RIP

I awoke to the sad news that yet another 80s star, Toronto-born Corey Haim, has passed away today. What makes this extra poignant for me was that, like me, Corey was born in December 1971.

So, being almost exactly the same age, I grew up alongside Corey throughout his various movie roles. Corey was effortlessly cute and had charisma, charm, and was just a sweetheart.

Just try not to fall in love with him in "Silver Bullet" (1985), the movie version of Stephen King's story about a paralyzed boy who takes on a werewolf.

The apex of his fame, however, came with "The Lost Boys" (1987), a film the Robert Pattinson obsessed throngs should be forced to watch. Now there was a real teenage vampire film! There wasn't a goth alive who didn't get "TLB" on VHS just to be able to watch it over and over again.

"The Lost Boys" also marked the first collaboration of Haim with Corey Feldman, later nicknamed "The Two Corey's". Haim and Feldman would do about 10 projects together, although my favourite will always be "License to Drive" (1988). Part of the reason, I suspect, is that back in the day I too took to the streets in one of my parents' cars without permission and enjoyed a driving spree that ended somewhat badly. But that's another story...

Oh, this news just breaks my heart. I understand that Corey had a tough time once his star faded. Hollywood is a brutal town and you can be "it" and riding high and a month later be yesterday's news. I am sad that he never got the comeback he was hoping for.