We take a look at the essential works of the vastly underrated Joe Dante…
Some directors are rightly heralded as part of the grand pantheon of legendary directors. Thinking of Steven Spielberg immediately brings to mind an array of iconic masterpieces, not least some of his trailblazing films in the blockbuster realm.
Arriving in the slipstream of Spielberg, and often helped by his name attached as a producer, came a number of Spielbergian helmers who made great films and perhaps didn’t always get the credit they deserved. For someone like Robert Zemeckis, making Back to the Future would come with the caveat, that many casual audience members just assumed Spielberg directed it as his name was emblazoned in the opening credits. For Zemeckis, he stepped out of that shadow thanks to the runaway success of Forrest Gump.
When it comes to Joe Dante though, he’s made some incredible films that have entertained and enraptured viewers for decades and some slow-brewing cult favourites that have grown in legacy over the years. Yet, it feels like he’s never been given the credit he deserves as one of the finest exponents of blockbuster cinema, while Zack Snyder for example, probably gets worshipped way beyond the quality of his CV. It’s time to celebrate the finest works of Dante with these essentials…
Gremlins
Christmas is approaching as I write, so Dante’s Christmas set fusion of comedy and creature horror is the perfect place to start. It was another that had Spielberg’s might involved as executive producer and in its impeccable delivery felt every inch like a Spielberg film. Dante had all the beats down with that inherent gift to balance humour, adventure, thrills and heart.
Zach Galligan and the effervescent Phoebe Cates head a game and likeable cast, filled out with the likes of Corey Feldman and Dick Miller (that guy). After receiving a cute fuzzy animal for Christmas called Gizmo, Billy breaks one of the “rules” and from that little blighter, a bunch of grotesque and fiendishly destructive Gremlins are born. Never hugely considered a Christmas film, in more recent years it has become a festive tradition for many. The subsequent sequel (also from Dante) wasn’t nearly as good, but still a lot of fun.
The Howling
Sometimes notoriety takes time. The Howling was a great werewolf movie with incredible creature effects and an excellent cast. It had moments of dark humour and its growing popularity in the video era, helped it spawn an eight-film franchise. There’s just one problem. Another Werewolf film came out in 1981 which you might have heard of… An American Werewolf in London. More overtly humourous, it was a more ahead-of-the-curve fusion of genres and its most legendary moments, particularly the werewolf transformation, are considered more iconic in the genre.
Still, that doesn’t take away from how well-made The Howling was. Dante paces it brilliantly, aided by great cinematography and a stellar cast. Dante, like a whole host of filmmakers, also cut his teeth in the world of Roger Corman, with Piranha and the legendary B movie producer pops up in a blink-or-you-‘ll-miss-him cameo.
The ‘Burbs
Opening with solid, if unspectacular box office and middling reviews, The ‘Burbs in its first few years might have seemed destined to become a hazy memory. However, thanks to its popularity on video and catching up to cinematic trends (such as the melding of genres and its irreverent humour), The ‘Burbs has grown into a cult classic.
Featuring Tom Hanks some way up his rise, but before he matured into being Oscar bait A-list, it also pulls together an enjoyable and eclectic cast. Corey Feldman is great, as are Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher and Rick Ducomann. As for Hanks, it’s a brilliant display of his physical comedy gifts that he’s rarely been able to display. The ‘Burbs felt unlike much else around too, with its own distinct tone, a big part of why it’s held up so well.
Innerspace
Hitting Spielberg’s formula with aplomb, this rollickingsSci-fi comedy seems to have been a little unfairly forgotten in time. The reworking of Fantastic Voyage has a charismatic cast, led by Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan who was about to come to her peak as the adorable (yet feisty) girl next door. Martin Short has enjoyed a much-deserved step back into the limelight with Only Murders in the Building and was a regular fixture on the big screen in the 80s.
Short is great here, thrust into a life-or-death adventure with barnstorming set pieces. He also does some impressive stunt work too. Throwing himself into sequences with gusto. I honestly don’t know why Innerspace isn’t more revered. It’s better than 99% of modern blockbusters and double the fun. Plus, Vernon Wells as the villain is always a bonus.
Explorers
An old family favourite that slowly cultivated a cult following but may well be Dante’s most unfairly overlooked film. The young cast is led by River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke meaning the performances are stronger than many other films of this ilk. Sure, it’s ridiculous, but it matters not in a fun-for-all-the-family sci-fi adventure where a bunch of youngsters build their own spaceship.
There were countless films around the time with a preoccupation with space and aliens and this is one of the better ones. A big part of the reason this one took a while to grow in legacy was the poor box office compared to its fairly costly production.
Matinee
A love letter to B movies and its industrious makers, Matinee is colourful and beautifully captures a distinct time and place. John Goodman commands the screen as well as anyone, able to portray this flawed but likeable purveyor of schlock who captures the attention and imagination of the small town.
I’m a sucker for movies about movies, and the B picture creature feature Woolsey (Goodman) has come to premiere in Key West during the Cuban missile crisis, bares all the hallmarks of a Corman picture.
The Hole
Despite opening with good reviews, The Hole failed to capture an audience. Too dark for kids, not quite dark enough for adults, it may have been lumbered right in the middle of its PG13 rating. However, it features a simple but effective concept where a hole in the basement of two brothers’ new home, holds their deepest fears within.
It’s got Dante’s skill at taking us on a journey down the rabbit hole and the cast are engaging. It effectively closed the book on Dante as a bankable big-screen director, which is a shame given that the film is entertaining. Dante stayed busy in the noughties and 2010s, skewing off into TV work. Whether he makes a comeback, remains to be seen.
What is your favourite Joe Dante movie? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Tom Jolliffe
