Pick of The Week Pop Culture News Reviews

Blu-ray Review: Rediscovering The Magic of the 1991 Comedy-Thriller “Mystery Date”

'Mystery Date'
‘Mystery Date’

This week, our resident movie reviewer, Jeremy Morrison, goes into full geek mode with a look back at one of Olive Films most exciting new releases, “Mystery Date.” First, let’s take a walk down memory lane with a quick synopsis:

Head-over-heels in love with next-door neighbor Geena Matthews (Teri Polo, Meet The Parents), Tom McHugh (Ethan Hawke, Training Day) finds himself unable to even hold a conversation when in her presence. With some coaching from his older brother Craig (Brian McNamara, Arachnophobia), Tom is all but assured that his date with Geena will be smooth sailing – until he discovers a body in the trunk of Craig’s car. With Murphy’s Law in full swing, romance will take a back seat to screwball comic hijinks in the romantic comedy Mystery Date directed by Jonathan Wacks (Powwow Highway) from a screenplay by Parker Bennett and Terry Runté.

Mystery Date co-stars Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit), BD Wong (TV’s Law & Order: SVU) and Ian Black (The Journey of Natty Gann).

J-Mo Says:

Surprise, surprise, folks, Olive Films has found yet another title I’ve never heard of, this time a double shame on me as I’m a big fan of Ethan Hawke, and have lovingly put together a beautiful transfer for an otherwise bare bones release.

I went into this film cold and it was freakin’ awesome. The film is full of fantastic character actors, a bitchin’ soundtrack, a cameo appearance by GWAR, mistaken identity, and there is tomfoolery afoot. So, Ethan Hawke’s Tom is smitten with his neighbor, Teri Polo’s Geena. Can we just take a second to appreciate Teri Polo? Great comedic timing and eyes you can get lost in for days.

As soon as the young couples date starts everything begins to fall apart. Having been coached and dressed by his older brother Craig, Tom is mistaken for Craig at every twist in turn in this smart script by Parker Bennett and Terry Runté. And what began as mystery and excitement quickly turns to confusion and chaos for the young couple.

If you haven’t, check out MYSTERY DATE at your earliest convenience. Fisher Stevens gives one hell of a performance as Dwight, the flower guy.  — Jeremy Morrison, Film Geek

Check out this film and a plethora of other amazing releases from Olive Films via their official website — www.olivefilms.com.

Jeremy Morrison – Staff Writer
Co-creator/host of the Acid Pop Cult Podcast, film reviewer, screenwriter, Jeremy has more than eight years experience in television and film production. His childhood fascination with the naked breasts featured in the “Friday the 13th” franchise prepared him for absolutely nothing in life. J-Mo lives by one motto: #wecantallbezacksnyder
Twitter: @acidpopcult
IG: @almostgothim