Beetlejuice

If Tim Burton’s later career has proven disappointing, you might beneficially go back to this enjoyable 1988 post-mortem comedy with Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder—few of whom have been used so well since. Keaton plays the ghoul renowned for frightening interlopers out of the houses of the dead, and he has a great time doing it. The same is true of Burton’s work here, even though the joy has been slowly draining out of his work ever since. Call for showtimes. (PG) BRIAN MILLER

Oct. 14-17, 2011