Casper & Beetlejuice

Brad Silberling’s CASPER (PG, 1995, 100 min)  

When a “paranormal expert” (Bill Pullman) and his daughter Kat (Christina Ricci) move into the crumbling Whipstaff Manor to exorcise its ghosts, they encounter more than they bargained for. While the “Ghostly Trio” causes chaotic mischief, Kat befriends Casper, the friendliest ghost you know, who just wants a friend. Featuring early digital effects that brought the iconic character to life with “cinematic wonder,” the film blends spooky fun with a surprisingly touching story about loss and connection. It is a nostalgic Halloween treat that captures the whimsy of a classic comic book come to life.  

Followed by: 

Tim Burton’s BEETLEJUICE (PG, 1988, 92 min)  

“It’s showtime!” When a recently deceased couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) finds their peaceful home invaded by an unbearable New York family, they hire a “bio-exorcist” to scare them away. Enter Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a fast-talking, crude, and utterly unhinged spirit who creates more chaos than he solves. With a young Winona Ryder as the gothic Lydia Deetz and a surreal, Oscar-winning visual style, the film is a zany, supernatural romp through the afterlife. From the “Day-O” dinner scene to the shrunken heads, it remains a quintessential Tim Burton masterpiece of dark comedy and high-gear imagination.