Beetlejuice 2: Confirmed by Burton & Ryder

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

In the onslaught of reboots, emerges something strangely pure, something wondrously horrific, something delightfully dark. What is this strange fantastical wonder you may ask yourself? Why it’s “Beetlejuice” of course.

“Beetlejuice” was one of Tim Burton’s original films which gave way to a cartoon. While the movie differed from the program, it still holds up as a funny, but eerie comedy about a family known as the Deets moving into a home occupied by the spirits of those who lived there before. When the ghosts can’t shake the Deets, they call upon Beetlejuice (….nothing? Damn) to help them, and that’s when trouble ensues.

Since its release in 1988, “Beetlejuice” has found a place in the pop culture world and due to its success people have often wondered when the ghost with the most will return. Well, after hearing our cries, Burton and Winona Ryder have confirmed that there will be a “Beetlejuice 2”. Burton reassured the public at a press for his movie, “Big Eyes” that there will be a “Beetlejuice 2” and Winona Ryder will star in it. Winona reaffirmed his words in her recent visit to “Late Night with Seth Meyers”.

Now what “Beetlejuice 2” will include no one (including Ryder) is for certain. The sequel could be Burton’s initial idea wherein Beetlejuice goes Hawaiian as a tribute to the Universal Monster movies (films featuring Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, etc.) going Hawaiian. Burton grew up with horror movies from the 50s and the Universal Monster movies were no exception. However, time does change people and their ideas and Burton may have moved on from this Hawaiian horror to something new.  There have also been rumors that Michael Keaton is ready to channel the iconic spirit once more in Burton’s long awaited sequel and that even Burton has a script. Even IMDB has a brief bio on the future sequel.

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So tell me, are you ready to revisit the ghost with the most?

Toy Story...of Terror!

Hello everyone and welcome to another Halloween themed entry of The Magical Mystery Blog.

This past Wednesday, viewers turned in to Pixar’s first holiday special entitled Toy Story of Terror. It was on ABC at eight o clock and paid tribute to the classic scary movies and horror movie character stereotypes (Ex.: The damsel in distress, the skeptic, the know-it-all, the mentor, and the mysterious thing in the shadows). The narrator was none other than Mr.Pricklepants who predicted the next action of the special. By foreseeing the upcoming scene, he was breaking the fourth wall – a feature I enjoy, if done properly. 

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If my deductions are correct, you are probably reading this blog and anticipating the splendors of Halloween.     

The story begins on a car ride with Bonnie and her mother, while the toys (Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Trixie, Rex, Mr.Pricklepants, and Mr.Potato Head) watch old black and white vampire film in the trunk. During the drive, one of their tires blows out, causing the toys, Bonnie, and her mother to take shelter at a Sleep Well hotel.  As Bonnie and her mother rest, the toys decide to explore the hotel where they encounter the mysterious thing in the shadows. The horrible shady being follows them, stealing them one by one, to a place they are completely unfamiliar with.

At last, the damsel in distress is the only one left who hasn't been taken by the monster. From there on, the story progresses quite swiftly, like a serial killer moving from house to house. The damsel is reunited with her friends and only then, does she discover the true evil of the Sleep Well hotel.

For their very first television special, Pixar did an excellent job encompassing the spirit of Halloween, and the ambiance of horror movies. Using these influences, they created quite a treat for families and children.  I hope this is a special they will continue to air for many Octobers to come because this is just as great as It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Toy Story of Terror special gets a ten out of ten in my book for great characters, tribute to Halloween, and capturing the essence of horror movies.

What do you think? Did Pixar make a spooktacular television special? Leave your thoughts below and as always, followers and feedback are welcome.