The first thing that pops to mind is the obvious, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. I want to dig a little bit deeper than that and direct my attention to the director of that movie, Tim Burton. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure was Burton's first major gig but what really put him on the map is our 80s subject for today, Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice was one of the first movies I went to see with my friends without any parents. I remember sitting in the theater feeling all grown-up and just enjoying the hell out of the movie.
I think I was around eleven when I first saw it and even then I knew that the special effects were pretty amazing. The special effects and make-up units were pulling off stuff that had not been seen before.
There were people with shrunken heads, Alec Baldwin pulling his face in all directions and popping out his eyeballs, and Michael Keaton turning into a pretty terrifying snake.
How long did my friends and I sing lines like "come Mr. Tallyman tally me banana"? I'm not certain but I'm sure it was probably just long enough for family and teachers to want to kill us.
Of course, this movie also introduced us to Winona Ryder which would lead her to a glorious career in shoplifting.
Next, on the 80s road trip, Beetlejuice leads me directly to the movie, Some Kind of Wonderful? My logic will be revealed. Until next time, beware sand worms.
First, introducing you to Winona Ryder lead her to a shoplifting career? I know what you're trying to say I just think you could have said it better. Second, I'm guessing you meant to say, "...beware of sand worms." Unless you were telling the sand worms to beware of something, which I doubt.
ReplyDeleteI liked Beetlejuice for it's effects as well. I've always liked Micheal Keaton as the "out of control" comedic character going back to Ron Howard's directorial debut, "Nightshift". The shark jumping occurred when he decided he wanted to become a serious actor, ala Jim Carrey - another actor who should have just kept talking from his anus instead of trying to win an Oscar.