#schtick

I’m trying to decide whether I want to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. I bought a ticket for an early screening on 09/04. But now that there are some reviews, and more press about it, I’m not sure.

I saw the original Beetlejuice (1988) and have a vague memories of it. But I haven’t rewatched it since. I saw Burton’s Batman movies (1989/1992). Did I like them? Mixed feelings. They were the only comic book game in town then.

I only have a vague memory of Edward Scissorhands (1990). I “think” I liked Ed Wood (1994), but I didn’t like Mars Attacks (1996). And I especially hated Burton’s Planet of the Apes (2001).

I can’t explain why I continued to go see Tim Burton’s movies such as Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (2005), Sweeny Todd (2007), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). He was creatively bankrupt and was just delivering weird schtick.

Burton’s Dark Shadows (2012) was a piece of sh!t. It convinced me to break the habit of seeing any film Burton was associated with. I haven’t seeing a Burton movie since…

… and I just convinced myself to cancel the ticket I prepurchased…

Key Aspects & Origins

Etymology: Borrowed from Yiddish word shtik (שטיק), which literally translates to "a piece/slice". Related to German stück, meaning piece/theatrical play. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

In Comedy: Often used to describe a comedian's signature bit, or a repetitive gag ppl associate specifically w/ them (“That pratfall is part of his shtick.”). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]