“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Rated T)
Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Where to watch: In Theaters
Dwight’s Rating:
What a year!
It’s a Leap Year. An Olympic Year. And a US Presidential Election Year, with the oldest man ever to become president preparing to leave office as the oldest man ever to end his presidency.
And a single-camera sitcom that quite a few people think is really more of an amusing drama (or at least a dramedy) than a full comedy wins Outstanding Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Yes, “The Wonder Years” was only mildly amusing, but quite enjoyable.
Wait, did you think I meant this year’s winner “The Bear”?
Oh no! I’m writing about the year 1988. And the more things change, the more things stay the same.
Yes 1988! That was the final year of the presidency of Ronald Reagan – who became US President at age 69, and left office eight years later at 77, and was still about a year younger than Joe Biden was when he became president.
And 1988 was also the year the world was introduced to Director Tim Burton’s wacky “Beetlejuice”.
Starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and 15-year-old Winona Ryder, the film was the 10th highest grossing film of the year in the North American and worldwide Box Office.
Davis and Baldwin played married couple Barbara and Adam, who continued to live in their home as ghosts, after their untimely death. When Barbara’s sister sells the house to new people (O’Hara, Jones and Ryder), Barbara and Adam hire a malicious demon called Beetlejuice (Keaton) to drive them out.
The film was replete with memorable moments and catchphrases, and helped turn Keaton into a giant and bankable star. It led to him collaborating once again with Burton one year later for the iconic “Batman” – arguably one of the most influential films in history – almost entirely responsible for the now incessant parade of comic book superhero movies.
So “Beetlejuice” was big!
But despite the number of people who enjoyed it, I can’t imagine there were many in these 36 years clamoring for a “Beetlejuice” sequel.
But hey, since someone apparently decided 1988 and 2024 were separated at birth, here we are with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, again directed by Burton.
Keaton and O’Hara and a now 52-year-old Ryder are also back.
Baldwin is not – likely in part because he’s been embroiled in so much drama that he probably wished he could have summoned a Beetlejuice to help him deal with his now-resolved legal issues. Also not back is character actor Jeffrey Jones who, too, has had a boatload of legal problems and is now a registered sex offender!
Without Baldwin, there’s also no need for Davis, and the film goes in a different direction, exploring Ryder’s Lydia Deetz character, and how age would have affected the formerly “goth” teenager.
So, three generations of the Deetz family return home to the small town of Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Keaton), Lydia’s (Ryder) life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter (Jenna Ortega, Netflix’s “Wednesday”) discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Before seeing “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, I’d strongly recommend rewatching (or watching) the original “Beetlejuice”, if you’re like me and haven’t seen it in years.
This sequel is in many ways more mature in theme and style, and somewhat edgier, befitting audiences who’ve seen and been through a heckuva lot in the last 36 years.
It’s also more politically correct, as folks were far less sensitive (some would say far more insensitive) when it comes to humor in 1988. And the original has unusual themes that would get the woke crowd in a tizzy in 2024. That’s at least one thing that has certainly changed!
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is also somewhat overstuffed. There’s a lot going on here; in addition to the troublesome title character, there are two other “evil” forces. Two? Really?
Nevertheless, it’s still enjoyable and still pretty darned gross.
Keaton is a gem. Ortega is a complete joy to watch; everything about her is so natural and authentic.
Unfortunately, that cannot be said about Ryder. The “Stranger Things” star seems to have regressed as an actor in her older age. Her constant exaggerated facial expressions are tiresome and draining. What has happened to her?
A more enjoyable form of overacting comes from O’Hara, who is playing an even more over-the-top version of her character than what we saw in the original (and much more like her Emmy-winning Moira Rose role in TV’s “Schitt’s Creek”). It works here. And next to Ortega, may be the film’s best performance.
Is “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” necessary? No! Not at all! In fact, you might even ask, “why?”
But while 1988 was not a perfect year by any stretch, many may wish they could go back to what without a doubt seems like a much, much simpler time. If “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” can help you get there – if only for an hour and a half – just say his name!
“Rebel Ridge” (TV Rated MA)
Cast: Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb, Don Johnson, James Cromwell
Genre: Thriller/Action
Where to watch: Netflix
Dwight’s Rating
:
The film industry’s next big action star is here!
Aaron Pierre is a name to commit to memory, and the reason you need to watch “Rebel Ridge”.
Well, if the numbers are correct, odds are that you’ve probably already seen it by now.
Two weeks into its Netflix launch, “Rebel Ridge” is still the number one movie on the streaming service, racking up more than 38 million views.
Pierre gives a must-see, breakout star performance – an action hero for the 21st century: decent; compassionate; believable; human!
He plays a former Marine confronting corruption in a small town, after local law enforcement unjustly seizes the bag of cash that he needs to post his cousin’s bail.
Yes, we’ve seen American small town corruption stories before. Apparently, these places are only kind to handsome strangers from the big city around Christmas time, according to Lifetime and Hallmark. Otherwise, it’s always “In the Heat of the Night”.
Yet, “Rebel Ridge” manages to come up with a highly original concept that is smarter than it needs to be, with performances that are better than probably anyone expected.
Netflix tends to pile its best films into the final few months of the year, offloading heaps of garbage on us for at least the first two-thirds of the calendar.
September is pretty close to the end of the year. Nevertheless “Rebel Ridge” is definitely in contention for the title of “biggest surprise of the year” so far.
Back to Pierre, the 30-year-old Brit – yes, he was born in the United Kingdom and has a very British accent, despite how his character Terry sounds here – delivers the goods.
I seriously believe he needs to be the next James Bond! Yes, I said it!
I can’t think of anyone better at this time to take that 62-year film character to the next level. See “Rebel Ridge” now (or again), and picture him saying: “Bond, James Bond!”
Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of “Morning Blend” on Guardian Radio and station manager. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969
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Publish date : 2024-09-20 00:16:00
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