Matinee

A film you may never have heard of, but really should see. Trust me. If you grew up at the movies, like I did, this film is a slam-dunk. You went to the shows and devoured films like "It, The Terror From Beyond Space," & "Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers." The kid in this film is you (or me) and Lawrence Woolsey played by John Goodman is the guy who gave us our favorite junk movies. And add to that that it all takes place in Southern Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and you have a deliciously fun film(I see that look in your eye and you'll just have to trust me on this) Fine performances all around and Joe Dante (a heroically underappreciated director) directing. Goodman's character is based on real-life producer William Castle who was known as much for his stunts as his movies. He gave us "The Tingler" crawling under the seats of the audience, and on one film actually gave the audience mild shocks through wires in their seats. He also issued "Death by Fright" Insurance policies in the lobby, and had an actress dressed like a nurse on duty,
just in case you had a heart attack. It is all gloriously remembered here. They even lets us see portions of the film he's trying to sell. "Half Man! Half Ant! He's Mant!" You'll see a bunch of stars of the B-Movie heaven here, but I'll let you find them, that's the fun. Even the clever little send-up of Disney films of the '60's ("The Shook Up Shopping Cart," with dead Dad coming back as a shopping cart and trying to solve crimes.) would make this worth seeing. This is not an epic, this is just a great little find. My friends, you put the joy of movie hokem next to the true terror of a world on the edge of Nuclear war, and you have a little film that has a lot to say, but never forgets what it is, and what it is meant to do. Goodman's character sums it all up when he tells the teen hero: "You think grown-ups have it all figured out? That's just a hustle, kid.
Grown-ups are making it up as they go along just like you. You remember that, and you'll do fine."

I have always wanted a DVD of this out-of-print film for like, forever. I saw it on the big screen and never forgot it. Everywhere else I looked demanded a ridiculous price for it, even over $100! I wish this was on the shelves again, but at least I have my copy. I just love this warm, nostalgic classic. This is one John Goodman's best films. He's a talented actor who elevates everything project he does.

This is Joe Dante's affectionate valentine to those schlocky monster movies of the 50s and 60s. Goodman plays Lawrence Woolsey (a loosely disguised tribute to William Castle), a genial, cigar-chomping blowhard filmmaker who loves his work. Cathy Moriarty is his tart-tongued girlfriend. Together, they have crackling chemistry.

This is a gem.

Joe Dante, the evil mastermind behind "Gremlins," makes a nostalgic film that is even more enjoyable than his classic monster flick.

In 1962 Key West, young teen Gene (Simon Fenton) and his brother sit in the dark theater and see previews for Lawrence Woolsey's (John Goodman) new film "Mant," "half man, half ant, all terror!" Gene's father is absent, floating around in the Gulf of Mexico in the Cuban blockade. Everyone is nuclear-paranoid, as Gene's school holds atomic bomb drills. During one of these, cute Sandra (Lisa Jakub) rails against the silliness of the entire procedure, and catches the eye of Gene.

Being a naval base kid, Gene finds it hard to make friends. He does get to know Stan (Omri Katz), who is obsessed with pretty Sherry (Kellie Martin). Sherry has just ended a dangerous relationship with juvenile delinquent/poet Harvey (James Villemaire). With the threat of nuclear annihilation as a back drop, Gene gets involved with Woolsey when he comes to town with his leading lady Ruth (Cathy Moriarty). Woolsey welcomes the missile commotion, hoping to use it to his film's advantage. After Gene recognizes two of Woolsey's actors (Dick Miller and John Sayles) posing as outraged citizens trying to "stop" the film, the duo become friends.

Harvey threatens Stan for seeing Sherry. Harvey is then hired by Woolsey to both play a guy in a Mant suit, and to run all the backstage effects, including rumbling sounds and shock seats. The film wraps up at the premiere of "Mant," as Woolsey and Ruth must deal with a crazed Harvey, who kidnaps Sherry. Gene and Sandra get locked in a bomb shelter by a high strung theater manager (Robert Picardo), but the film must go on (even if the balcony begins to collapse from overcrowding).

The script was written by Charlie Haas, and it is fantastic. Dante makes a great teen comedy that does not resort to any stupid, "American Pie" activities. Although I was not born until six years after this was set, I still felt nostalgic for those halcyon days of youth. Dante captures the life of a military kid very well, I have almost two decades of Air Force brat-dom to back up my expertise. Dante uses special effects sparingly, so when they do pop up (an atomic nightmare, Woolsey's film), they are brilliant.

John Goodman is wonderful as the William Castle-like Woolsey. I have yet to see him turn in a bad performance on the big screen, TV's "Normal, Ohio" is another matter. Cathy Moriarty is a riot as his put-upon love interest. There is a great running gag where she dresses as a nurse as part of the film's publicity stunt, and children come to her with real medical problems.

The young cast all do well. Stan and Sherry, and Gene and Sandra, and poor Harvey are teens like we rarely see onscreen anymore- they seem normal. The teen's parents are also refreshingly smart, and I was surprised by this as well.

"Matinee" is one of those films I did not want to end when it did. I usually do not like TV series based on films, but I would have made an exception with this one. The film bombed (sorry) in the theater, so a sequel is not likely. I will be happy watching this again, however. It is funny, entertaining, and just plain great. I highly recommend it.

This is rated (PG) for mild gun violence, mild physical violence, some profanity, and some adult situations.