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A lot of my opinions about the first Beetlejuice film are colored by the circumstances under which I saw it in theaters. And it would be fair to say that they were less than ideal.

There's something to that. The theater experience does play a factor in how someone thinks of, or remembers a movie. Simply due to their own personal experience with seeing the film in a theater for the very first time. I mean, there are movies that I don't believe are particularly great movies, but did have a good theater experience with, and as a consequence, have since had some partiality towards ever since.

"The Haunting" from 1999 is one of these. Not something I've honestly had any interest in rewatching over the years, but I did have a very good theater experience with. Truth be told, the entire night after seeing the movie was fun as well, but the night got kicked off by that movie. So, subsequently, whenever I've seen something about that film pop up, I can't help but think about that night/theater experience. Definitely influencing my opinion about the movie for sure. I definitely can't deny that.

Without turning this post into a blog, I'll say that I saw it with a friend, his brother and his mom. His mom absolutely hated my guts and only took me along to the movie reluctantly. In retrospect, I'm not 100% sure she didn't abuse me or her sons.

I figure you and I are roughly the same age, and yeah, I wouldn't call that experience a fond memory to have by any means. Mine was just the opposite. The day started out with my uncle getting married (I believe I was ring bearer at the wedding). Following the wedding, and reception, my folks and I were back at home by that evening, and soon after my mom asked me if I felt like going to the movies? Going to the movies was a treat, so that was obvious. I seem to remember us sorta rushing to get to the next showing, and I had literally no idea what Beetlejuice was to be perfectly honest. but I distinctly remember it being me, my mom, her friend/work colleague, and her friend's two blonde teenage daughters. Being that it was essentially always just me and my mom going to the movies together (my dad wasn't a theater guy), I do remember having the thought that going to the movies with a group was atypical but cool. So, yeah, it was a fun experience, and of course I loved the movie itself as well. I *think* by that Christmas the same year, a couple of Christmas presents was the VHS tapes of "Back to the Future", and "Beetlejuice". Both of them got watched quite a bit over the next year whenever I wasn't watching cartoons or TMNT, and then of course "Batman" got released on VHS in late 1989.

Actually seeing the movie was fine on its own merits. I enjoyed the production design and gothy Winona Ryder. But I always believed the first Ghostbusters film provided a far superior mix of authentic horror and genuine comedy than Beetlejuice. The characters never made a huge impression on me and I don't recall watching much of the animated series precisely because of the fact that I wasn't overly taken by the film.

I remember watching the animated series quite a bit, but always leaned more into the film than I did the cartoon. I do remember thinking it was 'different' with Beetlejuice and Lydia being friendly with one another, but it was easy to roll with as well. It wasn't like the 1990 "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie was a spitting image of the Fred Wolf '87 TMNT cartoon, but like Beetlejuice, I liked both. Course you might like one just a little more than the other, but each had their appeal. With the "Ghostbusters" comparison, I just believe there was more to sink one's teeth into with GB over Beetlejuice (Ghostbusters was an instant cultural phenomenon, where Beetlejuice was successful, but not a smash hit like GB, though continued to age like fine wine). I recall the Beetlejuice toy line, and though it was fine, I wasn't any where near as interested in that as I was the Kenner Ghostbusters toy line from years before. From a kids perspective, perhaps the GB concept/ideas come across as much more grand, where Beetlejuice comes across as a bit more low key by comparison? I don't know.

After all this time and only one bona fide classic movie, I think it's only fair to ask if the time for The Matrix has come and gone.

Perfectly justified question to ask, and I thought we pretty much got our answer following "Resurrections", but I guess with Hollywood, anything is possible these days. Especially with franchises with name recognition.

This also appeals to my headcanon, wherein Keaton's Batman defeated Mr. Freeze.

I saw this piece on X, and couldn't help but think of your comment.

From 1999, Wizard Magazine takes a quick look back at "The Dark Knight Returns".

Some interesting points made by the youtuber's video, and of course I'd be more than happy with Monica Bellucci returning! However, if a hypothetical "Matrix 5" actually goes into production, I really can't envision whatever this pitch for another Matrix sequel was (and it MUST have been one hell of a pitch!), regarding events in "Resurrections" all that much, if really at all. Sure, maybe some sort of passing reference or whatever, but that's about it given it's exceptionally poor reception.

If anything, I have to assume this pitch is something of a rebound to the first "Matrix", which is considered a modern classic. With possibly select character's from "Reloaded" and "Revolutions" returning in some capacity. It's conceivable there's something palpable with something like that. Incorporate what worked, take the very best characters, and forget the rest.

Make a comeback that's actually worthy of something like the Matrix this time.

From 1979, the 40th anniversary of Batman. Back cover by Dick Giordano for Detective Comics #483.



Another from 1979, back cover for Detective Comics #484 by Jim Aparo.

DC Comics house advertisement for late 1993 following the conclusion of the "Death of Superman/Funeral for a Friend/Reign of the Supermen" trilogy story arcs.

1999 Wizard Mag article scans for "Batman Beyond".

Fun trailer! Going off the latest trailer, this does very much appear to be taking the "Ghostbusters 2" route, in that the sequel is apparently taking a lot of inspiration from the Beetlejuice animated series from the early '90's. Which isn't entirely a bad thing, but I would gage that making Beetlejuice something of a comedic anti-hero is going to bring a new dichotomy for a whole lot of people, who only are familiar with the 1988 film. Where Beetlejuice was decidedly a villain, and only briefly in the movie itself (12-15 minutes? Something like that).

But yeah, it's cool to see Burton return to something that he had such a personal stamp of influence on from his younger days, and Keaton returning to yet another signature role is always a treat. Keats excels at comedy. Always has.

Character posters.





Remember the scene where Beetlejuice pulls out a wedding ring in order to marry Lydia ("I'm telling you, she meant nothing to me! Nothing at all!"), and it has a finger attached to it?



Oh, and did anyone catch the brief appearance from Danny Devito?