Even though wounds are still fresh I have been spending the past few days thinking that Corey Haim's death... while tragic is only truly tragic for those of us of the Corey Age.
I got the news in the morning while I was teaching math and I'm talking to 17 year olds and I said "WOW, Corey Haim died!" My first thought was "I need to watch license to drive tonight". But I then had to explain to 180 students over the course of the day who Corey Haim was, It's not as easy as saying "That's Ferris Bueller". The truly sad thing is that Corey while very talented only has one character that I remember by name... Wes from LTD. I then went on the smartboard in class to show everyone what movies he was in, I thought that I remembered him in everything. The problem was... he wasn't in nearly as much as I remembered, and more oddly than that non of his roles made him the main guy. They remember Corey Feldman as mouth from the Goonies (Which they all had seen), but I thought maybe with all the twilight garbage going on, the Lost boys would be getting it's due. After showing all the movies he was in, I only got a few "I think I remember him now"s. Why? Could this really be? I delved into it more.
I mean was it that Corey Feldman has the Goonies and Stand By Me also on his resume? Corey Haim was a great actor to watch. But the average movie buff couldn't remember his name in the Lost Boys, remember, he wasn't one of the Frog brothers. Hell, I remember his brothers name more because of "Michael, you're eating maggots."
I'll end this like this. Yes we was a pinup in many magazines. Yes, he was a heartthrob and I'll love him for Lucas, a movie that I'll always watch. But in my mind he'll always be a poorman's Anthony Michael Hall. (Hot for a while, fell off the planet) If Corey Haim's 3 best movies Lost Boys, License to Drive, and Lucas (I don't rank dream a little dream up there, you might) Comparing that to Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, and National Lampoon's Vacation gives you no comparison.
I'm sorry, it's just an opinion, and yes this has been a tough week. I obviously have been thinking about this for a while, but I didn't quite know how to put it, I value the opinions of the people in this forum and on this website who I am proud to call my friends. I'm not blasting him, I looking from a different angle.
Just venting, Rest in peace Corey Haim, I wish you did make a comeback Robert Downey Jr. style, because in my opinion that's probably what it would have been like.
WE are DEVO
[ 13. March 2010, 06:50: Message edited by: Devolution ]
Posted by Earl Keese (Member # 7986) on :
Devolution,
At the risk of permanently being ostracized in a place here I have truly come to love and always smile when I see the postings of the names that make me smile, I have to agree, probably to a larger extent and let me explain. Maybe it is just my personal nature, maybe its just getting older, but when I heard the news, I didn't think it was tragic, I had a kind of brief moment of "Aw, that's too bad...he seemed like a nice kid and that's just too young to die.", but then my one year old needed a book down and wanted his juice and it all passed from my mind.
That might seem crass, but I think I was more winsome for the passing of someone from my youth and from a movie I really liked and own (the lost boys), but other than that, it didn't have much of an impact. I certainly didn't think it was any more tragic than the couple hundred people around the world that died while I was typing this message and certainly don't elevate his passing because of what he did for a pay check. I reserve tragic for the loss of family members, friends and yes the tragedy that strikes my friends right here.
In a "big heart" sort of way, I wished he had had more success and that he hadn't lost so many days here to drugs, but no more than I wish goodness to almost everyone walking the planet (I was raised by a cop, so no, i don't wish goodness to those who hurt others, but i digress).
Corey had a couple good movies, seemed like a good enough kid, but I didn't know him anymore than I know the people 10 houses down from me. Glad I have those movies to still watch and yes, I do in fact plan on watching the lost boys tonight after my little man goes to bed, but truly wish health and happiness to my friends right here at the Rewind.
[ 13. March 2010, 07:17: Message edited by: Earl Keese ]
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
It's true about him not being in as many blockbusters as we thought. I had trouble too at work with some younger people who didn't know who he was. Everybody knew Lost Boys but not exactly him per se. I think I had more of an advantage of knowing him by being a child actor in a canadian tv series the Edison twins even before Lucas. I just remeber him as being untouchable in the late 80's early 90's until he had that streak of direct to video. I'm going to watch some youtube stuff, I seem to recall he was on Arsenio and a bunch of other talk shows back then.
Posted by The Malster (Member # 2411) on :
Very sad, and agree with posters who saw him in "The Two Coreys". He had that sad look on his face, like he was so desperate to beat his demons and make a comeback. But it's best to remember him how he was.
Another part of my childhood drifts away.
Remember the happy times, as this shows that life is too short. Regardless of your demons, we only get one crack at life and some are more fortunate than others, and in Corey Haims case he had it all.
RIP Corey.
Licence To Drive now, mate.
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
I hadn't thought about it like that, Devo, until I was watching the Lost Boys this afternoon. I was thinking, gosh, I can't even have a Corey Haim-athon, because I only own the Lost Boys. The I got to thinking, the other one of his movies I really liked was LTD and I don't own it. I guess he really wasn't in as many movies as what we thought...
I just remember him being in ALL the teen magazines back in the day...he was always on the cover of Bop or Big Bopper. I always thought he was so adorable (much more so than Corey Feldman). I think he peaked young and then just fell away.
I remember watching the Two Coreys and feeling sorry for him, kind of like I do Tom Sizemore now when I"m watching Sober House of Celebrity Rehab. It just pi$$es me off that more hasn't been said about him...like ET talked about him the day he died, and showed an interview with his mom the next night. Then, bam, he was gone...the new season of Dancing with the Stars is so much more important.
Oh well those are my thoughts I suppose...oh, and Devo, I'd never thought about using the Smart Board like you did... Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
I forgot about Silver Bullet and Lucas...
[ 13. March 2010, 16:35: Message edited by: pettyfan ]
Posted by saturnchick (Member # 7524) on :
In response to some of the posts in this thread, specifically Devo, I think some valid points have been made, but I feel compelled to offer some perspective; a rebuttal. I too, teach teenagers, and I am truly astonished by how little they know about things that I consider to be common knowledge, whether it be pop culture or otherwise.
Many of my students are too young to have definitive memories of 9/11 (even though I teach in NYC), they have no idea what the Columbine Massacre is, and they have difficulty appreciating the historic value of, say, the death of Princess Diana. I am often met with blank stares when I ask students if they have ever seen (or even heard) of The Breakfast Club, Saturday Night Fever, or The Sixth Sense. I can't even begin to express the astonishment that I felt when I learned how few of my students had ever seen The Brady Bunch, Three's Company, Gilligan's Island, The Cosby Show, or Seinfeld.
Now, I certainly agree that the impact of the death of an 80's teen idol like Corey Haim may go unnoticed on the radar of many people who did not grow up in the 80s, and witness his quick ascent and even quicker fall. However, using a 16 year old as a barometer to measure the significance of a pop culture phenomenom is like trying to use a ruler to determine the distance between the Earth and the Moon. I don't mean to be snarky, but most teens are only aware of the here and now; they lack the knowledge, experience, and perspective to recognize the value in things that have pre-dated them. This isn't a criticism of teens - I love working with them - and we were probably much the same way at their age. If you had approached me when I was 16 to ask why Woodstock was so culturally important, who Leif Garrett was, my favorite Woody Allen film, or my thoughts on the Jonestown Massacre, I probably wouldn't be able to formulate a coherent response. I should add that I had the good fortune to be raised in a family of six where I was the youngest by 10 years, so I was exposed to a lot of music, movies, etc., than many of peers weren't. Nonetheless, there were so many things - important things - that I was ignorant to until I got a little older and began to read more frequently and investigate for myself.
That said, I don't mean to suggest that the Haimster was as culturally significant to the world as The Beatles, Catcher in the Rye, or Martin Scorsese. However, he WAS culturally significant to me and many others, circa 1987, and although my childhood has passed, and I have gained the knowledge, experience, and perspective to recognize how small my world was back then, Haim played an important part in that tiny, twelve year old universe.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
quote:Originally posted by Devolution:
The truly sad thing is that Corey while very talented only has one character that I remember by name... Wes from LTD.
His name was actually Les!
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
point proven.
WE ARE D DEVO
Posted by pork pie mcfly (Member # 6802) on :
Its sad he never made a comeback...the last good movie he made was prayer of the roller boys. gone but not forgotten.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
For me personally, I'm familiar with only one Corey Haim movie...The Lost Boys...I've heard of others of course (Silver Bullit, License To Drive), but he really wasn't in much else that was memorable. But for me, Lost Boys was enough...I loved that movie as a kid, and I always knew who Corey Haim was after that movie...he was part of my childhood and he became an 80's icon...so...it's those people who experienced the 80's as a kid who may be the only ones who experience a heightened loss...that awwwww moment, and that feeling like yet another part of your childhood has slipped away.
For me there are so many other examples of our favorite 80's actors, who, became famous for one or two roles, and whose death wouldn't mean much to anyone else, except the kids in the 80's who watched their movie a hundred times (with the exception of their families of course). So, in the event of an untimely death for Long Duck Dong from Sixteen Candles, Chunk from the Goonies, Ralph Macchio from the Karate Kid, Helen Slater from The Legend Of Billie Jean...who's gonna care except us here on the Rewind, and their families? I recall feeling very saddened by the news of the death of Pat Morita (our beloved Mr. Miyagi), Heather O'Rouke (our Poltergeist sweetheart), and Michael Jackson...that doesn't mean I crawled into bed with the covers over my head or cashed in a bereavement day at work, but it hurt my heart and made me think of my lost childhood.
Not even sure that I'm making any valid points, but I'll end with the premise that when our 80's idols pass on, it's important to remember them for the grand moments they gave us as kids...so we remember Michael Jackson for Thriller...not Blood On The Dance Floor...and we remember Corey for The Lost Boys and License To Drive...not the other movies I can't even remember.
I love the 80's and the Rewind (the only 80's anything that I visit by the way!) and I can't help but think that someone like Corey Feldman is hopefully smart enough to acknowledge that him and Haim were 80's icons...popularized by that era only...thus...I wonder is he somewhere in the world right now searching through web sites just like this one...to feel the love and appreciation for his beloved friend...is he on the Rewind reading this right now?
* Hope at least some of this makes sense and my fellow Rewinders don't view it as an angry rant. I respect everyone's opinion...this is mine Posted by Big Kahuna (Member # 5278) on :
Corey Haim will always be LUCAS to me....loved him in LTD also. Notice on IMDB he had a couple of projects in the works...last project listed as being A DETOUR IN LIFE. wow.
RIP Corey.
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
quote:If you had approached me when I was 16 to ask why Woodstock was so culturally important, who Leif Garrett was, my favorite Woody Allen film, or my thoughts on the Jonestown Massacre, I probably wouldn't be able to formulate a coherent response.
Speak for yourself! I railed against just such ignorance when I was a teenager. I can recall my Science teacher being very surprised that I could hold a discussion with her about 'The Bay City Rollers'. It baffled me then and it baffles me now why so many people (especially teens) are unable to contextualise their own existence as part of a wider history / culture, and always seek to define themselves through the 'new' and the contemporary. It always seemed to me that there was always as much to be interested in from the past as the present. I felt that ignorance was a choice people made, and usually it was to 'fit in'. I'm ranting. I'll stop. (In case it needs to be said - this wasn't a rant at you Saturnchick - you know you're the best Chick from Saturn on these boards )
On the Corey's... I pointed out on another message board, that Haim was the 'bigger' star as the 80's ended because he had higher pin-up status than Feldman, but in terms of movies they'd been in - or residuals they would have received - Haim wasn't anywhere in Feldman's league. In terms of prominent roles, you have 'Lucas' and 'Silver Bullet' - both are good. Then you have 'Licence to Drive', 'The Lost Boys', 'Dream a Little Dream', all of which also starred Feldman. Feldman had; 'Fox and the Hound', 'Goonies', Stand By Me' and support roles in 'Gremlins' and 'The Burbs'. A couple of those are stone-cold classics.
The 'Two Corey's' problem was; they were stars in the making, but they never quite got there. The three collaborations for which they were famous seemed to be movies which spoke of promise and potential - but when would they break as 'stars'? Haim looked to be a new 'Rob Lowe' or 'Tom Cruise', and arguably, to a lot of teenage girls he was well on his way there - he covered the walls of many. But the truth was, by the time the 90's came along the 'Two Corey's' were a fixed part of the 80's in many people's minds. It's questionable whether - even without the drugs and partying - Haim could've maintained a decent career through the 90's. Many 80's stars of greater standing struggled throughout that decade. It's easy for us now - on a site that wallows in the 80's (when it's cool to do so) - to forget just how anti-80's the 90's were. Haim was a walking reminder of the fluffy-haired big-shouldered "decade that taste forgot". So not only did the girls grow up, but he struggled with poor movie offers and increasingly lost himself to drugs, which sucked away his personal fortune until by (I think) 1997 - he was broke. A drug addict, broke, and a joke, in a decade that doesn't want you around - a total washout. Thank god for the internet, otherwise he may have had no straws to grab onto.
I do think that even though he's really only famous to those of us from the era, young people will always discover his movies, and when they check out who that cute guy from The Lost Boys was, or what the kid from Lucas is doing now, they'll see that he's gone and they'll feel sad. We'll feel sad because he never got a second chance, he never got to really clear his addictions and pull it together. Ours is a sense of missed opportunity, of lost potential from someone we have a 'connection' with. When teenagers who've just discovered him realise he's gone, their sense of loss will be one of frustration that they missed him, not just because they weren't aware of him when he was alive, but because he isn't alive now. Different reasons, same feeling. It really doesn't matter that most teens haven't seen Licence to Drive or Lost Boys or any of his other movies, because some of them will, and when they do they'll like them just as we did, and they'll feel sad that he's gone.
I'm half-asleep as I type this. Please excuse its rambling nature.
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
What's mind boggling about all of this is that teens of today have way more acess to information when we did. Back then we had to go to a library, not just a mouse key away.
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
agree with you D. i don't share the same feeling about him that others from our generation do, or from this forum but it's still sad, and i mean that as in, we grew up watching his movies and loving them, and to learn of his death, which most people aren't too shocked about. but when you think about how he was out of the spotlight for so long, and the only time you would hear anything about him, involved his drug use and his other issues, (up until the two coreys, of course), then it's kind of no wonder. sorry, just my views. as far as his films go, i always thought of him as the kid who played a lot of younger brother characters...lost boys, secret admirer, firstborn... lucas was good, but always me feel uncomfortable though. license to drive is my fave (from corey). didn't care all too much for dream a little dream or his other films when he was older, nor did i ever think of him as a heartthrob. but nevertheless, RIP.
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
Interesting & sad post Devo. I've been wanting to get on here for days now...finally got the chance to see the board's reaction.
I was actually in D.C. for work & just happened to be on a break from training, so I checked my Facebook and there it was, "Corey Haim dead at 38!!" It was 10 a.m., I was not able to really get online & read the details but in a matter of minutes, my phone started blowing up. A bunch of my friends were texting me, and yes, they are all in the 30-35 yr. old demographic. I mentioned it to my co-worker, who is in her 40's and she was only able to identify him from Lost Boys, which ironically, is the one movie I always forget he was in.
I met Corey less than 2 years ago at a Monstermania Convention in NJ. It was clear to me that he was altered but was really trying to be in the moment. I watched him focus as best he could while signing autographs & taking pics with the line of fans that stretched clear around the building.
Regardless of his issues , there was an abundance of love, curiosity & acceptance bestowed upon him that day. This was after all, Corey Haim, the kid we all grew up with & had crushes on or thought was cool. I don't think there was anyone there that didn't want to see him healthy & at peace with himself.
In the few moments I spent with Corey, he was kind, he was quarky & he was sincerely happy to be amongst his fans. He gave me a very specific compliment, which I choose to keep private, but will always remember. It took me off guard & it made me laugh but it also let me know, he was indeed present & paying attention to what was going on around him. I remember thinking to myself, he could have been any guy I went to school with, any friend I would have hung out with or just listened to music with...
Underneath all of the years of struggle, I saw his true spirit that day. I believe he was a good soul that got sucked into the dark side of Los Angeles.
It's sad that perhaps Corey Haim will only be missed by "his" generation but to us, he made his mark. Say what you want, but his early work demonstrated innate talent & a unique personality.
On the surface, Corey, with his Swatch watch, high top sneaks & ripped jeans, will remain iconic in my mind.
Silver Bullet, Lucas, License to Drive, Lost Boys, Dream A Little Dream & Blown Away are all little time capsules that I will treasure & revisit over the years. R.I.P. Corey.
[ 16. March 2010, 15:39: Message edited by: cindymancini ]
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
Nice story Cindy. He always struck me as a 'nice' guy. Maybe that's why people warmed to him when he was onscreen? 'Secret Admirer' is another early movie people forget he had a small role in.
Posted by Jessie the Sunflower Goddess (Member # 1877) on :
Devo I can totally relate with what you are saying. I have been thinking about the fact that his death hasn't really blown me away. I can say that I was much more affected by the passing of Patrick Swayze. However, with Haim there is just something missing that I cannot quite put my finger on.
This may sound crazy but it seems like I remember the "young" Corey Haim up until maybe 16 in LTD and then he just vanishes from my memory. I don't think of him in Dream a Little Dream, even though I have seen it, then what is next? Pretty much nothing to speak of. It isn't as if he disappeared totally but almost like he did exactly that.
The transition from child actor to adult actor was lacking for him. Such a shame because there was something about him that stuck out in his earlier works such as Silver Bullet, The Lost Boys, and Lucas.
I am kind of shocked that I haven't read anything more from Corey Feldman on his death. Just getting a tatoo changed with 222 on it??? Something about those numbers being on a tatoo that Haim had. Still a loss maybe one that has thrown us so much for a loop that we literally cannot process it.
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
never met corey, but know a few people who have, different setting (not a signing) but on set of a movie. they didn't feel he was very nice. but doesn't mean he was an awful person. everyone has different experiences with people.
jessie, did you read feldman's "goodbye" letter to haim on the day of his funeral?
i teared up at the part when he said he hears a funny joke and has no one to tell it to now. he wants to pick up the phone and call haim, but realizes he's not going to be there. that really got to me... i feel for feldman, he was his best friend, i am sure it's devastating to lose your best buddy.
Posted by Jessie the Sunflower Goddess (Member # 1877) on :
Ronnie--
I didn't know that he had written a letter. I will google it, thanks for the info! I can't wait to see what he said.
Posted by gotta go back (Member # 9818) on :
Haim was one of those people whos movies I enjoyed watching. Even though the blockbusters were not flying off the shelf. Haim movies I own First Born Lost Boys License Fast Getaway Blown Away Double O Kid Oh, What A Night Dream Machine Just One of the Girls and have seen many others throughout the 80's. Recently watched Me Myself and I which brought back some old memories. He was a pretty talented kid even off the screen. He will be missed.
Posted by Pyro (Member # 7658) on :
Can't say Haim's passing really phased me all that much. I honestly wasn't the biggest fan of his, even back in the 80's, (there's at least a top 30 list of actors I liked better.) But I guess that's understandable considering the limited number of memorable films he was in. But I wasn't completely heartless about it. I did partake in a silent moment or two for his untimely passing. But no more than the thousands of other untimely deaths you hear about that happen in this world on a daily basis. The Lost Boys, Lucas, Watchers, First Born...these are the films I can say I will most remember him in. But these same films probably would have been just as good if any other young actor had been cast in them. Well, maybe not Lucas because I think he did a great job in that movie for as young as he was. But anyway, this is the point I'm trying to make....Not to sound mean spirited or anything, but I just don't think he was that great an actor, especially as he got older. Sadly, I think his boyish charm and good looks when he was young are pretty much all he had going for him. I'm pretty sure he knew this too and that's why he fell so hard with the drug addiction toward the end. But then, this is just my rant and opinion from an outsiders perspective. I did not know him personally, so none of this can be proven as factual.
Personally I can predict that I will feel a little more feeling of loss the day that Corey Feldman passes on. He might not have been in many more films than Haim was, but I'd feel a deeper loss because I always connected with characters he played on screen more. Therefore I think he was the more talented of the two.
Anyway, here ends my little rant on this. I hope I don't enrage too many fellow rewinders on here with my views and opinions.
[ 27. February 2013, 14:06: Message edited by: Pyro ]
Posted by Chloe (Member # 37365) on :
It's a shame more young people don't know him! I know him, I love Corey Haim, I'm young and I have an obsession with the 1980's. I remember everyone of his characters. Well only the films I've seen though of his.
License To Drive - Les Anderson The Lost Boys - Sam Emerson Dream A Little Dream - Dinger Lucas - Lucas Bly Watchers - Travis Cornell Blown Away - Rich
I only wish more young people like me, know if him.
Rest in Peace, Corey Haim
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
silver bullet - 1985
Chloe you need to check out - silver bullet and prayer of the rollerboys,they are both seriously awesome,firstborn is another decent flick of his!
[ 26. April 2015, 12:27: Message edited by: the young warrior ]
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
I saw only two Corey Haim films back in the 80s: The Lost Boys and Silver Bullet. I remember liking both of them. Then i saw Watchers in the early 90s and after that i lost this guy. It was only after joining the Rewind forum, i found Corey Haim again. I bought and watched lots of his films and liked all of them. Well, maybe Last Resort (1994) was too "far out" even for me.
Now about his career, i feel that his early roles are the best. Corey did marvellous job in Firstborn, Secret Admirer, Silver Bullet, Murphy´s Romance, Lucas and The Lost Boys. In License to Drive he got his driving license and something changed, he became an adult (although he didn´t always act like one ). After that he kind of played the same role over and over again (with few exceptions of course).
I own these Corey Haim films on vhs or dvd:
Firstborn Secret Admirer Silver Bullet A Time to Live Murphy´s Romance Lucas The Lost Boys License to Drive Watchers Dream a Little Dream Prayer of the Rollerboys Fast Getaway Dream Machine The Double 0 Kid Oh, What a Night Anything for Love Last Resort Fast Getaway II Busted
I haven´t seen A Time to Live, Prayer of the Rollerboys or Busted yet, so i have at least one more film to see from his early days, his "hip and cool" days and one from the crazy era. Can´t wait to see all of those.
His death was a shock but his films will live forever.
Posted by Chloe (Member # 37365) on :
quote:Originally posted by the young warrior: silver bullet - 1985
Chloe you need to check out - silver bullet and prayer of the rollerboys,they are both seriously awesome,firstborn is another decent flick of his!
I've seen a little bit of Silver Bullet - I wanted to watch the whole thing, but sadly my house had a power-cut and the TV went off before the film had finished. I'm also going to watch Prayer of the Rollerboys soon, maybe tonight.
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