6 December 2021

Review: The Last Matinee

Blu-ray: The Last Matinee (2020)

Set in 1993 (so no get outs of using a mobile phone to call for help), this homage to slasher/giallo movies of the past has a handful of characters trapped in a large movie theatre as a killer moves around unnoticed (at least for a little while), picking them off one by one while adding things to his jar of favourite snacks.

As unaware of the killers movements as the theatre audience is at the beginning of the movie is the projectionists daughter, who is covering for him that evening because he is ill. Though she and everyone trapped inside soon discover that the Frankenstein movie playing on the big screen in front of them isn’t the only horror to be had.

With vibrant cinematography, a score that at times reminded me of Goblin, and a setting reminiscent of one of my favourite horror films; Demons, there’s a lot to like about The Last Matinee.

There are some enjoyable gory moments, and if you have any sort of fear about ‘eye trauma’, then you’d better get a cushion ready to hide behind.

The only really annoying thing for me was reoccurring ineptitude of the main protagonist and being unable to finish the killer off when the occasion arises…multiple times too! Something which bugs me in many horror movies and will more than likely continue to do so.

Putting aside the silly decisions and actions of some of the characters, The Last Matinee kept me entertained all the way through, and will certainly have me checking over my shoulder the next time I’m in a cinema.

An interesting audio commentary and a look into how some of the practical effects were achieved are just a part of an entertaining set of special features in this Arrow Films release.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original uncompressed stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound
Optional English subtitles
Audio Commentary with director Maxi Contenti
Behind the scenes
VFX featurette exploring the special effects of the film
Interview with director Maxi Contenti
Killer Attractions: Maxi Contenti & Ricardo Islas in Conversation, discussion between the film’s director and star Ricardo Islas, director of Frankenstein: Day of the Beast
At the Premiere, featurette on the film’s premiere
Music video for ‘Espada’ by Phoro, directed by Maxi Contenti
The Matinee Massacre – a 3 part series of mockumentary shorts exploring the events of the movie as if they really happened
Puppet Pal V, Contenti’s first feature film
Six short films by director Maxi Contenti: The Plastic Kingdom (2011) Popping Eyes (2009) Hobby Metal (2006) Les Escaliers Fruitiers (2005) La Galleta aka The Cookie (2003) Miedo aka Fear (2001)
Trailers and teasers
Image galleries including behind-the-scenes and promo stills, concept artwork, storyboards and posters
Fan artwork image gallery
Double-sided fold-out poster
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Schoenbach