eerieindiana | Oct. 31st, 2017

You're viewing

eerieindiana
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: light

Oct. 31st, 2017

It's Halloween, you spooky people! Get your tales of Eerie's spookiest holiday season up now!

Nurse Nancy exhorts you to come for an eye test!

When i met up with Omri Katz in hollywood at a dnb night ..Forever my halloween crush since 1993 the great and powerful max

Imagine how great this would look framed on your wall.

“The family who lose their mouths in The Twilight Zone.”

“Oh! The candy-striper vampire one in Are You Afraid Of The Dark? And the clown, The Ghastly Grinner!”

“The magician one in Amazing Stories. Definitely.”

“There’s one about a pool and this horrible, fleshy skeleton came out of it and grabbed these kids. Still now, if you Google it, it’s one of the most horrifying things I’ve ever seen, I can’t believe it was ever on telly.”

“The Never-Ending Story had something called The Nothing, that was really nothing, literally and figuratively. It stuck with me and freaked me out as a kid, the idea that things were disappearing and nothing was in its place.”

Bede Blake and Robert Butler, the writer-creators of new CBBC half-hour anthology series Creeped Out, are swapping memories of TV and film that left an indelible mark on them as children. “Probably for good reason, kids don’t get that stuff anymore but sort of not, actually,” says Bede.

( Read more... )

Seriously, the website has to be seen to be believed (warning for early days of the internet level ugly). Podcast launches 8 November.

‘That minute when the lights go down is the part where the magic happens, because you know this could be great. You’re always kind of excited, like, “Here I am again in the church of movies, and Mass is starting.”
— Joe Dante, interview with The AV Club

“Magic ticket, my ass.”
— Chief Clancy Wiggum

In 1993, movie audiences looking for a good time could go watch a movie about an audience watching a movie as a metafictional mutual parasitism between fiction and the real. Or they could watch a movie about an audience watching a movie as a metaphor for the benefits of fake bullshit in the face of real reality and the perils of real bullshit creating fake reality. They ultimately watched Jurassic Park.

But while the people behind both Last Action Hero and Matinee would likely tip their caps to the straight spectacle of dinosaurs — realistic yet fabricated, both by the plot of the movie proper and by the artists of the movie’s effects — munching the shit out of people, they were looking to plumb something deeper. Why do we watch these movies? What do they do to us? What do we do to them? Does it matter?

Enough with your baloney, pointdexter, let’s watch some movies.
Last Action Hero is one of the most notorious flops of the last 30 years. John McTiernan directing Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Shane Black contributing to the script — roadmap, etc. It would probably even beat out that Spielberg flick about the dinos! But it’s become a punchline instead, see above.

And while the movie is tonally all over the place, large parts of it are a joke — spoofing Arnold himself and the kind of action Black helped define. After young wiener Danny is transported into the latest flick in the Jack Slater franchise via the much-mocked magic ticket, he finds himself teamed up with a ludicrously violent Arnold who shoots sticks of dynamite (Acme, of course) out of the air and henchman into the air — this movie sets the record for airborne henchfolk — and on one occasion into an ice cream truck. Which promptly explodes. McTiernan previously shot action enhanced but straight in stuff like Predator, here he leans into the insanity without sacrificing clarity and the bloodshed is laughable but still entertaining as violence.

The parody runs thick at this point, in ways cleverly metafictional (Arnold Schwarzenegger does not exist in Jack Slater’s world, Sly Stallone starred in Terminator 2) and amusing but over the top (a roll call of increasingly wacky buddy cop partnerships at the police station culminates with Whiskers, a cartoon cat). A mafioso’s farting corpse — no boner — is a plot point. Danny helpfully and points out plot points and dramatic beats, the best bit comes when Jack’s partner is clearly evil because he’s played by F. Murray Abraham “and he killed Mozart!”

All of this is fun enough, but the darkness around the edges moves to the center as Jack and Danny follow the ticket-stealing villain (Charles Dance, having a blast channeling Hans Gruber) into Danny’s home of New York City. It’s a place where bums are robbed and whores are abused, where bad guys can kill with impunity and no cops immediately come to the rescue — a place that Danny wants to escape by watching movies, but in its dark shadings, wet neon and ostentatious grit is just as unreal and exaggerated as Slater’s world. But in this world, Slater can’t punch and shoot with action movie impunity, “reality” doesn’t allow for that. And when he sees a billboard advertising Arnold Schwarzenegger in the new “Jack Slater” movie, it’s clear reality doesn’t allow for him.
“How do you feel when you find out someone made you up?” Slater wonders. We saw earlier that Jack Slater saw his son die in his previous movie — at the hands of The Ripper (an absolutely terrifying Tom Noonan), but Slater realizes now at the hands of a scriptwriter and an actor, making him dance for the amusement of people like Danny. Danny and a friend try to cheer Slater up — there are worse things than movies, like sickness, pain, politicians even. You don’t have it that bad! But no one likes being a pawn, and it’s pretty easy to read a meta-commentary on the real Schwarzenegger here as he was clearly growing tired of the action genre. And Arnold the actor is affecting as a guy discovering he may not be a demigod but could actually be a man, his listening to the real Mozart on the radio after a franchise (an eternity?) of hard rock is delightful.

And of course, the intersection of pain and pleasure, the recursive genre flick, has Shane Black all over it. Danny’s life is not Dickensian but it’s fairly miserable, he needs Jack to make it better. But Jack does not have a life at all because of this, his battles and losses occur because people like Danny enjoy them, because it’s good drama. Toward the end of the movie, Jack meets Arnold Schwarzenegger and growls “You brought me nothing but pain.” It’s a dark and cutting moment, but Arnold is the instrument of Jack’s pain, the composer — Black — is not found in the movie and while you can feel Black’s guilt, he doesn’t own up to his role. The movie blinks

“Keep your eyes open,” schlockmeister Lawrence Woolsey tells young fan Gene during Matinee. He’s talking about watching the scary and uncomfortable bits of scary movies, but there’s another layer to his advice. While Last Action Hero uses metafictional fantasy to combine action fantasy with “reality,” embracing the implausible to try to express truths, Matinee’s story contains multiple levels but is entirely plausible. A bunch of kids want to see the coolest movie in town, being shown by a huckster with more gimmick than filmmaking skill, while the world is coming to an end. That last bit really happened.
One of these movies is unfortunately a faux live-action-Disney turd (The Shook-Up Shopping Cart, a small masterpiece of body swap as excruciatingly wacky mugging and flat physical comedy), but the real attraction is coming in a few days — Woolsey’s MANT! Half man, half ant, all terror! Woolsey is an obvious riff on B-movie king William Castle and he and long-suffering partner Ruth (the sublimely deadpan Cathy Moriarty) begin to modify the theater with gimmicks in the hopes of impressing an agent who can book them nationwide. And he may have tapped into something with his tale of a man-ant mutated by nuclear radiation that is filmed in ATOMO-VISION, which puts you right at ground zero — “Not a safe place to be,” Woolsey intones at the start of the picture, “but today there is no safe place to be.”

Danny begs Jack to stay in the “real” world — he’s real to Danny, dammit — but Jack knows better. “I need you out there to believe in me.” Last Action Hero codifies a pact — we accept unreality because we need it in our lives, and we lend it the very real belief it needs to effectively enter into our lives. The outsize lives of the people in the films and who make them are their reward, living as our entertainment their curse. The funniest part of the movie comes early on, when Danny’s English teacher posits Hamlet as the first action hero and Danny fantasizes about Arnold in the title role (“To be or not to be?” *tosses grenade* “Not to be!”) Black and the other screenwriters are getting snarky here but also making a point — this deal between the dramatized and the dramatists and their audience has been going on for a long, long time. Real creating the unreal, unreal giving succor to the real.

Death...but not for you.

And it of course has seats shaking in Rumble-Rama, which causes the theater manager to think the bombs have dropped and seal off his bomb shelter. Gene and Cassandra briefly wind up stuck in there, after a run-in with a local hood hired to wear a Mant-suit and menace theatergoers who winds up legitimately assaulting a patron for going out with his girlfriend. Movie and reality collapse in on each other, with Woolsey going for the big bang at the end — his movie ends in a nuclear explosion that appears to set the screen itself on fire. The crowd loses its shit and rushes out of the theater to find … nothing but clear skies. They’ve seen (and in some cases lived) the unreal version of the real and survived. And as we soon learn, the real apocalypse has been canceled. Life will return to normal, and the first thing patrons want is to see that movie again.

In the end, Last Action Hero wants to lose it at the movies, to fall into the unreal through all of the real’s senses because the real is not enough to bear on its own. Joe Dante is a guy who loves the movies more than anyone I can think of. But he loves them enough to know that movies end. That you can illuminate the real with the unreal in a dark room, but that the lights eventually come up. But maybe you can see a little better.

I haven’t seen Hocus Pocus. I’m an older millennial who was the perfect age to be a fan of Hocus Pocus when it came out, yet I’ve managed to still succeed in life without having seen this “cultural touchstone”. When I say I haven’t seen it to others of my generation, there’s shock, disgust, and a response of, “You have to watch it, it’s soooo good.” Listen, I get that a lot about every movie I haven’t seen. That’s the point of these Pop Culture Blind Spots. Please stop telling me popular movies are going to be good. Anyways, you want to keep reading after my rant, right? Good.

My knowledge of Hocus Pocus: Bette Midler. Sarah Jessica Parker. Kathy Najimy. Three witches get together dressed in over-the-top costumes to hang out with kids and sing some songs. They’re probably good witches? Guys, honestly, I have no idea. People love it especially at Halloween? There’s always a rumor there’s going to be a sequel.

Actual movie description: After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrect in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches’ reign of terror once and for all.

Sooooo they’re not good witches? Also there’s a cat involved? And no idea it took place in Salem, but that makes sense.

This is a Kenny Ortega jam?! He’s keeps popping up in all my favorite things! High School Musical, Dirty Dancing, some of my favorite Gilmore Girls episodes.

Is Omri Katz the kid from Indian in the Cupboard? Oh, no, the character’s name in that movie is Omri. HAHAHA This dude was in Eerie, Indiana though! What, you haven’t seen Eerie, Indiana? IT IS SO GOOD.

I forgot Thora Birch is in this!

Wait does this take place in the 1600s? Or this might be a flashback. To 300 years ago. Which explains the slight British accents and peasant shirts. I’m with you now. I’m onto the logic of this children’s film.

Oh Bette Midler’s wig is…LAID.

This book with the eye looks eerily like the Care of Magical Creatures book in HP.

Why are the sisters’ mouths all weird?

This was the year right after Sister Act. Kathy Najimy living her best life.

So the potion made them “younger”? Is this like a cautionary tale about naturally aging and not giving into plastic surgery and botox? And is Emily dead now? Or did she turn into a little girl ghost?

Is this a true story? I SAW GOODY MIDLER WITH THE DEVIL!

Max is a recent transplant from Los Angeles who said “Give me a break” after his teacher was telling them a story of witches instead of whatever she’s really supposed to be teaching them, and her response was, “We seem to have a skeptic in our midst. Mr. Dennison would you care to share your California tye-dye point of view?”

Why does Max look like a creep hitting on Allison?

The instrumentals in this film are truly enjoyable.

I MISS FALL IN NEW ENGLAND.

UGH this must’ve really been filmed in Massachusetts. It’s so New England-y! 😍

These idiots:

Calling him “Hollywood” and stealing his new sneakers is exactly what is wrong with white boys and bullying.

Ok this Dennison family house is spectacular. Max has stairs leading to somewhere inside his spacious room??

How cute is Thora Birch tho

Dad: What are you supposed to be, Max?

Max: A rap singer.

Dad: Oh. Well your hat should be on sideways, shouldn’t it?

Ice & his leather jacket bro are back with more of their cronies and literally sitting outside a house making kids pay a toll in order to pass by. I HATE THEM SO MUCH.

Oh the huge house is where Allison lives, and apparently the theme is Marie Antoinette – and not the Kirsten Dunst version.

Danni calls out Max liking Allison’s “yabbos”, which is why I hate teenage boys.

So not only did Max’s teacher tell them about the Sanderson witches, but Danni’s teacher told them about the lore too. Is it just like, required cirriculum to tell kids about these witches in Salem? Also I find it funny they’re the “Sandersons”. It’s like, a 300 year old tale about the most haunting ladies in the area and they have the whitest names ever.

“Legend has it that the bones for 100 children are buried within these walls”… and this place used to be a museum open to the public?

If the black flame candle is lit by a virgin on Halloween night, some shit goes down, and apparently Disney is fine by mentioning virgins in this film.

“It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus.” Has this always been a phrase to indicate something being outlandish? I legit thought it was always just a made up thing from this movie.

Is this a crossover with Sabrina, the Teenage Witch?

Has Hocus Pocus been made into a haunted house yet?

Max the Virgin lit the candle and conjured up the three witches, and it’s basically like the opening scene in the 1600s but with Max saving Danni. I love a good plot parallel.

Ugh instead of hauling butt out of there, he tells the sisters they messed with the “Great and Powerful Max” so now he’s “summoning the burning rain of death”. Just leave.

No wait the cat talks is it Salem’s great-grandfather or something?

Honestly, do these sisters think they’re in a never-ending musical?

Has Hocus Pocus been made into a musical yet? (Yes, kinda – a musical parody)

Winifred caught her BF William Butcher cheating on her with her sister Sarah so she punished him? I mean I’d be a little mad at my sister too, just saying.

The cat’s name is Thackary Binx. Solid name. You don’t hear the name Thackary anymore. Wonder if it was the Madison of its era.

LOL Thackary with the shade calling Max an “airhead virgin”.

Yo the zombie getting up from his death slumber is me when someone tries to wake me up in the morning.

Also, the zombie is William the one who played two of the sisters? And now Winifred’s asking for his help?

– an actual bus driver picking up the sisters 🙄

Also: “We desire children” – Winifred. “It might take me a few tries, but I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” – bus driver who needs to calm down.

THACKARY

OMG HIS STOMACH JUST INFLATED HAHAHAHA

Ahhhhhh Garry Marshall!!!

This dude pretending to be a real cop is really unnerving to me.

Ahhhhhh Penny Marshall!!!

This entertainment center with VHS tapes is my aesthetic

Everyone ends up at the big Halloween party, where the sisters somehow end up on stage and sing I Put a Spell on You. Look, I love a musical number but this seems unnecessary. Especially if they’re trying to track down Max and co.

They tricked the sisters into the high school where they burned them alive?? Did this even work? Seems too easy.

It didn’t work.

Winifred comes out of the kiln speaking French because Max was pumping some kind of instructional tape over the stereo, and it’s the first time I’ve LOLed.

The bully idiots are back and discuss illegally watching naked women: “do you wanna look in windows and watch babes undress?” “It’s 3:00, they’re undressed already.” Honestly, what the actual fuck. This is what we taught our kids?

Kathy Najimy uses a vacuum to fly – so basically they can fly using anything, since it’s not the broom that has the power, it comes from within? I learn something new about witches every day.

“We haven’t the time!” I need to start using this phrase more. Sorry Jessie Spano, Winifred is in.

Wait William is calling Winifred a “trollop”?? I thought he’s the one who cheated on her????

Between Max’s shoes and his gym bag, Nike really got great product placement in this film.

Bitches didn’t even check to see if there was salt in the salt container?!?!

This sun is like The Lion King Musical huge

Ok, but like a 300 year old male ghost kissing a 9 year old and whispering “I shall always be with you” is creepy right?

Meanwhile, the Dennison adults are just clamoring out of the Halloween party wasted, the bullies are stuck in their birdcages, and the Harry Potter book’s eye wakes up.

Unpopular opinion: This film is mediocre? It’s obviously geared towards kids, which is why adults of our generation have a special spot in their hearts for this movie as an important part of their childhood. Was it because it’s been hyped up so much? Maybe. Was it the fact I’m not crazy about Halloween in general? Probably. At least now I can say I’ve seen it. Come at me haters.

With thanks to

scheherezhad for the link!

( Read more... )

( Read the rest of the Microwave verse here )

( Read the rest of the Weather series here )

Oh the cuteness!

Inktober 28: Thackery Binx. Sorry this one is pretty boring. -_- Just another sketch to try and catch up. I would like to do a proper drawing of Binx someday.

Turn your baseball caps sideways to pass as either a rap singer or a New Kid on the Block, because here in the UK it's officially All Hallows Eve and therefore time to watch Hocus Pocus!

Profile

Eerie Indiana

June 2025

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30

Most Popular Tags

***where to watch eerie indiana*** - 1364 uses
a: deifire - 383 uses
a: eviinsanemonkey - 363 uses
a: friendofdorothy - 340 uses
a: froodle - 2226 uses
a: return to eerie indiana - 304 uses
actor: justin shenkarow - 371 uses
actor: omri katz - 453 uses
challenge: weekly - 352 uses
char: bert&ernie - 352 uses
char: dash - 1533 uses
char: edgar - 384 uses
char: janet - 440 uses
char: marilyn - 412 uses
char: mars - 2599 uses
char: melanie - 349 uses
char: mister radford - 299 uses
char: simon - 1861 uses
char: syndi - 479 uses
comm event: prompt/challenge - 3494 uses
creator: joe dante - 435 uses
crossover potential - 3683 uses
discussion: character - 1492 uses
discussion: episode - 1983 uses
discussion: reboot - 782 uses
ep: foreverware - 854 uses
ep: the lost hour - 303 uses
ep: the retainer - 339 uses
extra canon: the other dimension - 535 uses
fanworks: art - 748 uses
fanworks: craft - 487 uses
fanworks: fic - 2241 uses
fanworks: ongoing verse - 1738 uses
fanworks: pic - 1764 uses
fanworks: podcast - 505 uses
fanworks: poll - 333 uses
fanworks: reviews - 5740 uses
fanworks: video - 601 uses
merch - 1544 uses
non-canon: ayaotd - 320 uses
non-canon: goosebumps - 304 uses
non-canon: hocus pocus - 424 uses
non-canon: stranger things - 372 uses
ongoing verse: janet - 392 uses
ongoing verse: microwave - 497 uses
ongoing verse: trusted associates inc - 525 uses
org: eerie dairy - 299 uses
org: foreverware ladies - 629 uses
place: world o' stuff - 429 uses
seasonal: halloween - 378 uses

Page Summary

froodle - HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE
froodle - Justin Shenkarow behind the scenes of Who's Who
froodle - Hot chocolate with gummy brains
froodle - Spooky cupcakes time!
froodle - Grey Street opticians in Newcastle have the greatest advertising campaign ever...
froodle - Omri Katz autograph and photo booths pics...
froodle - Eerie, Indiana print ad from 1991 on eBay
froodle - Den of Geek on CBBC's Creeped Out
froodle - New Earwolf podcast about 90s tv and website
froodle - Year of the Month on Joe Dante's Matinee and Last Action Hero
froodle - Cookies and Sangria on seeing Hocus Pocus for the first time as an adult
froodle - Chocolate-covered swiss roll slices with sugar pumpkins
froodle - How to make the Hocus Pocus spellbook... in brownie form!
froodle - Eerie, Indiana fanfiction: Trash Day
froodle - Cerberus pupper by Helabella
froodle - Thackeray Binx fanart by JaDisArt
froodle - Hocus Pocus Halloween rewatch

Style Credit

Style: Neutral Good for Practicality by timeasmymeasure

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Page generated Jun. 15th, 2025 01:35 pm

Powered by Dreamwidth Studios

	
		OSZAR »