Matinee (Collector’s Edition): Blu-Ray Review

I am a big fan of Joe Dante’s 1993 comedy, “Matinee” which starred John Goodman as a Lawrence Woolsey, a William Castle inspired filmmaker who wanted nothing more than to surprise and entertain his audience. Woolsey was all about showmanship, something he felt was missing in Hollywood.  Goodman has played B-movie filmmakers multiple times. Aside from “Matinee” he also played one in 2015’s “Trumbo” and 2012’s “Argo”. He is just so believable as a movie promoter/producer that it is so much fun watching him play the part.

Set in 1962, Key West, the story centers on fifteen-year-old Gene Loomis (Simone Fenton), an army brat whose best friend is his little brother because he has moved too often to make any real friend.  Gene loves monster movies and when he learns that Lawrence Woolsey will be coming to town with his new film “Mant”, he takes it upon himself to befriend the filmmaker and offer his assistance.

Although “Matinee” is more of a coming-of-age film set during the Cuban Missile Crisis, it is best when we are taken through Woolsey’s elaborate set-up and execution of his latest immersive moviegoing experience.  Goodman is absolute gold here and so is Cathy Moriarty as his leading lady and love interest, Ruth.  A few Dante regulars show up like Robert Picardo as the theater manager and Dick Miller as one of Woolsey’s trusted employees.

If you are a fan of “Matinee” or just a fan of film, Shout Factory has delivered a great release.  The bonus features include new interviews with Joe Dante and Cathy Moriarty (Sadly not Goodman). There are also quite a few more additions.  I am glad to now have “Matinee” in my collection and I am sure you will be too.

Bonus Features

• NEW Master Of The Matinee – An Interview With Director Joe Dante
• NEW The Leading Lady – An Interview with Cathy Moriarty
• NEW MANTastic! The Making Of A Mant
• NEW Out Of The Bunker – An Interview With Actress Lisa Jakub
• NEW Making A Monster Theatre – An Interview With Production Designer Steven Legler
• NEW The Monster Mix – An Interview With Editor Marshall Harvey
• NEW Lights! Camera! Reunion! – An Interview With Director Of Photography John Hora
• Paranoia In Ant Vision – Joe Dante Discusses The Making Of The Film
• MANT! – The Full Length Version Of The Film With Introduction By Joe Dante
• Vintage Making Of Featurette
• Behind The Scenes Footage Courtesy Of Joe Dante
• Deleted And Extended Scenes Sourced From Joe Dante’s Workprint
• Still Galleries
• Theatrical Trailer

By: Marc Ferman