Spontaneous Combustion (1990)

Director:

Tobe Hooper

Writers:

Tobe Hooper (story)
Tobe Hooper (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 February 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

A young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him. |

Plot Keywords:

Pyrokinesis | Science | Spontaneous Combustion | Nuclear | Independent Film

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Brad Dourif	...	Sam
Cynthia Bain	...	Lisa Wilcox
Jon Cypher	...	Dr. Marsh
William Prince	...	Lew Orlander
Melinda Dillon	...	Nina
Dey Young	...	Rachel
Tegan West	...	Springer
Michael Keys Hall	...	Dr. Cagney
Dale Dye	...	General
Dick Butkus	...	Lt. General
Joe Mays	...	Dr. Persons
Stacy Edwards	...	Peggy Bell
Brian Bremer	...	Brian Bell
Frank Whiteman	...	Young Orlander
Judy Prescott	...	Student Director

Runtime:

97 min | Argentina:96 min | Finland:89 min (cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Iceland:16 | West Germany:16 (nf) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Black Owl Productions

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Tobe Hooper]man with his back to the camera, lighting a cigar, when Sam enters the rest room at the restaurant.

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of the syringe stuck in Lisa, changes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Ring (2002/I)

Soundtrack:

HOW COULD I'VE KNOWN

The Last Great Tobe Hooper Film

Unlike most reviews of this movie that talk about how bad this movie is and how this was one of Tobe Hoopers worst films, all those reviews I completely disagree with. This is easily Hoopers last great film and a very well executed film at that. The story line is simple, Brad Dourif plays the role of Sam in the movie. He finds out that his parents were part of an experiment that had to do with the atomic bomb and that later would kill them. As an adult, Sam discovers he has a great power to control fire and electricity but with horrible results to his body after using them. This all lead to a very odd and some what anticlimactic ending. This is good because the movie plays very dramatically and at times can be almost depressing. Brad Dourif plays a very good role in this movie (Unlike what other reviewers say) and the rest of the cast does a good job also. The only downside of the movie is the special effects were mediocre and could have been better. But, this does not take away from the movie at all. Also, to set the record straight, the only similarity to this and "Firestarter" is the main character can control fire. Other than that, these are two completely different movies. So, if you have been disappointed in Tobe Hooper's work in the past 10 to 12 years and you have not seen this movie, I say buy it. This truly is a great movie. 9 stars