Winona Ryder portrays "Lydia," who earns a living through books and broadcasts about ghost hunting—a practice that draws the doubtful disapproval of her adolescent daughter, "Astrid" (Jenna Ortega). They must travel to attend the funeral of "Charlie," who was married to their mother/grandmother, "Delia" (Catherine O'Hara). Simultaneously, in the afterlife, "Delores" (Monica Belluci) has physically reassembled herself…

It’s hard to believe we’re in 2024, because films like this are now receiving top marks—a perfect score—when twenty or thirty years ago they might have only earned a middling grade. The positive aspect is that, aside from a passing reference to Climate Change, it avoids political commentary and doesn't feel preachy. There’s no attempt to make the viewers feel bad about their identity or beliefs; instead, it simply…

It's a real challenge to revisit what made a film beloved and truly special, and repeating that magic is often difficult, especially when the original was so well-remembered. The odds of recapturing that initial spark become even lower when a sequel takes 36 years to materialize. That’s certainly true with this long-awaited return to director Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy, “Beetlejuice.” While there are moments of …

I wanted to share my impressions of the new movie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, without giving away any plot points. The film, which follows the 1988 original, keeps the same sense of humor. It combines a certain lowbrow appeal with some new faces that inject fresh energy into the story. A reference to Charles Deetz was a particularly smart and amusing touch, finding a way to include him even though the actor is no…

The new *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* manages to recreate what made the first film special, though it falters due to trying to do too much. Tim Burton keeps the distinctive look and odd feel that charmed audiences initially, and the performers convincingly portray both familiar faces and fresh ones. The story feels crowded with extra characters and storylines, which lessens the enjoyment somewhat, and the musical numb…