31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Beetlejuice" (1988)

In keeping with the Tim Burton tradition, today we'll stick to creepy characters and settings, but lighten the mood. Like beer, having too much of the same flavor of film can grow tiring. So while we'll hang onto Burton's signature style, let's bring some comedy into the mix.

*Cue Danny Elfman theme*

"Daylight come and me wanna go home..."

The Plot:

Adam and Barbara Maitland are living the American dream. A home in quiet suburbia, steady jobs, and a lovely countryside in which to live out their days together. Yeah, you know that can't last long. 

After a freak accident spells the untimely demise of our couple, they find themselves back at the old home, only now as spirits haunting the place. As they seek to understand the rules of being dead (a handbook is fortunately provided, though the service stinks), they're now 'vacant' home is open to new buyers.

The kooky Deetz family sets sights on their Norman-Rockwellian homestead and begins extensive renovations. Away go the picket fences, in comes the neo-trendy architecture. All via wrecking ball.

Feeling their home-sweet-haunt as threatened, Adam and Barbara seek to scare the Deetz family from the premises. Being dead, they're more than able to tear their own ethereal bodies apart in horrific ways, but the problem is no one can see them. Well, save for the young lady of the family, Lydia, who's obsession with the gothic not only allows her to see Adam and Barbara, but understand their plight and befriend them.

Seeking professional undead assistance, the couple seeks out the help of Beetlejuice, a bio-exorcist who specializes in removing the living from a given premises. To say he enjoys his job is an understatement. In fact, the fellow spirits Adam and Barbara communicate with advise against consulting Beetlejuice, as his antics frequently drive the living away by making them, well, not live anymore.

Now finding themselves stuck between a crazy family and an even crazier ghost, Adam and Barbara must find a way to protect the family they sought to scare and rid themselves of Beetlejuice's presence.

The Flavor:

Sickly-twisted but showcasing a wide-grin throughout, "Beetlejuice" is like Tim Burton's brain literally spilt out onto film. Most all the spirits, and there are many, bear the marks of their demise, so while Adam and Barbara look normal, others appear as charred skeletons and severed appendages. And yet, grisly as they appear, they're just normal people trying to adapt to their newly dead lifestyle. The sight of a horrific figure going about the mundane is an image Burton has frequently used, but "Beetlejuice" illustrates it in a huge variety of freaky ways. It's dark and hysterical.

As the film's ghostly heroes, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis help provide some much-needed introduction into the world of the dead, which seems just as laden with tedium as the real world. As good natured people in life, they're similarly kind in death, and only want their former home protected. That they're just as horrified with Beetlejuice as the living shows just how dangerous he really is.

As Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton plays one of the most fun villains I've ever seen on film. He carries a deep-seated hatred of the living, but takes such joy in his otherworldly powers and profession that he remains entertaining even while being terrifying. Heck, it took me years before I could watch the movie without having to fast-forward the 'snake scene' yet I still found Beetlejuice to be a riot.

With nearly every scene adding to the flavor, "Beetlejuice" manages to be a fun, yet rich comedy wearing the costume of a scary movie. There are so many key moments that I'd need multiple pages to list them all, so for now I'll just say that the musical talents of Harry Belafonte will surely be stuck in your head for days after viewing.

Best Paired with:

Packing plenty of spooky and twisted imagery, "Beetlejuice" is way more about the thrill than the horror. It wants you to laugh throughout all the creepiness. Even sympathize with it at points. A comedy gem, I'd recommend "Beetlejuice" for family-night viewing so long as the kids were above the age of 10 or so. Some of the scenes (Hisssss....) are pretty frickin' scary, so you may want to view the film yourself before judging whether it'd traumatize your youngins'.

For teens and adults, "Beetlejuice" makes a hysterical and fun party film. With enough iconic scenes to be entertaining even if you come in half-way through, I'd recommend sticking "Beetlejuice" on the TV through any Halloween party or seasonal social gathering.

Accompanying Brew:

Dark, sweet, and rich with more than a bite of zany, let's go with an equally-fun brew.

Gonzo Imperial Porter from Flying Dog bears more than just a label-wise resemblance to "Beetlejuice". Oh sure, the skeleton and black-and-white motif certainly help the connection, but it's the taste which makes the bond shine. As a heavier and stronger brew (9.2%!), the Gonzo Porter certainly fits its description as an Imperial. It'll give you a solid kick in the ass if you underestimate it. 

As a homage to Hunter S. Thompson, whose writings often ventured into the bizarre themselves, the Gonzo Imperial Porter fits "Beetlejuice" equally well. Though not directly-linked to Halloween, I'd be remiss if I neglected to mention Thompson's influence on the beer's presentation.  I could argue the case of Johnny Deep as the bridge, as he's known for playing Hunter S. Thompson and features in many Burton films. But instead, I'll focus on taste.

With a lovely blend of dark, roasted malts and sweetness, Gonzo Imperial brings both bitter and sweet to the table in equal measure. A good portion of the sweetness comes from the higher alcohol content, which brings with it a tangy bite. If you're a coffee fan, the roasted flavors will certainly remind you of a good cup of espresso. This sort of flavor combo is best enjoyed while sipping slowly. Having a few pints of Gonzo will more than knock you out, so be sure to take your time and savor it. The heavy body and strong flavors of the beer will help with this.

For its twisted sense of humor and blend of darkness with sweet, Gonzo Imperial Porter makes for a great brew to enjoy alongside "Beetlejuice", or if you're going for the traditional route, a book from Hunter S. Thompson.