Joe Dante

Matinee is obviously a labour of love for the director, a film that contains a wealth of details for movie lovers. Dante shows off his love of old films (particularly those of 1950s movie maker William Castle) and the ritual of going to the movies, whilst poking gentle fun at Castle-like film maestro Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman). Dante shows us that although Woolsey is a huckster, he clearly loves the movies he makes. Any self-confessed movie fan—particularly a science fiction or horror fan—cannot fail to raise a smile in recognition as the kids sit in a cinema, captivated by the film's film-within-a-film Mant. Along with a strong cast of kids and Dante regulars, special mention must go to Cathy Moriarty, who almost steals the show as Ruth Corday, Woolsey's cynical, world-weary girlfriend/actress, her lines either drawling out the side of her mouth or emitted through gritted teeth. In contrast to Woolsey's allegedly corrupt and horrific films, Matinee hints at the real danger from the imminent Cuban missile crisis—naturally, as seen on TV! Once again, what is on the screen affects reality, particularly when Woolsey fakes a nuclear explosion to clear patrons from the cinema before the auditorium collapses. Matinee evokes the magic of the movies, whilst acknowledging the horrors of the real world lurk around every corner.

La-La Land Records and Universal Pictures proudly present a remastered and expanded CD re-issue of legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith’s (PLANET OF THE APES, THE OMEN, GREMLINS) original motion picture score to the 1989 big screen cult comedy THE ‘BURBS, starring Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern and Carrie Fisher, and directed by Joe Dante. Continuing an exciting collaboration with filmmaker Joe Dante that launched with TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE and blossomed with GREMLINS, EXPLORERS and INNER SPACE, composer Jerry Goldsmith unleashed another wildly creative and notable score for the director’s hilarious, knowing suburban romp, THE ’BURBS. Goldsmith expertly balances the film’s rambunctious comedy, dark satire, suspense, action - and its heart too - with a bold orchestral work that sounds better than ever in this remastered and expanded presentation.

Available for the first time on CD, Pino Donaggio’s immortal score to the THE HOWLING is finally here, digitally remastered from the original ¼ inch album mastertapes. Directed by Joe Dante (“Gremlins”, “Innerspace”) and co-written by John Sayles (“Lone Star”, “Passion Fish”) this film remains a touchstone of contemporary horror, mixing classic scares with a still-relevant satiric look at media-obsessed culture. Mr. Donaggio (“Dressed to Kill”, “Body Double”, “Carrie”) anchors all the film’s suspense, chills and eroticism with his legendary orchestral score. Features bonus tracks and exclusive liner notes from the composer!

Presenting the world premiere score-only release of renowned composer Jerry Goldsmith's (THE OMEN, PATTON, BASIC INSTINCT, GREMLINS) original score to the beloved 1987 Warner Bros. sci-fi/action-adventure/comedy INNERSPACE, starring Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, Meg Ryan and directed by Joe Dante. Goldsmith's classic mix of synth and orchestra finds the perfect pitch of suspense, adventure and romance to propel Dante's wonderfully off-beat genre mash-up. Produced by MV Gerhard and Mike Matessino, and remastered by Mike Matessino from WB vault elements, (LCR taken off the 2" 24-track analog reels mixed to stereo and approved by Bruce Botnick), this definitive release of INNERSPACE features more than 50 minutes of previously unreleased music, and includes exclusive, in-depth liner notes by Dan Goldwasser and Jeff Bond (with new interview comments from Joe Dante and others).

Flamboyant film producer Lawrence Woolsey plans to open his latest science fiction B-movie Mant in a small town in Florida just as panic over the Cuban missile crisis grips the community. Woolsey, ever the showman, thinks he can turn the crisis to his advantage.

Jim Carter moves in on the McWade's carnival concession which shows scenes from Dante's "Inferno". He makes it a going concern, marrying Betty along the way. An inspector calls the amusement pier unsafe but Carter bribes him. The pier collapses, leading to the inspector's suicide, injury to Pop McWade, trial for Carter, and Betty's leaving him. Carter starts over with an unsafe floating casino.