Spontaneous Combustion ** (1990, Brad Dourif, Cynthia Bain, Jon Cypher) – Classic Movie Review 5997

Co-writer/ director Tobe Hooper’s 1989 movie is a camp, rather silly sci-fi horror thriller from the iconic horror maestro.

It boats a typically, enjoyable overwrought star performance from the eternally twitchy Brad Dourif as Sam, the man with the unfortunate power spontaneous combustion. Surprisingly, perhaps, there is a reason for this. Shortly before Sam was born, his parents had been the subject of atom-bomb testing!

It is not one of the variable Hooper’s best, but it is done with some skill and conviction, and so it still quite entertaining and amusing none the less.

It also stars Cynthia Bain, Jon Cypher, William Prince and Melinda Dillon.

Also in the cast are Dey Young, Tegan West, Michael Keys Hall, Dale Dye, Dick Butkus, Stacy Edwards, Brian Bremer and Frank Whiteman, as well as directors André De Toth and John Landis.

Howard Goldberg writes the screenplay with Hooper (who also wrote the story). It is shot by Levie Isaacks, produced by Jim Rogers, scored by Graeme Revell and designed by Gene Abel.

Made on a $5,500,000 budget, it went straight to video in the UK in May 1991 after its US cinema release on 23 February 1990.

RIP Tobe Hooper (January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5997

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