Dedicated to the US military and America’s uniformed first responders, Till I See You Again could certainly be a moving song for many.
Till I see You Again is a recognisable and loyal echo of the 1980’s R&B/soul music sound, that I’m sure listeners of this era will enjoy. Bunny Sigler includes melancholy backing vocals, chiming harps and sharp drums to create the sounds of a distinct genre and generation since past.
With heart-wrenching vocals and a solemn electronic keyboard, this soulful song will have you reminiscing in feelings of soft nostalgia from the first note. In one listen, you can hear the passion and commitment that the vocalist is putting into his performance of smooth jazz.
My fellow time travellers and time travel enthusiasts! ’tis 2015 – the year that Back to the Future 2 predicted and depicted!
Before I begin, I would like to make it clear, in the defence of Back to the Future‘s creators, that the 2015 shown is merely a possible future. In the same film, we see how easily it can be changed. Therefore, perhaps their prediction is totally accurate, just not the reality that came to be.
Now, I know there are many angry fans who are aware of the lack of hover boards and flying cars. But don’t get fangry.I’m sure we’ll get what we were promised. One day.
In the movie, they showed October 21st, 2015. So we do still have some time up our sleeves to make all our dreams come true. But let’s see how accurate they have been so far…
They got these right:
Phones in our glasses
We have Google Glass.
Self-service
Just as Marty ordered a Pepsi at the cafe via a screen, we have self-service check-outs in many of our supermarkets.
(Axing minimum wage jobs for your convenience.)
Voice-activateddevices
We have voice activated phones and Xboxes.
Thumb print plates They exist. No jokes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they catch on to residential use soon.
Video calling
We have Skype. Also, I noticed that, like Facebook, the video call showed details of the caller including their likes and dislikes.
Drones
I’m not sure what they are called in the movie, but they are seen documenting Griff’s hover board crash. Today the police force use drones, at least in the US.
Home automation systems
They are actually here. You can link the system to your smart tablet, meaning you can adjust the temperature and turn on devices remotely – even from work. Voice controlled systems are also available.
3d holographic adverts Now, this one is on the fence for me. We have been able to create Michael Jackson as a hologram on stage, but what about an almost interactive one in broad daylight… What do you reckon?
Although, I feel like we’ll still be waiting a few more years for these developments:
Hover boards Man, I am so bummed-out about this. I have seen a spoof featuring Tony Hawk, despite fooling many (including me), it is in fact fake. Hover boards do not exist, bar a magnetic one that hovers a few inches for 7 minutes, but obviously confined to metal floors.
Flying cars I reckon the Google driverless cars will replace the automobile of today before we even begin to think about making them fly. Like in I, Robot.
Gardens in the kitchen
Smart idea! Keeping fruit and vegies ripe by growing them in a machine above the dinner table.
Auto-serving Pepsi Beverages rising from the centre of the table on command. I’m not sure if I really see this coming any time soon… What’s the benefit?
Cycling while eating We’re way too lazy to be doing this sort of shenanigans.
Hydrating pizza machine In goes the small, dehydrated pizza, and within seconds, out comes a big, juicy hydrated one. I know everyone is praying for this to arrive. One day, folks. One day. Although, we are 3d printing food. So, perhaps we’re not far off at all.
Weather service Controllable weather. Despite theories that a US army funded project, HAARP, was capable of moifying weather patterns, this is not something that is openly a part of 2015.
Lawyers are abolished A corrupt government that removed power and justice from the people? Or getting rid of one of the least trusted occupations?
Self-walking dog leads This has to be a thing one day. Most people want a dog, not everyone wants to exercise them in all weather. In fact, it’s probably a drone. So you could say this has basically been invented..?
Moving rubbish bins A handy invention!
Some things have accurately remained the same:
Newspapers Despite most of us reading news online, and despite the physical paper’s decrease in thickness, newspapers still exist. Specifically USA Today, which was shown in the film.
Fax machines We certainly don’t rely on fax machines as much as the film thought we would. But they are still in operation, nevertheless.
Dogs Owning pets. We haven’t been put off by the cost, stained carpets or aggravation they bring..
As a side-note, here are the fashion trends in the film that will probably only ever be replicated at sci-fi themed dress-up parties:
Inside-out pants Self-adjusting jackets Self-drying vests Self-lacing shoes I lie! Nike is developing these shoes as I type! Transparent ties Weird hats Vests that make sound effects Wearing two ties at once
However, wearing colourful, high-waisted skirts with cropped tops are in, as predicted.
Despite this over-analysis and nit-picking, I love Back to the Future. It is my favourite trilogy. I hope more time-travel themed movies continue to be made, to ensure the continuation of fangry sci-fi fans, and blog posts like this one.
I love music as well as movies, so I would like to share a site that I have discovered with you.
The Pleasure Dome offers a convincing throw back to the 1980s era. Great ’80s hits played in the format of a radio show that you can listen to in the background while working.
Director: Robert Sarkies Writers: Duncan and Robert Sarkies Released: September 2012 Starring: Bret McKenzie, Hamish Blake, Maaka Pohatu, Filip Berg
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I am so disturbed! Okay, I know it was a black comedy, but where was the comedy?
It was about Deano (Hamish Blake) who showed his ability to dispose of the man that his friend, Nige (Bret McKenzie) accidentally killed. They both go on a wild adventure to dispose of the body, eventually Deano decides to cut the body up. He comments on the consistency of the spinal chord of the corpse in gruesome detail with sound effects to match.
The story continues as he plans to murder Nige’s new best friend, a large security guard who I thought was the funniest of all three.
This movie was nothing like I expected it to be. After watching Hamish and Andy’s Australian television series, I was expecting it to be more of that kind of slap-stick, silly comedy. But it really wasn’t… It was just… Freaky.
“Just doing some washing…”
I actually couldn’t tell you any specific jokes I liked to be honest… The story was easy to follow and straight forward, but nothing really stood out. (Except for the parts that made me cringe…) If you have seen the film with Dylan Moran in it named “A Film With Me In It”, you’ll know what I mean when I say that it was a dark film that almost made you feel guilty by laughing either out of nervousness, or at the few funny parts.
Don’t think that it’s a kiwiana film with deep and meaningful themes, nor is it a movie that expresses the kiwi humour. It does, however, present the 1980s New Zealand in a way that seems pretty legit’. It is certainly aimed at the New Zealand audience.
It’s probably not a film you would be buzzing about and talking about after… Probably not something you would watch more than once either. If you want to have a laugh, watch the trailer.
Director: Frank Coraci Writer: Tim Herlihy Released: February 1998 Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore and Christine Taylor
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This film is the eighties equivalent of the sixties-based The Boat That Rocked, so it is very funny and has an awesome soundtrack!
Adam Sandler plays Robbie Hart the wedding singer who is very talented and loves his job until he loses faith in love. ‘Love Stinks’ is probably the most memorable song in the entire movie, which is covered by Sandler who has a surprisingly good voice!
The Love Stinks scene is my favourite scene, not because he is at the depths of heartbreak, but because his anger becomes pretty hilarious…
I think if Sandler had carried on doing the more tasteful films like The Wedding Singer, I would be a fan of more of his movies… It’s a shame that this is the only film I own with him in it.
Julia is the sweet girl-next-door type played by Drew Barrymore. Julia is such a cool character who is marrying the wrong guy; Glenn Gulia who is arrogant and rude.
That is until she starts “spending more time with this other man… Robbie Hart” who is, to her mother’s disappointment just “the wedding singer”.
Drew Barrymore has never looked more innocent with short blonde hair, this character shows her versatility as an actress since I always imagine her to be a bolshy and over-confident person in real life.
This film is probably my favourite rom-com of all time because it has a dry sense of humour, but above all it has a soundtrack that I absolutely love! Literally the best of the eighties.
Like all classic rom-coms, stereotypes and inevitable story lines fall into place, but the incredibly accurate fashion trends and set designs – at the very least – will keep you entertained and/or reminiscing!
I am now on the hunt for blue mascara…
Jodie’s rating: 8/10
Director: Joel T. Schumacher Writers: Janice Fischer, James Jeremias and Jeffery Boam Released: 1987 Starring: Corey Feldman, Jami Gertz, Corey Haim, Edward Herrmann, Barnard Hughes, Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Dianne Wiest
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Want to see a real vampire film? This ain’t no glitter-in-the-sunshine crapola! This is the real deal of blood-sucking beasts who aren’t bad on the eye and have traditional vampire qualities.
It isn’t a full-out horror though. More of a black comedy similar to Shaun of the Dead in style. It includes the good lookin’ Kiefer Sutherland in his younger days (if you don’t like vampires, you will after seeing Kiefer). Plus my favourite Dianne Weist who plays the mother of a comic book enthusiast (turned vampire hunter), and his brother (turned vampire). Talk about family feuds!
I have to mention Nanook – he’s the Huskie and I have loved that name ever since I watched this film. Apparently the dog was inspired by Nana in Peter Pan.
So it goes through all of the stereotypical vampire qualities, but it’s funny because they make you aware of the stereotypes. Intolerance to garlic, growth of fangs, demon dogs to guard the vampires during the day, motorbikes and, of course, being unable to tolerate sunlight. Or they’ll burn (not sparkle).
I love the characters. Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) as the protagonist who gets caught up with the “wrong crowd” in their new neighbourhood. Plus, his brother Sam (the late Corey Haim) who makes friends with brothers Edgar and Alan Frog (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) who chase down the vampires using their extensive knowledge of comic book characters as a guide.
The vampire hunters! Armed with comic book knowledge.
I love the soundtrack! I mean, it’s certainly eighties music but it’s pretty powerful with chilling songs that I really enjoy – even for a devoted sixties fan.
A fantastic film! A classic. Not too gory or scary, not too light hearted and shallow. A fun film for a wide audience, even if it’s just for the hard-core 80’s permed hair.
I’m not planning on ruining my love of The Lost Boys by watching the sequel…
My fellow time travellers and time travel enthusiasts! ’tis 2015 – the year that 
Phones in our glasses
Video calling
3d holographic adverts
Hover boards
Gardens in the kitchen
Cycling while eating
Self-walking dog leads
Fax machines
Inside-out pants
NZ Film Freak 