Peggy Takes in a Show…

TC ponders another milestone as he and Peggy set foot in a theater to see the long gestating sequel to Tim Burton’s classic romp, Beetlejuice. Read on! – the editor

It has been 36 years since the original Beetlejuice was released in theaters. Shockingly I turned 21 in about a month after the release of the classic (one milestone), and roughly a month later I would move into my apartment on Raleigh Ave in Atlantic City (another milestone).

Since then, a world has gone by (with many more milestones including the biggest to date—the arrival of Peggy).

So why not celebrate another milestone —my first movie theater adventure with my pal Peggy?

It just felt right to celebrate the release of long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice by taking my new partner, Peggy, to her first venture inside movie theater.

Now those who know me, I am a movie fan. During the 80’s and 90’s, I regularly attended showings at my local movie theaters, no matter how horrible the venues were. I got spoiled when I moved to Las Vegas. I arrived in 2007 when movie theaters were switching to digital projection. No more splices and broken prints.

[dabs eyes]

Forced Time-In — In Home Viewing…

Around the time I began bunkering down to address my medical issues, I subscribed to the new movie passes, like AMC’s A List or Regal Unlimited.

So on or about March 7th 2022, I saw my last film in a theaters, Cyrano, the musical version of the Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Peter Dinklage.

I had to re-train myself and finally had to embrace the joys of streaming. We cut the cord around that time (DirecTV no more). As for my Turner Classic Movies. I already had the Disney Bundle. Through free services like Pluto TV and specials on Peacock and Paramount +, I got connected to some first run (ish) streaming.

Not the theater experience, but it worked…

So now being home now for almost a year, I needed to rip a new Band-Aid, so to speak, with a movie that needs to be seen in an actual theater (the full cinema treatment).

Originally, I thought it would be the movie version of Wicked, arriving in November. It just happened to work out that I was able to bump up my Out-Of-Home movie viewing a few months — to experience the long gestating sequel to Tim Burton’s classic romp, Beetlejuice.

Now the Logistics…

In year one of Peggy, I’ve had help getting to doctor appointments and such (Thanks, Buddy!!) — pretty much shielding my roommate.

This was the right time…

Said roommate, brother James, bought the tickets. I did some research and requested the theater be an AMC that not only had close in handicap parking, but the handicap space in the theater was located in the back, and not up in the front row, like most theaters. I trained my roommates on the travel routine. We gave ourselves a lot of time to get to the AMC Rainbow Promenade 10.

First, proud of me moment: I behaved and did not break the piggy bank for popcorn and snacks.

Now, about that Sequel…

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was not a perfect film. It ran a little long, but once it got started, it worked. It was a treat for fans of the original (included tons of Easter Eggs).

That’s a Wrap…

After the movie, I treated my escorts to the 3 for Me menu at Chili’s and made it home afterwards. Mission accomplished. Like my doctor appointments, all was well. I may do another movie before Wicked at Thanksgiving, possibly Jason Reitman’s SNL movie, but I got this notch on my belt. Peggy was on her best behavior. A show at the Smith Center or on the Vegas Strip? In due time. But no rush.

Thanks for reading and pondering with me. —TC

Bonus Clips…