When I was a kid, I remember going to see Silver Bullet with my family in 1985.  I was one of those kids who’d see any type of horror flick I could– even though most of them back in the mid-80’s were R- rated– and I couldn’t exactly get into them by myself.  For those who don’t know, Silver Bullet was a campy horror movie based upon a Stephen King book of the same name.  It was about a young boy in a wheelchair, his haggardly drunken uncle, and a werewolf.  The boy in the wheelchair was played by Corey Haim.  Corey Haim, the wunderkind actor, who seemed to perfectly encapsulate teen heartthrob mania more than any young actor in quite some time.

Looking back, the movie itself was your typical bland supernatural tedium.  But the beating heart was its interplay between Haim’s character and his uncle, played by Gary Bussey.  Haim showed the sardonic wit and undeniable charm that he was quickly becoming known for in his role.  Despite the dull script, Haim breathed life into his physically disabled character Marty.  In all of his films, Haim made the most of his sly comedic gifts, using a combination of sarcasm and school boy charm.  It seemed to work.  His fans loved him, and so did Hollywood.

Haim went on to make a few other commercially successful films (although not critically successful) such as The Lost Boys in 1987, and License To Drive in 1988 (both favorites of mine).

Corey Haim succumbed to his demons last night at the age of 38.  His problems with drug abuse have been well documented, but I remember a time when he rode the wave of his transcendence like few others his age ever had.  I hope that others remember that as well.  Rest in peace.