A Blast from the Past: Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice: 1988: ++: Comedy:  This was on television the other night and I decided to watch it to relive some of its humor.  At the height of Tim Burton's career, Beetlejuice, or Betelgeuse, is a highly original and creative movie about the supernatural and their encounter with a bio-exorcist.  A couple recently died and much to their dismay, their house is being invaded by super yuppies from Manhattan.  Now that's a plot line!


Invasion of the super yuppies!

If you've seen it, which is very likely, watch it again.  If you haven't, don't miss out on this one.  Everything from the music to the scenery, lighting, casting, etc. are all outstanding and there are very few movies like this one.  There are many stand out scenes but one of my favorites is when Barbara and Adam (played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) are in the Netherworld awaiting further instructions from their case worker.


Darn, there's always a line..

Winona Ryder, who appears in Edward Sissorhands, puts on a great performance as a brooding, goth girl who hates just about everything and wants to live in darkness.  She plays a big role in the movie but I won't give it away as it lends to some of it's charm.


The two sides of Winona, dark as Lydia and the beauty queen in Sissorhands

It definitely appeared that Tim Burton liked Winona because he featured her in two, or maybe more, prominent films he directed.  I always wondered about her career.  I also often compared her to Christina Ricci because they were both in the approximate same era and played key roles in movies that were sometimes off the beaten track.  

 
Somewhat similar actresses take very different paths.

Maybe it was the whole shoplifting thing that Winona got into. After that incident, you didn't hear much from her at all and took a "hiatus".  A few films here and there and one with Woody Allen I believe, but it seems like that took a huge toll on her career which is a shame because she was a capable actress.  It seems pretty ridiculous for just $5,500 worth of jewelry.  Maybe the judge wasn't a film buff.


Maybe those items fell into her bag?

You can't talk about Beetlejuice without mentioning Michael Keaton, who basically took over the movie.  Essentially every scene he's in draws a laugh and makes you really get into the movie. This is the type of performance that makes a career or type casts you.  


Beetlejuice enjoying the finer things in life!

One of my favorite parts is when he touches the dead lady's leg while her torso is on the other side.  I also liked when he goes through his credentials such as living through the plague, attending Harvard Business School, and watching The Exorcist over 100 times, "and it keeps getting funnier".


Always the perennial gentleman, Beetlejuice has a one track mind.


Step on up, it's always a party when Beetlejuice is around.

Another scene that is a cult classic is the Belefonte Banana Boat Song, and it's pretty catchy I must admit.  Aside from that, Danny Elfman gives us his usual orchestral gloom but it sets the mood perfectly.  This really marked the time when Burton and Elfman were making amazing films that were way ahead of their times.  I think that Burton was heavily influenced by Kubrick and this movie demonstrates this a few times with the sets and angles. 


The possession scene was one of the more memorable parts of the movie.


Perhaps an ode to Kubrick?

The movie was a huge success financially and critically and won Academy Awards for special effects and makeup and rightfully so. It was a tour de force in many regards.  There aren't a lot of derogatory things to be said about it.  Rumor has it that Sammy Davis Jr was supposed to be Beetlejuice.  I can hardly imagine that. There isn't one dull moment in the movie and it's still completely watchable even after all this time!  I can't believe I forgot to review this classic! 


Beetlejuice boasted some excellent special effects for it's time!

It's tricky to find this movie, as it's not on Netflix and is shown rarely on TV, so you might have to order it.  You won't regret it though and then watch Edward Sissorhands for the full treatment!  92%  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!


You call this a party?



Oh, and bring back Winona!!

Lizzie Borden Took an Axe

LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AXE: 2014: +-: HRR:  One of the things that drew me to this movie was the fact that Christina Ricci is in it because I have been somewhat of a fan of hers.  Starring in Monster, Buffalo 78, and Black Snake Moan, she is capable of putting on great performances.  

Initially an Indie film director's sweetheart, she began becoming more mainstream after Monster, which also starred Charlize Theron and won awards.


Ricci and Theron in Monster.


Lizzie Borden Took an Axe has an Indie movie feel because of the cast.  Starring Clea DuVall, from The Faculty, and Billy Cambell, the rest of the cast was composed of mainly unknown actors. The way in which some of the camera shots and scene transitions take place seemed a bit amateurish but weren't egregious. I'll put portions of the music in that category because it was schizophrenic and inconsistent at times.

 
Christina and Clea worked well together.


Clea in The Faculty

Since this movie is based on a true story, it gives it some more mystique.  The mood was supposed to be eerie and overall it was, but at times, especially when Lizzie was arrested, the music changed to some sort of southern rock hybrid that totally jolted me out of the mood and was utterly ridiculous.  In all the other parts of the movie, the music was as it was supposed to be for a horror movie, dark and moody.  Then the shift was almost laughable.  

 
When Lizzie was arrested or at court, the music was horrible.

I have no idea what Tree Adams was thinking with this, maybe he was appeasing a friend or something by letting his music be in the movie but it really detracted from the movie and actually makes me deduct major points in the rating.

The plot evolves in a novel way and keeps you in the dark although historically the ending is known.  The point is that it leads you along a dark path and only opens certain doors at certain times to let the viewer in closer and closer to the truth.  Did Lizzie do it or not?  


Plenty of side glances and odd looks makes Lizzie seem guilty.

The trial was pretty entertaining and the ending didn't involve a twist, but the director, Nick Gomez, makes it somewhat original.

 
An Axe to the face is not the best way to die.


Pssst, can you keep a secret?

The costumes, sets, and other little touches certainly placed you in the time frame of the movie so that was a plus.  The movie didn't lag because it kept moving and had different phases.  


Costumes, sets, and other touches were effective in setting the time period.

Ricci looked good in the movie but I have noticed that she lost a lot of weight in the last movies.  Personally, I liked her better when she wasn't so thin, but she still has the ability to star in odd, somewhat disturbing movies because of her unique look.  A friend of mine commented that she has a large forehead, but I think she is attractive.  Her mother was actually a model.


Ricci has an unique look.


Ricci a few years earlier before all the weight loss.  I preferred this look, especially for horror movies.

Back to the movie, I would recommend it but I do have some reservations.  The music as I indicated was hit or miss.  The overall execution had some high points, but a few moments where it was a little cliche.  It's a decent movie and I watched it because Ricci was in it, but if it hadn't been for her, I probably would have passed:  76%---note after further review, I raised the raiting from 71%


"Watch this movie because I'm in it dammit", Ricci


"Good thing you raised the rating on this movie!"--Lizzie Borden