IMDb > Spontaneous Combustion (1990)

Spontaneous Combustion (1990) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
4.0/10   709 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 23% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tobe Hooper
Writers:
Tobe Hooper (story)
Tobe Hooper (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Spontaneous Combustion on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 February 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller more
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. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Neil Marshall Bursts Back Onto The Scene
 (From EmpireOnline. 12 October 2009, 1:23 AM, PDT)
American Film Market 2008 Part Three: More Reviews
 (From Fangoria. 17 December 2008, 2:03 PM, PST)
User Comments:
While it's slow in the beginning, it's a really, REALLY good flick! more (30 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
97 min | Argentina:96 min | Finland:89 min (cut)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
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 more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Cameo: [Tobe Hooper]man with his back to the camera, lighting a cigar, when Sam enters the rest room at the restaurant. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The position of the syringe stuck in Lisa, changes. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Ring (2002) more
Soundtrack:
I DON'T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful.
While it's slow in the beginning, it's a really, REALLY good flick!, 25 January 1999
8/10
Author: Judith Riley O'Brien (coujo@netscape.net)

Righty right. Here's a bit about SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION: the government is trying to engineer the perfect weapon for war. It fails, and the project is supposedly buried. Years later, however, a young college student by the name of David (Sam), is finding out slowly that he is something more than human. So, he intends to find out just what he is, and a path of destruction and fire is left in his wake. Now, I can see why this has been called Tobe Hooper's only failure at a movie, but it is a gem. But, the only reason why this is a good flick is because of the presence of Brad Dourif. As always, he's excellent. Rent this flick, that is if you can find it. The beginning is slow, but it is very entertaining.

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