Well, last night I welcomed in the New Year by being really happy when I scrolled though the 557 channels and found that, for once, there was “something on.” I watched “Matinee,” and I was really glad I did. It’s directed by my fellow graduate of the Roger Corman Film School, Joe Dante. It’s a love letter to the movies he grew up on - as did many of us. When I saw it on opening night in 1993, it was in the biggest theater at the Burbank AMC 8, and the audience ranged from teenagers to people the age I am now, and at the end when the lights came up, everyone (nobody had left while the Dead Sea Scrolls were running) gave it a standing ovation. You don’t get that response often, maybe only once in your career - if then. When it happened for “Terror Within,” it meant it went on to be Roger’s biggest hit ever. I figured that was what was going to happen with “Matinee,” but it didn’t: the movie sank without a trace, despite the fact that over the years, every person I have met who saw it said they loved it. There just weren’t enough of them. I even talked once to the studio executive who said “Yes” and he said it was the easiest “Yes” he ever gave to a pitch. Further proof that, indeed, Nobody. Knows. Anything.
I’ll be watching “Matinee” as a matinee this week when I stream it. Thanks for recommendation. Sizzlin’ is as sizzlin’ does, TC. You are on point with your hot tips.
Thanks, TCinLA for making me laugh, giving me a movie to watch, and a “snap out of it” shake to get going. This is column to reread when I become too gloomy. ❤️🤍💙
Sounds like a super movie. I have never seen it. I'll see if I can encourage my hubby to watch it with me. What scared the heck out of me back in the day was On the Beach. I figured it was only a matter of time, and that was when I decided working to thwart the plans for nuclear exchanges was a passion. Still is, although that concern has merged with ending gun violence which means doing something about the industry and money in politics. Everything is indeed connected. In 1993 I was graduating from theological seminary, dealing with three boys and a husband, dogs, chickens, and all the minutia of getting kids through high school, into college and launched. I was tired all the time! But we were all enjoying fresh eggs! I was also a little less concerned for democracy than I am today. When the Cuban missile crisis was happening I was in my first year of college in Cincinnati. I figured singing good high notes would not likely save the world but I did it anyway. Even lived in Germany end of the 60's. That was when I began to learn that politics and political action MUST be part of the human enterprise. If it's left up to the scoundrels, and there are too many of them - they're like fleas on a hound - then when it all goes south we only have ourselves to blame. Who knew there would be a pandemic!?! The reality however is this: humans have been living in pandemics from the beginning - ever since Cain slew Abel. We don't call what we live in all the time a pandemic. We have many other names that make the monster less frightening and something we believe we can ignore on good days and conquer on bad days. January 6 is in some church calendars, Epiphany - the day to celebrate that Light does indeed shine in the darkness and the Darkness cannot overcome it. As we hurtle toward January 6, 2022 - the first year anniversary of another "epiphany" we had a feeling was there with the election of the former "president", is that democracy is threatened by a political party that points toward Lincoln when in reality they are acolytes of Putin and other "strong men" (and I do mean men) for whom governance is meant to create Animal Farm and 1984 redux. Ideas are a poor second to power and controlling it and everyone with it. The millions who stand today against such current situations, risking their lives, are real heroes it seems to me. And those who decide to stand up against such an outcome in our own nation will have to turn off their tv sets and get working to reject any gop candidate for any office (even dog catcher) and elect decent candidates from the democrats (although this is a tough one) this year and in the future. I also must make peace with the knowledge that the generations coming after me - with my own kids and grandkids - will have lots of growing up to do and hard work to accomplish the transformation, socially and politically, that must happen not just in the United States but in democratic leaning polities everywhere. But hey! It is a new beginning - of a year and of a day - every day. Hallelujah!
If it wasn't for my hubby who prefers action movies, I'd be watching comedies all the time. For New Year we settled on "Clear and Present Danger" with Harrison Ford. It was through a new lens that I watched (with a tear in my eye) as I realized the good guys would never win in today's political environment. At the end of the movie as Jack Ryan (Ford) took the oath prior to testifying before the "Senate Intelligence Committee," I kept thinking of the "alternate reality" that would play out in today's world. I saw the clear and present danger.
Agreed. "Matinee" is a lot of fun. Another instance of The Master instructing a newcomer in the show business is "Me and Orson Welles" in which the newbie winds up assisting Welles in his famous Mussolini-inspired version of "Julius Caesar." It's also a period piece, this time from 1937.
I finally watched The Hunger Games.
Happy New Year!
And may the odds be ever in our favor.
I’ll be watching “Matinee” as a matinee this week when I stream it. Thanks for recommendation. Sizzlin’ is as sizzlin’ does, TC. You are on point with your hot tips.
Happy United New Year as Lynell said it. Cheers 🥂
Thanks, TCinLA for making me laugh, giving me a movie to watch, and a “snap out of it” shake to get going. This is column to reread when I become too gloomy. ❤️🤍💙
Well done TC; happy New Year.
Happy New Year 🎊🎈🎆
Sounds like a super movie. I have never seen it. I'll see if I can encourage my hubby to watch it with me. What scared the heck out of me back in the day was On the Beach. I figured it was only a matter of time, and that was when I decided working to thwart the plans for nuclear exchanges was a passion. Still is, although that concern has merged with ending gun violence which means doing something about the industry and money in politics. Everything is indeed connected. In 1993 I was graduating from theological seminary, dealing with three boys and a husband, dogs, chickens, and all the minutia of getting kids through high school, into college and launched. I was tired all the time! But we were all enjoying fresh eggs! I was also a little less concerned for democracy than I am today. When the Cuban missile crisis was happening I was in my first year of college in Cincinnati. I figured singing good high notes would not likely save the world but I did it anyway. Even lived in Germany end of the 60's. That was when I began to learn that politics and political action MUST be part of the human enterprise. If it's left up to the scoundrels, and there are too many of them - they're like fleas on a hound - then when it all goes south we only have ourselves to blame. Who knew there would be a pandemic!?! The reality however is this: humans have been living in pandemics from the beginning - ever since Cain slew Abel. We don't call what we live in all the time a pandemic. We have many other names that make the monster less frightening and something we believe we can ignore on good days and conquer on bad days. January 6 is in some church calendars, Epiphany - the day to celebrate that Light does indeed shine in the darkness and the Darkness cannot overcome it. As we hurtle toward January 6, 2022 - the first year anniversary of another "epiphany" we had a feeling was there with the election of the former "president", is that democracy is threatened by a political party that points toward Lincoln when in reality they are acolytes of Putin and other "strong men" (and I do mean men) for whom governance is meant to create Animal Farm and 1984 redux. Ideas are a poor second to power and controlling it and everyone with it. The millions who stand today against such current situations, risking their lives, are real heroes it seems to me. And those who decide to stand up against such an outcome in our own nation will have to turn off their tv sets and get working to reject any gop candidate for any office (even dog catcher) and elect decent candidates from the democrats (although this is a tough one) this year and in the future. I also must make peace with the knowledge that the generations coming after me - with my own kids and grandkids - will have lots of growing up to do and hard work to accomplish the transformation, socially and politically, that must happen not just in the United States but in democratic leaning polities everywhere. But hey! It is a new beginning - of a year and of a day - every day. Hallelujah!
Happy New Year to all.
I found it on Amazon Prime to rent for $3.99, not don’t see it on Netflix. May watch tonight.
If it wasn't for my hubby who prefers action movies, I'd be watching comedies all the time. For New Year we settled on "Clear and Present Danger" with Harrison Ford. It was through a new lens that I watched (with a tear in my eye) as I realized the good guys would never win in today's political environment. At the end of the movie as Jack Ryan (Ford) took the oath prior to testifying before the "Senate Intelligence Committee," I kept thinking of the "alternate reality" that would play out in today's world. I saw the clear and present danger.
Happy New Year, TC! Matinee is on my list of to-dos for the week. Your "review" was an excellent and compelling one! Thank you.
Agreed. "Matinee" is a lot of fun. Another instance of The Master instructing a newcomer in the show business is "Me and Orson Welles" in which the newbie winds up assisting Welles in his famous Mussolini-inspired version of "Julius Caesar." It's also a period piece, this time from 1937.
Thanks for this, TC. We can slay this slobbery monster. Happy New Year!