Gothic Reads 5: Beetlejuice

 The Before:

    I've seen this movie like once before (in high school I think), so I really don't remember what happens. Here is a young millennial version of what happens. (Yeah it was a little before my time). A girl with some serious 80's goth vibes, played by Winona Ryder, moves into a haunted house with her nightmare of a mother and stepfather(?). The previous couple that lived there are dead and they don't want to cross over because they like their house. Beetle Juice is a demon or ghost that just  likes to mess with people. There are some giant snake worm things like in Dune. I think Winona Ryder dies after they sing the "Put the lime in the coconut" song. Then the ghosts just live in the house?

The Feels:

    *GASP* It's that lady from Cutthroat Island. Yes, I love that movie! (Also I had to look up the name of that  movie by googling "worst pirate movie ever").

    I also like their caseworker, she's pretty hilarious.

    Also I think this is Tim Burton and it doesn't have any main male character has issues with his father plot. That's also a bonus. Unless this isn't Tim Burton, in which case, strike that. *googles furiously* Yes this is Tim Burton. Wait, what? Alex Baldwin was in this? Where?

The Concerns:

    The couple was murdered by a dog?... Jesus! This movie's f*ckin weird. So it's her stepmom and biodad, but they can't see the ghosts. The ghosts won't leave because they like their house, but then they almost leave because they like Winona Ryder.

    Few concerns about people taking their own lives. There was a joke in the waiting room and I guess her punishment is having to work as a secretary for eternity? Then Winona Ryder says she is going to take her own life at one point... And it's sort of played as a joke? Like she's too naive and is just being "over dramatic"?... YIKES

    And then what is the point of Beetlejuice? He just scares people? And then tries to marry a child bride? But then he doesn't because they say his name too many times and Winona Ryder's family abandons her, so the ghosts raise her? And they sing the Day-O song not the Lime in the coconut song?

    They did a lot of drugs in the 80's right?

Plot: 1/10

Writing Style: 5/10

Meaningfulness: 3/10

Gothic Reads 4: Suspense Radio (Vincent Price Collection)

The Before:

    I've mentioned before that I have a love for all things old-time radio! I came across a collection of Vincent Price stories and have been listening to it all week. Here's a link to the collection if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yMLgxIJ2R0&t=11129s&ab_channel=CalebJones

The Feels:

    I really don't know much about Vincent Price, other than he's almost always the villain, which for the most part, rings true in this collection. It's a bunch of great stories, perfect for this time of the year.

The Concerns:

    Obviously, these stories are old, but I'm always a little surprised with some of the"word" choices that are made. Women are also not the most well depicted in these stories. If you're not in the mood to ignore some old-timey nonsense, don't listen to this. I mean as much as I love it, some of the things they say can momentarily take me out of the story. This collection might not be for you and I totally understand.

Plot: 8/10

Writing Style: 4/10

Meaningfulness: 6/10