Simply A Masterpiece

People are voting emotionally.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

You could well describe Matinée as Joe Dante's most mature and reflective work and also one of his very best movies. It's a criminally underrated film that only seems to be enjoyed by those who love and respect B-movies as much as the characters in the film, but for my money it's one of the most loving and respectful cinematic dedications in existence and miles ahead of overrated fare like Scorsese's HUGO.The film is set in the 1960s and involves a larger-than-life showman, played to the hilt by John Goodman, bringing his latest B-movie to a local cinema in Florida. In many ways the film's backdrop is even more important than the main story: the Cuban Missile Crisis was in full swing and the threat of nuclear destruction was closer than any other time in history. On top of this, there's an excellent depiction of social and class issues and culture, as well as an exploration of what it was like to be growing up during the era. In this respect, Matinée is as deep and contemplative as STAND BY ME, for example.On top of this, Matinée is thoroughly entertaining. Dante - who clearly puts himself into the main character of Gene Loomis - gives it his all and the result is stunning. The recreation of the cinematic experience, heavily inspired by the real-life showman William Castle, is genius. Goodman steals the show and is constant and surprising delight; I'd go so far as to describe this as my favourite role from the actor. The expected cameos from Robert Picardo and Dick Miller as well as many others are all delightful. Some of the stuff that takes place at the climax is over the top, but that's okay because it fits the theme of the film nicely. Matinée is one heck of a tribute and as a unique piece of film-making it takes some beating.

While "Matinee" might not be the very best history lesson, the film is lots of fun and focuses on some events you really don't hear a lot about today. The film is set during one of the tensest times during the Cold War--during the Cuban Missile Crisis. To make things worse, everything in the film takes place in Key West--which is only a short distance from Cuba. So, not surprisingly, everyone is tense--wondering if maybe the world is soon coming to an end.Into this scary times arrives a weird showman (John Goodman)--a man obviously strongly inspired by William Castle. His film, "Mant", is a typical early 60s monster film--complete with atomic radiation and giant bugs. And, like Castle, he's installed all the many silly gimmicks in the theater--like having ALL of Castle's films rolled into one. There's the fake nurse (Cathy Moriarty) in the lobby having folks sign off on a form releasing the theater from responsibility of their deaths from fright, the guy dressed up in a 'mant' costume running through the theater, the electrified seats...and more. It's all amazingly silly but also quite fun and nostalgic. My only reservation is the character of the girl who rebels against this hysteria--she just seemed very anachronistic--like putting a child of the late 70s or early 80s into the early 60s. Still, I could let go of this and just enjoy--and I am sure you will. The movie did a great job of capturing the flavor of Castle's odd sort of genius.A few final notes: John Goodman was great, it was nice to see Dick Miller (from MANY Roger Corman films) in a bit role as well as Omri Katz (from "Eerie, Indiana") in the film.

Matinée is directed by Joe Dante and written by Charles S. Haas and Jerico Stone. It stars John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Omri Katz, Kellie Martin, Lisa Jakub and Simon Fenton. Music is by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by John Hora. The film operates on three fronts narratively speaking, set in 1962 it has a wry look at the paranoia created by the Cuban Missile Crisis, pays homage to the sci-fi schlock movies created by William Castle, and dallies in blossoming teenage romances.It's a lovingly crafted movie by Dante, perhaps more pertinent to those around at the time of the film's setting, or for someone like me who loves those creaky creature features of the 1950s, but surely there's enough to enjoy here for the average film lover? It's three pronged structure isn't a complete success, as the last third starts to feel a bit too chocked full of (sub) plots, but the homages stay warm and the period flavour of the time is expertly created by Dante and his team. It's fun without straining for laughs, while the cast, led by an excellent Goodman as schlockmeister Lawrence Woolsey, deliver the requisite amount of quality to make it work.A lovely film for film fans, created by a film fan himself. 8/10

Director Joe Dante's homage/movie-valentine to William Castle, featuring John Goodman as a B-movie filmmaker and theatrical showman in 1962 Florida working tirelessly to get the kids of Key West into the neighborhood theater for his latest monster masterpiece, "Mant!" Elements of real-life history (with President Kennedy warning the country about the crisis with Cuba), teen-time romance, and shameless self-promotion doesn't jell, and Goodman is amiable but uncommitted. The black-and-white scenes from "Mant!", in Rumble-Rama sound, are funny but--as if we need to be clued-in this just a satire--are far more ridiculous than need be. The teenage actors are alternately bored and boring, while one boy's mother--her husband away in the Navy--cries while watching home-movies in the middle of the night (for that extra sentimental punch). One is never sure when Dante is joshing or when he wants to be taken seriously. Portions of "Matinee" are nostalgic and funny, and the final shots are sweet, but the timing is always two-beats off, and the scenes in the brightly-lit movie theater are never convincing. *1/2 from ****