Comedy,Drama
United States of America
Matinee is a 1993 American comedy-drama film directed by Joe Dante, starring John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, and Omri Katz. The film takes place in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tells the story of Lawrence Woolsey (Goodman), a showman who arrives in Key West, Florida, to promote his new B-movie, "Mant!" - a horror film about a half-man, half-ant creature who rampages through a small town.
Woolsey sees the hysteria and fear surrounding the missile crisis as an opportunity to create a unique movie experience and encourages the townspeople to embrace their fear by attending his show. He transforms the local cinema into a mock fallout shelter, complete with fake news broadcasts, stage props, and live actors in rubber suits to enhance the film's special effects.
The film follows the experiences of Gene Loomis (Fenton), a young teenager who is fascinated by horror films and the art of special effects. He sneaks into the cinema to see Mant! and becomes involved with Woolsey's crew, eventually joining them in the production of the film's final scene.
The film is a homage to B-movies of the 1950s and 60s, offering a nostalgic view of the era's film industry and the cultural zeitgeist of the time. Matinee is also a celebration of the power of cinema to entertain and unite communities during times of crisis.
