Watch Creeping Death on Screambox

Creeping Death comes from writer-director Matt Sampere who makes his feature debut with this Halloween horror movie. As mentioned earlier, it’s based on his short film of the same name.

The cast works well overall and the design and practical effects for the Celtic spirit Aos Si are all impressive. With the one big and unfortunate exception of the writer-director himself who plays Tim.

As good as he is at directing the rest of the cast, he does not work in front of the camera for me. Not at all. In fact, the movie only works briefly for me, when he isn’t on screen.

I love when a movie is made with passion, but it must be accompanied by talent. For this movie, there is passion and also talent, but someone needs to come in and “kill the darlings” because Matt Sampere isn’t quite able to do this himself.

This may sound harsh, but my intention is an honest and heartfelt recommendation. I think he could make solid horror movies as a writer and director, but not with himself in front of the camera.

Creeping Death is out on SCREAMBOX on September 10, 2024.

When one hears “Beetlejuice,” the 1988 Halloween classic often comes to mind, conjuring up memories of over-the-top campiness, oddball characters, zany horror and everything out-of-the-ordinary that is to be expected from a Tim Burton project. 

The 2024 sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” despite having twice the title, possesses half of the spooky charm as its 36-year-old predecessor.

In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz; only this time around, Lydia isn’t the teenage daughter of a couple being haunted by the demon Beetlejuice. Instead, she’s the middle-aged star of a paranormal talk show — titled “Ghost House” — during which she provides families consultations on their haunted houses à la “Ghostbusters.”

Jenna Ortega steps into the cynical teenager role as Lydia’s daughter Astrid, who is skeptical of her mother’s profession and questionable new relationship with her business partner following the death of her father.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is primarily preoccupied with resituating the classic Halloween story in a modern context, and perhaps that’s the main reason why the original’s charm feels beyond saving. It’s hard to feel cozy and spooky watching a Burton film when the characters drive luxury sports cars and whip out their iPhone-esque cellphones with possessed vigor. 

Beyond the natural growing pains of moving into the 21st century, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” lacks the first film’s eye-popping gothic chic. The campy, unrealistic practical effects and costumes are thrown out and substituted with air-brushed counterparts that strip the sequel of authenticity. 

Though to be fair, complaints about the corporate-washed soul of the film could be excused if the story didn’t feel like it was vomited out by a trick-or-treater who had too much Halloween candy. 

It’s undeniably true that the plot of the original “Beetlejuice” didn’t follow the most cohesive structure, but it never felt boring or convoluted. The same can’t be said for its sequel, which can’t seem to figure out if it wants to spend more time resurrecting characters from the first film or introducing half-baked new ones. 

This dilemma is seen in Lydia’s new partner Rory (Justin Theroux), who overstays his welcome both in the world of the film and in screen time. 

Additionally, Ortega is once again typecast as a grumpy, dark-humored teenager whose presence is made infinitely less interesting by a cringe-worthy romance subplot.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” still recaptures some of the original’s wacky exuberance, particularly when Michael Keaton gets to shine as the titular character, enabling his morbid charisma to — once again — be the film’s standout factor. 

Unfortunately, Keaton is drastically underutilized, particularly in the film’s first two acts, during which it feels as though his character is given the bare minimum amount of screen time that still allows the film to be titled after him. 

If you’re craving the spooky whimsy of “Beetlejuice,” you’d be better off relishing the original’s tricks and treats than going to see “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a ghost of its precursor that didn’t deserve to be resurrected.

Rating: 2/5

Beetlejuice is an important movie for me. “Nice fucking model” was the first time I heard an F bomb. It was my introduction to Tim Burton and my first goth girl crush, in Lydia Deetz. I’ve revisited the film many times over the years and it’s still a favorite of mine and I thought a sequel would never happen. When Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was announced I was cautiously optimistic. My girlfriend and I are huge Tim Burton fans so we went to see the film on opening day with her son.

Here’s my thoughts on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Synopsis

After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was directed by Tim Burton (Beetlejuice) from a script by Al Gough and Miles Millar (Wednesday) based on a story by Gough, Millar and Seth Graham-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). The film stars Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice), Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands), Catherine O’Hara (Nightmare Before Christmas), Jenna Ortega (X), Justin Theroux (Your Highness), Willem Dafoe (Poor Things) and Monica Bellucci (Irreversible).

It was an absolute pleasure to see Keaton, Ryder and O’Hara back on screen together after all these years. Keaton’s Beetlejuice is still a manipulative sleazeball, but is infinitely more likable. Ryder’s Lydia is still the lovable goth girl we know and love, though haunted by a lifetime of trauma and has to rediscover herself. O’Hara Delia is still loud and brash, but has grown into a loving stepmom and grandmother. Ortega’s Astrid is a welcome addition to the cast, sharing some traits of Lydia while very much being her father’s daughter.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is far from a rehash of the first film. It feels more grown up, darker, dirtier and quite a bit gorier, while still being funny as hell. The film pulls influence from Gothic horror films, specifically the films of Mario Bava, who is a actually referenced in the film. Bellucci’s Delores feels like a character Barbara Steele would have played in the 60’s. The make up and special effects are very old school, using traditional makeup effects and stop motion animation. The production design is gorgeous. We get to see more of the other side, which was a nice change of pace. The story gives everyone their part to play and everything coalesces into an absolutely grand finale.

Final Thoughts

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a sequel that honors what came before but is bigger, bolder and bloodier than what came before. The new additions to the cast liven things up and up the stakes. The film was an absolute blast to watch in theaters. My girlfriend, her son and I all loved it! Highly recommend.