Episode 314 – Matinee (1993)

Ah, the Matinee; this may seem a strange subject for our series “Ready When You are, C.B.” but really, I think a film about these glorious sea mammals is long overdue. Gentle, plant-eating, and able to swim in bursts up to 20mph, these so-called sea cows may have in fact evolved from a four-legged land animal over 20 million years ago . . . hmmm. Some of the casting in this movie seems a bit strange for such a subject; I mean, John Goodman is a stout gentleman but he certainly doesn’t come close to the Matinee’s half-ton weight or aquatic skills . . . oh dear . . . wait, is it possible I’m confusing Matinee with Manatee? Yes, yes, I’m afraid I am. Whoopsie doodle. The fact that this movie involves Key West may have misled me, although I guess I should have questioned what the Manatee has to do with legendary schlock film-maker William Castle or the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, both of which feature prominently in this movie. My bad. Well, enjoy our discussion of “Matinee” and Hollywood, I’ve handed you a golden opportunity to make a big-budget film about a long-ignored sea creature. You’re welcome.

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