Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain

Title: Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future is reverred today as one of the most clever and funniest movies based on time travel. It has given us lasting pop culture icons and lexicons such as the flux capacitor, the De Lorean time machine, and 1.21 gigawatts. The flux capacitor and the De Lorean are associated by many with time travel. And rightly so, it's the most stylish time machine of them all. Also, I hear way too many people coining the term "1.21 gigawatts" on almost activity, even while bowling.

The whole package just fits together nicely. Robert Zemeckis has done a fantastic job directing and co-writing this classic movie. Christopher Lloyd's performance as the eccentric Doc Brown is memorable. Not to mention the lasting imprints that are made by the youthful rivalry between Thomas Wilson's and Crispin Glover's characters as Bif Tannen and George McFly. And Michael J. Fox gives another endearing teenage character in Marty McFly. By this time, he was already known to many as Alex Keaton from the hit TV series, Family Ties. Of course, Leah Thompson (Red Dawn), Marty's future mom and lust stricken teen, is beautiful.

What if there's a Back to the Future Reboot?

One question for fans of the movie. IF Back to the Future is going to be rebooted, what elements would have to be changed to fit a teenager from 2009 going back in time to 1979?

First of all, I think that 30 years is a sweet spot for a generational crossroad. In that period, if a teenager goes back in time, he'll be able to see his parents as teenagers themselves.

"What do kids do in the '50s?", asked Marty McFly as he tried to figure out how to hook up his mom and dad. Marty was in high school at the time and a kid himself, but from the '80s.


While I don't have a teenage kid, I think that because of the successful sitcom, That 70's Show, a teenager traveling back in time to 1979 would not be so clueless. But then again, Marty should not have been so clueless with Happy Days still being shown on air in the 80's.

Now with the elements that ought to be updated, there are 3 areas of the movie that immediately comes to mind -- music, Darth Vader from Planet Vulcan, and black mayor.

From Birth of Rock 'n' Roll to Birth of Hip-Hop

Just from the movie alone, audiences should note that rock n roll was still an up-and-coming genre. From history, "Rock Around the Clock" has not been released until 1955. That's the song credited by many pop culture historians as what brought rock & roll to mainstream America. And if we are to follow the events of Marty McFly's adventures in 1955, the legendary Chuck Berry is still searching for the sound that would place him in rock history.

But in Marty's time, in 1985, the music scene is very different. Rock n roll is already well
established along with pop, dance, and new wave (KROQ music). In fact, rock n roll has sprouted many sub-genres such as punk, soft rock, hard rock, heavy metal, etc. Kids in the 80s have so much more exposure to music than their 50s counterpart.

But what about a teenager from today who is suddenly brought back to 1979? Let's see. In '79, the disco era is just coming to an end. Did it really end or just changed name to dance beat or house music? Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson (RIP) would have been part of the disco
music scene had they been around in the 70s. Still, many disco songs are enjoyed today in club scenes.

Club scenes! Kids did those in '79 as they do today. Aside from disco, most genres of music enjoyed by teenagers, including rock n roll, are fully developed by 1979.

Now, in the movie, Marty McFly performed a guitar solo in front of a 50s teen crowd that left the audience completely dumbfounded. But a seminal phone call is made by Marvin Berry to his cousin Chuck (Berry) and we are to guess as to what happens next, e.g. Chuck Berry hears Marty's version of "Johnny B Goode" and uses it to create rock history.

Could there be a call made in 1979 that is similar to Marvin's call to Chuck that posits to create a musical legend?

One possibility is a cousin of Dj Run (Joseph Simmons), founding member of Run DMC. The hip hop genre that Run DMC brought to mainstream in the 80s is huge among teenagers today but was just bubbling in 1979.

Darth Vader from Planet Vulcan to ?

One funny scene, upon Marty's arrival in 1955 is the "Darth Vader from Planet Vulcan" schtick that he works a couple of times. I could see how faking an alien invader would be a successful ruse in the 1950s.

But could a sci-fi creation that is already well-known in 2009 be used to scare anyone in 1979?

I can't think of any. Perhaps nukes? Soviet commandos? Ronald Reagan as the Anti-Christ? Maybe the aliens from District 9? I'm not sure any of these would work.

As Marty McFly from 2009 transported to 1979, what would you do if you had to scare your dad into dating your mom?

Mayor Goldie Wilson to President Barrack Obama

This one cannot be ignored. Back to the Future makes a pretty strong statement on breaking political racial barrier in the town of Hill Valley, a presumably mostly white, upper middle-class neighborhood. When Marty encountered Goldie Wilson in the '50s, he suggested that Goldie, a black man, can become a future mayor of Hill Valley, which we already knew happened from scenes before Marty travelled back in time.

In 2009, America has a half-black / half-white president in office. This could actually play well for a movie reboot because Barrack Obama attended Occidental College in 1979. In the same way that Marty inspired Goldie, a teenager from today transporting to 1979 can do the same, but with a much higher goal than to be a mayor of a small mid-western town. Since Occidental College is in California, perhaps this teenager could meet a young Barrack Obama at a Licorice Pizza record store.

I think that a rebooted Back to the Future, though not needed, can still be interesting. It's a classic film but the references may seem very outdated to today's and future youth. Yet, there is a large enough group of movie fans who should welcome the question of what if the movie occured today and back to the 70's.

Back to the Future on Blu Ray is or will be available on Amazon.com.

Get away from her you bitch!

Title: Aliens (1986)

I'm glad I got around to reviewing Aliens. It's one of my favorite movies. It's a simple, yet action pack film -- a group of US Space Marines along with Ripley as a private consultant were dispatched to investigate why a corporate colony stopped communicating with planet Earth. Sigourney Weaver reprises her soon-to-be iconic role as Ellen Ripley, the tough as nail survivor of the exploration ship Nostromo.

Aliens: Corporal Hicks (Michael Biehn) shows Ellen Ripley how to use a pulse rifle

It's a sequel to the first movie, Alien (1979), which was shot as a sci-fi horror (tagline: "In space, no one can hear you scream"). This one is sci-fi action. Definitely action. Superbly written and directed by James Cameron also known for Terminator, Titanic, etc.

I particularly like the time period. As a deep space movie, it is set before many elements of space exploration have been perfected. So there is no hyperspace travel, there is no beam-me-up technology, and there are no laser guns.

In this time setting, James Cameron excels in giving sci-fi and action fans brute force military technology modernized for a not-too-distant-future space exploration. Some gadgets are the coolest because of the raw power they project. Dropship instead of parachutes and helicopters. APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) instead of humvee. And twenty three years later, the pulse rifle is still the most badass gun in cinema. It's basically American firepower against aliens.

The best scene is when Ripley and the remaining marines were making their last stand. Everytime I watch this movie, I still flinch whenever an alien breaks through the defenses and pops out of nowhere.

Aliens Video Clip: Hudson's death scene

Also, the best character in Aliens is played by Bill Paxton. He gives a very memorable comic relief as Private Hudson, the cocky and loud-mouthed marine who's not as courageous as he sounds. He has the best lines.

Hudsons quotes in Aliens

Aliens Promo Poster

Just what he said. You figure out when he said it.

• I say we grease this rat-fuck son-of-a-bitch right now.
• What do you mean, "'They' cut the power?" How could they cut the power, man? They're animals!
• Hey Vasquez, have you ever been mistaken for a man?
• Is this gonna be a standup fight, sir, or another bughunt?
• We're on an express elevator to hell; going down!
• Let's just bug out and call it even, OK?
• That's it man, game over man, game over!
• Seventeen DAYS? Hey man, I don't wanna rain on your parade, but we're not gonna last seventeen HOURS!
• Why don't you put her in charge?
• Right, right. Somebody said "alien" she thought they said "illegal alien" and signed up!
• They're all around us, man. Jesus!
• We're all gonna die man.
• It wasn't funny, man.

Lastly, I'm fortunate to have seen Aliens in the big screen. If you haven't had the chance, keep an eye out for a theater around you that would show it. It's an experience you won't forget.

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

Title: Ghostbusters (1984)

Whoa! It's the 25 year anniversary of Ghostbusters. I wonder why we're not hearing any celebration of this great supernatural comedy. Or is it science fiction? No matter how you view it, it's a classic 80's films.

Ghostbusters is an awesome movie to watch in the big screen. It's a special effects feast for the eyes. New York at night. Nuclear accelerators vs. Sumerian gods. Giant marshmallow man. Floating ghosts. Pretty much top of the line FX arts that hold even today.

And it balances well with the superb comic acting of Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis. Also excellent is William Atherton as Walter Peck, the arrogant authority figure from the EPA looking to shutdown the Ghost Busters for code violations. Ghostbusters arguably launched Atherton's 80's career portraying arrogant figures we love to hate (Real Genius, Die Hard, Die Hard 2). Sigourney Weaver, who is best known for her tough-as-nail heroine in the Alien saga, is at her best as a soft, vulnerable, and sexy damsel in distress. Of course, the movie makers make no apology showing off her long legs.

And let's not forget that this movie also gave us the Ecto 1. It's one of the more famous pop culture movie cars.

Though not quoted as often as other 80's movies such as Batman or Terminator for instance, Ghost Busters has some of the funniest lines in cinema, delivered by the sardonic carefree scientist, Dr. Peter Venkman (played by Bill Murray).

Ghostbusters Peter Venkman Quotes

• All right! This chick is TOAST!
• Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown...
• Nimble little minx, ain't she?
• Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!
• Someone blows their nose and you want to keep it?
• We've been going about this all wrong. This Mr. Stay Puft's okay! He's a sailor, he's in New York; we get this guy laid, we won't have any trouble!
• So, she's a dog...
• Mother pus bucket!
• We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!
• You're right, no human being would stack books like this.
• He slimed me.
• Back off, man. I'm a scientist.
• If I'm wrong, nothing happens! We go to jail - peacefully, quietly. We'll enjoy it! But if I'm *right*, and we *can* stop this thing... Lenny, you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters.
• Yes it's true...This man has no dick.
• Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider, huh?
• She's not my girlfriend. I find her interesting because she's a client and because she sleeps above her covers... *four feet* above her covers. She barks, she drools, she claws!

I hope that brings back memories of how funny this movie really is.

Unfortunately, I don't find the sequel, Ghost Busters 2, to be as funny. Although the early part of the court scene is hilarious when the Ghost Busters were being represented by Louis Tully (played by Rick Moranis). But that was it.

I've been reading about a Ghostbusters 3 movie. The original cast members are rumored to star. I'm not thrilled over a 3rd movie. I think that Ghostbusters is a classic and should be left alone.

From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.

Title: Star Trek: Wrath of Khan(1982)

Not just a classic because of its ending, but this movie gave us one of the best villains in history of cinema. Khan Noonien Singh, wonderfully played by Ricardo Montalban, is number 10 in the Top 100 favorite villains as compiled by the Online Film Critics Society. More notorious than Kahn himself is the rumour that proliferated around Ricardo Montalban wearing a fake breast plate to display Khan's super physique. The director's DVD cut seems to have answered the mystery.

Memorable scene:

Death of Spock at the end while Kirk and the others looked on helplessly from the other side of the glass door.

Noteworthy

Star Trek II is also the first movie that Kirstie Alley made. She played the Vulcan Saavik. Possibly the hottest alien on the planet at the time.

Also, a few readers point out that Khan was quoting Captain Ahab in Herman Melville's Moby Dick for the titular quote of this post (see the comments). Makes sense since Khan was hunting down Captain Kirk for revenge since their encounter in the Star Trek TV episode, Space Seed.

Interestingly enough, Captain Ahab was played by Patrick Stewart in the 1998 TV movie, Moby Dick. Of course, we all know that Patrick Stewart is also Captain Jean-Luc Picard in, you know, STTNG.

Quotes from the movie:

"Scotty, I need warp speed in three minutes or we're all dead."

"Khan, I'm laughing at the "superior intellect."

"Lieutenant, you are looking at the only Starfleet cadet who ever beat the no-win scenario."

"I don't believe in the no-win scenario."

"Are you out of your Vulcan mind?"

"KHAAANNNN... KHAAANNNN!"

"From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee."

"To the last, I will grapple with thee. "

Spock: Don't grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh...
Kirk: ...the needs of the few.

"I have been and always shall be your friend."

"Live long and prosper."

"We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. But it should be noted that this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world; a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human."

Ricardo Montalban is the linking actor from "Naked Gun". He's very entertaining in the villain role.

Did any of you catch references to this movie from JJ Abram's Star Trek 2009?

YOU! You can RUN, but you can't HIDE!

Title: The Road Warrior 1981

A movie inked with testosterone. Plenty of high speed chases in cars and motorcycles with cool names (V8 Interceptor, is that even a real car?) and shoot outs in open highways. Arguably Mel Gibson's breakthrough role in the US market.

The Mad Max movies are a trilogy - "Mad Max" (1979), "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" (1981), and "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" (1985) with Tina Turner. I thought that Mad Max 2 was the best movie in the lot by far. If I could understand "Mad Max" (yes it's in English, but in heavy Aussie accent), maybe I'd appreciate it. Consequently, there are rumors of a "Mad Max 4" with Paul Walker in the lead. Also, Max's had a very cool dog. It was an Australian Cattle Dog.

On a personal note, this is the very first movie we pimped tickets to get in. Is "pimped" the right term when you ask someone in line to buy the tickets for you because your under age?

Lastly, Vernon Wells is the linking actor from "Weird Science."

Quotes from movie:

"They kill us, we kill them! Kill them! Kill them! Kill! Kill!"
"I'm just here for the gasoline."
"I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war. "
"Greetings from The Humungus! The Lord Humungus! The Warrior of the Wasteland! The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla!"

Max: If it's all the same to you... I'll drive that tanker.
Pappagallo: The offer is closed. Too late for deals.
Max: No deals. I want to drive that truck.

"Two days ago, I saw a vehicle that would haul that tanker. You want to get out of here? You talk to me."
"Don't touch please, that's a precision instrument."

Scene clips:


Opening scene high-speed chase when Mad Max (Mel Gibson) driving his V8 Interceptor was running away from Wez (Vernon Wells) and his gang pursuing in their own muscle cars. In this scene, we saw Wez getting hit on his thigh by a crossbow dart from one of his gang member that was intended for Max. Because this scene captured what a very high velocity chase could/should/or would be from the safety of my theatre seat, I particularly enjoyed Max swerving his Interceptor through a rubble of wreckage that blocked his path on the road.

Minor Part, Supporting Casts, Extras who stood out:

Bruce Spence, the Gyro Captain (I recognized him in one of the Matrix movies.)

Technorati Tags: 80's Films, Road Warrior, Mel Gibson, Science Fiction

I'll be back

Title: The Terminator 1984

This movie rocketed Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron into sci fi film history. A low budget flick that transcended beyond it's B-movie genre spawning video games and blockbuster sequels in "Terminator 2 - Judgment Day" (1991) and "Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines" (2003). More recently, rumors are flying online for a Terminator 4 movie. Speculation for the lead includes The Rock and Orlando Bloom (they can't be serious about Orlando, he's an elf). The T-800 Endoskeleton is one of the easily recognizable science fiction characters, displaying in many posters, t-shirts and video game boxes, including Terminator: Dawn of Fate (PS2),

It's interesting to note that OJ Simpson was considered to play the T-800. Additionally, this is one of the the Bill Paxton sightings in small roles. Others that I recall include True Lies, Commando, Titanic , and Streets of Fire.

Scene clip:

When the Terminator attacked the police station and shot down a lot of cops. This scene (see video) was always referred to as a defense by musicians under scrutiny of releasing violent lyrics. The reasoning is simple - non-film media deserves the same standard that censors exercise for films. Terminator is considered a classic by our culture, despite the violence it portrays, especially all the cops that were gunned down.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the linking actor from "Conan the Barbarian."

Quotes from movie:

"I came across time for you Sarah. I love you; I always have."
"You still don't get it, do you? He'll find her. That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him. He'll wade through you, reach down her throat, and pull her fucking heart out."
"Listen. And understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead."
"Fuck you, asshole"
"You're terminated, fucker."
"Why didn't you bring any weapons, something more advanced? Don't you have, uh, ray guns? Show me a piece of future technology."
"Get out."

Sarah Connor: What did he just say?
Gas Station Attendant: He said there's a storm coming in.
Sarah Connor: I know.

Minor Part, Supporting Casts, Extras who stood out

Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen

Technorati Tags: 80's Films, movies, Sci Fi, Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron

No. I am your father.

Title: Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980

The movie series that gave birth to a culture. Since the release of "Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977), there hasn't been any other movie that permeated every subsequent generation of youth. In fact, the kids at the time the first Star Wars hit the theatre in 1977, should have children of their own now, just ripe for indoctrination to the Star Wars galaxy.

There are six movies in the Star Wars saga. In order of release after Episode IV are "Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), "Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983), "Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones" (2002), and "Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith" (2005). The movies themselves are a billion dollar industry in terms of box office, rentals, and DVD sales. In addition, merchandises such as the Star Wars action figures, tie fighters and x-wing fighters models, t-shirts, posters, and others are all some of the most highly sought after movie collectibles. In fact, Star Wars items are amongst the top searches on eBay.

The cast of characters are well known in cinematic literature. The Empire is championed by Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul,the Stormtroopers, Count Dooku, General Grievous, and a few others that I may have missed. On the other side, the rebels are led by Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO, Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Lando Calrissian, Mace Windu, Padme and other good guys. In between the conflicting sides are other seedy characters, one of which, we enjoyed a lot as an action figure - Boba Fett. He is joined by Greedo, Jabba the Hut, and other bounty hunters.

Much like many other fans, I thought that "The Empire Strikes Back" is the best of the series. We were introduced to and intrigued by Boba Fett, who remains as one of the enigmatic characters in sci-fi films today. His demise in "Return of the Jedi", however, was disappointing. We just wanted more from our favorite action figure. Harrison Ford is my linking actor from "Blade Runner."

Quotes from movie:

"Right now I feel like I could take on the whole Empire myself."
"Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder."
"Luke. Don't give in to hate. That leads to the Dark Side."
"Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1."
"Laugh it up, fuzzball."
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
"Obi-Wan has taught you well. "
"I have a bad feeling about this..."

Princess Leia: I love you.
Han Solo: I know.

Scene clips:



The title of this entry. It's one of the most shocking twist in cinema history. Maybe even the biggest.

Here's a deleted scene that may help explain more.


Remarks

The only 80's movie in the Top 10 of IMDb's All Time Top 250. I still put up the Hoth planet battle as one of the best battle scenes in cinema. Other scenes I refer to includes the opening battle scene in "Saving Private Ryan", the seige of Helm's Deep in "The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers", and the opening battle scene in "Gladiator". Additionally, I felt sad and couldn't wait for the sequel when Han Solo was frozen at the end. Lastly, the thought of Princes Leia kissing Luke gave me the willies after I found out in a later scene that they were brothers and sisters.

Technorati Tags: 80's Films, Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Sci Fi, movies

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

Title: Blade Runner 1982

Blade Runner Final Cut DVD

Quintessential cyberpunk movie starring Harrison Ford that influenced many Japanese animes. Arguably, Rutger Hauer's best performance. Sean Young is my linking actor from "Stripes."

Memorable scene:

Batty's death (played by Rutger Hauer) at the end of the movie. I thought that the scene was a profound questioning of mortality, especially when the end is near.

Top Quotes from Blade Runner:

Blade Runner Memorabilia

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die."

"It's too bad she won't live! But then again, who does?"

"Painful to live in fear, isn't it?"

Minor Part, Supporting Casts, Extras who stood out:

Darryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos, Brion James.

Remarks:

The movie is based on Phillip K. Dick's novel, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" "Blade Runner" has a heavy influence on an anime that I like a lot - "Ghost in the Shell."

CLICK HERE to buy Bladerunner final cut DVD

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Technorati Tags: 80's Films, Blade Runner, Harrison Ford, movies Rutger Hauer Ridley Scott