Matinee

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

How much can you expect of a Jerry Goldsmith score, written for a Joe Dante film while you already have The 'Burbs, Gremlins and Small Soldiers in your possession? Basically expect as much as you know of the film. I always love Dante as a director because he gives life to crazy but wildly entertaining motion pictures and his originality, zaniness and fun gives Goldsmith the perfect opportunity to be just all those things in musical development. But I basically never heard really much of the movie Matinee and perhaps this is the reason that the score Matinee isn't of the same potential as The 'Burbs, Gremlins and the rest. The soundtrack overall is nice and a solid listen but you haven't got that something extra that was found more then enough in the already mentioned list of soundtracks. It isn't that special, it isn't that profound and it is basically a score that (in basis of the Dante film scores) doesn't take any chances with creativity or wild tones and instrumentation. Meaning overall Goldsmith was solid but I expected just that touch more when it concerned a Dante project, and perhaps it is just me but I'm betting others did do too.

The score by Varčse Sarabande is solid representation, 38 minutes covering no more then needed to make Goldsmith's score work on disc. And that score is more then solid in its construction. It has a good approachable main theme and a light entertaining mood, making me remembering the light touches of Dennis the Menace of the same year. But the first score track nonetheless starts like we are back in Mayfield Place when the same lighthearted mood reappears in 'Coming Attraction'. Of course don't expect any dog barks when you would normally do that. This is overall the main theme and it is nice gentle composition, but again not zany enough to be considered fun in its own terms. 'Brother to Brother' states for the first time a somewhat darker sound in the begin but again quotes a soft main theme performance later on. 'The Scam' and its follower in numbers 'Halfway Home' upholds more difference, when light jazzy drums and piano appear on the foreground (begin is just like Who Framed Roger Rabbit of Alan Silvestri) and the fifth is actually interesting because it carries the first sound effect tone that appeared so regularly in The 'Burbs. 6 by then states the first brief horror fanfare (which in my book has to represent The Ant). Still, tracks 9 and 10 being basically 'This is It' and 'The Next Attraction' are the best of the lot. Track 9 has the short horror fanfares and some good trumpet playing which states itself without problem through the speakers and 10 is a lovely compilation piece covering both the main theme and the jazz in a quite wonderful mix, ending really with funny creative touches by Goldsmith.

In the end I have no real problem with the soundtrack of Matinee. It is Goldsmith on his normal which in itself still is quite good to other standards of other composers. But with Dante you expect that bit more, that touch of extra spunk and that is missing, making me disappointed that I didn't get that of the score. Nothing wrong about the music itself but it just feels like Goldsmith isn't taking any chances with the composition. A part can perhaps be explained about the movie's no nonsense approach (or not) but still, I saw a giant Ant (dressed up of course or who knows in a Dante film) on the cover, so you would expect at least something to start with. For Goldsmith buyers it will whatever the quotation may be an essential purchase but for regular fans who like the zany and creative touch it might be a disappointing listen. I recommend without hesitation Small Soldiers and Gremlins 2 over this (since Gremlins and The 'Burbs aren't in stock as regular releases). Matinee overall is just normal Goldsmith which makes it good, but perhaps too light for a Goldsmith fan expecting a Goldsmith score for a Dante film.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Coming Attraction (2.09)

2. Hold On (3.18)

3. Brother To Brother (2.26)

4. Real People (2.13)

5. The Scam (4.07)

6. Halfway Home (3.45)

7. Showtime (4.33)

8. The Wrong Business (3.39)

9. This Is It (3.50)

10. The Next Attraction (7.57)

Total Length: 38.29

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=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===