Back to the Future

I accomplished something tonight that very few people in my generation can say they have done. I was able to watch one of movies greatest science fiction movies on the big screen, Back to the Future. A theater nearby has been doing this for about a year now, they will screen older movies each week. Something to bring in extra business during the week. Although they do a terrible job advertising it, which I honestly am not upset about because it keeps the crowds down, but I love the idea. I have been able to see Home Alone, The Sound of Music, and Rocky. Movies that I never had enjoyed on the big screen before. They do a great job of digitally remastering them to appear brand new.

Back to the Future has been one of my favorite movies and trilogies since I was a kid. I remember plenty of Saturday mornings watching them over and over. The VHS box set we have includes a bonus tap that goes behind the scenes and it is hosted by Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron.

Huey Lewis

I know how the filmed the hover board scenes in the 2nd movie, that Huey Lewis makes a cameo, and that during the opening the first movie they pan across all these clocks, there is one that has a guy hanging from a clock tower just like it happens later on. Yeah I like the movie.

I was rather impressed with the attendance, it was probably 3/4ths full. The crowd was into it as well, cheering when Michael J Fox mad his appearance in front of the huge speaker. It was a fun environment.

I don't even feel like I need to give a run down of the movie because I expect that all of you have seen the movie. But for those of you that are missing that little something in your life, I will share a quick run down of the movie.

Marty McFly

Michael J Fox plays Marty McFly, a skateboarding, guitar playing high school kid that is just cruising through life with his girl friend Jennifer. Marty is friends with Dr. Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Dr. Brown is a crazy scientist, who is onto something huge.

Dr. Emmett Brown

Dr. Brown has Marty meet him at the mall parking lot at 1:15 am to help him with an experiment. The first part of the experiment is successfully making Einstein, Dr. Browns dog, be first the first time traveler.

The Delorean

The time machine is a Delorean that runs on petroleum. The petroleum was stolen from some Libyans that show up at the mall parking lot to get revenge. To get away Marty jumps into the Delorean and when the car reaches 88 mph it travels to the designated space in time.

Which for Marty was November 5th, 1955, 30 years earlier. When Marty gets there he is lost. Knowing that he needs to get back to 1985 he tracks down Dr. Brown who helps him get back to 1985.

While Marty is stuck in 1955 he happens to run into his mom and dad before they meet. Ironically Marty's future mom falls for him, and Marty's future is now in jeopardy.

Marty and his future mom

While Dr. Brown is working on getting the Delorean fixed, Marty has to work on getting his mom to fall for his dad rather then himself. There are plenty of obstacles that they run into, and the results have bigger consequences then you realize.

Marty with his parents

I could get heavy (it doesn't have to do with weight) and dive into how Back to the Future shows what a decision can do to our future.  Who we choose as friends, what job we have, where we live, and where we go to school all have a huge impact on where we end up. But this movie is so great that just by simply watching it you will be entertained.

Back to the Future is part of one of my favorite trilogies, what is your favorite trilogy? Share in the comments. 

(Here is a link to Century Movie theater in Salt Lake City to see what upcoming movies they will be screening Century 16 Salt Lake.)

Cobra

Contributor Mub takes us back to 1986...

Lets talk the year 1986 people, I grew up believing there were robots that were developing human brains making them more like people

Short Circuit

...that I could get away with never going to school ("Ferris Bueller"),

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

...that I could wish someone away to the land of eternal stench, but would have to face the consequence of fighting off David Bowie and his massive leotard unit, 

Labyrinth

...or that I could easily fly an F-14 tomcat upside-down parallel with another jet while simultaneously flipping the bird at them.

Top Gun

 Ya '86 movies were awesome. If you don't believe me, google that shiz.   

Now, I am a man, I enjoy farting, throwing hatchets, urinating outside, eating raw meat, and day dreaming about how I would defuse a situation using my surroundings and ninja tactics. That being said I would like to introduce one of the most underrated manly movies ever. "COBRA", this is the best work that Sylvester Stallone has done. 

He plays Marion Cobretti, a member of the "Zombie Squad" which is the most hardcore "street" police unit there is. Knowing his given name sounds a bit girly, he goes by Cobra to establish dominance and fear to his enemies. He wears oversized aviator sunglasses at all times because the sun never sets on "cool", he always has a match in his mouth in case he needs to light something or someone on fire, and always knows the best things to say to a bad guy like "Your the disease, and I'm the cure".  So there is your badass main charactor. 

Now the story circles around Cobra protecting a hottie who witnessed a murder committed by an ax clinging night slasher gang who will stop at nothing to kill her. Also included are car chases, a bikini photo shoot with robots (awesome), gun fights, and one of the best good guy/bad guy showdowns shot with a camera. I almost pooed myself when seeing IMDB had this movie as a 5.5 star out of 10. I give it a 9.5 but with the bikini dancing around robot scene I give it a 12.3. 

The seven layers of Kevin Bacon for this movie is 1-Sylvester Stalone was in "The Expendables" with Dolph Lundgrin who was in 2- "Masters Of The Universe" with Courtney Cox who was in 3- Scream 3 with Neve Campbell who was in 4- "Wild Things" with KEVIN BACON!! Also, best food and beverage to have while enjoying "Cobra", funnions and apple beer.

Do you agree that Cobra is the best movie of 1986? Share you favorite movie from 1986 in the comments.

Willow

To widen the variety of movies that get discussed, I have invited  Mub Bardsley to contribute to Casual Cinema. His movies will primarily be from the movie vault. I am excited for his insight and humor to be shared with his movie reviews. 

What is it about older movies that captivate and make people think of childhood cinema in higher regard than newer movies. It can't be the special effects, props or the cinematography, The leaps and bounds in technology astound me sometimes, with how real things look and sound. Is it just because we are so impressionable up to a certain age. Take movie quotes for an example. 

Example- "HEY YOU GUYS!"
or- "Your killin' me smalls"
or- "We got no food, no jobs.......our pets HEADS ARE FALLIN OFF!"

With the above quotes I don't even need to say the movie and everyone knows what movie they came from.

I just searched the top 3 grossing movies in 2012 and up popped- Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, The Hobbit, and The Avengers, all of which I have seen and enjoyed, but I could not think of one quote from any of them, can you? I don't know maybe the next generation will be quoting lines from these 3 movies 20 years down the road. I guess my point is... old movies rock. 

The first oldy but goodie I want to review is the all time epic "Willow" if you have not seen this movie, roll your fist in a ball and punch yourself in the genitalia. It all starts in the Nelwin forest where Willow Ufgoods children find a baby floating in a river near their village. This baby is all that stands in the way of destruction from the evil Queen Bavmorda. 

Now anyone who knows me knows my fascination with midgets, and this movie has gobs. Fat midgets, skinny midgets, dancing midgets, wizard midgets, simply put, the celestial kingdom of midgets. Do yourself a favor and go buy, not rent, this movie. 

By the way its the best role Val Kilmer has ever played. Here are the seven layers of Kevin Bacon to Willow. 1-Val Kilmer was also in Top gun with Tom Cruise 2- Tom Cruise is in A Few Good Men with Kevin Bacon. Boom 2 layers!! 

A quick run down

Although  I have not been reviewing any movies in the past year and a half, I in fact have been watching movies on a regular basis. I will do a quick run down of some of my favorites. There may be future posts on these movies, as this will just be a quick run down on the ones I enjoyed.

Action Movies

The Dark Knight Rises-A great ending to a great trilogy
Avengers-Another entertaining comic book movie
Zero Dark Thirty-How we kill Osama Bin Laden
Jack Reacher-Tom Cruise doing his action movie thing again
End of Watch-A crazy movie about cops in LA
Lawless-Tom Hardy's best film of the year, how brothers sold their moonshine
The Bourne Legacy-No Matt Damon, but non the less enjoyable
Taken 2-Not the first one, but he still has his unique skill set, and he did find the guys and kill them
Chronicle-Just another film about high school kids gaining super powers
Safe House-Intense movie about a CIA agent gone rogue
Man on a Ledge-The title says it all
Hit and Run-A comedic movie about avoiding the past in the witness protection
Contraband-Smuggling money in a cargo ship, Mark Wahlberg dominates
Act of Valor-An awesome look into the marines and how they work
Iron Man 3-Entertaining not my favorite of the three
Star Trek Into Darkness-My first trek experience, and it was a good cast, good story
Gangster Squad-A special task force asked to take done the infamous Mickey Cohen
Broken City-Misses the mark, but twists and turns, and dirty politicians


Drama Movies

Silver Linings Playbook-Two people trying to figure out life, find a silver lining in life.
The Place Beyond the Pines-Intriguing movie about actions affecting the course of our life.
Les Miserables-Very well done movie of the musical
The Perks of Being a Wallflower-The problems of high school kids, very intense but well don't
Lincoln-The life of President Abraham Lincoln
Life of Pi-I should have seen in the theater, but a great story about how we see life
Flight-A glimpse into overcoming addiction
Argo-Incredible story about the hostages in Iran
Trouble With the Curve-The relationship of a daughter and her aging father
Mud-How two boys help a convict
People Like Us-Having to give up your fathers estate to a sister you never knew
Big Miracle-The power of news, and saving 3 whales

Comedy and the Rest

The Five Year Engagement-The wedding date keeps getting pushed back, will love last the wait
Liberal Arts-Romantic comedy
Celeste and Jessy Forever-Another complicated love story
Moonrise Kingdom-Classic Wes Anderson film about a young love
Safety Not Guaranteed-Chasing down an ad in a newspaper needing someone to time travel with
Your Sisters Sister-A complicated romantic comedy
Pitch Perfect-Good music, that makes fun of the competitive world of a Capella groups
Wanderlust-Two people that need a change and stumble upon a commune full of hippies
Parental Guidance-Everyone has different ways of parenting, but can all have the same effect
This Means War-Your typical chick flick
21 Jump Street-A pretty hilarious film about to dumb cops going undercover at a high school
Now You See Me-Yes another magic movie, but has a nice twist or two
Admission-Missed a punch, still an enjoyable film and about a teacher wanting the best for his student
The Great Gatsby-A very well done remake
42-Well done movie about the life of Jackie Robinson
The Kings of Summer- A great movie about a high school kid that is King of his summer

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

One of my favorite movies from last year was Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Partially because Emily Blunt is a favorite, but the story is more then just a complicated love story. It directed my thought inward, looking at my ability to go through life with faith rather than relying on a knowledge  of the results of my decisions.

It stars Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. There is a rich Yemeni Sheikh that has a vision to bring salmon fishing to his native Yemen. Ewan McGregor's plays Dr. Alfred Jones a fisheries expert in Britain, and is approached by the Sheikh's assistant Emily Blunt, Harriet to assist on the project. Dr. Jones doesn't think that it is even worth talking about and doesn't want to help, but when there becomes pressure from the prime minister to get a 'good will' story out of the middle east he is forced to help. The Sheikh has unlimited resources and faith, that the project will work. Dr. Jones also is having trouble with his marriage and so he decides to jump in and see where it takes him. While the fish project was starting to take off Harriet's boyfriend is deployed to Afghanistan, and as expected adds more stress in her life. That is where the love story gets complicated, and attracts the romance fans.

My favorite scene is when the Sheikh and Dr. Jones are fly fishing, and they are discussing the project. The Sheikh can tell that Dr. Jones is more than doubtful of the project. Dr. Jones had stated that he is more of a facts and figures man, they go on to have this exchange:

1. 
   
2. Sheikh Muhammed: You're not a religious man?
3. Dr. Alfred Jones: No. No, I'm not.
4. Sheikh Muhammed: But you're a fisherman, Dr. Jones.
5. Dr. Alfred Jones: I'm sorry, I don't follow.
6. Sheikh Muhammed: How many hours do you fish before you catch something? Dozens?
7. Dr. Alfred Jones: Gosh, hundreds sometimes.
8. Sheikh Muhammed: Is that a good use of your time for a facts-and-figures man? But you persist in the wind and the rain and the cold with such poor odds of success. Why? Because you're a man of faith, Dr. Alfred.

I feel that there is a message there that can be related to our individual lives. No matter how  bad things get we still get out of bed each day. There is embedded in everyone a level of faith that tomorrow will be better. We all 'persist in the wind and the rain and the cold with such poor odds of success' because we will catch that fish. Faith is often connected to religion, but I don't see that it is always the case. Faith is acting on a hope for things that we don't see but believe in. Wether that is in a God, a better life, a promotion at work, winning the championship. They are all things we cannot see right now but we simply hope for, and believe that if we act on that hope that we will achieve that goal or come to a knowledge of that belief. 

That was the case for the Sheikh, he had a hope that he would be able to bring salmon fishing to his country. The Sheikh saw salmon fishing as something that all social classes, all political parties, all religions could do and be equal. It was something that his people could do and put all differences aside, and for that moment have peace in his land. 

We Bought A Zoo

We Bought A Zoo was my favorite movie of the Holidays, and maybe year, I know I will get some raised eyebrows for that bold statement. Well besides the annual watching of the Home Alone's. But those don't really count. A heart warming tale of a widowed father trying his best to raise his kids. I have never been in that situation, in fact I don't have kids. But I felt like the movie did a good job of displaying some of the common struggles that single parents go through. I thought that the acting was really good. Matt Damon reminded me that he is one of my favorite actors, and rather versatile in his acting. The kids did an excellent job. And of course the lovely Scarlett Johansson was superb. The comic relief came from Thomas Haden Church, who I came to know from the hit 90's TV show Wings.

I sometimes hear people say that they don't like movies based on true stories. I am not sure what their argument is, I personally love them, and make the movie that much more real. Maybe people like to escape to a movie, and these true story movies just remind them that good things do happen in this world and they don't like that. I don't know, but the fact that this is based on a true story just adds to the craziness of the story.

One more side note, I find it ironic that this movie came out just after the news story that came out of Ohio. A man who had a zoo at his house let all the animals go and then shot himself. The animals were out running the streets, lions, cougars, monkeys, all the usual zoo animals were out on the run. Luckily this movie does not have that same ending.

The movie starts out by portraying the dynamics of a single parent home and the struggles that can be experienced. The son that is around 12 or 13 is rebelling at school, and causing problems, but the daughter is the optimist that is always looking for the good in everything. Maggie Jones plays this younger daughter, and there is no way that you can't say she is the cutest little girl. When the son gets expelled from school Matt Damon feels like it was the last straw and he needed to make some changes to move on from the lose of his wife.

He begins to look for houses and he comes across this run down zoo. Damon feels that this is what will help bring his family together. Knowing the risks, and having no knowledge or experience with animals he figures he can make it work.

Once the zoo is purchased we see the family learn about hat life style, and what comes with living on a zoo. They definitely have things fall into place to be able to keep the zoo, and there is a love story aspect with the son and a girl that helps at the zoo. That relationship is elementary, and funny to watch grow.

As you expected there is a love story between Damon and Johansson. Johansson is one of the zoo keepers, and is the one to really show the family the ropes. There are some ups and downs in the relationship, but once Damon showed that he was serious about this zoo and was going to fight for it she realized to be supportive and help him.

The movie shows Matt Damon develop a relationship with Spar, an old tiger that lives in the zoo and becomes sick. Luckily the tiger doesn't talk and teach live lessons to Damon, but the time spent with Spar, and taking of him taught Damon about perseverance and fighting for what it right. In these private moments of talking with this tiger he really discovers the purpose of buying this zoo.

There was also a Field of Dreams moment of "if you build it, they will come." For the zoo to survive it needed to be open, and it was not a done deal that people would come out since it had not been open for so long.

I thought it was a great movie about perseverance, and not giving up on what you believe will help your family. Sacrificing for your family, and thinking more of just yourself. It was just one of those happy uplifting movies, that is not over the top. The real zoo is in Great Britain.

This is definitely one of my longer reviews, but like I said it was one of my favorites from the year. One last point that I really liked, and this is the one that I relate to my life, or take as advice. Damon's character lost his wife, and he never really would talk about her. Once the zoo brings him out of the mourning, he explains to his son, who he has begun to develop a stronger bond with, that he only needs twenty seconds of extreme courage. He tells the story of how he met their mom, and how he only needed twenty seconds of courage to ask the mom out on a date. Twenty seconds, how true it is that we only need twenty seconds of insane courage, and then what ever happens happens, but you will never know if you don't use those twenty seconds courageously.

The Adventures of Tintin

Turns out that Tintin is on the biggest comic books in Europe, I had never heard of it until one of the challenges on the Amazing Race had to do with this Tintin comic book. When I saw that preview I was very intrigued to see the movie. Plus you know that if Spielberg is doing an animated film it is going to be well done. It did not let down.

Although I am not a fan of this 3-D movement, I have tried to see a 3-D movie and it gives me a headache. I find the glasses distracting, and hard to pay attention. After saying that I notice that some movies are made for the 3-D experience and this is one of them, however I did not see it in 3-D. I still was able to enjoy the movie though.

The Adventures of Tintin is about this successful newspaper reporter Tintin who stumbles upon a model ship while walking through the market. As soon as he purchases the ship he has two different people come up to him to try and buy the ship. The action then begins. The adventure takes us to a drunken ship captain who is the last descendant of the captain of the original ship. Tintin and the Captain then team up to protect hidden treasure. It has a National Treasure like ending.

I try to find movies that have more than just entertainment, but have a message in them that I can walk away with. For the most of this movie I was purely entertained. Then there came a point in the adventure where it seems like Tintin was not going to be able to solve the mystery. Tintin had never really failed, and had always been an optimist.Tintin was not handling this realization very well. The captain had overcome his own demons throughout the adventure because of Tintin's optimism. Then came this point where it seemed like their roles had changed. The captain gave this speech to Tintin that changed my outlook on more than just the movie. Here is their conversation.

Captain Haddock: I thought you were an optimist

Tintin: You were wrong, weren't you? I'm a realist.

Captain Haddock: Ah, its just another name for a quitter.

Tintin: You can tell me what you like. Don't you get it? We failed.

Captain Haddock: Failed. There are plenty of others willing to call you a failure. A fool. A loser. A hopeless souse. Don't you ever say it of yourself. You send out the wrong signal, that is what people pick up. Don't you understand? You care about something, you fight for it. You hit a wall, you push through it. There's something you need to know about failure, Tintin. You can never let it defeat you.

As we have learned from previous reviews, I am in a position in life where I am deciding what to do with life, where I am going, and what I am supposed to do. I have faced failure, and I am sure I will again. But Captain Haddock was on to something. We cannot let failure get the best of us. Although I have had six or more job interviews in the last two months, and did not get any of the jobs, I can't stop going into that next job interview. I can't let them think I am a failure. They are going to see what I show them. All those other jobs in a sense called me a failure (now that sounds extreme, and I sure they don't think I am failure, but they don't see me as the guy they want working for them), but I can't show the next job that. I have hit a wall, but I am pushing through it.

A kid movie yes, but it was more than just entertainment in the end. I thought that the animation was top notch, the story was intriguing, and the voices were very well done. It was overall an entertaining film, and one that could have several more to come.

Trailer for Adventures of Tintin