Day: October 25, 2013
LOST
BEETLEJUICE
I remember the first time I saw this at the theater, mouth agape in between fits of laughter. Strangely, I feel the same today.
This movie is timeless. Just the right amount of serious and funny, lessons twirled in with candy-coated hilarity. Hard to believe it’s been 25 years.
There was always talk of a sequel, but as a fan I have to say, no thanks. When the first one is this perfect why ruin that legacy?
The cast really makes this movie, each plays their part to eerie fulfillment.
The writing is gruesomely amusing.
The direction of Tim Burton, a strange, mythical creature who entertains and astonishes, is sublime.
There is nothing I would change about this movie.
Described as comedy/horror/fantasy I can see how it’s all those things, but more.
A Halloween or anytime movie for the ages.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetleju…
DONNIE DARKO
The moment you fall into this movie you know you went down the wrong rabbit hole.
Beyond the obvious shivery moments there are way too many splinters of that’s-creepy-beyond-what-I-want-to-think-about-in-a-film-or-anywhere-else.
In the end it’s a movie about choices. Choices are important, like not making a stupid sequel like S. Darko. Poor choice.
This is one to curl up with in the dark, just be aware what’s in the shadows.
This sci-fi classic is rich and dark and smooth, like a delicious chocolate bunny that is pure evil.
Kind of Harvey gone really, really wrong.
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
One of my fav Halloween flicks. Madcap and macabre, it gives laughs, groans, and an appreciation that some of the best movies were made long before you were born.
Released in 1944 (although filmed in 1941 due to Cary Grant’s availability) this film has withstood the test of time. Based on Joseph Kesselring‘s play; both the play and movie are ghastly joys, in their own ways.
Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster gives a stunningly awkward and charmingly frenetic performance.
Josephine Hull and Jean Adair portray Abby and Martha Brewster, Mortimer’s darling Aunts who also happen to be serial killers for a good cause, “It’s one of our charities”. They’re like the Dexter of their day. Their explanation of their murderous ways? They stop the suffering of lonely old bachelors by poisoning them with arsenic, strychnine and “just a pinch of cyanide” disguised in elderberry wine.
Uncle Teddy (John Alexander) who believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt unwittingly aids the Aunts by digging graves in the basement, thinking he is digging locks for the Panama Canal and burying yellow fever victims. Hull, Adair, and Alexander reprise their 1941 stage production roles.
Mortimer, whose ultimate dysfunctional family causes no end of headaches explains to his hapless new bride – “Insanity runs in my family, practically gallops!”
Peter Lorre and Raymond Massey are so sublimely creepy they really are Halloween.