Retrospective: 40 Years since audiences went ‘Back to the Future’ By Jesse Striewski

There were certain movies in the ’80s that just always seemed to be there (no matter where “there” might’ve been at the time). Back to the Future was one such film (along with the likes of Ghostbusters and The Karate Kid, among others), in a sub-genre of its own that I have since labeled “basement movies” (growing up in New Jersey at that time, it seemed like everyone had basements with TV’s/VCR’s in them, and many a movie were viewed in these for the first time via either cable or home video).

Originally released on July 3, 1985, Back to the Future was the brain child from Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale. The story was simple yet complex all at once; high school student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travels back in time after an experiment with his scientist friend’s (Christopher Lloyd) time machine (built from a DeLoren, of course) goes haywire and sends Marty thirty years back in the past.

Once there he not only needs to get himself back to his original time frame, but ensure his parents (played by Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson) still meet and fall in love in time to not alter his existence, all the while dodging bullies (lead by Thomas F. Wilson in one of the best roles of its kind).

Originally the role of McFly went to Eric Stoltz, who began filming several scenes before Fox finally committed to the project, forcing him to take on double-duty while simultaneously still filming his hit show Family Ties. The decision was obviously the best for all those involved, and as a result, we were given one of the most flawless films in American history.

While it took four years, the film eventually spawned two sequels, beginning with 1989’s Back to the Future Part II (my first time going to see one of them on the big screen, although I’m told I was there for the original as well, yet have no memory of this) and concluding with the western-themed Part III in 1990. There was even an animated TV show that ran from 1991-92 on CBS, theme park rides at Universal Studios, and various other video games and multimedia tie-ins, making it one of the most successful franchises of all time (the first film alone grossed nearly $400 million at the box office).

Back to the Future 40th Anniversary poster spotted at theater in Daytona Beach, FL on 9-10-25 (Photo by Jesse Striewski).

Of course, one cannot talk about Back to the Future without mentioning its music, which became equally popular thanks to the inclusion of Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” and “Back in Time” hits (Lewis himself makes a brief cameo at the start of the first film, and I was able to hear each of these tracks live in 2014 when the wife and I went to go see Lewis and company at none other than Universal Studios Orlando). Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers fame has a small part in Parts II and III as “Needles,” and even ZZ Top appear as musicians in Part III, contributing the track “Double Back” to the film as well. Years later, I was able to photograph Flea onstage with the Chili Peppers in 2017 (see photo below), though ZZ Top have still alluded me all these years later.

Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who played “Needles” in Back to the Future Part II and III, on stage introducing the opening acting at the then-Amway Center in Orlando, FL on 4/26/17 (Photo by Jesse Striewski).

Then in 2023, I was even able to interview an actor from the series for the first time for Rewind It. Courtney Gains, who is seen at the dance scene cutting in with George and Loraine near the end of the first film, lent me some insight into his role as “Dixon;” “To be associated with that franchise in any way is a pretty mind-blowing, amazing thing. My character had already been dropped one time, and if you’re doing a movie they can only drop you one time, and if they bring you back, they can’t drop you again. So they had already dropped me once in the middle of all the chaos of re-shooting everything after dropping Eric Stolz in the lead role and replacing him with Michael J. Fox. Still to this day, one of the best residual checks I get is from Back to the Future, so it’s been a financial blessing in my life.”

The film has indeed blessed many, in many different ways, over the years, and on this “Back to the Future Day” (that passes annually every October 21), I’d certainly hate to ever see a world that doesn’t have Back to the Future in it in some form.

Series Review: The Mandalorian – Season 3 (Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)

By: Jesse Striewski

It’s been so long since the last season of The Mandalorian aired in late 2020, I honestly had a difficult time at first remembering where things had even left off. But rest assure there’s still plenty of Baby Yoda (or Grogu for those who like to be more technical) to go around.

This time around Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu are joined by fellow Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) on their travels after some initial hesitation. Right off the bat there’s plenty of giant monsters and fire fights involving lasers and sabers, perfect thirst-quenchers for any old school Star Wars fans.

There’s plenty of returning familiar faces (though sadly still no Gina Carano), including Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito, and even some delightful new ones (Jack Black and Christopher Lloyd are especially likable additions). The strangest moment of them all though is The Convert, an interesting enough stand alone episode featuring Omid Abtahi in the lead role that leaves viewers feeling empty without a proper ending or follow up.

It might be overly adorable at times thanks mainly to Grogu (at least the puppetry is actually done right with mainly practical effects instead of all-CGI as in most cases these days), and it’s far from perfect. But if nothing else, it is pure escapist entertainment worth occasionally getting lost in.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Film Review: Spirit Halloween: The Movie (Strikeback Studios/Hideout Pictures)

By: Jesse Striewski

On the surface, Spirit Halloween: The Movie appears to be not much more than one long promo ad for the annual store in which it takes its name from. But despite its obvious flaws and cheesy-ness, it actually works as family entertainment in the same vein as the Goosebumps films, with a nostalgic touch similar to Stranger Things thrown in for good measure as well.

The plot is far from groundbreaking; a trio of adolescent friends (played by newcommers Donavan Colan, Jaiden J. Smith, and Dylan Frankel) faced with the pressures of growing up and the societal norms that come along with it, decide to spend Halloween night in said novelty store. But of course the ghost of a crabby old landlord (Christopher Lloyd) cursed by a witch before his demise in the 1940’s, is haunting the joint and looking for a permanent new body to possess before it’s too late.

Former ’90s babe Rachel Leigh Cook co-stars as the mother of one of the young boys, and Marla Gibbs (best known from such ’70s and ’80s staples as The Jeffersons and 227) plays the strange but wise old grandmother of one of the other children, each bringing just a tad more talent to the mostly unknown cast.

Spirit Halloween (the store) has become a pop culture staple, and an annual tradition as common as the haunted house for many. All in all, the film is harmless (perhaps even a bit shameless, depending on your viewpoint) fun, and perfect fodder for the spooky season.

Rating: 3/5 Stars