Cinema Memoir #48

Back to the Future Part III (May 25th, 1990)

At one point in history, Back to the Future was the 3rd coolest trilogy in existence, following in close succession behind Indiana Jones and Star Wars. I suppose considering now that Indiana Jones and Star Wars are no longer trilogies, it ranks at number one on the cool scale.

This was the first time I had ever seen two sequels shot and released back to back. Today a big budget movie hardly gets made without a 3 part sequel and franchise deal.

This movie was pretty damn good, but as a kid I could have done without the whole mushy love story . . . or perhaps it was Mary Steenburgen I could have done without. Of course now as an adult I realize the whole mushy lover story is pretty much the backbone of the movie . . . but I could still do without Mary Steenburgen.

I can remember being sad knowing the delorian would never fly again, but I think Zemeckis wrapped the story up pretty well. I just hope he doesn't decide to try and remake or add on to these movies like he's doing with Roger Rabbit.

(Image from impawards.com)

Cinema Memoir #45

Back to the Future Part II (November 22nd, 1989)

Next to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, this was probably the most anticipated sequel of the 1980's - at least for me it was - and it was well worth the wait.

Back to the Future was probably the first movie to ever have a "To Be Continued" at the end - but it wasn't until many years later that I realized the "To Be Continued" wasn't in the original ending.

Another thing that stuck with me was the fact that they included a trailer for part 3 with actual footage at the end of the movie. I don't think that had ever been done either and I haven't seen it done since.

I was nine and I totally bought in to the whole hover board thing. It seemed plausible and I wanted one so badly - let's face it, I still do. And according to the movie I only have six more years before I can have one - or perhaps a flying car, or shoes with power laces, or maybe some totally rad spandex future clothes - ah, the future.

(Image from impawards.com)

Cinema Memoir #6

Back to the Future (July 3rd, 1985)

Memories are strange things. The only thing I remember about watching this movie in the theater is Marty McFly riding behind cars on his skateboard, fun but certainly not the most memorable part of Back to the Future. I think this movie made a greater impact on me in VHS form because when the sequels came out I was ready for them.

Robert Zemeckis is one of my all time favorite directors. His movies are always on the cutting edge of technology and he seems to be constantly reinventing his approach to storytelling. Back to the Future was one of those innovative movies.

On a side note, every time I see a Delorean in real life (which is quite rare) I get butterflies in my stomach and kinda giggly. I saw one in Sarasota about a year ago and I followed it into a parking lot and ogled at it for a few minuets. The license plate -- Back In Time

(Image from impawards.com)