Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 25, 2017

Directed by Henri Pachard, 1984’s “Matinee Idol” imagines a Hollywood where the adult film industry possesses enough regality to own studio space in town, along with an active backlot. Perhaps it’s not such a fantasy when one considers the popularity of the industry and the recognition factor of its stars, but “Matinee Idol” attempts to sweeten the world with classic Hollywood glamour and humor, offering a light-ish comedy about thespian relationships and traditional sinful fantasies.

John Leslie and Jesie St. James star as Lance Hardy and Linda Hand, the two biggest stars of adult cinema. Troubling producers counting on their movies is the reality that they hate each other, working through some serious communication issues, which requires distraction in the form of Herschel Savage (playing a pool cleaner who graduates to porn star), Colleen Brennan, Angel, and even Kay Parker shows up to brighten the effort as a studio secretary.

Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a "2K scan from the original camera negative," and it looks stunning at times, handling with ideal clarity that brings out all the graphic essentials of adult cinema, while set decoration is open for study, including office walls adorned with posters for additional oddball productions. Colors are tastefully refreshed, leading with bold primaries emerging from costuming, while skintones are natural and inviting. Delineation is comfortable, but rarely challenged in full, as the movie prefers a brighter look that illuminates the frame in full. Grain is heavy and filmic. Source is in fine condition, but the main title sequence does look a little rough, displaying inherent judder issues and speckling.

Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix captures the basic elements of the "Matinee Idol" sound design, which is pretty iffy to begin with. Dialogue exchanges hit a few sharp S-words, but performances come through loudly. Scoring is also acceptable, supporting with decent instrumentation and respectful position. Bedroom sounds are also defined to satisfaction, sustaining the intended mood. A very faint, rhythmic hum is detected periodically during the listening event.

Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Interview (87:53) features producer/screenwriter David Friedman.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:26, HD) is included.

Matinee Idol Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Matinee Idol" is an entertaining picture that does well with industry satire, boosted by engaged performances and scrappy direction, with Pachard successfully selling the illusion of a studio system. A few odd turns of plot and sexuality are encountered, including Savage's character, who's subjected to a plaster casting session that requires his, ahem, sustained attention, challenging his partners to make use of other parts of his anatomy to preserve the mold. Still, it's surprisingly spirited work, with enough humor and sensuality to engage.