Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
#1
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Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
I saw Beetlejuice at a movie theater last night. Growing up I ranked it high on my list of favorite comedies. Now I consider it mediocre. The flamboyant redecorater and wife that moves in were annoying. Winona Ryder was okay. The one that steals the show is of course Michael Keaton's Beetlejuice. It looked like he had a blast playing that character. My favorite part was the scene when the dinner party are forced into song and dance number so Keaton's character was the best part in an otherwise boring film. What did you guys think about the movie?
#2
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Liked it as a kid, still like it as an adult. Ranks as one of my most favorite Burton films. if we're looking back at his stuff, I would say Beetlejuice still holds up, but Batman is what doesn't.
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
I watched it again a few months ago, and enjoyed it as much as I did as a child. Good stuff, although I think the scene with the musical number is one of the worst parts of the movie. Annoyed me back in the day, annoys me now.
#5
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Reviewed it a few years back and it didn't hold up at all (and neither did Batman).
Batman Returns, on the other hand, was better than I remembered.
Batman Returns, on the other hand, was better than I remembered.
#6
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Still holds up.
One of the most imaginative movies ever made & one of the most entertaining. Watching it today, it's surprising that a major studio like Warners was behind it; it wouldn't be made today.
Haha, it still makes me laugh & I've seen it countless times. Catherine O'Hara is so into it & the sight of Dick Cavett shaking his ass before being attacked by a ghostly shrimp hand is just one of the many pleasures to be found within Beetlejuice.
One of the most imaginative movies ever made & one of the most entertaining. Watching it today, it's surprising that a major studio like Warners was behind it; it wouldn't be made today.
Haha, it still makes me laugh & I've seen it countless times. Catherine O'Hara is so into it & the sight of Dick Cavett shaking his ass before being attacked by a ghostly shrimp hand is just one of the many pleasures to be found within Beetlejuice.
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Agreed. How many films even closely relate to "Beetlejuice's" plot? Ironically, the weakest link is Beetlejuice himself, but he serves as a fun little "bonus" to the main story between the couple and the daughter.
The afterlife waiting room is worth revisiting alone. And Otho...
The afterlife waiting room is worth revisiting alone. And Otho...
#8
Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
I also caught this reccently and thought it was excellent. Because of the stylistic set design and performances the movie dosen't look dated the same way most late 80's features are.
I like all the details of the afterlife and the conflict of terrible people moving into a house you can't leave. I'm impressed that despite the goofiness, the movie pulls off a few tone shifts to have breif moments of genuine creepiness and sadness.
Infact, jotting these thoughts down makes me want to put it on again soon.
I am not a Tim Burton fan. I find his films are consistantly poorly told and he makes terrible decisions. But Beetlejuice is a bright shining star in his body of work. I would pick this and Ed Wood as his best movies.
I like all the details of the afterlife and the conflict of terrible people moving into a house you can't leave. I'm impressed that despite the goofiness, the movie pulls off a few tone shifts to have breif moments of genuine creepiness and sadness.
Infact, jotting these thoughts down makes me want to put it on again soon.
I am not a Tim Burton fan. I find his films are consistantly poorly told and he makes terrible decisions. But Beetlejuice is a bright shining star in his body of work. I would pick this and Ed Wood as his best movies.
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
#10
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Still holds up. I see it on a much more "indie" level now. A lot of it looks low budget, with odds and ends from the Goodwill Store.
Also, when I was younger, I saw it like a Saturday Morning Cartoon (and I did watch the cartoon). Now, it comes across as very artful and unique. It's really cynical, dark and hateful.
Also, when I was younger, I saw it like a Saturday Morning Cartoon (and I did watch the cartoon). Now, it comes across as very artful and unique. It's really cynical, dark and hateful.
#11
En vacance
Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Agreed. How many films even closely relate to "Beetlejuice's" plot? Ironically, the weakest link is Beetlejuice himself, but he serves as a fun little "bonus" to the main story between the couple and the daughter.
The afterlife waiting room is worth revisiting alone. And Otho...
The afterlife waiting room is worth revisiting alone. And Otho...
Movie holds up but BJ has a surprisingly short screen time on there but then again makes his scenes all the more ... juicy.
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
www.film-matters.net
#15
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Didn't like it then and like it less today.
For my tastes the only Burton films I really like and stand the test of time are Ed Wood and Batman Returns.
For my tastes the only Burton films I really like and stand the test of time are Ed Wood and Batman Returns.
#17
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Seriously, this will always be one of my favorite movies. My wife's too. We actually got married and I was Beetlejuice and she was Lydia. (and yes I did the voice and we did costumes). I would post it as it is pretty freaking hilarious. But it's one of those our special moment things that I don't feel like sharing with the world, that's all
#19
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Seriously, this will always be one of my favorite movies. My wife's too. We actually got married and I was Beetlejuice and she was Lydia. (and yes I did the voice and we did costumes). I would post it as it is pretty freaking hilarious. But it's one of those our special moment things that I don't feel like sharing with the world, that's all
The movie holds up. The story meanders from here to there but nowhere near as badly as future Burton films would (nearly all of them, with the exception of Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow). The manic energy, design, and obliqueness would be trademark Burton from this point on, but I think it comes together quite beautifully here.
groin, and
#20
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Elvis was our preacher. As it turns out, the guy does a lot of Elvis impersonating in addition to his ordained duties. Did a short film or two as Elvis, even has his own karaoke gig on Friday's and Saturdays (we would go but its pretty far from our house). It was a spectacle, that's for sure. (But so much fun)
#21
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
One of my favorite films. So, of course, it still holds up.
Michael Keaton was robbed of double Oscar nominations that year - lead for Clean and Sober and supporting for Beetlejuice.
Michael Keaton was robbed of double Oscar nominations that year - lead for Clean and Sober and supporting for Beetlejuice.
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Seriously, this will always be one of my favorite movies. My wife's too. We actually got married and I was Beetlejuice and she was Lydia. (and yes I did the voice and we did costumes). I would post it as it is pretty freaking hilarious. But it's one of those our special moment things that I don't feel like sharing with the world, that's all
#23
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
I'll see if I can dig up a few pictures once I get home, I didn't do the traditional Beetlejuice wedding costume, just the Beetlejuice outfit, makeup and very mussed up hair (I grew it out so my wife could go crazy with it).
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Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
Seriously, this will always be one of my favorite movies. My wife's too. We actually got married and I was Beetlejuice and she was Lydia. (and yes I did the voice and we did costumes). I would post it as it is pretty freaking hilarious. But it's one of those our special moment things that I don't feel like sharing with the world, that's all
At least tell whether you danced to Day-O or Jump in the Line.
Last edited by RoboDad; 06-19-12 at 11:32 AM.
#25
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Does Beetlejuice still hold up?
When I get home . Day-O was the walk-in, Jump in the Line was the ending and then when we ate, we had the movie playing. We did it at our house, so we were able to control just about everything we wanted to (except what my parents wore who were just thrilled I did a costume wedding /sarcasm). With this much interest, I might just see if I can dig up/convert the video to something that can go on youtube.