In the 1989 film Back to the Future II, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) visited the future date of October 21, 2015. There are a number of ways for us to celebrate this date, including a new Blu-ray/DVD Back to the Future package and the movie’s brief return to movie theaters.
For more instant gratification, you may visit the “Back to the Future Day” Facebook page, and below you may see how the filmmakers envisioned Hill Valley would look in October 2015. I want my flying car.
Back to the Future II was directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale. On A.V. Club, Gale recently discussed the odd coincidence of the film predicting the Cubs winning the World Series in 2015 and this year the Cubs being in the playoffs. What item from the Back to the Future II segment set in October 2015 do you most wish were true? Leave your two cents in the comments.
There was sad news today that 69-year-old British actor Bob Hoskins announced he is retiring from acting because — like Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox — he has Parkinson’s Disease. When I think of Hoskins a number of great roles rush through my mind, including his wonderful performances in Mermaids (1990) with Cher and in Hook (1991) with Dustin Hoffman. Even his smaller roles stood out, such as when he played Spoor in Brazil (1985) and Nikita Khrushchev in Enemy at the Gates (2001). His most recent movie was this year’s Snow White & the Huntsman.
But for me, the first thing I think about when I think of Hoskins is his wonderful performance as Eddie Valient in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988). Although Steven Spielberg’s first choice for the role was Harrison Ford, the movie would not have been as good if it were not for Hoskin’s funny performance as the hard detective with a heart. His performance in that role made us believe a film noir character in a cartoon world. We thank Mr. Hoskins for the joy he gave us and wish him well in in his retirement.
In this clip below about the making of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, the narrator talks about the challenges Hoskins faced having to act with characters who were not real. Also, Hoskins explains how he drew inspiration from his small daughter’s imagination.
What is your favorite Bob Hoskins film? Leave your two cents in the comments.
In case you were overwhelmed last week worrying about the NBA lockout or who is the sexiest man alive or the latest on Ashton Kutcher’s problems, below are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed.
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The heart-stopping, earth-shaking,…legendary E Street Band will tour with Bruce Springsteen in 2012 supporting a new album.
In a new interview, Michael Stipe explained why REM called it a day. “The horror was if somebody Twittered or leaked it.”
Brad Pitt plans to quit acting in three years. I guess they need to hurry up and film Oceans Fourteen.
Officials are investigating actress Natalie Wood’s drowning death from 30 years ago. Although initial reports claimed a yacht captain was blaming Woods’ then-husband actor Robert Wagner for the death, recent reports note that Wagner is not a suspect. But Christopher Walken, who was on the boat with the couple the night Woods died, has hired a lawyer.
Illumination Entertainment is planning a Woody Woodpecker film. (Thanks @VeryAw.) I grew up with the cartoons, so I’m excited that this overlooked character may be revived.
The Atlas Shrugged DVD was released with a back cover mistakenly saying the movie was from a novel of “self-sacrifice” instead of author Ayn Rand’s contrary philosophy of self-interest. Oops!
Andy Buckle’s Film Emporium blog wrote an interesting comparison between two epic World War II films, The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan. (Thanks @buckle22.)
Johnny B. Goode! Last weekend, Michael J. Fox reenacted his guitar playing from Back to the Future at a charity event.
“Sticks Like Magic!” CNN reports on the interesting background of the toy Colorforms, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month. I had forgot about Colorforms, which I had as a kid.
