Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
Loving couple Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis) die in an unfortunate accident; their life of deceased domestic bliss is interrupted by the arrival of the obnoxious Deetz family, fresh from New York -- nervous patriarch Charles (Jeffrey Jones), wannabe socialite Delia (Catherine O'Hara), goth daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Delia's flamboyant style maven Otho (Glenn Shadix). To rid themselves of their new living pests, the Maitlands make the mistake of turning to freelance bio-exorcist Beetlegeuse (Michael Keaton), a rather unpleasant poltergeist.
It might be a quintessential 80's family flick but it hasn't aged well, particularly the dreadful special effects, which are very much a product of their time. Beetlegeuse himself is a particularly loathsome character, and on re-watching the film it's interesting to note how little he actually contributes. It's a curious mix of (largely unnecessary) horror and family-friendliness that I'm inclined to think works in spite of the darker elements and not because of them.