I Will Face My Fears for You: Back to the Future (1985)

Most Romantic Moment #3

Back to the Future (1985)

So you all know how much I love this film. It is like my supreme favorite.

So Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is a handsome (of course), musical, high schooler. He has befriended the local scientist, Doc Brown. Doc Brown has an idea for time travel in a Delorean, that he can’t wait to test out, bringing Marty with him.

But it turns out that Doc Brown cheated some terrorists out of their bomb fixing and they come after him and kill him, Marty jumping in the car and taking off.

He goes back in time and ends up running into his dad:

And into his mom, accidentally breaking them up. And causing him and his brother and sister to cease to exist.

Now he has to get them back together, survive 1955, try not to change too many things, and find a way to save Doc Brown.

Most Romantic Moment: I Will Face My Fear for You

So the moment I am going to choose is when George McFly punches Biff out to save Lorainne.

Now the reason I find it romantic is not because he’s punches Biff out to save Lorainne, is because he choose to do that to save Lorainne. He made a choice to stand up against Biff even though he was scared spitless. Confusing? Let me stop and backtrack.

So Marty has been trying to get his parents back together but his dad just hasn’t been on board. He likes Lorraine, but he isn’t about to try and cross Biff, who also likes her, or make another move.

“George McFly: Look, I’m just not ready to ask Lorraine out to the dance, and not you, or anybody else on this planet is gonna make me change my mind.”

In fact Marty had to pretend to be an alien in order to get him to fall in line.

“George McFly: [on the day after the evening Marty disguises himself as an alien and makes a threatening visit to George] Marty! Marty! Marty!

Marty McFly: Hey, George, buddy, you weren’t at school. What have you been doing all day?

George McFly: I overslept. Look, I need your help. I have to ask Lorraine out but I don’t know how to do it.

Marty McFly: Alright, okay, listen, keep your pants on. She’s over in the cafe.

[George heads for the cafe, Marty races after him]

Marty McFly: What made you change your mind, George?

George McFly: [loud enough for a couple walking by to hear] Last night, Darth Vader came down from Planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn’t take Lorraine, that he’d melt my brain!”

Then the only reason he agrees to do the plan is because of what Marty comes up with.

Marty McFly: Let’s go over the plan again, so eight-thirty where are you going to be?

George McFly: I’m gonna be at the dance.

Marty McFly: And where am I gonna be?

George McFly: You’re going to be in the car with her…

Marty McFly: Right, so right around nine o’clock she’s going to get very angry with me.

George McFly: Why would she get angry with you?

Marty McFly: [reluctantly] Because, George, nice girls get angry when guys take advantage of them.

George McFly: [Realizing] Ho! Hooo! You-you mean you’re going to go touch her on her –[gestures at a bra in his hand]

Marty McFly: No, no, no listen, George it’s just an act! Okay? So around nine o’clock you’re walking through the parking lot, you see us… struggling in the car. You walk up, you open the door and you say [pause]… your line, George!

George McFly: Oh! “Hey you! Get your d*** hands off her! [pause] You really think I ought to swear?”

There was no risk involved, nothing to really hurt George or go wrong as this was all a silly plan put on by the two guys. But then when he gets there and finds BIFF, the man he is most fearful of in his life, the man who scares him spitless, the man he has never, ever stood up to or said no to. But because he cares about Lorainne, he decides to take a chance. Take a chance not only against the giant bully, but a DRUNK bully. Risking his life for Lorainne and to do the right thing. That’s romantic.

Aw!

To start Romance is in the Air: Part V, go to I Did It for You: Edward Scissorhands (1990)

For the previous post, go to I Want to Give You What You Love: Age of Adaline (2015)

For more on Back to the Future, go to Nobody calls me Chicken: Chinese New Year

For more on George McFly, go to Back to the Supernatural

For more ’80s films, go to That’s What We’re Trying to Find out! We’re Trying to Find Out Who Killed Him, and Where, and With What!: Clue (1985)

The Great Depths of the Ocean are Entirely Unknown to Us: Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Day 15) O is for Ocean: Choose a book that takes place on or in the Ocean

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

This is one of my top favorite books.

I started reading this book the same way I started reading all the classics, The Great Illustrated Classics collection at my local library.

And this is one of my all-time favorite stories. Just like Doc Brown

Doc Brown: So do I. “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, my absolute favorite.

As I mentioned before I love Jules Verne. I’ve read almost everything by him.

My favorite thing about this novel is everything they see and all the adventures they go on.

Another amazing thing was how Verne was so ahead of his time. In his novel Captain Nemo has electric lights on his submarine, it wasn’t until more than thirty years that was possible. He just had all these ideas or improvements that inspired people to create and copy them.

This book also has some solid math and science, based on current inventions of the time and what was known. It is just a fantastic book!

The book takes place in 1866. All the countries are agog as something seems to be destroying ships. Something…or some monster!

They call in the top people to launch an expedition to destroy whatever it is that is doing this to them. One of the people called in is Professor Pierre Aronnax, a marine biologist. He believes that the creature is something from the very depths of the oceans, as it would need incredible strength to survive that and destroy the ships the way it does.

Maybe a giant sea monster or narwhale?

He takes along his valet, Conseil, and the two meet and become good friends with Canadian Whaler, Ned Land, as they sail the sea searching for the creature.

They eventually find the creature, which rips apart the ships set after it. The only crew members to survive are Professor Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned. They try to find something to grab onto and drift on, when they grasp the monster and discover it is not a sea creature after all…

It is a super advanced submarine.

They are taken inside and saved by the captain, Captain Nemo. He decides to let them live because he greatly appreciates the intellect and things that Professor Aronnax has written.

But they are forced to remain on the ship forevermore, as they can not be returned to the surface. Saved but not free.

Conseil enjoys being underwater at first, but begins to wish for home. Ned has never liked being under the water, and from the beginning has been trying to figure out a way to escape their imprisonment. The only one who is thrilled with this arrangement is Professor Aronnax, as being a marine biologist this is the opportunity of a lifetime to learn about what really happens in the deep blue.

What is under the water?

They travel 20,000 leagues around the world; being the firsts to look upon Antarctica (as it wasn’t officially visited until 1911), battle a squad of sperm whales, visit shipwrecks, walk along the ocean floor, witness all kinds of marine life, fight off cannibal islanders, and are attacked by a giant squid in one of the most harrowing battles in literature.

As they journey they discover that their Captain has a lot of bitterness and rage; attacking ships because of an old pain.

For one who is so stone faced and set in his ways, will they ever be able to convince him to set them free? Or will they be stuck under the sea forever?

Yep just one fantastic read you need to check out for yourself.

No matter how many times I read this book it is still one wild ride! What can I say?

To start the 30 Day Challenge from beginning, go to It Was a Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451

For the previous post, go to I’d Spent Some Time As a Kid Wishing My Name Were Ashley or Katherine, if Only Because It Would Have Made Life Simpler, But My Mom Liked to Tell Me That My Name Was a Litmus Test: Along for the Ride

For more on 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, go to Heaven on Earth

For more Jules Verne, go to I Think I Have Found a Means of Conveyance…An Elephant: Around the World in 80 Days

For more ocean adventures, go to I Finally Read Moby-Dick

For more marine biologists, go to  You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat: Jaws (1975)

Today’s pick is Carol of the Bells. This song was composed by Mykola Leontovych, and written by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1914.

For more Christmas Carols, go to Maybe Christmas, He Thought, Doesn’t Come from a Store. Maybe Christmas…Perhaps…Means a Little Bit More: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

We’re in the Future: Good-bye 2015

So you all know what I think of 2015

I decided that as I started my year with:

it was only fitting that after I ended my year with Back to the Future as well.

So in ending 2015, I decided that I’m going to list everything that Back to the Future II (BTTF II) got right about 2015

Other Fuel

So while we don’t fly in our cars or through space yet, (Yet I say, yet) there is another method of fuel that has there is another method of fuel besides gas that is gaining popularity, electric cars. Not popular you say? Do you remember when I wrote a post on my car breaking down in San Francisco and we couldn’t find a single parking spot as all were reserved for electric cars? I’m telling you, they are really pushing those things.

Weather Watch

While in BTTF II future, we actually control the weather, which of course is not happening now, there are two things that BTTD II was spot on about. First, that we would be able to get weather information instantaneous (which we do on the internet/phones) and that we could actually get that information from our watches.

Laserdisc Losers

Record not a laserdisc, I know.

When Marty and Doc first settle down the alley in the future you can see a bunch of laserdiscs wrapped up and ready to picked up by the trash men. Back in the ’80s, laserdisc weren’t super popular, but still seen as the way of the future. However, BTTF II knew they wouldn’t go far and now most of the people alive today have no clue what they are.

Self-Lacing Nike Shoes

One of those self-fulling prophecy’s. Nike saw it and decided to make it.

2015 Fashion

I was going to make these all separate, but decided it would be easier to put them all together.

*One Size Fits All*

While we don’t have the awesomeness of buying clothes and pulling just one tab to make it fit us perfecctly, BTTF II did get one thing right; the one-size-fits all craze. Now I don’t know how popular this was in the ’80s, but in today’s world it has become a thing.

*Caps Lock*

Now what is it called when you do something before it was cool, in a future before it happened? I don’t know, but that rainbow dipped cap Marty wears in 2015, it is something you see in stores today, that the hipsters would be wearing all over. If you took that and added a triangle or a quote, someone would even use it as their phone’s wallpaper

*Workout Wear as Regular Clothes*

Everywhere you look in this film people are wearing workout wear as they do their regular thing. This was happening in the ’80s, but not by people of all ages like today. Yep, from older men and women; to middle aged mothers, teens, preteens, and kids; wearing workout wear when you have intention of actually working out has become a thing. It is acceptable and BTTF II caught onto it way before we thought it was okay.

*Eye Makeup*

BTTF II really tried to go spacey on their mkeup, but they actually hit the nail on the head. For some reason I am signed up for Teen Vogue, and what they keep perpetuating is crazy makeup.

*Two Tone **

One of Griff’s gang sports a highlighted pompadour, something all the guys are doing these days.

*Studded Out Shoes*

Biff wears them in BTTF II, and today you go anywhere and it is like studzilla. 

Endless Remakes/Sequels

While remakes and sequels were happening in the ’80s it was nothing like it is today. I mean look at the Spider-man series; made in the 2000s, remade in 2010s, going to be remade again?

Or what about the Halloween series? There is like 9 already! Or Friday the 13th

Annoying Ads & Persevering Pop Ups

So as Marty is walking along, everywhere he goes ads appear; Jaws 19, Vote For Mayor, etc. Sound familiar? It seems like today we are being constantly hit by them; going beyond TV and radio, to the internet, youtube, and even Amazon.

I Love the ’80s

When Marty steps into the Cafe ’80s he sees a palozza of ’80s love, which has defintely been going on today. Part of it has to do with the fact that 1985 turned 30 this year, but the 2015 has had some serious ’80s love in film; fashion, & more; it is clear we are just as gaga as they thought we would be. Although no Cafe ’80s yet, sadly.

 

“You Have To Use Your Hands”

BTTF II called it when they said 2015 would be  world in which you didn’t have to use your hands to play video games. While some still require it, BTTF II dreamed up the Wii and Kinect long before those companies did.

 

Hoverboards

While they aren’t really like the ones in the film, more along the lines of a skateboard, we still technically have them. For me, https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbOWr7y0cT4” target=”_blank”>I’m waiting until we actually levitate.

News in a Nanosecond

When Griff & Gang crash into the clock tower, you see a flying computer with the words USA Today on the side that captures the event. Boy was that prophetic! First today most newspapers aren’t run as they used to. They don’t have as many reporters, choosing to pay for the associated press and get their stories that way, outmoding people. Also news is now instantaneous. Things happen, and they are posted on the web, pics and videos. Also computers are the way most get their news, a lot of papers don’t hand out physical copies as much as they used to.

Not to mention that with vlogging and blogging, the news is taking a very different form.

Books No Longer Paper

So when Marty purchases the almanac in order to place all those bets, the saeslady mentions “back when books were printed on paper.” Now it is true that in almost every science fiction book or film you read/see, they get rid of paper books, it still is eerily to see them talk about it, knowing that in 2015 books will be available in another format.

A Delorean? Haven’t Seen One of Those In…

Sadly the Delorean went out of business in the early ’80s, before this film was made. And because of that, you didn’t see them anywhere. However, in the ’90s the DeLorean company was made to bring it back, but it still is a rare sight.

Check Out the Telly

Let’s talk about the TV they show in BTTF II. First did you notice they have large flat screen TVs that you in today’s stores? Yep, back in the day of the bulky square TVs, BTTF II saw a thiner, wider, version coming along the horizon.

They have the ability to watch relaxing scenes of scenery, just like you can today. Think of Netflix’s Christmas log/fireplace.

They also have the ability to watch six different channels/screen at once. Just like Direct TV is always showing in their ads.

Google Glasses

At the table eating, you’ll see that both Marty Jr. and Marlene both have glasses that give them the ability to search the web, receive phone calls, and they have to do voice commands. Sound like anything you’ve heard of? Like Google Glasses.

Phone More Interesting Than People

When you watch the film you’ll see that as the McFly clan gathers around to eat their rehydrated pizza, the kids are all focused on their google glasses not caring about actually conversing with anyone. The only ones who are talking, are those that were young in the ’50s and ’80s, the older generation. Sound familiar? I see that everyday.

Skype You Later

While it is true that most future films, books, and TV shows tend to have these kind of communication; BTTF II was spot on when it said we would have the technology to communicate with people face to face when we call. Whether you use Skype, Facetime, Snapchat, etc.; BTTF II knew what was what.

For me 2015 was a great year as I was finally able to live one of my dreams, see all three Back to the Futures on the big screen. But whether it was all that you wished or not exactly a dream year, I wish you all a happy new year, and may this one be a great new start!

For more on Back to the Future, go to Back to the Supernatural

For more on 2015, go to Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

The Future is NOW!: Happy Back to the Future Day!

Hey everyone. I know I have been terribly behind in my Horrorfest posting. The problem is that lately I have had a LOT going on, and trying to juggle means something usually falls behind. I promise that I WILL catch up and have those 31 posts completed!

I also decided that instead of working on Horrorfest or things for work, I would instead go to the Back to the Future trilogy showing at my local theater.

Well, not just decided. I had my tickets purchased months ago. It’s my absolute favorite movie so I had to see it!

For as long as I can remember, one of my dreams has been to see Back to the Future on the big screen. I am incandescently happy that I have achieved this and I am telling you, I will be riding this happiness high for a long time. It’s like I don’t even care what the rest of the year holds, my day was completely made this night.

So Back to the Future was as awesome as always. Michel J. Fox was utter perfection, perfection that was beautifully magnified on the big screen.

And then to only increase the awesomeness, before they showed Back to the Future: Part II they had a fake ad for Hoverboards, and a teaser trailer for Jaws 19.

I have to say too, that when watching Back to the Future: Part II, there was actually quite a lot that is similar to our times today. Not everything, but quite a lot. The architecture of the new courthouse had the classic columns, but if you look at it closely it has a lot of glass, being similar to architecture made today.

The clothes, while not being able to scrunch and fit you, dry off, etc; were not too far off. Definitely an ’80s vibe, and we all know the ’80s are totally back. And the short, peroxide blonde hair of the girl in the ’80s Cafe was the Miley Cyrus hairdo, before she was born. And look closely at those clothes again, aren’t there pieces that make you think of hipsters and Lady Gaga?

Just not the stuff these guys are wearing.

Not to mention they had glasses that could watch TV and use to talk. Sound like anything we have today? Or the ability to take calls on their TV, video chatting? Pretty cool! And look at those giant flat screen TVs everywhere in the house.

No hoverboards like this, but someday.

And of course, the third film rounding it out quite nicely!

It was an amazing film series, and an even more magical experience getting to see the films and have a lifelong dream fulfilled.

Now I got back from seeing this at 11pm. But as Marty, Jennifer, and Doc all go to October 21, 2015 4:29pm, I’m posting at that time.

Happy Back to the Future Day!

For more on Back to the Future, go to Back in Time: Happy 30th Anniversary Back to the Future

For more Holiday posts, go to Na Na Na Na Batman!

Back in Time: Happy 30th Anniversary Back to the Future

Hooray! Today marks the 30th anniversary of my favorite movie ever, and one of the higest grossing films of 1985! Back to the Future!

How do I describe how awesome this movie is? I mean it it so amazing!

I just love, love, love it.

Now what is incredible about this film is that Steven Spielberg and Rob Zemeckis really wanted Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly. The only problem? He was working on the TV show Family Ties, which refused to give him a hiatus. Michael J. Fox was too sweet to leave the show that gave him a chance when no one would, (read more in his memoir Lucky Man), but also wanted to do the film. What’s a guy to do?

When the two directors wouldn’t leave him alone and sent him a script, which Michael J. Fox absolutely loved, he went back to Family Ties and asked again. This time they agreeed to it, BUT it had to be done on Michael J. Fox’s time. So he would go to the studio in the morning, work all day on Family Ties, a car would pick him up, and he would work late into the early morning on Back to the Future.

Michael J. Fox talks about how at some times he would become horribly confused and forget which movie he was in. That schedule had to be excruciating, but Mike, we all thank you for the glorious end project you did. You are Marty, and you were amazing! (Still are)

And of course his gamble paid off as the film made him a huge star. Look you can even buy an action figure of him.

So Let me briefly recap the film series for anyone who hasn’t seen it.

The film is a combo of Science-fiction, historical fiction, the ’50s, and the ’80s. All things I love and hold dear. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), is the youngest of the McFly household and growing up in 1985. He wants to be a musician but is afraid of failing. He’s close friends with amateur scientist and millionare, Dr. Emmet Brown, Doc for short. Doc has finally created the time machine he’s been working on for 30 years. And put it in a Delorean.

Before he can set out on his trip through time, Doc is killed by the terrorists he bamboozled for uranium (needed to work the time machine). Marty jumps in the car and takes off, accidentally going back to 1955 and messing up his parent meeting and their love at first sight moment. If he doesn’t get them back together, he’s history.

What’s not to love? Comedy, romance, science-fiction, great music, clothes, 2 songs by Huey Lewis (and a cameo), Michael J. Fox? Plus amazing gags!

So is this is fantastic film? Oh, yes!

And I watch it over, and over, and over…

After the first time I saw this film, I immediately became obsessed with it. I memorized every single line in the films. I would comb through the TV listings, and watch it every, single time it came on. One time I even got up at 4:00 am! That’s commitment right there. And why not be obsessed with it? Duh, it’s AWESOME!

I visited Universal Studios in 2012 and was devastated to see that they had hardly anything from Back to the Future. The clock tower was destroyed in that big fire, the ride had been taken out for “newer” things, and you couldn’t find any cool souvenirs. When I went in 2013, things were different. Universal Studios has a studio museum that they constantly move props in and out and they had a whole Back to the Future collection. I was having a ball, in fact I wanted to climb over the plexiglass and sit in the Deloran.

Here are the clock tower building plans

And the beautiful car

Yes that was so amazing! And today, to honor this cinematic classic, I am going to marathon the three films! 🙂 And I suggest you do the same.

Yep, we are going to go back in time.

For more Back to the Future, go to Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

For more anniversary posts, go to You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Screen: Happy 40th to Jaws

For more ’80s films, go to Don’t You Forget About Me