B movie star during this era. There are more appearances in this such as Kellie Martin playing Sherry, Cathy Moriarty who plays Ruth Corday / Carole, Omri Katz plays Stan, Lisa Jakub plays Sandra, Lucinda Jenney plays Anne Loomis, and James Villemaire plays Harvey Starkweather. Jesse White plays Mr. Spector, Dick Miller plays Herb Denning, John Sayles plays Bob, David Clennon plays Jack, and Lucy Butler plays Rhonda. Attention The Wonder Years fans, Robert Picardo (Coach Cutlip) plays Howard, the Theater Manager in this.

I would wonder why this film didn’t receive greater attention upon its release; it is a charming film which is both entertaining and amusing at times. Some of the cast went one to do other things, and this is certainly one of John Goodman’s best performances as a one man horror showman. I highly recommend seeing this one sometime.

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Matinee (1993) Review