Double Feature #1 Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope/Back to the Future

The theme for this first post is, not surprisingly, BEGINNINGS!

Viewing Order
1) Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope1977. Directed by George Lucas. 125 minutes (because its the special edition. Ugh.)

2) Back to the Future1985(the year I was born!) Directed by Robert Zemeckis. 116 min.

As a self identified Nerd/Geek, these two films are practically encoded in my DNA at this point. My head turns every time I see Vader on a T-shirt. Every low, angular mid-eighties sports car needs a second look, just to see if it's the bad-performing, still-awesome Delorean. I could write pages and pages about both, but I'll try and keep it brief. Not only do these films both represent the beginning of their own mega-franchises, they also represent beginnings in my own life.

Star Wars represents the beginning of my geekdom. Posters, action figures, video/card games, and attempted Trilogy Viewing Nights perpetually peppered my prepubescence. Although it was not the first film in the series I saw (saving that for a different post), it is most definitely a great introduction to the franchise, establishing the world and characters, especially Luke Skywalker, the relatable, sometimes whiny but ultimately awesome hero. This film also marks the first time instrumental music really struck my brain. Before I knew about Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Mozart or Rachmaninoff, I knew John Williams (or as I like to call him, John Effin' Williams). Star Wars will always be the first ancestor to the long genealogy that is my nerd media life.

Back to the Future represents a much more literal beginning: released in July of 1985, it shows the world I was born into. Where Star Wars is all about the world building and space-opera-fantasy, Back to the Future is all about our own culture, both in 1985 and the 1955 of Marty's parents. Marty is also a hero that carries his film well, with a little less of the whine, a lot more of the cool. Truthfully, though, the real reason I loved this movie was Doc Brown. Christopher Lloyd's performance is so energetic and hilarious, he drew my attention instantly. Also, he said my name as an interjection!!

Putting these two movies together is almost a no-brainer. The heroes are thrown on this amazing journey, one to save the galaxy, the other to save his family and his own existence. They hint at a grander destiny (or density, heh) for each hero, setting up their franchises for greater exploration. I hold both of these movies in a high regard, almost on par with each other. I only put Back to the Future second because I enjoyed the idea of ending the double-feature on a cliffhanger.

If you're looking for a fun Double Feature, why not try these two? Who knows, maybe you'll find some great parallels. If nothing else, it'll be a great ride!

The run-down:

Favorite Moments:
1) The Cantina Scene: That music! Those aliens! So great!!
2) "Sounds pretty heavy!" "Weight has nothing to do with it!"

Suggested Double-Feature Snacks!
Aunt Beru's Blue Milk, and Enchantment Under the Sea-biscuits.

What you might not know: Tom Wilson, who plays Biff Tannen? TOTALLY Nice guy, he's got a podcast you might want to check out.

See you next week!