Christina Reviews *Matinee*, the 1993 satire starring John Goodman

         Matinee is a Cold War era satire set on a military base in Florida during the 60’s, when concerns of nuclear attack were at their highest.  To take everyone’s minds off of their real life concerns, Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) makes a monster movie called Mant. 

         Gene Loomis and his little brother Dennis want to see the new movie which is about a half-man, half-ant.  The two brothers are new to the area.  They recently moved to Key West because their father was stationed there.  Gene has just made friends with a local boy Stan (Omri Katz, Hocus Pocus) who is in love with Sherry (played by Kellie Martin).  Gene meets a “commie” named Sandra  (played by Lisa Jakob of Mrs. Doubtfire fame).  They all decide to go to the Woolsey movie together.  But the opening showing doesn't go as planned.  The vibrating seats and appearance of a man in an ant costume were all staged by Woolsey.  But in addition to all of that, there's also a kidnapping, a bomb shelter malfunction and a touching climax where big brother Gene is put in the position where he must save his little brother's life.

        My father loved this movie, but then it is more appealing to his generation than mine, I suppose.  That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it as well.  Kellie Martin was pretty impressive as Sherry, I have to say.  The acting was great.