{"id":42061,"date":"2019-01-20T14:12:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-20T21:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42061"},"modified":"2021-03-13T12:29:46","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T19:29:46","slug":"ghostbusters-1984","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42061","title":{"rendered":"Ghostbusters (1984)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;We came, we saw &#8212; we kicked its ass!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghostbusters-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghostbusters-Poster-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-42064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghostbusters-Poster-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghostbusters-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghostbusters-Poster.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA team of paranormal scientists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis) hire a secretary (Annie Potts) and open a business to help rid New York City of its ghosts. But when a beautiful client (Sigourney Weaver) and her nerdy neighbor (Rick Moranis) appear to be possessed by ancient spirits, the Ghost Busters &#8212; joined by a new employee (Ernie Hudson) &#8212; find their work suddenly much more urgent.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bill Murray Films<\/li>\n<li>Black Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Dan Aykroyd Films<\/li>\n<li>Ghosts<\/li>\n<li>Horror Films<\/li>\n<li>New York City<\/li>\n<li>Sigourney Weaver Films<\/li>\n<li>Superheroes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that this &#8220;amusing diversion&#8221; which &#8220;somehow became one of the biggest box-office successes of all time&#8221; is as &#8220;zany and irreverent as expected and the special effects are a lot of fun&#8221;, but he argues that &#8220;the self-impressed dialogue seems forced and feeble&#8221;. He concedes that &#8220;Murray has a field day &#8212; he provides most of the wild hilarity&#8221;, but notes he wishes &#8220;audiences weren&#8217;t so easily charmed by his rude, childish, chauvanistic characters simply because they hint that they are only playacting&#8221;, and that he believes &#8220;this Murray character is really a jerk with whom we shouldn&#8217;t laugh&#8221;. Interestingly, while I find Murray insufferable most of the time, this is the one Peary-listed film where his antics and deadpan delivery seem to fit perfectly: what else should one be but calm, cool, and snarky in the face of existential paranormal crises? Sure, his character is a boorish and womanizing cad, but his super-smart colleagues are busy rocking it in their own way, and Weaver more than holds her own, especially when she gets to face off against Murray supernatural-style. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking of Weaver, she has immense fun with her role, and looks stunning even when &#8212; or perhaps especially when &#8212; possessed. The special effects are surprisingly effective for a film of this era, and excellent use is made of New York City sets. Meanwhile, the entire storyline of ghosts being captured and held in electronic captivity couldn&#8217;t resonate more aptly with our modern-day concerns over digital security; the film is almost prescient in its depiction of evil forces itching to take over the world, let loose by bumbling bureaucrats (in this case, a clueless EPA employee played by William Atherton). Film fanatics should enjoy checking out &#8212; or revisiting &#8212; this iconic &#8217;80s cult favorite, which has held up well as a silly horror-comedy. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Murray.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A surprisingly appealing set of nerdy superheroes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Superheroes.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sigourney Weaver&#8217;s fun performance as possessed-Dana<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Weaver.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine special effects, costumes, and make-up<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Special-Effects.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-Set.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Excellent use of New York City sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Ghost-Busters-NYC-Sets2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ray Parker, Jr.&#8217;s inimitable theme song<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a fun cult favorite. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1784#cult\">Cult Movie<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0087332\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=3410&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1856murr.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/ghostbusters-1984.htm\">SF, Fantasy, and Horror Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1984\/06\/08\/movies\/film-ghostbusters-with-murray-and-aykroyd.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;We came, we saw &#8212; we kicked its ass!&#8221; Synopsis: A team of paranormal scientists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis) hire a secretary (Annie Potts) and open a business to help rid New York City of its ghosts. But when a beautiful client (Sigourney Weaver) and her nerdy neighbor (Rick Moranis) appear to be possessed by ancient spirits, the Ghost Busters &#8212; joined by a new employee (Ernie Hudson) &#8212; find their work suddenly much more urgent. Genres:&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42061\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42061"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42061\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70442,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42061\/revisions\/70442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}