Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Power of Love

Today is October 26, 2010, and 25 years ago today, Marty McFly traveled back in time. I couldn't let this day pass without giving a special shout out to my favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future.



I still remember seeing this movie with my sister, Gail, and my mom in August of 1985, when I was seven years old. I was enamored even then, and Back to the Future was rented many, many times in our house throughout the 80s. It also produced a crush on Michael J. Fox, probably my first celebrity crush. (I had a poster of him on my closet door that I used to kiss... on the lips!)

There's also a reason my pug is named George!

So, I thought I would celebrate today by sharing my top ten favorite moments from the film, many of which are captured in this great clip on You Tube.

#10: George McFly Dancing
He is just having a great ole time dancing alone near the punch table, waiting for his turn to prove to Lorraine he's not a pushover after all.

#9: Do You Know What This Means?
Marty shows up to try to get Doc to believe his time travel story. I love the supposed mind reading contraption on his head that he soon realizes doesn't work at all. Christopher Lloyd could not have delivered that line better.

#8: George McFly Laughing
I don't think I have to elaborate too much on this one...

#7: My Pine!
As Chapin well knows, I randomly love the scene in this movie where Marty, having just landed back in 1955, knocks down one of Old Man Peabody's pine trees. The expletives he launches as Marty hightails it out of there make me laugh every time: "You space bastard. You killer pine!" You'll also notice how the name of Twin Pines Mall changes to Lone Pine Mall by the end of the movie.

#6: 88 Miles Per Hour
Doc Brown and Marty McFly watch in awe as the Delorean reaches 88 miles per hour. It also produces one of the film's best lines: "When this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious s***."

#5: Darth Vader visits George McFly
When Marty has trouble getting his father to ask his mother to the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, he dresses up in his radiation suit, hooks George up with some ear phones, and blasts Van Halen. Crispin Glover is priceless in this scene as George.

#4: George Punches Biff
Although I didn't understand at the time what would have happened to Lorraine had George not shown up, I have always gotten immense satisfaction seeing him punch that jerk in the face.

#3: Calvin Klein Skateboards Into Lorraine's Heart
This skateboard scene is a classic... and Marty is an "absolute dream."

#2: You're My M...
Marty's awkwardness and confusion in this scene are palpable. I remember asking my mom to explain to me about a "hope chest."

#1: George McFly Comes Through
My favorite scene of the movie still makes me smile to this day. As Marty watches his hand disappearing, then realizes he is about to be "erased from existence," George steps up and kisses Lorraine, saving the day.