MATINEE
A film review by Ken Johnson
Copyright 1993 Ken Johnson
1:43, PG, Comedy, 1993 Director: Joe Dante Cast: John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Kellie Martin, Lisa Jakub, Dick Miller, David Clennon, Kevin McCarthy, John Sayles
In a small Floridian town, the occupants are worried about being bombed by the Russians from Cuba. What better a time for Lawrence Woolsey, John Goodman, to open one of his new B horror films? Goodman, with Cathy Moriarty, one of his actresses, comes to the town to personally unveil his new "Rumble-vision." Simon Fenton is new to the town and likes Lisa Jakub. Omri Katz is in love with Kellie Martin, but her ex-con ex-boyfriend wants Katz to stay away from her.
MATINEE is a love story, spoof of old horror films, and a comedy about people overreacting in a panic situation. People from around the time of the Cuban missile crisis (who like comedies) will most likely love this film. Also people who were born after that time, but have had exposure to old B horror movies, will probably also love this film (I did!). On a scale of zero to five, I give MATINEE a five. MATINEE is rated PG for explicit language and adult situations.
The cast for this film I feel does an excellent job. Rising above the rest of this cast is John Goodman (ARACHNOPHOBIA, "Roseanne"). He gives his usual excellent performance. Cathy Moriarty (KINDERGARTEN COP, NEIGHBORS) does a great job with her role. The young cast Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Kellie Martin ("Life Goes On"), and Lisa Jakub all give great performances. The two men against Woolsey's film, John Sayles and Dick Miller (FAR FROM HOME, AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON) I think, do a great job and are highlights in the film. Kevin McCarthy (THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS [1956 and 1978 versions]) is excellent as an actor in Lawrence Woolsey's film.
The film shown in this film is great. It does a wonderful job of spoofing the horror films from the time (I have seen some from that time on the late, late, late, late night movies). The way this film within a film was done adds a lot to the finished product and especially the end. The film (both) are very well written and directed, by Joe Dante (GREMLINS, AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON). The film is photographed beautifully.
-------- Ken Johnson blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu
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