I'm a serious cinemaphile and can lecture on auteur theory, the history of film, and various aspects of this art medium. So it surprises people to learn that one of my favorite movies is "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". Directed by Tim Burton, the 1985 film is a talented work of art which made Pee-wee an overnight star.
Pee-wee made a second movie which was so bad we won't talk about it. Then, in 1991, Pee-wee was caught with his pants down and he quit show biz. The actor who portrays him (Paul Reubens) appeared in cameos since then (e.g., "Batman Returns"; "The Blacklist"; "Murphy Brown") but they've been under most people's radar.
Well... he's back! Pee-wee is making a new movie with Judd Apatow. Bow-tie is the new black!
Do you know Pee-wee? Do you like him?
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure is in my top five favorite movies of all time. But how do you not love Big-Top Pee-Wee? Just a NOTCH under Pee-Wee's Big Adventure! "I'm such a big fan of yours, Mr. Lincoln!" And Valeria Golina's epic tantrum...so much to love! Go watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI love Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and almost EVERYTHING Tim Burton (let's just not talk about the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake.) I also loved Pee-Wee's Playhouse as a kid. I will definitely watch the new movie.
ReplyDeleteI love Pee-Wee! I actually really love Reubens in the otherwise not-so-good movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (his extra death scene gurgles are so fun). Glad he is coming back!
ReplyDeleteOkay... so don't make fun of me but I have actually never seen Pee-Wee's big adventure! I was born in 89 so maybe it was because it came out a little bit before my time. I remember kids talking about it when I was little though!
ReplyDeleteI won't make fun of you, Sweetie, but it's time you saw it. My favorite movie of all time ("Casablanca") was made in the Forties and I wasn't alive then either. That's the legacy of art -- it lives on.
DeleteWow, I didn't know he was coming back! I know of him but not really a fan, not my type of movie. That is great that he has been able to extend his career though!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a full film, I have seen clips but it didn't look my sort of thing and I found Pee-Wee a little creepy to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI understand -- but Pee-Wee is intentionally creepy. It's part of the schtick. A little bit of adult awareness in a sea of childhood.
DeleteI never heard of Pee-Wee but I comment anyway, to let you know that your thoughtful comment on my consumerism post made me really really happy! I even put a link of your blog in my latest post because your comment was my favorite one and it just made me so happy overall to read these thoughtful comments and to see that there are many people out there sharing the same thoughts and doubts and asking the same questions!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Thank you, Larissa. I'm glad you liked my comment. I put a lot of thought into it, because your post is so important.
DeleteI've not seen the movie but enjoy seeing him in other things - it's like a surprise and I don't have to spend the whole movie thinking "who is that guy?"
ReplyDeleteI LOVE PeeWee! LOL We all used to do the Tequila dance when we were out at bars that he made so famous.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever see his series Pee-Wee's Playhouse? That was the precursor to his movie actually and hilarious. We watched it as adults for kicks.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I love that dance. And, yes, I've seen PW Playhouse. It was amusing but not my favorite of his work. He originally didn't intend his character for children; he created it for adults, so using it as a child-entertainer stretched it too far. Then again, it was fun to see Laurence Fishbourne and others on the show.
DeleteHuge Pee Wee fan here - I loved Pee Wee's Big Adventure and I grew up loving Pee Wee's Playhouse, I know he has a lot of scandal attached to him, but I just can't help but love him. I am definitely going to be watching the new movie.
ReplyDeleteI certainly remember Pee-Wee he was a special character. Sometimes its hard for us to accept that behind the actor, there is a person and that they are two different people. Its positive he's getting another chance.
ReplyDeleteHe is a gifted actor and a great comedic mind! I do remember him, does that age me? Yes! Looking forward to the film, and a possible resurgence of the bow-tie!
ReplyDeletexx, Elle
mydailycostume.com
Never heard of him! The only Pee-Wee I've heard of is Pee-Wee Hermon from the film "Meet me in St Louis" x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Pee-Wee. I love the character, I love his style, the voice and I specially love his laugh!
ReplyDeleteI always loved Pee Wee. I used to watch Pee Wee's Playhouse on Saturday mornings :)
ReplyDeleteThere is a series of pics of him and Cyndi Lauper playing mini golf together that I love. They have great style.
The big shoe dance was and remains hilarious to me. As is that scene right after when he gets on the motorcycle and rides it through the billboard.
I took my daughter to see his Pee Wee on broadway a few years ago. What a fantastic show! I'm glad to see he's coming back strong.
i loved his big adventure movie. so strange, yet you can't stop watching him. i was kind of disappointed when the whole caught with his pants down situation hit the news. glad to hear he's back, tho!
ReplyDeletePee-Wee's Big Adventure is a seriously good movie. I think it might be Tim Burton's best. This past Christmas I saw the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas special for the first time and was amazed at all the big-name stars that showed up. I mean, Grace Jones! So strange and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love Pee-Wee's Big Adventure! Even though the movie released when I wasn't even born, but TV plays this movie a lot! :))
ReplyDeleteI never watched any of his stuff as Pee Wee, but I knew who he was. He was also in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. It was a small role, but he was a bit over dramatic and funny.
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