Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
1. Blackbeard's Ghost
Family friendly Disney film about a blood thirsty pirate ghost who haunts a inn by the coast run by a group of little old ladies. They're trying to raise money to save the inn from being torn down when Dean Jones' out of towner arrives and releases Blackbeard's ghost which happens to be the amazing Peter Ustinov. Slapstick comedy commences, with invisible happenings, fights with no one and the excessive use of a wire. It's amusing but I have to admit, I laughed a hell of a lot more when I was 10 years old.
2. Beetlejuice
This will and rightly so will be on many a-list. The ultimate (apart from Ghostbusters) ghost film as Beetlejuice is one of the best creations to come out of Tim Burton's head and Michael Keaton himself. I do love Keaton and this is one of Burton's classics. Of course it does make me weep a little inside when I think if the trope Burton has created lately. Beetlejuice is a bio-exorcist and a really hope he materialises in time to stop and squash these rumours about a sequel. It doesn't need one dammit.
3. Blithe Spirit
Adapted from Noel Coward's classic play, a play that I almost featured in at my local am-dram society. I was to be Edith the maid. Yes. That's not a big role but who cares. Alas the play never happened because the lead actress was pretty useless and never learnt her lines. Anyway, on with the British classc 1945 film where novelist Charles, invites an eccentric 'medium' Madame Arcati to conduct a seance. Unfortunately the result is appearence of the ghostly form of his first wife, Elvira who only he can see and speak to. It's a light comedy and is very terribly British which I like as it makes all the would be dramatic moments controlled and even more amusing.
I'm the one guy who has not seen Beetlejuice. I know, shame on me. Never even heard of the other two. That last one look positively goofy. I just might have to give it a go. Great job making me aware of some more titles.
ReplyDeleteBeetlejuice is a good one! It's been ages since I've seen it though. I haven't heard of your other two. Blackbeard's Ghost sounds amusing though.
ReplyDeleteSensational picks! I'm kicking myself that none of these occurred to me.
ReplyDeleteBlackbeard's Ghost is such silly fun and I agree that Peter Ustinov was amazing. Disney did a packet of those ghost movies there for a while, The Spirit is Willing, The Ghosts of Buxley Hall etc., but this one has the added bonus of Suzanne Pleshette besides Ustinov.
Beetlejuice is so zany and a great showcase for Keaton, Winona Ryder and the whole cast. Love Blithe Spirit! It's so witty, the whole cast is terrific but Margaret Rutherford steals the show as Madame Arcati. It actually reminded me of Topper with Cary Grant and Constance Bennett as high living ghosts. Argh! There so many to pick from this week!
Blithe Spirit is such a fun play to do. Pity you never got to play in it! LOVE Beetlejuice. Keaton, Ryder, and O'Hara are all GENIUS in it.
ReplyDeleteLove Blithe Spirit-very witty and Dame Margaret Rutherford is a gem. Beatlejuice is so funny especially the dinner scene and love Sylvia Sydney in her small part. I think I saw Blackbeard's Ghost when i was a kid but can hardly remember it. Wish these films would come back on TV
ReplyDeleteBeetlejuice! Great pick!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Can't do ghosts without Beetlejuice :)
ReplyDeleteRutherford is pretty darn good, very amusing too. I think the first time I saw Blackbeard was on TV but I've only ever seen it one other time. The DVD and taped VHS kept me entertained since.
ReplyDeleteIt was shame. The group ended up putting on a few years later but I was in Uni so missed out.
ReplyDeleteBlackbeard is great fun, its Ustinov who makes it great though.
ReplyDeleteNo problem :) Maybe save Beetlejuice for Halloween, its such a great film.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ah Disney you can always rely them to make more of the similar. I think I love the Ustinov factor because hes the voice of Prince John in Robin Hood. Totally agree with you about Rutherford, no one can top her performance. Ghosts did open the theme up for me more - Halloween themed wise anyway. I had quite a few others up my sleeve but I thought I keep them for different picks.
ReplyDeleteI agree Burton has been churning out the same old stuff. And he has to stop using Johnny Depp once and for all.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you did not put a link back. For future participation, please put a link.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. I wrote some of these posts quite a bit in advance, slipped my mind what with all the festivals posts. It's been added now.
ReplyDelete